What’s up, Memphis? Today is Wednesday, Aug. 10 — National Lazy Day. But don’t worry, I wasn’t so lazy that I failed to write your morning news column.

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THE NEED TO KNOW

Forge is seeking a 30-year lease for a proposed zip line adventure park at Mud Island, with a 10-year renewal beyond that. (Courtesy The Forge Adventure Parks)

Zip lines, primaries and a resignation: Memphis City Council chairwoman Jamita Swearengen, who was recently elected as the Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk, resigned from her District 4 seat at the end of Tuesday’s council meeting, setting the stage for a special election on the Nov. 8 ballot. In other election-related news, the council voted down a referendum to establish primaries for city council and mayoral positions. But they did approve the hiring of an energy consultant to advise its upcoming vote on whether or not Memphis Light, Gas and Water should leave the Tennessee Valley Authority (however, a few council members clashed before they settled on that vote). Also at Tuesday’s council meeting, members heard a presentation from Forge Memphis, the local group seeking a 30-year lease for a proposed zip line adventure park at Mud Island. They assured the council the park would be privately funded and would not prevent other attractions from opening there. (Is it just me, or does it look like there’s a zip line over a parking lot in that rendering? Is that safe?).

Hudson Swafford (shown here in Augusta, Georgia, in April) will not be playing in this week’s FedEx Cup Playoff event. On Tuesday, a judge ruled against issuing a temporary restraining order that would have allowed him and two other LIV Golf players to play here this week. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Fore the best: Golfers Hudson Swafford, Talor Gooch and Matt Jones will not be playing in the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis this week. On Tuesday, a U.S. district court judge ruled against issuing a temporary restraining order that would have allowed the three LIV Golf players to play here. The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins says those golfers “are decidedly not welcome in our fair city” after they made the decision to play for a series designed “ to whitewash atrocities committed by Saudi Arabia.” Meanwhile, all eyes are turning to Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 ranked player and the top player in the FedEx Cup standings. Scheffler hasn’t played golf in Memphis since 2014, when he was a 17-year-old high school standout from Dallas, but he’ll be here this week.

Sulipeck not coming back: It seems FOX13’s longtime, bowtie-wearing chief meteorologist Joey Sulipeck will not be returning to local TV. Three months after Sulipeck went off-air following a controversial post on Twitter, FOX13 has posted an opening for his position on LinkedIn. And multiple sources in the industry have confirmed he won’t be returning. (What is it with weather guys and controversy? Remember on AppleTV’s “The Morning Show” when meteorologist Yanko Flores called the groundhog his “spirit animal”?).

A group of Rhodes College alumni are urging Rhodes to remove U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett from its hall of fame. (Damian Dovarganes/AP file)

Honor system: A group of Rhodes College alumni is petitioning to have U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett removed from the Rhodes College Hall of Fame. Rhodes College Alumni for Reproductive Rights claims Barrett made misleading statements during her October 2020 Senate confirmation hearing, which they believe is a violation of Rhodes’ honor code (a three-part “honor system” that incoming Rhodes students sign at the beginning of each semester).

Ralph Prater, one of the Memphis State Eight, the first group of Black students to attend the University of Memphis, has died. (Courtesy University of Memphis)

Memphis State Eight member dies: Ralph Prater, one of the first Black students to attend the University of Memphis, has died at age 81. On Sept. 18, 1959, Prater and seven others — known as the Memphis State Eight — made history as the first Black students to integrate the campus.

MEET MEMPHIS

Jordy Cardell is a local artist who makes handmade jewelry, apparel, paintings and other items and is also involved with the local theater community. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Memphis-based artist Jordy Cardell recently launched her brand Jordy Bel and gives back to the community with every purchase. In her first month in business, she donated 15% of her profits from art sales to the Memphis Union Mission, and she offers a set monthly donation to OUTMemphis. Her work can be seen around town, including a mural at Dru’s Place in Midtown and her recently launched jewelry line.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Construction workers began renovating the Dermon Building, located at the corner of B.B. King Boulevard and Court Avenue, for a now-defunct hotel project in 2018. The building’s new owners were approved for a PILOT to redevelop the building into apartments. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian file)

Apartments from Downtown to the Edge: The Center City Revenue Finance Corp. approved 12-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) deals for the renovation of Downtown’s historic Dermon Building and for the University Lofts development in the Edge District. The 10-story Dermon Building, which dates back to 1925, will be converted into 103 apartments with an outdoor pool and dog park for residents. The University Lofts development calls for demolition of the former Holliday Flowers property in the Edge with plans to build a new four-story, 77,000-square-foot apartment building with 105 fully furnished micro lofts.

The 2022 Memphis Redbirds are introduced at AutoZone Park shortly before the first pitch on opening day Apr. 5, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian file)

Redbirds sold again: The Memphis Redbirds have been sold for the second time in a year — this time to Silver Lake, a private equity firm, as part of a 10-team deal worth $280 million. The team was sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings in December.

The City of Memphis filed a permit to renovate the former Coca-Cola plant at 499 S. Hollywood St. for the city’s fleet maintenance services. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Refresh for old Coke building: Permits were filed earlier this month to renovate the former Coca-Cola plant at 499 S. Hollywood St. for the city of Memphis’ fleet maintenance services. According to permits filed with the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development, a portion of the building will be used as a body shop for vehicle maintenance. The Daily Memphian’s Neil Strebig has more on that project and an update on the Memphis housing market in his Inked column.

Lady A has canceled its planned Aug. 20 performance at Live at the Garden. (Courtesy Memphis Botanic Garden)

Not live at the garden: Live at the Garden is looking for a replacement act after country group Lady A canceled their planned performance on Aug. 20. Last week, Lady A announced on social media that they would postpone their “Request Line” tour because band member Charles Kelley “has embarked on a journey to sobriety.”

Caden Prieskorn (Courtesy U of M)

Tightening up the team: With former Memphis Tigers tight end Sean Dykes gone, University of Memphis junior Caden Prieskorn appears to be the front-runner for the starting position. “We’re expecting big things from Caden Prieskorn,” said coach Ryan Silverfield. Prieskorn appeared in all 12 games last season and caught four passes for 46 yards.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

There is a lot of talk about this zip line adventure park proposal for Mud Island. But meanwhile, far less sexy (but needed) infrastructure improvements are underway. Memphis River Parks Partnership shared some images of what’s new on its Twitter.

It may be National Lazy Day, but that’s no excuse. The day is young; make the most of it. See you tomorrow!

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