Hi, Greater Memphis metro! Today is Thursday, Sept. 15, the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month (it runs mid-September to mid-October). It’s also International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day, and if you’re not sure what that is, you should read this touching guest column from Hannah Warren, who lives with the genetic disorder.

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority will be discussing elevator replacement for the economy parking garage at its board meeting today. Back in May, we received a letter-to-the-editor imploring the Airport Authority to get its economy garage elevators in working order. So this one’s for you, Lisa (and really anyone who parks at the airport). 

Also today, in celebration of The Daily Memphian’s four-year anniversary, CEO Eric Barnes will be answering reader questions in a subscriber-only virtual “Ask Me Anything” event. You can watch the event here, beginning at 3 p.m.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Construction crews mulch trees at the BlueOval City site on April 8. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

BlueOval challenges: Although dirt is moving at Ford Motor Co.’s BlueOval site and a groundbreaking is scheduled for this fall, the project isn’t without its challenges. The biggest concern is attracting a skilled workforce, according to Brooxie Carlton with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. She spoke at the Collierville Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting on Wednesday and said her organization has created a list of skills that will be rolled out in high schools over the next few years to prepare students for possible careers at BlueOval City. Carlton also said there are concerns over supply chain issues, a lack of housing for workers and limited lanes on Interstate 40 between Memphis and the BlueOval site in Haywood County.

A BNSL locomotive leads a long line of freight cars Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (Sue Ogrocki/AP photo)

Rail strike’s local impact? Although a tentative deal has been reached with rail unions, a potential nationwide rail strike has already affected Memphis. On Monday, Amtrak canceled four long-distance routes, including the City of New Orleans, which runs between Chicago and New Orleans (with a stop in Memphis). Some rail operators have begun placing embargoes on shipments in anticipation of the strike. If the three rail unions, which represent about 60,000 workers at Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX and Norfolk Southern, don’t vote in favor of the agreement, the strike could have supply chain and economic consequences for Memphis and the rest of the nation.

Blackburn, Hagerty unveil crime bill: On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty of Tennessee unveiled a bill that includes federal grant programs for more police and detectives to focus on violent crimes, citing recent high-profile crimes in Memphis as the impetus for the bill. It also would include more funding for state law enforcement agencies and an examination of delays in processing rape kits. But the introduction of the bill wasn’t without political rhetoric.

MEET MEMPHIS

University of Memphis defensive lineman Wardalis Ducksworth makes a move as the Tigers faced Nicholls State, Sept. 4, 2021, at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. (Courtesy Memphis Athletics)

Memphis Tigers defensive lineman Wardalis Ducksworth thinks about his father, Andrew Pittman, at every game. Pittman died in a car accident when Ducksworth was just six years old, leaving his mother Theresa Ducksworth to raise four children on her own. “I can feel him right there with me,” Ducksworth said. Ducksworth’s personal struggles, both in losing his father and in his tough start with junior college-level football, have led him to try and make other peoples’ struggles a little easier. “Since high school, I’ve always been trying to help on and off the field. My first opportunity in Memphis was at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. … I’ll be reading to the kids, doing some other events, and I’ll do a game show there every Monday,” he said.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Chef Tamra Patterson, owner of Chef Tam’s Underground Café in Memphis and Chef Tam’s Express in Arlington, Texas, will open a new restaurant with a focus on lighter fare. She’s also the new spokesperson for Wesson Oil. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)

Chef Tam goes veg: Chef Tamra Patterson of Chef Tam’s Underground Café on Union Avenue may be best known for hearty, fried meals, but she’s made some personal diet changes. And now she’s opening a second Memphis restaurant called Chef Tam’s Lite Life with vegan and vegetarian fare. “I haven’t eaten any meat in almost two months; I’m juicing, making healthier choices,” Patterson said. (Yes, girl! This is great news for my vegan ears). The new eatery from the Food Network “Chopped” winner will serve some meat, but Patterson says it will be “lighter food” than what you’ll find at her Union restaurant. Patterson has another new gig as well, and that one is a bit of a juxtaposition with the healthier lifestyle.

The Links at Audubon Golf Course will be temporarily shut down beginning in November for a total course redesign. (Submitted)

On course for a redesign: The city will temporarily shut down the Links at Audubon golf course beginning Nov. 1 for a total redesign that will include bunkers, a course expansion and may include potential water features. The course should reopen by spring 2024. The Memphis Parks Department has been working to update parks citywide with improved golf courses (like the newly opened Overton Park 9), splash pads (like the new splash pad at Orange Mound Park) and tennis courts (there’s a $40 million redesign underway at the Leftwich Tennis Center in Audubon Park). 

The 35-unit Malone Park Commons completed its first phase in June. (Neil Strebig/The Daily Memphian file)

More money for Malone Park: Uptown’s Malone Park Commons development was awarded a special grant request of $150,000 from the Center City Development Corp. on Wednesday. The request was made after rising construction costs increased the project’s budget by $361,000. When completed, Malone Park Commons will feature 35 housing units, two live/work buildings and a second location for Muggin Coffeehouse. During the public comment period, an Edge District developer raised concerns that the special grant request may set a precedent for developers.

Dana Kizer-Shands, president of the board of the Tennessee Fisher House Foundation, speaks during a press conference announcing that a Fisher House will be built in Memphis. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Home away from home: The Maryland-based Fisher House Foundation announced plans to build a no-cost housing center for families and caregivers of veterans being treated at the Memphis VA Medical Center. Fisher House will include 16 suites, parking and green spaces on 1.3 acres on the VA hospital’s campus. The foundation will cover up to half of construction costs, and the rest must be donated by the local community.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Not only can Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant shoot baskets, he can also shoot video, which he set out to prove by borrowing a photographer’s camera.

Need proof that he’s good? The photographer later shared the outcome of Morant’s video shoot on Twitter.

I hope your Thursday goes well, and I will see you later! And by later, I mean in the morning.

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