Good morning, Memphis.

A Memphis woman donated a kidney to her brother earlier this week, fulfilling a promise to their late mother and ending his wait for a transplant; both are recovering at a local hospital.

The Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into nine companies (including Delta, Walmart, Target, Uber, and DoorDash) for using shoppers' personal data to show and charge different prices for the same products, and experts say using store apps, phone numbers, or regular browsing can make you more visible to that pricing practice.

New figures show Black unemployment rose sharply, with Black women's rate climbing from 5.6% in August to 6.8% in September, and Shelby County seeing a 341% surge in layoffs in the first half of 2026, raising concerns about financial strain for local families.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools reported its 2025-26 graduation rate rose to 85.4%, the highest in seven years, up 1% from 2024-25 and 7.7% since 2020, and said proficiency climbed at least 1% in English, math, science, and social studies.

Bartlett City Schools Superintendent Dr. David A.

Stephens announced Wednesday, Oct. 28 that he will retire effective June 30, 2027 after 13 years leading the district and a 40-year education career, and he will remain in his role through the end of the school year.

A Memphis educator who was named Tennessee Teacher of the Year said failure shaped their teaching approach in a video profile published Oct.

29, highlighting classroom strategies and lessons learned.

Covington police warn parents that a fake social-media flyer called Hide and Seek from the Police is urging kids to run and hide from officers, and they say families should ignore it, verify events on the department’s official pages or by phone, and expect an increased officer presence around the historic square and Main Street for Halloween.

The Tennessee Department of Health posted updated restaurant inspection scores today for Memphis and Shelby County, highlighting top-rated kitchens and several low scores; Café 143 was ordered to remain closed until hot water is restored and a reinspection is completed.

A Mid-South Weekend Guide published by local news lists Halloween events and warns of an unsettled weather pattern for this weekend across the Mid-South, advising residents to check forecasts and plan for possible rain during trick-or-treating.

Memphis fell 93-81 to No. 12 Arkansas in an exhibition Wednesday night in Fayetteville, closing its preseason; seniors Nemanja Popovic and Luke Almodovar scored 16 points each.

The Tigers will open the regular season Monday, Nov. 2 at No. 18 Iowa State in Sioux Falls (6 p.m.).