How’s your maypole-wrapping going, Memphis? It’s Friday, May 1 — aka May Day — when we celebrate ancient spring festivals and workers’ rights. In Memphis, it also means opening day for Riverbeat Music Festival, where you can see Salt-N-Pepa tonight.

If you can’t find something to do on Saturday, something is wrong. There are about fifty million events, including more Riverbeat, Chalkfest, a Morning After Club coffee rave on Beale Street and Collierville’s 50th Fair on the Square.

Sunday brings the Global Cafe beer mile, where you can chug four beers over the course of one mile — all before lunch. Call it the ultimate Riverbeat pregame session. Learn more about that and all kinds of things to do in The To-Do List.

THE NEED TO KNOW

“Ted Townsend is stepping down from his role as CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber. We appreciate his tireless efforts to fulfill our shared mission,” said the Greater Memphis Chamber in a statement. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Ted is out: Ted Townsend is no longer president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber. It’s not clear if Townsend left of his own accord or was fired, but a statement from the chamber simply said he was “stepping down from his role.” Townsend was placed on leave for unknown reasons several weeks ago, just days after he said “F you” to ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith on social media.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (left) greeted President Donald Trump (right) during a Memphis Safe Task Force roundtable on Monday, March 23. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Trump speaks for Lee: Gov. Bill Lee hasn’t said much about the new Republican push to redraw the state’s congressional districts. But President Donald Trump has. Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday that Lee will “work hard to correct the unconstitutional flaw” in the state’s Congressional maps. The new plan, which could be made possible by a U.S. Supreme Court decision earlier this week, would redraw maps to make U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen’s district 23% more Republican — among other map changes.

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said one new bill could have “a chilling effect” on some county prosecutors. (The Daily Memphian file)

Mulroy under a microscope: Somebody schedule a spa day for Steve Mulroy. Two bills that passed the General Assembly this session might make the Shelby County District Attorney’s life a little harder. The Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act requires Mulroy’s office to file monthly reports explaining why it lowers charges for or throws out task force-related cases. Mulroy has called the requirement “incredibly burdensome.” The other bill requires audits of his office’s decisions: everything from reduced or dismissed charges to “the use of funds” by Mulroy.

MEET MEMPHIS

Noah Schepman practicing at the Germantown Municipal Park Tennis Courts. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Noah Schepman, 12, has been in a wheelchair since he was one year old, and he’s among the best young athletes in Memphis. Schepman was born with spina bifida, so he’s never been able to walk. But he gets along just fine in his chair — so good that his tennis coach says “he’s the fastest kid — on feet or wheels — that I’ve ever seen” when he’s playing tennis. He was recently invited to compete in Belgium as part of the USA Junior World Cup team. And that’s not all: He plays basketball, too — on an adult team. 

THE NICE TO KNOW

A member of the cleaning crew wiped down a screen depicting a futuristic Memphis-inspired skyline while prepping for the grand opening of Baron Von Opperbean and The River of Time. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Gaze into the River of Time: The first segment of Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time opens today on Mud Island, and it takes visitors on an adventure through an “alternate Memphis” filled with tunnels, hidden spaces and interactive stations. Think of it like Meow Wolf in Santa Fe or City Museum in St. Louis. The Daily Memphian’s Bill Dries takes us on a tour of the 30-minute underwater adventure, where a fictional man named Baron Von Opperbean has crashed through a portal.

Bloom Bakery & Cafe serves coffee and pastries from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Coffee and ramen: Get your pick-me-up before you slurp your noodles down. The newly reopened Bloom bakery is teaming up with Flame Ramen to offer coffee, tea and pastries in the morning and noodle bowls for lunch and dinner. Read more on that in Food Files and learn what’s coming to Downtown’s former The Nine Thai Sushi spot. In other food news, writer Gracie Driver tells us where to find the “best bagels in Memphis,” which you can top with smoked salmon, dill cream cheese and cukes for less than $15.

Baptist Memorial Health Care broke ground on a new hospital in Fayette County on April 30. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Doctor in the house: Fayette County hasn’t had a hospital in more than a decade, but that’s about to change. Baptist Memorial Health Care broke ground Thursday on a $27 million hospital for our neighbor in the east. That means residents won’t have to get all the way to Memphis for heart attacks, strokes and other life-threatening medical events. And as Fayette County Mayor Rhea “Skip” Taylor says, it’ll be easier on families and doctors, too. 

BEHIND THE SCENES

Every once in a while, we’ll use this space to give you a peek into the newsroom. Or, in today’s case, a peek into a dark tunnel, where you’ll find reporter Bill Dries crawling his way to the story. 

As mentioned above, Dries immersed himself in the new Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time experience at Mud Island. It opens to the public today. 

Enjoy your action-packed weekend!

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