Good morning, Memphis! It’s Wednesday, April 12 — National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, so make sure you’re a gouda sport and get yourself one today to celebrate (I know, I know that was cheesy).

I’m Natalie Pilgrim, Digital Producer here at The Daily Memphian. I’ll be filling in for Bianca Phillips this morning, who is on vacation and will return Tuesday. 

Today at a special meeting, the Shelby County Commission could reappoint Justin J. Pearson to the State House District 86 seat. Pearson’s expulsion, along with another lawmaker’s, from the Tennessee House of Representatives last week has drawn criticism from readers. Columnist Otis Sanford believes that “the House supermajority did immeasurable damage to the Republican Party nationally.” Chris Herrington also says that this latest issue from the Capitol highlights the tension between the cities and rural areas across the country.

Alright, let’s get to some news.

THE NEED TO KNOW

“We should work to set aside our differences and accomplish something that Tennesseans want us to accomplish,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said of his red flag gun law proposal. (Ian Round/The Daily Memphian)

‘Red flag’ law: On Tuesday, Gov. Bill Lee proposed an extreme risk protection order law intended to keep guns out of the hands of people who pose a danger to themselves or others. The “red flag” law would build on the current protection order law, which is specific to domestic violence cases. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed new regulations for facilities that use a cancer-causing chemical to sterilize medical equipment that could mean fewer emissions locally. Vera Holmes points to the Sterilization Services of Tennessee building on a map during a Mallory Heights CDC meeting in January at the South Branch Library to inform residents about their cancer risk from Ethylene Oxide emissions from Sterilization Services of Tennessee. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Less EtO emissions?: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new regulations for facilities, like South Memphis company Sterilization Services of Tennessee, that use the cancer-causing chemical ethylene oxide, or EtO, to sterilize medical equipment, and the change could mean fewer emissions locally in three years or less. “While many of these facilities have already taken steps to reduce emissions, the proposal would require all 86 (commercial sterilizers) and any new facilities to comply with the stricter pollution controls, which have already been proven to be effective and achievable,” said Janet McCabe, deputy administrator of the EPA.

The “Driver Equality Act” “asks and directs” the Memphis Police Department to not make traffic stops for the following offenses individually: temporary tags or license plates not properly affixed; a single taillight, headlight or running light not working; no bumper or a damaged bumper; or car registration that has lapsed for less than two months. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

‘Driver Equality Act’: Memphis City Council members on Tuesday voted 11-0 to approve the “Driver Equality Act” on third and final reading. The measure “asks and directs” the Memphis Police Department to not make traffic stops for things such as temporary tags or license plates not being properly affixed and car registration that has lapsed for less than two months.

Memphis sanitation workers Roy Britt (left) and Mario Norman pick up garbage and yard waste in the High Point Terrace area on April 10, 2019. The city currently charges $29.96 per cart as a solid waste fee on monthly Memphis Light, Gas and Water residential utility bills. (The Daily Memphian file)

Waste fee hike: Memphis’ solid waste fees are not covering the cost of those services, and Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration may recommend a hike as part of the coming city budget season. According to city chief operating officer Chandell Ryan, the administration will likely propose either a rate hike or some kind of restructuring of garbage service payments in Strickland’s final budget proposal next month. The City of Memphis currently charges $29.96 per cart as a solid waste fee on monthly MLGW residential utility bills and nearly $80 a month for up to two carts for commercial property.

MEET MEMPHIS

Over the years, Zach Randolph has watched his daughter, Mackenly Randolph, a high school junior, develop into one of the top talents in high school girls basketball. (FIBA)

High school junior Mackenly Randolph, the daughter of Memphis Grizzlies star Zach Randolph, is well on her way to filling her father’s big shoes. She’s already one of the top talents in girl’s high school basketball with a No. 19 spot in the HoopGurlz top 60 recruiting rankings. Randolph, who plays for Sierra Canyon (the No. 1 girls basketball team in the country), was a mentee of the late Kobe Bryant and earned the USA gold medal at the FIBA U17 World Cup in 2022. Does she feel the pressure of having a famous NBA star dad? “Well, I’m not my dad. It wouldn’t be fair to me to expect me to do what he did. But, I am a great basketball player. I try to be the best version of me,” she said. — Bianca Phillips

THE NICE TO KNOW

Clockwise from left: roasted Scottish salmon, filet, cabbage steak, Brussels sprouts and fish ‘n chips. (Jennifer Biggs/The Daily Memphian)

Open for business: Bog & Barley, DJ and Jamie Naylor’s new restaurant in East Memphis’ Regalia shopping center, officially opened Friday for lunch. Our own Jennifer Biggs stopped by on Wednesday of last week during a soft opening and said one item on the menu “was just perfect.”

FedEx World Hub is located at Memphis International Airport. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Frequent flyer: The 4,000-plus acre airfield at Memphis International Airport — which has four runways, one almost two miles long — is always open. The reason? FedEx. The company dominates the airfield but contributes little direct income to passenger amenities in Memphis International. 

Hope Clayburn of Hope Clayburn’s Soul Scrimmage performs at Memphis in May in 2019. Clayburn’s group will be featured in a new MoSH laser concert series. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Laser show: Ever wanted to go to a concert with a laser show? Well, now’s your chance. The Memphis Museum of Science & History (MoSH) and Overton Park Shell’s Shell on Wheels program are partnering for a new concert series that combines lasers and concerts featuring Memphis musicians. Kevin Thompson, MoSH’s executive director, said the series gives the institution a chance to highlight some of the best musicians in Memphis.

With giant panda Ya Ya leaving the Memphis Zoo, the space she and Le Le occupied could also be used to highlight any of the zoo’s species native to Asia. (Karen Pulfer Focht/AP file)

Panda-monium: The Memphis Zoo’s remaining panda, Ya Ya, is expected to return to China sometime this month (though the exact date is unknown). As late as last December, zoo officials believed they would receive a second pair of mating pandas. That seems less likely now — geopolitics — and if it doesn’t happen, the zoo has some ideas about how they will use that exhibit space.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

The Memphis Grizzlies will meet LeBron James and the Lakers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The first game is quickly approaching (this Sunday at FedExForum), so if you want tickets, get them now while you can! 

Hope you have a brie-lliant Wednesday, and go Grizz! Alys Drake, another member of The Daily Memphian digital team, will be here tomorrow morning with more. 

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