The 901: Ford’s new all-electric F-150 Lightning drives through Memphis city streets
Good morning, Memphis, where we come off the long holiday weekend with a heat advisory as temperatures near triple digits today.
But, first, Ford Motor Co.'s all-electric F-150 Lightning combines features people expect from a pickup truck with the modern amenities that draw drivers to electric vehicles — and it makes way for the next generation of electric trucks to be manufactured about 50 miles from Memphis at Blue Oval City, our Corinne Kennedy reports.
Corinne was able to test drive the new state-of-the-art vehicle through the streets of Memphis and give us an inside look at it.
Read her story to get a sneak peak at the new F-150 Lightning and see all the features that come with the electric vehicle.
Stein’s restaurant closes after 44 years in South Memphis
Soul-food restaurant Stein’s served its last lunch crowd Friday as owner Willistine Myrick plans to retire, our Porsha Hernandez reports.
"When we first opened, it was July of '78 and everyone knew then that we opened and people just started coming," Myrick said. "Word of mouth really just built this business because we always please our customers."
Myrick, 76, cited the staff shortage as the main factor driving her to close the popular lunch restaurant.
"I don't feel good about it. I really don't want to do it, but I don't have enough employees to help me. It's time to retire," she said.
Memphis’ queer prom balances tragedy and joy amid Supreme Court implications
OUTMemphis ended pride month with a queer prom celebration at the Memphis Botanic Garden just as news of a Supreme Court opinion suggested American rights to LGBTQ relationships and marriages should be reconsidered, our Laura Testino reports.
“It truly feels like nothing is safe, whatsoever,” Molly Quinn, executive director of OUTMemphis said. “… I'm probably naïve, but I felt and have felt like once we had marriage they would never take that away … And certainly I don't feel that way at all anymore.”
Read Laura’s story to hear how the overturning of Roe v Wade has created a sense of anxiety throughout Memphis’ LGBTQ community and learn what’s at stake.
Lowenstein House could soon become a boutique hotel
Plans show that a developer hopes to turn The Lowenstein House into a boutique Hotel, Corinne reports.
The structure at the corner of Jefferson and Manassas Street is currently vacant, but the historic property that was built in the 1890s is an example of Italianate and Romanesque Revival blend architecture, according to Memphis Heritage.
Fox13 anchor Mearl Purvis to retire after 18 years
Anchor Mearl Purvis plans to retire at the end of the month from Fox13, our Gina Butkovich reports.
Purvis reported and served the Memphis community with Fox13 since 2004.
"Thank you Memphis and the Mid-South. You adopted me decades ago as your daughter," Purvis said. "You’ve trusted me to read books to your babies, to speak at your church programs and yes to update you on the news events of the day. After more than 30 years in the news business, I’m going to retire from the daily work I’ve loved for so long. I’m a blessed woman. I got to be with you for both a long time and it was a good time. Godspeed."
Memphis author Mark Greaney inspires 'The Gray Man' movie
"The Gray Man" hits theaters July 15 and makes its Netflix debut July 22. The movie is adapted from the first of 11 novels that showcase the talents of Memphis author Mark Greaney's signature hero, the so-called "Gray Man," our John Beifuss reports.
With a production budget of $200 million, "The Gray Man" is the most expensive movie yet from Netflix. The movie was also produced and directed by Marvel-associated brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, who previously helmed some of the biggest blockbusters of all time, including "Avengers: Endgame,” "Avengers: Infinity War,” and two "Captain America" movies.
Greaney said he's "extraordinarily satisfied" with the movie, based on what he's seen so far. "The promises made to me by the Russo brothers, they absolutely lived up to everything they said they were going to do, which I didn't expect. They capture the heart and the soul of the story."
Memphis scientist competes in 2022 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
Brett Healey represented Memphis on the biggest stage of competitive eating as he was one of 16 male contestants at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, our Mark Giannotto writes in his latest column.
Here’s an excerpt:
Brett Healey was grunting, and wiggling his torso, and stuffing hot dogs and buns down his throat like he was already in Coney Island for the 4th of July. And then, about 50 seconds into this competitive eating dry run, he started choking.
“I’m going to Heimlich myself,” Healey decided, and so that’s what he did. Right there in back of the University of Memphis Law School.
He clasped his hands together and pushed them against his stomach. Out came a disgusting mix of bread and beef onto the cement. Almost as soon as it did, in went more hot dogs.
“People don’t realize the torture this is,” he said laughing about four minutes and 16 hot dogs later.
Competitive eater Joey Chestnut downed 63 hot dogs Monday to win his 15th title in the annual contest.
What to know about Grizzlies draft pick David Roddy
When the Memphis Grizzlies drafted David Roddy out of Colorado State with the 23rd pick in the NBA Draft, it came as a surprise to most fans. However, Roddy was a player Memphis had its eyes on throughout the pre-draft process, our Damichael Cole reports.
Damichael caught up with Kevin Lytle, who covers Colorado State basketball for the Coloradoan and has watched Roddy the past three seasons. In the QandA with the Rams’ beat writer, we get a glimpse into what we can expect as Roddy joins the Grizzlies next season.
The 901 is written by Ray Padilla, digital producer for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter at @Ray_Padilla_.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The 901: Peak at Ford's all-electric F-150 Lightning at Blue Oval City
