Coronavirus daily blog, March 16: SCS extends closure to April 6
Tennessee
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Shelby County
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State has only 500 coronavirus tests available
Tennessee has tested less than 300 people in the past two weeks; 'There aren't enough kits,' local doctor says
Mildly ill? Isolate. Fever, short of breath? Head to ER
With flu still in the community, not every sniffle and low-grade fever is coronavirus; but isolate yourself to be sure.
Restaurant updates: Restaurant Iris, The Second Line temporarily closing
Here’s the latest on changes at area restaurants in response to the coronovirus pandemic.
Grocers adjust to COVID-19 pandemic
Numerous grocers are adjusting their hours and increasing cleaning efforts to protect customers and employees from COVID-19.
What you need to know about coronavirus
We've rounded up answers to questions, such as: Is coronavirus a serious threat or just media hype? What if I think I have COVID-19? Can my pet get the virus? Why are people hoarding toilet paper?
Legislature to pass short-term budget and vacate premises
House and Senate leaders reached an agreement Monday for the Legislature’s schedule, likely entailing an early, temporary adjournment for 60 days out of concern for COVID-19, according to sources.
Pandemic’s toll could come into focus in FedEx earnings
Analysts aren't sure yet how much impact coronavirus will have on FedEx third quarter earnings, scheduled for reporting Tuesday, but some believe the company should be prepared for long-term fallout.
Governor urges all school districts to close for coronavirus
Gov. Bill Lee called Monday for all school districts to close as soon possible to stop the spread of coronavirus, drawing a response from the TEA for TNReady testing to be canceled.
Closings, vacancies accelerate as Memphis tourism braces for downturn
It's eerily quiet at Memphis area hotels and tourist attractions as coronavirus precautions expand and visitors cancel travel plans.
Strickland: Drive-thru testing soon, Memphis in May could move to summer or fall
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland discusses drive-thru testing, Memphis In May and a legal order that might allow him to close businesses that flout CDC guidelines on COVID-19.
Memphis In May schedule remains up in the air
So far, organizers of the month-long festival say they are sticking with the May schedule but more talks are to come with the city.
MGM suspends operations at 2 Tunica casinos
Casino says it will work to mitigate the impact closings have on employees.
Senior facilities care for those most vulnerable to COVID-19
Area senior care facilities are taking added precautions to protect some of the most vulnerable from the coronavirus.
Memphis basketball’s season is over. What now?
Coronavirus has slowed the coaching movement around the country and sent players home for what could be the rest of the semester.
103-acre, mixed-use development proposed for Millington
A request to have taxpayers pay for Millington Farms' roads, sidewalks and other infrastructure is headed to the Shelby County Commission.
Calkins: As the final, dramatic episodes air, an inside look at ‘The Harder Way’
They came to Memphis knowing nothing about the city or the basketball program — but as "The Harder Way" documentary series wraps up, Henry Proegler and Ryan Booth leave as believers in both.
Calkins: Thoughts on Memphis — the team and the city — from a director of ‘The Harder Way’
What quintessentially teenager thing happened to Tyler Harris this year? What is Precious Achiuwa really like? Henry Proegler, one of the directors of "The Harder Way," weighs in on this and more.
Metro
Everybody Speeds: Where HAL 9000 meets the Highway Patrol
The way to curb speeding at first glance might be to put more police officers on the street. But it’s not that simple.
Premium Public Safety Everybody Speeds: Memphis-area tickets are down, but traffic deaths are up
Premium Public Safety Nichols’ attorneys want stay lifted for former cops
Premium Behind The Headlines After building homeless shelter in North Memphis, nonprofit looks south
Business
This women-owned firm has grown from Memphis to 19 states
Founded in 1999, Consilience Group has expanded its presence through word of mouth, referrals and recognition for its work.
Premium Spirit of Memphis Le Bonheur doc retires from Heart Institute he built
Premium Music Made in Memphis Entertainment office, recording studio for sale
Health Care From the bottom to the top: Clinic continues to add wellness treatments
Sports
New Tiger Curtis Givens III has found his way ‘back home’
After spending three years away, LSU transfer and former MUS star point guard Curtis Givens III is making a homecoming with the Memphis Tigers.
Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies’ Zach Edey suffers injury
Sports Former U of M tennis standout Salisbury is French Open runnerup
Sports Arkansas defeats UT in opening game of Super Regional
Food
Dine with Pride: Drag brunch celebrates parade’s Grand Marshals
Chef Eli Townsend said he always looks forward to the Grand Marshal brunch: “It’s the bittersweet closing of Pride Fest and our last opportunity to celebrate ourselves in this way until next year.”
Suburbs
Lakeland doesn’t raise property tax rate
Lakeland has passed the final reading on its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, maintaining the certified property tax rate set after reappraisal, unlike other local suburbs.
Arts & Culture
The art of connection: Memphis artist crafts community one collage at a time
Through a podcast, artist gatherings, guided walks through Overton Park and his popular collage parties, visual artist and musician Zack Orsborn has found people who are, like, really creative.
Opinion
Opinion: Memphis has a crime crisis, and we welcome federal help
“Public safety is not a partisan issue — everyone deserves to feel safe in their community.”
Podcasts
Sound Bites: Meeting Huey’s onion ring specialist
Edible Memphis editor Stacey Greenberg comes back to “Sound Bites” to talk about her food tour of Mexico City and old-school, longtime Memphis restaurants.