Correction: A previous version of The Early Word stated that Ezekiel Kelly had been indicted for the murder of Dwayne Tunstall. This version has been corrected to say that the charge is being sent to a grand jury. 

What’s shakin’, veggie bacon? Today is Wednesday, Oct. 19, and it’s the first day of early voting ahead of the Nov. 8 election. There are brand spanking new voting machines this go-round, and The Daily Memphian’s Bill Dries offers up some tips on how to use them and where to vote early. 

The Center City Development Corp. will consider grant funding for a new wine bar in the Edge District at its meeting today. And the annual Indie Memphis Film Festival kicks off tonight with a documentary on the life and work of photographer Ernest Withers.

Perhaps most importantly, NBA basketball is back! The Memphis Grizzlies’ regular season opener against the New York Knicks is tonight at FedExForum. But don’t expect to see Ziaire Williams or Dillon Brooks on the court. 

THE NEED TO KNOW

An aerial rendering of the proposed Memphis 901 FC facility at Liberty Park. (Credit: Odell Sports & Entertainment Studio and LRK /Courtesy 901 FC)

Kicking the Coliseum to the curb? At the Memphis City Council meeting on Tuesday, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland unveiled a $684 million plan for renovations at FedExForum and the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Strickland’s plan also proposes a partial demolition of the Mid-South Coliseum to make way for a new soccer stadium for 901 FC. He told the council he plans to ask the state legislators to finance $350 million of the plan. The Daily Memphian’s Tim Buckley says it’s about time for Nashville to “pony up” for Memphis like it’s done in support of the Tennessee Titans. 

Defendant Cleotha Hendersoon (middle) appears in Judge Louis Montesi’s courtroom for his arraignment on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. Henderson, has been charged with kidnapping and murdering runner Eliza Fletcher. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Out on good behavior: Cleotha Henderson, who is charged in the abduction and murder of Eliza Fletcher and the rape of Alicia Franklin, served only 19 years of a 24-year prison sentence for a previous aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery charge. Although Henderson racked up 53 disciplinary infractions during his time in prison, his sentence was reduced by 15% due to credits he received for good behavior. “State law also allows offenders who display good behavior while in jail to earn eight days of behavior credit for every 30 days served,” said Bradley Canada, a spokesperson with the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

Memphis City Council chair Martavius Jones, left, wants a nationwide search for the leader of MLGW. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland has appointed Doug McGowen. (photo collage from The Daily Memphian file)

MLGW leadership standoff continues: Following Tuesday’s Memphis City Council meeting, the mayor and the council are still at a standoff regarding the appointment of Doug McGowen (the city’s current chief operating officer) as Memphis Light, Gas & Water CEO. Council chair Martavius Jones wants a national search, but Strickland has said no. So council member JB Smiley Jr. proposed a compromise on Tuesday, in which McGowen would serve as MLGW’s interim leader while a national search was conducted, but that resolution failed to pass. Also at Tuesday’s council meeting, the body sent a youth curfew proposal back to committee for further study after Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis said the department doesn’t have the resources to increase enforcement and expressed concerns about the “optics” of such a crackdown.

Ezekiel Kelly (left) enters Judge Karen Massey’s courtroom for a hearing on Oct. 18, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Ezekiel Kelly charge sent to grand jury: A judge has ruled there is enough evidence to send Ezekiel Kelly’s charge of first-degree murder related to the death of his acquaintance, Dewayne Tunstall, to a grand jury. Tunstall, an acquaintance of Kelly’s, was the first victim in Kelly’s alleged citywide Sept. 7 shooting rampage that left three dead and three others wounded. Tunstall was helping a friend set up a food truck in Highland Heights when Kelly allegedly shot him. 

MEET MEMPHIS

“I’ll tell you this, I know that you’re only as good as your last performance,” radio personality Stan Bell said. He can be heard Monday through Friday on WDIA from 6 to 10 a.m. and on V101 from 3 to 7 p.m. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Longtime Memphis radio personality Stan Bell is the new morning show host on iHeartMedia’s 1070 WDIA AM. He replaces local radio legend DJ Bobby O’Jay, who died in May. “When [O’Jay] transitioned, it still didn’t dawn on me that I’d be working in his slot,” Bell said. Bell grew up in North Memphis’ Hyde Park, and he’d often play DJ for his parents’ backyard barbecues. He took that early passion into his radio career, which he balanced for years with a job as an economics and broadcasting teacher. After 37 years in radio, Bell was presented with a key to the city in September.

THE NICE TO KNOW

FedEx’s rate hike applies to FedEx Express package and freight for the U.S., U.S. export and U.S. import services, as well as standard rates at FedEx Ground. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

At any rate: Maybe this isn’t so nice to know, but next year, FedEx plans to raise its shipping rates by as much as 6.9% — the company’s single-largest rate hike in its near 50-year history. That was one of several measures announced by the Memphis-based shipping giant last month to offset a low earnings period. Some local companies, like Corky’s, say they’ll stay with FedEx for shipping needs, due to the quality of service. But it’s yet to be determined if competitor UPS will also raise its rates to match FedEx’s, as it has in the past. 

“I don’t believe we should be pepper-spraying our students as a de-escalation tactic,” said District 5 representative Sheleah Harris, seen here in 2021. (Daja E. Henry/The Daily Memphian file)

To spray or not to spray: The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board debated a proposed new policy on Tuesday that would change how officers use “physical, mechanical and chemical measures.” School board member Sheleah Harris proposed the policy after learning that pepper spray had been used on students 32 times this year as a way to break up fights. “I don’t believe we should be pepper-spraying our students as a de-escalation tactic,” she said. MSCS chief of safety and security Carolyn Jackson said the practice is an alternative to officers using physical force.

“McClusky brings to the office not only decades of legal experience, but also a proven record of fighting for fairness in the criminal justice system,” Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

New hire in the DA’s office: Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy has hired veteran defense attorney Lorna McClusky to lead his new conviction review unit. Under McClusky’s leadership, members of the Post-Conviction Justice Unit will review prior cases for errors and false convictions.

BluffCakes owners Chloe and Tyler Sexton are moving their cookie company from a rental kitchen to its own space in Germantown Collection by the end of the year. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

BluffCakes is coming: Construction has begun on BluffCakes in the Germantown Collection. TikTok phenom Chloe Sexton is opening her brick-and-mortar bakery this fall after launching her business from a rental kitchen. In his Inked column, The Daily Memphian’s Neil Strebig has more on that story and some news about an Edge District property that was purchased by the owners of two popular Downtown nightclubs. 

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Maybe someone should have told the Mid-South Coliseum about its potential impending doom before it read about it in the paper. 

Bye! I’ll back right here tomorrow with all the news you need to know before you start your day.

.....