Hi there, Memphis. It’s Wednesday, March 13, and the University of Memphis Board of Trustees will take next steps on the planned 540-bed student housing development planned for Park Avenue.

And tonight, the No. 13 in the West Memphis Grizzlies will play the No. 13 in the East Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum. Which team will be the lucky No. 13? 

THE NEED TO KNOW

Five of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare’s 14 operating rooms are now closed due to the shortage of anesthesia care. (Sue Ogrocki/AP file)

Is there an anesthesiologist in the house? Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is closing operating rooms and delaying some minor procedures due to a shortage of anesthesiologists, according to local doctors. Last month, Methodist switched from its anesthesia provider, Medical Anesthesia Group, of more than 50 years after negotiations broke down. One doctor said the surgery delays are affecting her elective cases for now, but she said she may have to route more urgent cases through the emergency room. And that would mean higher costs for both the hospital and the patient.

Kee’s bond raised after pushback: Geronimo Kee, the man accused of shooting a Memphis police officer during a traffic stop on Friday, now has a $500,000 bond. His original $175,000 bond was raised on Tuesday after pushback from the Memphis Police Association. The MPA said the amount was too low and suggested that Kee and others charged with violent offenses should be held without bond pending trial. In other officer-involved-shooting news, Colby Alan Towles, the motorcyclist accused of shooting at Olive Branch police during a traffic stop, was arrested on Monday afternoon in Springfield, Missouri. According to new information, Towles wasn’t even involved in the traffic stop when he pulled over and engaged with officers.

Kyle Rittenhouse is speaking on March 20, in the University Commons Theatre at the University of Memphis. (AP file)

‘Rittenhouse Recap’ uproar: Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager who was acquitted for shooting three people and killing two in a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020, is scheduled to speak at the University of Memphis on March 20. And the event is causing a firestorm on social media, with some calling on U of M President Bill Hardgrave to cancel the event. Billed as the “Rittenhouse Recap,” the event advertises that Rittenhouse will speak on the importance of the Second Amendment and “the lies of BLM.” It’s being organized by Turning Point USA, a right-wing student activist group. 

The corrected revenue reports from the Shelby County Clerk’s office suggest a projected deficit for new schools and the Regional One renovation, shown here in a rendering. (Courtesy Regional One Health)

Fourth time’s a charm: Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert finally turned in her corrected revenue reports, after initially submitting incorrect numbers and then failing to properly correct some of them twice. The corrected reports, which were prepared with the help of a state audit team, show that $8.7 million has been collected over the last eight months from the new $25 increase to the county wheel tax. Those funds will go toward the rebuilding of Regional One Health and the construction of new high schools in Frayser and Cordova. But based on projections, it looks like there may be a deficit.

MEET MEMPHIS

Skyy Jordan will sing the national anthem before a Memphis Grizzlies home game at FedExForum on Wednesday, March 13. (Courtesy Bridgett Jordan)

When Skyy Jordan, 20, was goal-setting for 2024, she wrote down that she wanted to sing the national anthem at a Memphis Grizzlies game. And tonight, just a little over two months into the year, she’ll be able to cross that one off the list. Jordan will become the first blind person to sing the anthem at a Grizzlies game as they take on the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum tonight. She’s performed the anthem at plenty of other sporting events. So, when asked by The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins if she was nervous, her answer exuded confidence: “No. I’m good.”

THE NICE TO KNOW

In past visits, Publix has praised Collierville on the town’s organization, accessibility, design and cleanliness. (Gene J. Puskar/AP File)

Going Publix? Remember when everyone wanted a Trader Joe’s so bad, and TJ’s kept playing with our emotions with the on/again, off/again project? Well, now that’s Publix. The popular chain known for its “Pub Subs” has been eyeing Collierville since 2021. And though nothing happened after their initial visit to the suburb, Collierville’s retired Economic Development Director John Duncan told the Collierville Rotary Club on Tuesday that Collierville was back on Publix’s radar, even going so far as to say the store’s plans for the suburb were a “guarantee.”

Memphis Grizzlies guard Jordan Goodwin drove the lane against Washington Wizards guard Tyus Jones on Tuesday, March 12. (Nikki Boertman/AP)

Tyus loves Memphis: The Memphis Grizzlies won Tuesday night’s game, 109-97, against the Washington Wizards and old teammate Tyus Jones, who returned to FedExForum as a point guard for the struggling Wizards. Rookie Trey Jemison, whom the Grizzlies signed to a two-way deal in February, had the best game of his young career. Back to Jones, though: The Grizzlies’ former back-up point guard took time to catch up with his old teammates, and he had nothing but great things to say about Memphis. In Grizz-related news, Memphis Mayor Paul Young said on Tuesday that the city is having a “robust dialogue” with Memphis Tourism about the possibility of FedExForum renovations being funded by taxes that currently support the tourism nonprofit.

The total cost to replace the Interstate 55 bridge would be about $787 million, according to ARDOT and TDOT’s application to the federal government. (Jim Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Old bridge could be new again: The Interstate 55 bridge (aka the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge, aka the “old bridge”) is closed for repairs until March 24. And while repairs are underway both the Tennessee and Arkansas departments of transportation are waiting to hear whether they’ll get about $400 million in federal funding to replace the bridge. At the earliest, the bridge project could be done by 2028. So, why not just build a third bridge instead? Both state’s transportation departments looked into that, and turns out wildlife had a lot to do with their decision.

MSCS to U of M: The University of Memphis’ three campus schools, which collectively cover grades K-12, could come under the supervision of a new university-led district and shift out of the purview of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Rep. Mark White and Sen. Brent Taylor are proposing new legislation that would require that shift and also allow the university to establish new schools, including charter operators, without going through MSCS. If passed, it could have implications for other universities statewide. 

A voter cast his ballot in Jackson, Mississippi, in 2023. The state voted in party races for president, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 12. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP file)

Same story, different state: There were no surprises in Tuesday night’s primary elections in DeSoto County. President Joe Biden was the only candidate in the Democratic primary, and Donald Trump was the only Republican still in the race (even though a few candidates who’ve suspended their campaigns remained on the ballot). Incumbent U.S. Sen. Roger F. Wicker won the Republican primary for Senate, and Democrat Dianne Black defeated Bronco Williams in her party’s primary for the U.S. House. Wicker and Black’s opponents both ran unopposed. 

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

We may not have the Great Pyramid of Giza ...

But we’ve got the next best thing, with a supreme view from Downtown’s Comeback Coffee.

Have an awesome Wednesday!

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