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
Indicted Millington police officer fired for falsifying timesheets
Millington police officer Bryan Childress fired after an investigation revealed he was filing false timesheets, pocketing nearly $3,000 by doing so.
Metro The AM/DM podcast: Go off-the-beaten path this weekend
Premium The Early Word The Early Word: Dems sweep county offices; TN will have a female governor
2026 Elections Elections Most of Shelby County state Legislature incumbents clear primaries — even those running for U.S. House
2026 Elections Elections Just 2 incumbents keep their seats in Shelby County judicial races
Business
Frontdoor beats Q2 expectations with ‘record profitability’
The Memphis-based home warranty provider boasted strong results for Q2 2026.
Health Care Regional One unveils plans for new hospital at old Commercial Appeal building
Financial Services First Horizon launches new financial institutions group
Real Estate $25M plan for former Houston’s and First Horizon site begins
Health Care Jail’s healthcare provider opts out of renewing contract
Sports
Rory McIlroy commits to play FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind
The No. 2 player in the world is returning to Memphis after electing to skip the FedEx St. Jude Championship last summer.
Memphis Tigers Basketball American Conference opponents announced for Memphis basketball
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies Mailbag: Can Zach Edey dunks and defense drive a surprise season?
Memphis Tigers Basketball New location for Memphis basketball game against Dayton has been set
Premium Sports Redbirds Recap: Nashville quiets Memphis offense in Game 3
Food
Food Files: Interstate Bar-B-Que sold, Majestic Grille plans on 10 more years
The Majestic Grille is committing to another decade Downtown, and Interstate’s original location has been sold to another barbecue purveyor.
Spirit of Memphis Memphis institution ‘Too Tall’ leaves legacy of big smiles
Suburbs
Bailey: Suburban elections lack intrigue of county general ballot
Drama evades most of the suburban races in Thursday’s ballot, but a Bartlett alderman continues to resurrect the idea of the suburbs separating from Shelby County.
Public Safety Millington police officer indicted on two felony counts, expected to be fired
Arts & Culture
Arts Beat: David Porter on ‘The Breakfast Club,’ Kingfish at The MET
Plus, several artists with ties to the Memphis region are on former President Barack Obama’s annual summer playlist.
The To-Do List A book fair meets beer, cat videos go big and a ramen shop has a birthday party
Opinion
Opinion: I wish the rest of America understood what I know about Memphis
“It takes living here to know the people. That’s what so many who dismiss Memphis never experience. They see headlines but never hospitality. They hear about violence but never generosity. They know the statistics but not our stories.”
Premium Suburbs Bailey: Suburban elections lack intrigue of county general ballot
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: Go off-the-beaten path this weekend
This off-the-beaten-path weekend will take you on a foam run, through the lion’s gate portal and into the world of cat videos.
The Sidebar: Eric Barnes on arts, culture & more Pat Mitchell Worley on the legacy of Stax in Memphis
Games
Daily Jigsaw: A new day for the Old Daisy
This jigsaw puzzle features a photo of the Historic Daisy Theater and was taken by Patrick Lantrip.