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The Daily Memphian | The Early Word
 
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The Early Word: We have questions about the force; plus, the Zoo’s new animal

Hello, Memphians! It’s Monday, July 13, and the Shelby County Commission will be taking a final vote on a “ban the box” ordinance, talking about enacting a hiring freeze until the end of September and reconsidering (again?) a proposed residential development near Collierville that has been approved, vetoed by a mayor, voted down and is now back before the body.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Shelby County Sheriff's deputies brace against protesters in Frayser after the shooting death of Brandon Webber in 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian file)

A display of the force? Questions continue to come to light over how the Memphis Police Department handles cases involving complaints of excessive force. The Institute for Public Service Reporting and The Daily Memphian have identified three cases that should have been referred to federal or local prosecutors to review for possible criminal charges but weren’t, including a 2015 incident “in which officers repeatedly hit, kicked and humiliated a prisoner who was handcuffed behind his back.” In somewhat related news, word came down last Friday that none of the U.S. Marshals involved in the death of Brandon Webber would be charged.

Should we call this the surge? If my own predictions are accurate, we’ll hit 14,000 total coronavirus cases in Shelby County today or tomorrow. Area hospitals are ramping up, with Methodist University Hospital opening an extra ICU ward last week. According to one doc, “The problem now is that it is really stressing our system. We are at a point now, no question, where this is stressing our system.” But, as we separate fact from fiction, some good news: Medical professionals are getting better at treating COVID-19 infections. Also, given the current situation, some people are questioning how Tennessee reopened its economy, relying on the public “to abide by recommendations rather than mandates.”

Students returned to Colonial Middle School several years ago. Whether students will go back to school in person this fall is very much an open question. (Daily Memphian file/Lance Murphey)

Pioneering education: Despite giving parents a choice for in-person versus virtual education, Shelby County Schools is also looking at a scenario where schools will have to start completely online due to the sheer number of local coronavirus cases (see above). In the larger context of all local schools, some experts say that we’re in a COVID-19 Catch-22, where students who go to school risk exposing themselves and others to the virus, while those who stay home are at risk of being exposed to chronic stress and other trauma. And one parent weighs in this morning, saying “this is not the kind of school year anyone wants,” but that parents need to band together, maybe even in small pods of families whose children would learn together. 

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WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

“P-Valley” premiered last night, and I may have mentioned this before, but the reviews are really good. Really good. Maybe we should get behind it. 

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THE NICE TO KNOW

Courtney Janney, curator of the East Zone at the Memphis Zoo, gives a treat to North, a 1-year-old companion dog in training. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

Cuteness alert: A golden retriever puppy has been released from prison and will now be spending his time at the Memphis Zoo, continuing his training to be a Canine Companion. One-year-old North has been with an inmate at Hardeman County Correctional Facility since last year; recently he joined animal curator Courtney Janney to get comfortable with all sorts of distractions. (The zoo is also looking at it as an opportunity to let its animals get acclimated to guests with service dogs.) 

Inside the bubble: Last Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies got to hold a team practice and we got to hear about some of the accommodations in Orlando. Some players on other teams have complained on social media about the food, but Ja Morant is taking it all in stride — and that could be the Grizz’s secret weapon. 

Southall Cafe will soon open in the old Tobacco Corner building. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)

Mendenhall overhaul: The longtime home of Tobacco Corner in East Memphis has gotten a makeover and is preparing for the mid-August opening of a new business. Southall Café will serve breakfast and lunch using locally sourced ingredients; it’s also part of a larger project, the overhaul of the Williamsburg Village Shopping Center. 

Feels like one of our own: The 27-year-old son of Lisa Marie Presley — and grandson of Elvis Presley — died yesterday in California.

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THIS WEEK’S WEATHER

We’re looking at sunny skies today and tomorrow, with highs in the lower and mid-90s. Chances for rain return Wednesday, but overall, we should expect a lot of sunshine and a lot of heat. 

Have a wonderful Monday, and tune in tomorrow! 

 
 
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