Good morning, Memphis. It’s Monday, Aug. 10, and for some, such as Millington Municipal Schools, the Lakeland School System and the Madonna Learning Center, it’s the official first day of school. I kind of can’t believe we made it here, and it’s certainly not how I hoped it would be, but here we are. 

The Shelby County Commission will also be in session today, and one hot topic is the county’s hiring and salary freeze — and who is asking for waivers from it. 

And a special legislative session begins today at the state level, for elected officials to take up COVID-19 liability immunity legislation. 

THE NEED TO KNOW

Nora McGowan, a teacher at Holy Rosary, readies her classroom. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)

Let’s start at schools: As area schools begin to return to classes, both virtual and in-person, the question at the back of our collective minds might be: What are the chances that schools have to close again? According to a story from Don Wade this past weekend, the Health Department plans to immediately address any positive COVID-19 test within a school, but “it’s not as black and white as people think.” One local health expert says he doesn’t think we’ll have to close entire schools but that we probably will have to close some classrooms.

On the state’s dime: One might say that state Sen. Katrina Robinson wanted to learn how to be an effective legislator and that she made the most of opportunities presented to her. But, in an environment where most lawmakers took only one or two state-funded trips, Robinson took 10 in a year’s time, charging the state more than $23,000 to go to the various conferences. The information comes to light as Robinson is under indictment for allegedly using $600,000 in federal grant money to pay for personal expenses. 

Magnolia & May chef and owner Chip Dunham prepares a dish in his East Memphis restaurant. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian file)

COVID consequences: A new Shelby County Health Department directive goes into effect today, and with it comes the area’s tripwires. Again, it’s not as tripwire-y as someone raised on “Raiders of the Lost Ark” might be thinking, but it does provide clear guidelines. For instance, if we hit a week with an average of 450 new cases a day (or certain other benchmarks), the Health Department “would consider” new restrictions on full-service restaurants or it could impose a curfew. On the other hand, when new cases fall to an average of 180 per day, we could see the Health Department reopening limited-service restaurants. Obviously, not all the tripwires are about restaurants, but it strikes me that they are one of our canaries in the coal mine. 

Senate surprise: Memphian Marquita Bradshaw spent less than $6,000 on the state’s Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat. And yet. She beat a candidate who spent $1.5 million on that same race, essentially outspending her 250 to 1. So, how did the single mother do it? And how does she plan to run the rest of the race? A board member of the Sierra Club and one of the founders of Youth Terminating Pollution, Bradshaw says she incorporated her years of knowledge in environmental justice into the “cultural justice movement:” “It’s not the regular way that white men organize with money,” she said. “They think they can buy their way into a Senate seat. And right now people are disconnected. The way we win a U.S. Senate seat is that [voters] become a part of the practice.”

WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

On the TODAY show late last week, Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray said he received threats after saying the district would go completely virtual for its fall start. And it turns out, he’s not alone. 

THE NICE TO KNOW

Elmwood Cemetery executive director Kim Bearden, (middle) with help from husband Willy Bearden (right) adjusts a microphone for actress Susan “Cookie” Swain (right) before filming at Elmwood Cemetery. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)

Soul streaming: Every year, or almost every year, Elmwood Cemetery hosts a fall “Soul of the City” tour, its biggest annual event and its biggest fundraiser, with local actors playing some of Elmwood’s most famous “residents.” Last year, it even did the tour twice and a separate indoor version. But you know what I’m going to say, right? This year, instead of the in-person tour, Elmwood is bringing its residents to us, with a film version that will be streamed Saturday, Oct. 10. There’s even a charcuterie board in it for you. 

What’s going on with the Grizz? Since we last spoke, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder (yay! Even though Ja Morant had to miss his daughter’s first birthday to do so) but lost to the Toronto Raptors (and former fan favorite Marc Gasol). 

Monument-al battle: Protesters took to a Collierville park yesterday evening to ask that a Confederate monument be removed — and possibly for the park’s unofficial name to change. The activists did not march but sent emails to the town’s leadership; however, they said there will likely be other, future protests in Collierville and around Shelby County.

Off the books? Once upon a time, not too long ago, Memphis’ hotel pipeline was going gangbusters. There were so many hotel projects some wondered how we could possibly fill 25% more hotel rooms, even with tourism being such big business. Now that we’re months into the pandemic, a local hotel expert expects that many of those potential projects “will be off the table.” Of those that are still viable, they will probably be delayed, as financing becomes problematic. 

THIS WEEK’S WEATHER

Hello, hot stuff. We’ll start the week with a heat advisory in effect today from noon to 7 p.m. We should see the sun today but the chances for thunderstorms increase for the rest of the week. 

 Have a great start to your work week. See you tomorrow!

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said state Sen. Katrina Robinson spent $23,000 in airfare, while that number more accurately reflects her total trip costs. 

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