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Today is Thursday, Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, and if you’re looking for a way to help families living with HIV/AIDS, consider donating to Memphis-based Friends for Life’s annual toy drive.

A federal judge in Memphis will hear a legal challenge today of Tennessee Valley Authority’s long-term contracts, and that could impact Memphis Light, Gas & Water’s planned vote on a future with TVA. 

THE NEED TO KNOW

Construction workers build on the BlueOval City campus. A Megasite Authority of West Tennessee leader said about 1,000 people are currently at work, and that number is expected to peak at around 5,000 by this time next year. (The Daily Memphian file)

Union built: BlueOval City will be built by union labor. Detroit-based Walbridge, BlueOval’s construction consultant, has a labor agreement with its subcontractors that requires workers to be represented by unions. State Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill) didn’t seem too happy about that at a Tuesday committee hearing on BlueOval’s progress and challenges. “I don’t know how many companies you have in West Tennessee that are union shops, but that is kind of disappointing,” Warner told Clay Bright, CEO of the Megasite Authority of West Tennessee. Another possible (and kind of spooky) challenge: There are two potential gravesites on the Megasite grounds.

The City of Memphis maintains that no-suspect sexual assault cases could not be submitted for DNA testing until at least 2002, while attorneys point to a Davidson County case from the 1990s where DNA testing was used. (The Daily Memphian file)

‘Pattern of false statements’ by MPD? In a motion filed on Wednesday, attorneys representing dozens of victims in a rape kit lawsuit against the City of Memphis claimed that the Memphis Police Department engaged in “a pattern of false statements” about the availability of DNA testing before 2002 without any suspects. At the heart of the claim is a Nashville rape case from the 1990s. In that case, the attacker was identified through DNA testing, and a retired Nashville DNA Unit supervisor said that DNA testing was available in no-suspect cases as early as 1993. 

If Germantown Municipal Schools and Memphis-Shelby County Schools don’t reach an agreement by Jan. 1, ownership of the so-called 3G schools will transfer to Germantown. (The Daily Memphian file)

MSCS asks for new school funds: Memphis-Shelby County Schools is asking the Shelby County Commission for a new high school with a price tag of up to $125 million, should MSCS lose ownership of Germantown Elementary, Middle and High schools. Legislation passed by state lawmakers earlier this year prohibits one school district from operating schools within the boundaries of another, and the so-called 3G schools are inside the Germantown Municipal School District’s boundaries. The two districts have until Jan. 1 to work things out, but if they don’t, ownership of the 3G schools will transfer to Germantown.

MEET MEMPHIS

Quintessential Sweets’ Christopher (left) and Cassandra Gray are opening a second location at 97 N. Main St., between Court Square and Civic Center Plaza. (Jim Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

It all started with a decision to leave corporate America and open an Italian ice cart inside Wolfchase Galleria. It sounds like a risky move, and Cassandra Gray certainly thought so when her husband Christopher did just that (and right after she left her corporate job to stay home with her special needs son). But nine years later, the couple are opening their second brick-and-mortar Quintessential Sweets location, serving everything from ice cream and snow cones to fried Oreos and funnel cakes. 

THE NICE TO KNOW

A processing supervisor at Compassionate Care Foundation’s medical marijuana dispensary in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, clips leaves off marijuana buds. (Julio Cortez/AP file photo)

Yes, we cannabis? Although voters in my home state of Arkansas rejected legalization of recreational pot on the midterm ballot earlier this month, our neighbors to the west have had legal medical marijuana since 2016. And that begs the question, “Will Tennessee ever legalize cannabis?” Some experts say Tennessee may be “last state standing” regarding legalization of medical or recreational THC, but efforts to decriminalize pot have supporters on both sides of the aisle. 

Memphis Tigers forward Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu (right) drives to the basket against North Alabama’s Damian Forrest (left) on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Tigers catch their breath: The Memphis Tigers basketball team got a bit of a breather on Wednesday night with their 87-68 win over North Alabama. The Lions, ranked No. 327 in the country, were their weakest opponent so far this season, and that gave coach Penny Hardaway a chance to test out some bench players who might not otherwise see much action. “Seeing everybody get to play, that makes me happy,” said guard Kendric Davis, who led with 18 points. Guard Keonté Kennedy scored 11 points, and he played especially well in the first half. The Daily Memphian’s Tim Buckley believes Kennedy can help the Tigers reach Hardaway’s goal of becoming a Top 25 team. Have burning Tigers questions? Like, what’s up with transfer Damaria Franklin? Our Tigers basketball beat writer Parth Upadhyaya and sports columnist John Martin may have your answers in their Tiger Talk column.

“This funding is designed to address under-resourced communities like Shelby County that are economically challenged and have high-risk and underserved populations,” said Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor. (Ziggy Mack/The Daily Memphian file)

‘Game-changer’ grant: The Shelby County Health Department received a $13.8 million grant from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve local public health workforce and infrastructure. Dr. Michelle Taylor, the health department’s director, called the funds a “game-changer” that will help with recruiting, retaining and training new public health workers.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, in Minneapolis. (Andy Clayton-King/AP)

Too many turnovers: Turnovers and missed free throws were the theme in the Memphis Grizzlies 109-101 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. The Grizzlies finished with 27 turnovers overall — the most in a Grizz game since 2007 — and shot 60% from the line. To make matters worse, in the last two minutes of the game, Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant were both ejected due to technical fouls. But on the bright side, rookie David Roddy, who hails from Minnesota, played well, and his family was there to watch.

On a milestone birthday, Jennifer Biggs has more than restaurant recommendations to impart. (The Daily Memphian file)

Big birthday for Biggs: Our very own Jennifer Biggs celebrated a milestone birthday on Wednesday, and she offered Table Talk readers a bit of life advice learned during her 60 rotations around the sun. Writes Biggs, “It goes without saying that we should enjoy life, take good care of our bodies, our hearts and our spiritual welfare, tenderly handle the hearts of those we love, and, yes, this one is trite, but it’s true: Be kinder than you have to be.” Who can argue with that? And even better, Biggs got an early birthday present with the return of her favorite restaurant in the spot where Pancho’s used to be.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Condé Nast Traveler named Memphis one of the “23 Best Places to Go in 2023,” putting us right up there with cities in Peru, Portugal, Morocco and France. The story highlights vegetarian food spots (rather than the same old barbecue joints) and the city’s eight new hotels. And they even threw in a low-key Nashville jab (they really get us!). 

So today, when you’re feeling down, just remember that you live in the state’s hottest place to be. Have a good one!

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