Hi, there. It’s July 12, and we’re heading into a busy day. In a committee meeting, Shelby County Commissioners will discuss a resolution urging West Tennessee counties to contribute $1 from every vehicle registration toward Regional One Health’s rebuild.

Downtown’s Design Review Board will get a look at plans for developer Tom Intrator’s Dream Hotel. And Judge Carol Chumney is expected to rule on arguments related to the civil lawsuit against Ja Morant. The Halloran Centre will unveil its new Sidewalk of Stars, which honors the artists who have performed there since its 2015 opening. And this afternoon, the Memphis Grizzlies will play the L.A. Clippers in the NBA 2K24 Summer League.

Before we get into the news, I want to remind you that we’re still running a 25% off sale on subscriptions for Early Word readers. Use the code HOTDEAL to save and ensure you continue getting the full Early Word in your inbox.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Collierville Police addressed the media after a fatal shooting on Tuesday, July 11. (Abigail Warren/The Daily Memphian)

Campbell Clinic doctor killed: Dr. Benjamin Mauck, a surgeon who specialized in hand, wrist, shoulder and pediatric surgery, was shot and killed at Campbell Clinic’s Collierville office on Tuesday. Collierville Police arrested a man in connection with the shooting Tuesday afternoon. “This appears to be a one-on-one encounter in an exam room,” said Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane. All Campbell Clinic locations will be closed today.

Memphis City Council members (left to right) J. Ford Canale, Patrice Robinson and Frank Colvett voted to approve adding a ballot question on gun control measures. The vote was 12-0. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Council approves gun control referendum: The Memphis City Council approved a ballot question on gun control measures on Tuesday. That means city voters will decide in August 2024 whether to ban assault weapons and require permits for open carry, despite state law. The council also approved updated rules on how animal control officers handle strays. In the City Council’s public safety committee, the Memphis Police Department shared data that showed calls for service are up 18% for the year and that police response times have gotten slower. And in a report from Memphis Light, Gas and Water, the council learned that the utility has failed to meet its annual tree-trimming goal since the late 1990s, causing power outages to increase fivefold. In even more council news, the Public Works department shared how it will spend $102 million to improve the city’s water infrastructure.

Ritz focuses on hate crimes: Kevin Ritz, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, is launching a new division to focus on hate crimes, civil rights violations and threats to homeland security. The National Security and Civil Rights unit was established following a memo from U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland directing U.S. attorneys’ offices to combat hate crimes and “reduce the pernicious effects these incidents have on our society.”

Jace Wilder, education manager at the Tennessee Equality Project, said big institutions like Vanderbilt University Medical Center are “not speaking out” and have “gone silent” regarding the ban on gender-affirming care for minors. (Ian Round/The Daily Memphian)

Chilling effect: Last week, a federal appeals court judge reversed a temporary injunction against the state’s new law banning gender-affirming care for minors, meaning the law could immediately take effect. But even before the ban took hold, health care providers began discontinuing services for trans minors. The Daily Memphian’s Ian Round takes a look at the issue and how it’s affecting L.W., the 15-year-old transgender Nashville resident who sued Tennessee over the new state law.

Body identified as retired homicide detective: A body found on Sunday in Westwood has been identified as retired Memphis homicide detective Mark LeSure. A cause of death has not yet been released. LeSure spoke out against the Memphis Police Department to national news organizations following the death of Tyre Nichols earlier this year.

QUOTED

Memphis Grizzlies big man Kenneth Lofton Jr. (left) celebrated a 3-pointer against the Golden State Warriors on March 9, 2023. Kenneth Lofton Sr. (right) posed in a Bullyball T-shirt at a Grizzlies' summer league game on July 10, 2023. (Mark Weber, Drew Hill/The Daily Memphian)

“ To be honest, we’re just so happy that he is enjoying himself. This is something that he has always wanted to do.”

— Kenneth Lofton Sr., father of Memphis Grizzly Kenneth Lofton Jr. 
Lofton Sr. said the family knew their son would be a gifted athlete from the time he was 5 or 6 years old. The Daily Memphian’s Drew Hill talked with Lofton Sr. about his son’s unique style of play — which they call “BullyBall” — and his journey to the NBA.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Roy Herron shook hands with supporters with help from Wesley Warrilow, 2, after being defeated by Stephen Fincher for U.S. Representative on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, at the Elks Lodge in Dresden, Tennessee. (Katie Brake for The Jackson Sun/AP file)

Remembering Roy Herron: Former Tennessee legislator and former chair of the state Democratic party Roy Herron died on Sunday from injuries sustained in a jet ski accident earlier this month. The attorney from Dresden, Tennessee, was also an Ironman triathlete and a loyal friend, according to those interviewed in this remembrance from our own Geoff Calkins. Calkins didn’t know Herron personally, but the two were email acquaintances, and Calkins shares his last touching correspondence with Herron sent just two weeks before his death.

Flame Ramen is opening a new location Downtown on South Second Street. (Jennifer Biggs/The Daily Memphian file)

Downtown’s new Flame: Flame Ramen is opening a new location Downtown on South Second Street. The menu will be smaller than the one at its Midtown location. And in other Flame news, the ramen shop has closed its Cordova location, but it plans to reopen with a new concept aimed at Cordova’s Asian community.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools board member Amber Huett-Garcia noted that charter schools must meet rubric requirements regardless of community support. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

‘Dear superintendent’: The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board heard plans on Tuesday to increase community engagement in its search for a new superintendent. One way involves asking students to write letters expressing what they’d like to see in a new district leader. In other news, all nine charter schools that applied to join the Achievement School District were recommended for denial. And the board also got an update on the number of students experiencing homelessness.

The Crump Firm is renovating and expanding its East Memphis office at the Crescent Center. (The Daily Memphian file)

Crump Firm expands: Memphis architectural practice The Crump Firm is expanding its East Memphis location at Crescent Center. The renovation will accommodate a larger team of interior designers and create a more collaborative office space, among other updates. In his Inked column, The Daily Memphian’s Rob Moore has more on that project and a look at what’s next in the ongoing renovation at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral.

Rendering of the proposed Glide Xpress Car Wash at 5905 Stage Road. (Courtesy City of Bartlett Municipal Planning Commission)

Awash in car washes? The historic Bartlett Station area could soon get a new car wash — located next door to an existing car wash. The Bartlett Municipal Planning Commission gave a favorable recommendation for a new Glide Xpress Car Wash on Stage Road, which would be built next to Bartlett Self-Service Car Wash. To be fair, one is self-service, and the other is a drive-thru, but some residents and city officials are none too happy about the double washes.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

File this one under “how stuff works.” If you’ve ever wondered how the granite ball in the Oak Court Mall fountain stays afloat, you should take a few minutes to read this Twitter thread from Carnegie Mellon biophysicist Markus Deserno.

The more you know! Have a wonderful Wednesday.

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