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 Early Word: Feagins just needs one vote; where to ship boxes, get married
Knifebird is gone, Cafe Keough is next and Bane is looking for a new home team.
Public Safety MFD gets $4M grant to resolve facility’s ‘risk of catastrophic failure’
Business
Inked: New Collierville center, South Main to get retail spots
The Collierville intersection at North Byhalia Road and Wolf River Boulevard will get a shopping center, South Main to get new retail spots and the three-building Mendenhall Road Collection was sold for $1.175 million.
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers
Sports
Memphis refuses to fold, digs out of early hole in road win over Virginia
Led by PJ Haggerty’s 27 points, five assists and five rebounds, the Tigers overcame a performance that saw them shoot only 37.5% from the floor and 21.7% from 3-point range. Related content:
Memphis Tigers Basketball Box score: Memphis 64, Virginia 62
Food
The Lobbyist recognized by New York Times for its signature Corn Mash dish
A dish from The Lobbyist has made The New York Times’ list of “The 26 Best Dishes We Ate Across the U.S. in 2024.”
Suburbs
DeSoto County inmate facing additional five years after brief escape
On Dec. 16, a grand jury indicted Stephen Russell Jr. on one charge of felony escape after he reportedly faked a medical emergency when authorities prepared to transport him from the Hernando courthouse Dec. 9.
Arts & Culture
Memphis Movies This Week: Big screen ‘Mufasa,’ little screen ‘Juror #2’
One of the year’s best films mostly bypassed theaters and will be available on HBO’s streaming service, Max. It’s a little bit “12 Angry Men,” a little bit Alfred Hitchcock and a little bit John Grisham.
Opinion
Calkins: Feagins survives for now. But what an embarrassing mess.
Grant Wells, a teacher, joined hundreds of others in support of Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins Tuesday night. His explanation for the entire fiasco? “This is Memphis stuff,” he said.
Podcasts
‘Miracle’ on Broad Avenue: Liquor Store hosts cocktail pop-up
New York-based Christmas pop-up bar Miracle partners with locations around the world to offer Christmas cocktails in cheery holiday-themed settings. Plus, we have tips for making your own holiday cocktails.