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How’s it going? It’s Thursday, Sept. 28, and if you’re a Memphian who happens to be out of town during all of the early voting period and Election Day, this is the last day you can request an absentee ballot to vote for mayoral and Memphis City Council candidates. Of course, there are a bunch of other reasons you might qualify for absentee voting. Here’s a full list.
THE NEED TO KNOW
 The early voting site at White Station Church of Christ in East Memphis is one of the top three voting sites in the city by turnout so far. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)
Early voting by the numbers: So far, more than 31,000 people have voted in the Memphis election for mayor and City Council seats, passing the early vote totals for the same period in the 2015 and 2019 city elections. In his Political Round-up, our own Bill Dries has a breakdown of the numbers thus far. He also tells us why this may be the last year that 21 public schools can be used as polling places, and he’s got a look at Memphis mayoral candidate and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner’s new campaign offensive.
 Former Republican state Sen. Brian Kelsey, left, arrived at federal court on Nov. 22, 2022, in Nashville. Kelsey will be free until his appeal plays out. (Mark Humphrey/AP file)
Kelsey is free during appeal: Former state Sen. Brian Kelsey can remain free as his appeal plays out, after U.S. District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw granted his request for bail on Tuesday. Kelsey was scheduled to report to prison for 21 months on Oct. 20 for campaign-finance fraud. But Kelsey’s appeal claimed Department of Justice Trial Attorney John Taddei violated his plea agreement when he advocated for a tougher sentence. Crenshaw determined Kelsey wasn’t appealing for the sole purpose of a delay and wasn’t a flight risk, despite prosecutors’ concerns to the contrary.
 “I pray that my colleagues ... will lead together,” said Memphis-Shelby County Schools board chair Althea Greene, who was re-elected on Tuesday. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)
Different day, same chair: The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board has elected Althea Greene as its chair for the second year. That’s despite criticism of how Greene handled the initial search for a new MSCS superintendent. The board is continuing its search for the district’s top spot, and board member Michelle McKissack said Greene was re-elected to the chair “to finish a job that I know that she’s very focused on and seeing to completion.” Joyce Dorse-Coleman will also remain the vice chair for another year.
 A Memphis Police officer walked at the scene of an accident after a driver crashed into a brick wall after being shot at multiple times on Sept. 27. (Aarron Fleming/The Daily Memphian)
Crime news: Whitehaven Elementary and Whitehaven High schools went on a precautionary lockdown as police investigated an off-campus shooting on Wednesday afternoon. According to preliminary information from the Memphis Police Department, multiple shots were fired at a white car near campus, and the driver was grazed and crashed into a brick wall near McClure Avenue and Elvis Presley Boulevard. In other crime news, the Wells Fargo bank branch at 6445 Poplar Ave. in East Memphis was robbed on Wednesday. A FedEx Ground driver, who was making deliveries to a nearby building, witnessed the suspect fleeing the bank.
MEET MEMPHIS
 “Did I think I was going to win or be appointed? No, I did not,” Monique “Chef Mo” Williams said. “But I don’t step away from the challenge because I’m all about community, change and growth.” (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Monique Williams was appointed to replace Bartlett Alderman Bobby Simmons after he stepped down from the suburb’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen earlier this year, making her the first Black person to serve on the BMA. She has a background in the clinical research industry, and she opened Biscuits & Jams on Stage Road in the historic Bartlett Station district in 2021. And now she’s hoping to help Bartlett’s economic growth in her new role. One thing she’d like to see in the suburb: more places like Memphis’ Loflin Yard, where people can hang out and keep tax dollars in Bartlett.
