Fund to help service industry workers announced amid COVID surge, new directive
Fund to help service industry workers is created as new Health Directive 16 will put more strain on service industry workers.
Study: Local COVID deaths could more than double in 60 days
For perspective, the death toll for first nine months of the pandemic is 821 as of Tuesday, Dec. 22.
Tuesday prep report: Brothers roll past Collierville in battle of unbeatens
Brothers share the wealth in impressive victory.
Shelby County Schools gets $1.8M federal grant
The grant is for a project at Belle Forest Community School.
Calkins: Grizzlies tip off 20 years — and hopefully 20 more
There is a lease provision that has to be dealt with, but right now there’s no reason Memphis and its touchstone can’t work things out.
City Council backs health directive, considers taking pay cut
The council action wasn’t unanimous and it follows a split vote the day before by the Shelby County Commission expressing support for the countywide directive that takes effect the day after Christmas.
Memphis basketball: Where do the Tigers go from here?
The numbers do not lie. But there are eight days until the next game to get back on track.
Alexander, Blackburn split on COVID-19 relief bill
The city’s representatives in the U.S. Senate split on the bipartisan $900 billion package while the city’s two Congressmen both voted for the bill.
New, restrictive health directive out, effective Dec. 26
New health directive released Monday afternoon puts more restrictions on businesses. Related story: Suburban, county leaders still have concerns about revised health directive
Coronavirus: Shelby County reports more than 900 new cases
About 44% of area ICU patients were either COVID-positive or suspected of having coronavirus.
COVID data in each surge led to different decisions locally
Each coronavirus surge in Shelby County came with an increase in cases, hospitalizations and deaths that preceded the previous one as transmission rose significantly.
Opinion: Surviving another round of pandemic-related restrictions
Taylor Berger: “Time spent fighting change, whether out of fear or resentment, is time wasted. Acceptance of the new normal is the key to growth, which sometimes even leads to gratitude.”
Memphis Grizzlies season preview
Grizzlies beat writer Drew Hill and columnist Chris Herrington discuss expectations for Memphis in year two under coach Taylor Jenkins, predict the leap that future superstar Ja Morant could take and map out the team’s long-term plans.
Carlisle: Hyatt Centric to offer ‘unparalleled’ river views despite taller Grand Hyatt
Hyatt Centric’s hotel guests and patrons of its rooftop bar and riverfront restaurant will have river views despite plans to erect a taller Grand Hyatt next door.
Germantown aldermen appoint vice mayor, commissioners
Alderwoman Mary Anne Gibson was named vice mayor. She served in the role in 2018 and 2019.
Metro
The Early Word: Ford-Harris drama heats up; Head Start funds get late start
Man dies after police shooting, the Grizzlies’ trade market is wide open now and local Gen Z hipsters can soon stock up on blue-collar workwear.
Premium City of Memphis Ask the Memphian: The parkway system and its names? Make it make sense!
Premium Shelby County Political Roundup: XAI divide grows, Young in D.C. and the race for governor
Premium Shelby County In critical week ahead, County Commission will wrangle budget and tax rate
Business
Sign of the future: PURE, xAI teamup shows teens ‘what welding can do’
A decrepit cemetery sign sparked a partnership between a Memphis school and Elon Musk-founded xAI.
Premium Transportation & Logistics FedEx to open its own power substation in July
Premium Real Estate Inked: Former Germantown coffee spot becomes salon
Premium Health Care Historically Black medical college grows Memphis presence
Sports
Herrington: After Bane deal, trade market is wide open for Grizzlies
The Demond Bane trade instantly reframes the Grizzlies’ summer from one with limited means to add players to one with theoretically unlimited means. Who are some of the players the team may go after? Potential Grizzlies targets with first-round draft pick, if they don’t trade itRelated content:
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball AAC chief confident on revenue settlement. But it’s complicated.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Potential Grizzlies targets with first-round draft pick, if they don’t trade it
Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies Podcast: Breaking down the Desmond Bane deal
Food
Food Files: Midtown Chick-fil-A closes for renovations
Plus: Three Guys Pizza Pies is under new ownership, and Bloom Bakery and Cafe brings new tastes to Downtown.
Suburbs
Shifting tides in Horn Lake: Democrats claim majority
Democrats grabbing a majority of seats on the Horn Lake Board of Mayor and Aldermen was not a huge surprise to some, but whether or not it is a trend remains to be seen.
Arts & Culture
Speed and freedom: That’s why roller skating will never die
The owners of Cordova Skating Center recently spent more than $100,000 on upgrading the rink. Why spend that kind of money? Because roller skating will never die.
Opinion
Herrington: Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane trade invites opportunity and risk
A look at what the Grizzlies got, why they did the trade, where it leaves the team going into the summer and what could be next.Related story:
Podcasts
Harris and Sugarmon find common ground in county budget season
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon talked about the ongoing county budget season, a proposed wheel tax hike and a new jail on “Behind The Headlines.”
Games
Jigsaw: For fans of line dancing
This week’s jigsaw puzzle features a photo from a line dancing pop-up at 901 Fit Life.