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
The AM/DM podcast: Do I have to pay my traffic ticket?
Spoiler alert, in some cases, it’s no.
Premium The Early Word The Early Word: County taxes may stay the same, but Ja’s future is uncertain
City of Memphis ‘If this were Poplar Avenue, … this would have been completed years ago’
North Mississippi Former DeSoto County priest-in-training pleads guilty to child sexual abuse material
Shelby County Sixth special judicial race coming to Aug. 6 ballot
Business
Practicing on plastic: Methodist University Hospital unveils simulation lab
Modern mannequins provide various types of lifelike practice situations for nurses, physcians and other healthcare professionals.
Premium Real Estate Inked: Dunkin', Tolteca and Welltower do deals
Premium Real Estate From ashes, a Mapco Express will rise on Poplar and Highland — with a patio
Premium Real Estate Bed, Bath & Beyond is returning to Germantown with a friend: The Container Store
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers: A2H, Turner Construction and Colliers make announcements
Sports
Hill: Ja Morant may bounce back, but does he fit the Grizzlies’ new timeline?
Roster age synchronization matters in the NBA for several reasons. Memphis is in position to get even younger.
Memphis Tigers Basketball Ed Scott reveals how much Memphis spends on basketball, football
Sports AutoZone Liberty Bowl sets date
High School Sports Daily Memphian postseason girls track and field awards: Three-peats for Collierville’s Webb, Seymour
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Martin: Can a behavioral test help the Tigers win? We talked to the CEO to find out.
Food
$15 Deal: New breakfast items at Central BBQ
“It just made sense,” said Brandon Ellenburg, Central BBQ’s director of operations. “We are here anyway since we have to take the shoulders off the pits at 6 a.m., so why not serve breakfast?”
Premium Business Chef Flavas’ Bartlett location caught fire, but Downtown is ready for business
Suburbs
Bartlett planners give thumbs up to mixed-use projects on U.S. 70
Ramble on Summer and the latest phase of Union Depot have received recommendations from the Bartlett Planning Commission.
Premium Arlington Arlington passes ‘very tight budget’ and dodges raising property tax rate
Arts & Culture
A look at the 2026 Live at the Garden lineup
Olivia Wall, director of marketing and communications for Memphis Botanic Garden, joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar” to talk about Live at the Garden’s 2026 lineup.
Visual Arts Memphis Movies This Week: ‘Tuner,’ ‘Power Ballad,’ ‘Frances Ha’
Opinion
Opinion: Memphis’ zoning rewrite will reshape development, property rights for a generation
James Maclin says, “The best version of this rewrite would do two things at once: Modernize Memphis’ land use rules and protect the public’s trust in the process. That means clear notice, clear explanations, clear transition rules, and clear lines of decision-making.”
Guest Columnists Opinion: Memphis music depends on people willing to build something larger than themselves
Podcasts
A look at the 2026 Live at the Garden lineup
Olivia Wall, director of marketing and communications for Memphis Botanic Garden, joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar” to talk about Live at the Garden’s 2026 lineup.
Germantown The AM/DM podcast: Germantown’s horse show rides again
Games
Sudoku: June 3
Are you ready for it? Here are today’s sudokus.