THE NICE TO KNOW
 Memphis Tigers guard Jaykwon Walton (middle) grabbed a rebound during practice on Wednesday, Sept. 27. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Tigers practice is on (but Mikey is out): Memphis Tigers basketball signee Mikey Williams will not have access to team-related facilities or activities until his legal issues are cleared. Williams is facing charges for a March 27 shooting in San Diego County, California, and his preliminary hearing is currently scheduled for Oct. 10. On a lighter note, the Tigers men’s basketball team held an open practice on Wednesday, giving media a first glimpse at the new-look team in action. Here are a few takeaways from our own Parth Upadhyaya. During practice, Coach Penny Hardaway said he knows he has a “good team”; our own Tim Buckley tells us why. That practice also gave us a chance to hear from fifth-year Tiger Malcolm Dandridge, who talked about his decision to choose Memphis again after entering the transfer portal in May. Meanwhile, over at the women’s basketball open practice, coach Alex Simmons preached the importance of a “championship mentality.” And in Tigers football news, our own Frank Bonner II takes a look at the NFL careers of former Tigers Quindell Johnson and Calvin Austin III.
 A recreated “Colored Entrance” sign is part of “The Balcony Project.” (Courtesy Orpheum Theatre Group)
The Balcony Project: The Orpheum is opening a new exhibit that shows how Black patrons were once segregated in the theater. “The Balcony Project,” which opens to the public on Monday, Oct. 2, features historical plaques that chronicle the horrors of segregation throughout Tennessee and the American South. The project also includes a documentary by videographer Daven Baptiste with stories from people who visited and volunteered at the Orpheum, pre- and post-desegregation. Here’s how you can see it.
 The Memphis Grizzlies media day is Monday, but don’t expect to see Ja Morant. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
Here come the Grizzlies: Can you believe it’s almost NBA season again? Memphis Grizzlies media day is Monday, and The Daily Memphian’s Chris Herrington has a rundown of what we might expect. One thing we won’t see: an appearance by Ja Morant, who is barred from “public team activities” during his 25-game suspension. But we should get our Memphis debut of new Grizzly Marcus Smart and some updates on the injuries that have plagued Desmond Bane, Steven Adams and Ziaire Williams. If you’re nervous about attending games at FedExForum this season following this month’s shooting at the Lil Baby concert, this new arena policy might make you feel a little safer.
 At Elwood’s Shack’s second location, 4040 Park Ave., the menu includes sandwiches, tacos, pizzas and barbecue platters. (Chris Herrington/The Daily Memphian)
New eats: Sure, we’ve heard some news lately about restaurant closings: Pantà, Belly Acres. But that’s counterbalanced with several new openings, including the second location of Elwood’s Shack. Our own Chris Herrington and his wife stopped by for sandwiches, and he found the place to be busy and relaxing at the same time. A bonus find: A salute to our late food writer Jennifer Biggs on the restaurant’s outside mural. Herrington also stopped into the new Germantown Parkway location of Leonard’s Pit Barbecue, where you can get spaghetti as a side. And he got a first taste of a honey butter croissant at Downtown’s new Hive Bagel & Deli. Read about all of those new eats in Table Talk.
 A look inside a dining area at the new Domino’s Village at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
It takes a Village: On Wednesday, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital unveiled its new Domino’s Village, a six-story housing facility for St. Jude patients and their families who travel more than 35 miles for treatment. The facility offers 140 furnished apartments specially designed to protect fragile patient immune systems. Plus, there’s a communal dining area, a medical clinic, a fitness room and a playground with grilling areas.
 Bartlett Mayor David Parsons (left) recognized retiring Parks and Recreation Director Shan Criswell at the Bartlett Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Parks and retirement: Bartlett’s longtime Parks and Recreation Director Shan Criswell is retiring, effective immediately. After working 36 years for the city, Criswell is stepping down to take care of her husband after he suffered a series of strokes. Under her tenure, Bartlett added pickleball courts and a cricket pitch and grew to 29 parks, 15 baseball and softball fields, 14 miles of trails (including my personal favorite at Stanky Creek) and more. Assistant Parks Director Paul Wright will replace Criswell in an interim role, and he’s already got a full plate.
SAVE THE DATE
You might need to know this, or you could pass the info along to someone who does. But on Friday, Sept. 29, you can catch a free bus ride to the polls. Don’t forget that early voting ends on Saturday, Sept. 30.
If you haven’t voted early yet, you might consider checking your Memphis City Council district before you go. My Midtown district changed since the last council election, and I was caught off guard at the polling place. Don’t let it happen to you!
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