Update
Metro Crack shuts down all traffic on I-40 bridge
A crack on the I-40 bridge from Memphis into Arkansas shut down traffic and drivers were being rerouted to I-55, over the old bridge.
Update
Metro County poised to remove mask mandate
The mask mandate will be lifted in the new health directive, beginning Saturday, May 15.
The Early Word: I-40 bridge still shut down but masks are coming off
Will we soon see bright, smiling faces? Maybe, maybe not. But a bright sign in Midtown is expected to come back.
Restaurateurs bristle at new directive ‘suggesting’ mask use
Restaurateurs aren’t happy with a new health directive that suggests people wear masks but puts the burden of the decision on them.
Will lift in mask mandate impact areas with low vaccine rates?
In some ZIP codes, vaccination rates are less than half the rates in other parts of Shelby County.
‘Sputnik’ breaks orbit for repairs
The city’s only Roto-Sphere business sign is in the shop for repairs. But fret not Memphis, says the management of Joe’s Wines & Liquor, “Sputnik” will return.
Former MPD officer faces criminal charge
A former MPD officer accused of pepper spraying a handcuffed, mentally ill man is the second law enforcement officer to face criminal charges brought by a new prosecution unit aimed at cracking down on police brutality.
Tennessee opts out of higher federal unemployment benefits
Tennesseans on unemployment insurance won’t get the extra $300 per week provided by the federal government as of July 3, Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday, May 11.
No evidence of vaccine irregularities, Harris says
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris says he’s found nothing to validate accusations that doses of vaccine were lost, stolen or misused when the county Health Department controlled distribution.
Grizzlies deliver no-doubt-it revenge against Mavericks
Ja Morant’s production and energy were abundant in the Grizzlies’ huge win. Related story:
Garbage, buses and park rangers surface in city budget discussions
It could have taken years for city crews to adequately manage garbage pick up in Area E, city council members were told Tuesday. Meanwhile, some council members appear likely to move for more funding of the Memphis Area Transit Authority and the parks division has a plan to add park rangers.
Tuesday prep report: Lausanne, St. George’s set for rematch in region soccer final
Max Gilbert is the hat-trick hero as Lynx defeat ECS while Dade Micheel scores twice in Gryphons’ victory over Westminster.
A garden walk grows in Cooper-Young
Since the Cooper-Young Garden Walk started in 2016, the number of stops on the tour has quadrupled. “People keep upping their game,” says event founder Kim Halyak.
Bartlett faces potential tax increase, passes budget on first reading
Votes on the budget and tax hike passed unanimously in separate votes on first reading at Bartlett City Hall Tuesday night. Two more readings are required on both before they become enacted for the coming fiscal year.
Number of available homes rises 2.9% in April
The number of Memphis-area homes sold in April 2021 rose 25.9% compared to April 2020, local Realtors report.
Germantown to establish stormwater commission
Germantown wants to establish a new commission to take a closer look at stormwater and utility needs in the city.
Appeals court denies DNA testing in Sedley Alley case
Sedley Alley was executed in 2006 for the murder of Lance Cpl. Suzanne Collins. Alley’s daughter sought to have DNA evidence tested to see if it would clear his name.
Metro
County Commission advances pipeline setbacks on first reading
Commissioners went ahead with a Monday vote on the Unified Development Code changes proposed by county Mayor Lee Harris. That despite the Byhalia Connection Pipeline companies urging a delay.
Business Loews Hotels drops plans to use historic police building
Business
The Memphian surrounds its ‘pilgrims’ with color and art
The Memphian in Overton Square has just opened. Inside, the place is as much a lively, luminous art gallery as a hotel.
Subscribers Only Business The man, the face, the jingle: Personal injury lawyer Corey B. Trotz
Sports
901 FC looks to new Fortune with midfielder
The 24-year-old was North Carolina FC’s most valuable player in 2020.
High School Sports Monday prep report: Northpoint blanks ECS to advance in D2-A
Food
$10 Deal: Panda Garden’s lunch special is hard to beat
Panda Garden offers a lunch special with a selection of more than 20 meals, each under $10. The food is good, and the portions are generous.
Suburbs
Suburban leaders optimistic about new health directive
Suburban leaders in Shelby County are optimistic resident responsibility will be part of the next directive. They hope to see the mandates turn into recommendations for residents.
Neighborhoods
Hard labor, donations transforming White Station High’s tough courtyard
Against all odds, a $550,000 fundraising and work project to turn White Station High’s hardpan courtyard into an oasis is nearing the finish line. But a little work and fundraising are still to be completed.
Arts & Culture
A garden walk grows in Cooper-Young
Since the Cooper-Young Garden Walk started in 2016, the number of stops on the tour has quadrupled. “People keep upping their game,” says event founder Kim Halyak.
Opinion
Opinion: Note to unvaccinated millennials: ‘You are not invincible’
More than 95% of doctors have gotten vaccines, according to one survey. Do you think we would immediately have taken those shots when offered if we were concerned about their safety?
Podcasts
County Mayor Harris says county tax rate should hold steady
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said on “Behind The Headlines” that the estimated drop in the county property tax rate to $3.50, accounting for increases in values, should be the line to hold on the county tax rate. But county commissioners this week reviewed numbers suggesting some want to raise taxes beyond that point.