Howdy, Memphis. It’s Tuesday, Oct. 22, and the all-new Memphis Area Transit Authority board meets for the first time this afternoon. The first order of business may be suspending the bus-route cuts approved by the former board just last month. That was one of a consultant’s recommendations in a report that says MATA needs more — not fewer — buses.

Planning ahead for Halloweekend? It’s just days away, and our trick-or-treating, decor and party guide will get you ready. 

THE NEED TO KNOW

International Paper intends to lay off more than 1,150 people. (The Daily Memphian file)

IP announces more layoffs: Memphis-based International Paper said on Monday that it would let go of an additional 500 workers and close five plants, including one in Cleveland, Tennessee. That’s in addition to the 400 Memphis workers and 250 other layoffs announced last week. The affected Memphis workers are expected to be from IP’s corporate office. The news comes as the company is in the process of acquiring London-based paper company DS Smith for nearly $10 billion.

Injured officer ID’d: Sgt. Samuel C. Lilley, 33, has been identified as the Shelby County Sheriff’s deputy critically injured in a motorcycle crash on Highway 64 last week. Lilley remains on life support at Regional One Health’s ICU. He was responding to a separate motorcycle crash involving a deputy when his motorcycle struck a car that pulled out in front of him, according to a police report. 

At the Saturday, Oct. 19, “Souls to the Polls” rally in Whitehaven, Rev. Ricky Floyd said church leaders are limited in their political advocacy but added, “The Holy Spirit will tell you who to vote for.” (Bill Dries/The Daily Memphian)

Souls to the polls: Early voting is well underway, but the numbers are still down about 38% from the presidential election cycle in 2020. But that’s not for lack of trying on the part of Democratic campaigners, who led some voter mobilization efforts over the weekend. There was a “Souls to the Polls” rally, part of a national effort that focused on Sunday church services, and an “immigrant poll party” Saturday at the Gaisman Community Center. Meanwhile, Republican U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty both cosigned a letter on Monday claiming “illegal aliens” are registering to vote. 

MEET MEMPHIS

Jerry Rubio worked with Reginald Foster during a boxing class for Memphians with Parkinson’s on Oct. 9. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

The first rule about fight club is to talk about fight club. At least, the folks from 901 Parkinson’s Fighters are talking about it. The local nonprofit, which offers programs and resources to those with Parkinson’s disease and their families, began boxing training with a group out of Trezevant Manor in 2019. Turns out exercise can help with Parkinson’s symptoms, even though the movement disorder has no cure. The group currently practices out of the Memphis Police Department’s boxing gym, and their trainer, MPD officer Brian Hall, says he sees his trainees get “better and better” with every boxing lesson.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Memphis forward Tyreek Smith shot against North Carolina forward Ven-Allen Lubin during the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic on Tuesday, Oct. 15. (Brandon Dill/AP)

Tyreek Smith ain’t ‘running from no smoke’: That’s what the Memphis Tigers basketball transfer’s mentor said in response to rumors that Smith was leaving the program. Reports surfaced over the weekend that Smith was unhappy with the amount of playing time he was allowed during the Tigers exhibition game against North Carolina last Tuesday and that he was leaving before the season began. But Hellion “Boog” Knight, who describes himself as having a close relationship with Smith, said on X that Smith was trying to work out issues around name, image and likeness (NIL) payments. In other Tigers news, injured running back Greg Desrosiers Jr. could make his return to the field soon.

Memphis Grizzlies’ forward Jaren Jackson Jr. will miss Wednesday’s season opener. (Matt Slocum/AP file)

JJJ can’t come out to play: Well, he can’t come out to play in the Memphis Grizzlies season opener on Wednesday night anyway. The Grizz are scheduled to open the season with an away game against the Utah Jazz, and Coach Taylor Jenkins is opting to rest Jackson’s hamstring sprain a few more days. And Jackson isn’t the only one who will miss the first week of the season.

“If you give students and teachers the tools to do their jobs, the results will follow,” said Germantown Board of Education member Brian Curry. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian file)

Curry favors more Germantown school updates: Brian Curry is running unopposed for his second term on the Germantown Municipal School District’s board, and he’s got some big plans. The district has made several updates to its facilities over his last term, and he wants to see more of that, specifically at Houston High, where the orchestra students don’t have enough room to practice. He’s also concerned about Gov. Bill Lee’s plan to expand school vouchers, which would mean less money for GMSD if it lost students to private schools.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Even former pro football players have proud dad moments. Former Memphis Tigers star and NFL retiree DeAngelo Williams got down on the ground for the best camera angle when his kids released the Tigers at Saturday’s game against North Texas.

Hope your day is as fresh as MATA’s new board. See ya later.

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