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
Speakers at Free the 901 event call for mayor to ‘do more’
Faith leaders, local business owners and local college students gathered at First Baptist Church Lauderdale to express opposition to the Memphis Safe Task Force’s methods.
Public Safety MPD announces new data chief
Education Tennessee commission denies charter appeals from last Memphis ASD schools
Education Tennessee school boards could face voter recalls under new bill
Business
Evolve Bank & Trust CEO arrested for child pornography
The arrest of Evolve Bank & Trust CEO Robert “Bob” Hartheimer is the latest challenge for the embattled Memphis-based bank.
Real Estate Despite ‘doom loop,’ Downtown Memphis makes progress
Premium Real Estate Inked: Freed-Hardeman University building sold
Premium Real Estate In-N-Out plans to buy East Memphis land for $5 million
Sports
Federal indictments alleging illegal sports betting and organized poker schemes rock NBA
Tuomas Iisalo said before the news broke yesterday, the Memphis Grizzlies had conversations with players about gambling and protecting the integrity of the game.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Morant, Caldwell-Pope questionable vs. Miami Heat
Premium Memphis Tigers Football Memphis vs. South Florida: What to know about pivotal matchup for Tigers
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Coach Cal Countdown: Top-ranked Memphis falls to No. 2 Tennessee, but Derrick Rose’s rise begins
Food
Sláinte! Raise your beer steins at this Irish take on Oktoberfest
Bog Fest is a celebration of fall flavors, live music and community that’s happening in the Regalia Shopping Center parking lot outside Bog & Barley.
Suburbs
Bailey: Bartlett suddenly shows interest in buying Quail Ridge
In a bit of a surprise, Bartlett officials are taking steps to get into the golf course business with the potential purchase of Quail Ridge.
Arts & Culture
Arts Beat: How Princeton James ‘operates in (his) gift’
Princeton Echols says his touring Soulful Murder Mystery Experience is like: “an escape room and dinner theater had a baby.” He’s also traveling to Italy next month for a screening of a film he directed.
Opinion
Opinion: We must address forensic crime lab needs
“Failure to act will increase backlogs, slow investigations, and create questions regarding the reliability of forensic evidence in the courtroom. That is why a taskforce should be developed including key stakeholders and experts in forensics to build local capacity.”
Podcasts
The AM/DM: A new approach to potholes
On today’s episode, The Daily Memphian’s Samuel Hardiman joins editorial director Mary Cashiola to discuss the a new program for maintaining city streets.