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Hi, Shelby County. Today is Friday, Sept. 23, and one year ago today, the Collierville community was shaken after a mass shooting at Kroger on New Byhalia Road left two dead (including the gunman) and 12 injured (more on that below).
In less somber news, National Black Restaurant Week starts today and runs through Oct. 2, and Memphis was chosen to be part of the celebration (see a full list of local participating restaurants here).
On Saturday, the Memphis Tigers take on North Texas at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, and the pressure will be on quarterback Seth Henigan to deliver another win. If you’re going, check out these updated game day procedures.
You’ll find me at the “Eat to Live Veganfest” at Grind City Brewing Co. on Saturday, where Memphis rapper NLE Choppa will be testing out his new food truck. The War on Drugs will play Graceland, and Cynthia Daniels has a cocktail party for people who like to mix it up.
You’ll find details on those events and more in this week’s To-Do List.
THE NEED TO KNOW
 Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert said Thursday, Sept. 22, that efforts to lower the number of signatures to force a recall election shouldn’t apply to her because she has “whistleblower” status in her dispute over funding with the county administration. (Bill Dries/The Daily Memphian)
Halbert says ‘whistleblower’ status protects her: In response to public criticism of Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert’s handling of a license plate renewal and car title backlog, Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) plans to propose a bill that would make it easier to recall elected officials. At present, 15% of registered county voters have to sign a petition to get the recall question on the ballot, but White’s bill, which he plans to introduce in January, would lower that to 1%. After news of White’s proposed bill broke, Halbert said her “whistleblower” status should make her immune to such a recall. Halbert contends that Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ administration triggered the backlog.
 Survivors of a mass shooting at a Kroger in Collierville, Tennessee at the crime scene Sept. 23, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian file)
Kroger shooting, one year later: On Sept. 23, 2021, Uk Thang, a sushi chef who worked for a third-party contractor inside the Kroger store on New Byhalia Road in Collierville, opened fire killing one woman and injuring a dozen people. Now a former employee and a couple who were shopping in the store that day are suing Kroger for damages in two separate lawsuits. Reflecting back, Collierville Fire Chief John Selberg (who was Germantown’s fire chief at this time last year) believes the quick and seamless emergency response from police and paramedics saved lives that day: “I don’t know that anybody in the country has responded that well to an active shooter.” He plans to share what the Collierville Fire Department learned that day with other fire chiefs across the nation soon. The Daily Memphian’s Abigail Warren offers a look back at the day’s tragic events and the first responders’ swift actions.
Former teacher indicted: Former Oakhaven Middle and Wells Station Elementary School teacher Joseph Blodgett has been indicted on charges related to sexual exploitation of a minor. A copy of the indictment revealed that Blodgett allegedly used a minor in the production of sexual material, among other charges. “Our hearts go out to any child and family who may be impacted. His alleged conduct violates a sacred trust, and we share the community’s outrage and disdain,” said Memphis-Shelby County Schools in a statement.
 FedEx hopes to generate a total cost savings of $2.2 billion to $2.7 billion in 2023. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)
Raising rates, cutting costs: FedEx Corp. reported a weak first quarter last week, and the company unveiled cost-cutting measures with hopes of generating a total savings between $2.2 and $2.7 billion in 2023. In addition, FedEx announced on Thursday that it will increase rates for FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery beginning Jan. 2, 2023.
MEET MEMPHIS
 “I believe that while my life turned out differently than I thought it would, in reality it turned out better than it should,” said David Williams, whose career has spanned a number of Memphis area nonprofits. (Greg Campbell/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Today, David Williams is the regional director of Vitalant, the blood-donation nonprofit formerly branded as Lifeblood. But Williams’ path into health care has been a circuitous one. Williams got his start in theater; he was recruited in 1975 to join Playhouse on the Square when it was a fledgling theater startup. A journalism major (with a PR emphasis) at the time, Williams became Playhouse’s first marketing director. Later in his career, Williams took over as executive director for Leadership Memphis, where he served in what is perhaps his best-known role, for 16 years.
THE NICE TO KNOW
 The nearly six-square-mile BlueOval City Megasite campus will create approximately 6,000 new jobs and is on track to open in 2025. (Courtesy Ford Motor Co.)
BlueOval breaks ground: Ford Motor Co. announced BlueOval City’s groundbreaking at 5 a.m. this morning, nearly one year after the $5.6 billion automotive manufacturing campus was announced. Crews began clearing ground on the site in Haywood County in March, but structural steel now represents the first phase of construction.
 Rapper GloRilla hugs her former principal, Frayser Community Schools founder Dr. Bobby White, while visiting her old school, MLK College Preparatory High School, on Sept. 22. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
GloRilla gives back: Memphis rapper GloRilla, best known for her Billboard Hot 100 hit “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” surprised students at MLK College Prep High School on Thursday with an afternoon pep rally performance. And then the MLK College Prep alumnus presented a $25,000 check to the school. “We are proud of her success,” said MLK College Prep principal Chiquita Perry. “But even more proud that she wants to help other students in her community.” GloRilla’s new single, a collaboration with Cardi B., drops today.
 Memphis Director of Public Works Robert Knecht said the city will open one of three dumpster sites at the Collins Yard public works site. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Blight it out: Memphis public works director Robert Knecht said the city will soon announce the first of three “convenience center” dumpster sites for waste that’s too large to go on the curbside. That was one of the solutions Knecht discussed at the city’s second blight and illegal dumping task force meeting on Thursday. The task force is looking at both short-term and long-term solutions, one of which could involve the use of artificial intelligence for blight detection.
 Ms. B’s tuna chef salad and 12-inch trio sandwich are both big enough to share with a friend. Bonnie Harris, who worked at the Highland Super Submarine Shop for 25 years, owns Ms. B’s Sub Shop at 1256 Getwell Road. (Jennifer Biggs/Daily Memphian)
We can all eat on a $10 submarine: Who would know subs better than a woman who worked at the Highland Super Submarine Shop (aka the Chinese Sub Shop) for more than 25 years? Probably no one, which is why former Chinese Sub Shop sandwich artist Bonnie Harris opened Ms. B’s Sub Shop. The Daily Memphian’s Jennifer Biggs stopped in and found that you can get a 12-inch sub for just a tad over $10, and it’s enough to feed at least two people. And if, like Biggs, you’re a carb counter, there’s an affordable salad option, too.
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant landed in the No. 9 spot in ESPN’s NBArank series, which lists the network’s top 100 players. Morant’s star power is more and more evident these days. After all, you’ve truly arrived when you get your own action figure.
I hope your weekend is filled with action! Or rest. Or maybe a bit of both.
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