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
Head of TVA, which supplies MLGW, announces retirement
Memphis Light, Gas and Water, which serves the Memphis metro area, is TVA’s largest customer.
Education MSCS advises staff about immigration directive
Business
Box score: Railroads, Chamber push for stiffer cargo theft penalties
Memphis is the No. 2 city in the nation for cargo theft behind Los Angeles-Long Beach, and it’s a problem that “has a ripple effect” for retailers and consumers.
Business Greater Memphis Chamber Chairman’s Circle has new chairman
Sports
Grizzlies Insider: Luke Kennard trying to not think about upcoming trade deadline
The Feb. 6 trade deadline is one week away, and several NBA players will soon have new homes.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: Even rousing win can’t erase worry about Ja Morant
Food
Table Talk: Can a kid be a food critic? Corky’s BBQ thinks so
Corky’s No. 1 fan just might be a 10-year-old who goes to St. George’s Independent School.
Suburbs
New girls basketball coach making a mark at Collierville
After a successful run at Rossville Christian, first-year coach Kendrick Watkins has the Dragons believing after an uncertain offseason.
Arts & Culture
Tennessee Williams’ paintings among February art exhibitions in Memphis
Months after his death, the first major Memphis exhibition of South Memphis native Floyd Newsum Jr. opens at the Dixon. Plus, a Colombian artist is showing at Sheet Cake Gallery.
Opinion
Sanford: Firing Feagins was unwise, but she shares the blame
“Now what we have is chaos on steroids. The board is seen as a laughingstock, except no one is laughing.”
Podcasts
Tigers Podcast: After demolition of UAB, can Memphis keep its foot on the gas?
Tigers basketball beat writer Parth Upadhyaya and college sports columnist John Martin analyze Memphis’ blowout win over UAB on Sunday and look at the Tigers’ road ahead.