Coronavirus daily blog, March 16: SCS extends closure to April 6
Tennessee
52
Shelby County
2
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
Cohen questions FBI leader about National Guard in Memphis
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., asked FBI Director Kash Patel about the Memphis Safe Task Force, which President Donald Trump established Monday.
Spirit of Memphis Businessman, entrepreneur Walker Uhlhorn dies at 88
State Government Tennessee Supreme Court sides with police union — again
City of Memphis ‘I don’t want to see a tank in my neighborhood’— County Commission debates Guard deployment
Business
XAI subsidiary subleases 550+ acres for solar panel project
The solar panel project is expected to include up to 100 megawatts, possibly more.
Business Main Street will soon get new banners
Real Estate The latest on Google’s West Memphis data center? It could add water recycling.
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers
Sports
Week 5 high school football preview: Germantown-Lausanne will be star-studded and physical
Teams get Week 5 kicked off with a Thursday night contest at Rhodes College.
High School Sports Dandy Dozen: Briarcrest makes a big jump; Germantown remains on top
Premium Memphis Tigers Football Breaking down the Tigers’ unblemished home record against power conference schools since 2015
High School Sports Tuesday prep report: Northpoint scores crucial victory over St. George’s
Food
Wiseacre’s OG location isn’t just for beer anymore
Since its inception, Wiseacre’s Broad Avenue taproom has relied on a rotating cast of food trucks. But now the brewery is opening its own in-house sandwich shop.
Suburbs
Collierville Schools to improve cell service at high school, hears site purchase updates
Collierville Schools is hoping cell service is soon improved in the high school area. District leaders also heard an update on two sites they are purchasing.
Arts & Culture
The Daily Memphian pops up at Cooper-Young Fest
The Daily Memphian hosted a booth at the event, talking to community members and giving out swag. Did you see us?
Opinion
Calkins: Memphis has a rich history of playing the SEC. Is it coming to an end?
For almost exactly 60 years, SEC teams have been traveling to the Liberty Bowl to play Memphis in football. Saturday might be the beginning of the end.
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: How a new MPD position rankled the department
In the wake of Tyré Nichols’ death, the Memphis Police Department decided it had an absence of supervision in the field, and set out to fix that problem by creating a new position — the second lieutenant. But that solution caused a string of other problems.