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
St. Paul Catholic School breaks ground on $18M expansion
The expansion will add 21,000 square feet of space, including a new pre-K facility and renovations to the existing school, including two playgrounds, two STEM labs, an updated dining hall and a chapel.
Elections Political Roundup: Shelby County Democrats stalled on chair, more
Premium East Memphis Oak Court Mall to face the wrecking ball
Public Safety Tyre Nichols’ mother takes the stand
Business
Oak Court Mall to face the wrecking ball
Josh Poag and a group of Memphis investors purchased the mall at 4465 Poplar Ave. in 2023 for $18.3 million and spent the last year envisioning Oak Court’s future.
Premium Business Pool school: Mother-daughter team have taught kids to swim for decades
Premium Spirit of Memphis Former NICU patient returns to Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown as intern
Premium Health Care Memphis college embraces power of high-tech glasses
Sports
Herrington: Reacting to nine notable end-of-season Grizzlies quotes
Chris Herrington breaks down what the Memphis Grizzlies were saying one day after their 2024-25 season ended and what he thinks it really means.
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Tigers Talk: Memphis’ roster, chance of a PJ Haggerty return, hidden gems
Sports Memphis women’s tennis team opens against USC in NCAA Tournament
Memphis Grizzlies How far are Grizzlies from contending? Morant, Bane, Jackson share thoughts
Food
Sound Bites: What’s planned for ‘Felicia’s 2.0’
Chef Felicia Willett-Schuchardt said Felicia Suzanne’s will offer signature dishes and Southern favorites.
Suburbs
Germantown eliminates holiday decorations ordinance
A resident had filed a federal lawsuit pointing out the prior policy limiting the time or such decorations violated her freedom of expression and First Amendment rights.
Arts & Culture
Lamar Sorrento paints world only way he knows how
“Some people, their goal in life is to be their authentic selves. Most people never get there,” said a longtime friend. “(Lamar Sorrento’s) gotten there and gone past it, I think.”
Opinion
Calkins: On Clayborn Temple’s final day, shaken Memphians came to pay their respects
The city can feel like it’s in crisis. The country can feel like it’s is in crisis. And Monday, we all woke up to the news that Clayborn Temple had burned down.Related content:
Podcasts
Sound Bites: What’s planned for ‘Felicia’s 2.0’
Chef Felicia Willett-Schuchardt said Felicia Suzanne’s will offer signature dishes and Southern favorites.