Coronavirus daily blog, March 23: Second St. Jude employee tests positive
The Tennessee Department of Health releases the latest numbers: 93 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Shelby County and 615 cases in Tennessee.
Calkins: Yes, it’s true! They had a (very happy) coronavirus parade!
The teachers at Bailey Station Elementary missed their students. So they threw a giant (no joking) coronavirus parade!
Strickland issues Stay-at-Home order effective Tuesday evening
The order by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland is the next step in a state of civil emergency he declared last week.
Memphis kindness blog, March 24: Food for hospital workers, bear hunts and a cake to remember
As we navigate through this difficult time of dealing with the coronavirus, it is important to capture those instances where Memphians are coming together for each other.
Exclusive: COVID threat triggers jail bailouts
As the number of COVID-19 cases in Shelby County continue to rise, Just City, a nonprofit criminal justice reform organization, is armed with $50,000 from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization and another $25,000 from an anonymous donor with the intention of bailing out several Shelby County Jail inmates this week who are believed to be vulnerable to the virus.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office employee tests positive for COVID-19
A Shelby County Sheriff's employee has tested positive for the coronavirus.
YMCA begins food distribution program across Shelby County
YMCA is running 62 meal-distribution sites across Shelby County from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Calkins: The class of 2020, and a lost senior spring
The Class of 2020 will not have the senior spring that the rest of us had. It may shape them in important and lasting ways.
Coronavirus could further delay NCAA probe into Tiger basketball
Coronavirus could pose further delays in the NCAA investigation of the Memphis basketball program.
Waters: Lenten preparations in a pandemic
Typical Sunday attendance is about 70 at Trinity United Methodist Church, about 40 at Shiloh United Methodist in Fayette County. Their virtual worship service had 400 views on Trinity’s page and 322 on Shiloh’s page.
Memphis Tourism steers visitors to outdoor itineraries
Memphis Tourism officials are encouraging visitors to take walking or bicycling tours of attractions like Big River Crossing and parks.
Minor changes mark Super Tuesday certification by Election Commission
None of the changes in vote totals affect the outcome of the Super Tuesday presidential primaries and countywide primaries for General Sessions Court Clerk in Shelby County. The meeting is one of the last in-person deliberations by a public body as elected bodies move to online or conference call public meetings.
Municipalities, health department issuing Safer at Home Orders
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said Monday he and municipal mayors are issuing Safer at Home orders and closing non-essential businesses.
Memphis City Council goes online only with Tuesday meeting
The Tuesday council session includes setting aside $2 million in the city budget for pandemic responses like reducing transit fees and better funding the Mid-South Food Bank.
A Viewer’s Guide to Watching the Memphis City Council
Here is everything you need to know to watch Tuesday's meeting of the Memphis City Council -- a rare online-only session of the city's legislative body during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Metro
The AM/DM podcast: All about the sharp decline in Memphis’ murder rate
In 2025, Memphis’ number of murders declined more than 25% since the year before.
Premium The Early Word The Early Word: Republican chair resigns, and school takeover is back
Public Safety Military lawyers sworn in to help with federal Task Force cases
Education Most Tennessee students don’t use vouchers to exit low-performing public schools: comptroller
Premium Financial Services Former bank CEO pleads guilty to child porn charges
Business
Despite challenging 2025, Memphis Tourism optimistic for 2026
Last year, Memphis was one of the few markets nationwide to see hotel-occupancy growth.
Premium Business Germantown’s The Standard development could generate $2.2M in taxes
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers
Premium Health Care Sensory deprivation tanks: Making stress float away?
Premium Business Liberty Bowl’s SEC, AutoZone deals hinge on pending CFP decision
Sports
Grizzlies break two losing streaks in close win over Spurs
Vince Williams Jr. and Cam Spencer were unlikely co–stars of an unlikely night to break a bad streak for the Memphis Grizzlies. Related content:
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies 25: Dillon Brooks always put on a show, to sometimes mixed reviews
High School Sports Bartlett outlasts Houston behind Braylon Williams’ 32 points
High School Sports Whitehaven High football coach Saulsberry stepping down
Memphis Grizzlies Jackson, Spencer lead Grizzlies in tight win over Spurs
Food
$15 Deal: Soul Fish’s crawfish tacos have crunchy inside and chewy shell
“My main dish was everything you want from a soft taco: crunchy insides because of the fried crawfish and veggies and a chewy shell from the warm tortillas. But pick your sides wisely.”
Premium Table Talk Table Talk: A year-end roundtable ... minus the table
Suburbs
Germantown’s The Standard development could generate $2.2M in taxes
Once the new restaurant, 320 apartments, new retail and parking garage are fully operational, the economic impact to the local economy is estimated at $61.9 million.
Premium Arlington Arlington approves new pocket neighborhood south of I-40
Arts & Culture
The Arts Beat: New year, more art
What’s coming in 2026? Museums, band reunions, new concert venues, landmark anniversaries, a handful of funny guys and portals to parallel universes.
Visual Arts Dixon opens third installment of ‘Black Artists in America’
Opinion
Herrington: As injuries and losses mount, the Grizzlies season could be taking a turn
With a losing streak, new injuries to Ja Morant and Cedric Coward and a crowded coming schedule, this Memphis Grizzlies season may be at a crossroads.
Premium Geoff Calkins Calkins: They fell in love. Broke up for seven decades. Then they found each other again.
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: All about the sharp decline in Memphis’ murder rate
In 2025, Memphis’ number of murders declined more than 25% since the year before.
Metro The AM/DM podcast: Inside the Memphis Safe Task Force’s daily reports
Games
Sudoku: Jan. 6
Are you ready for it? Here are today’s sudokus.