Health Department: COVID-19 surge expected in late May or early June
In Saturday's COVID-19 Task Force briefing, officials shared information regarding hospital preparedness for a surge, as well as insight into predicting when the surge will come.
With COVID-19 tests out, number of cases uncertain
According to data released by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland late Friday afternoon, 278 patients are in city hospitals — 85 of them in ICU — awaiting a final diagnosis.
Coronavirus live blog: 1,147 cases confirmed in Shelby County
The best-case scenario assumes statewide testing and improved contact tracing.
Vanderbilt COVID-19 model predicts best scenario of mid-May statewide peak, encouraging Shelby numbers
A Vanderbilt University COVID-19 model projects the disease will peak in Tennessee by mid-June under the state’s status quo but could start winding down by mid-May if the state gets more aggressive with testing and contact tracing.
Health officials note diminishing COVID-19 intensity, but urge vigilance
COVID-19 Task Force briefing revealed rate of the novel coronavirus spread is slowing, but officials reiterate that citizens shouldn't relax on social distancing.
Calkins: How a 62-year-old Marine named Sgt. Tony is winning Facebook Live
Tony Ludlow started his wise-cracking boot camp more than 20 years ago. Now he's beaming it out on Facebook Live.
Pandemic stress taxes our mental health, but there are ways to ease the pressure
Fear for yourself and loved ones, along with financial woes, can tax people with or without a mental health diagnosis, but experts say there are ways to make things better.
Rallings says MPD ‘didn’t miss a beat’ during his trip to Ghana
Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings is back at work after a two-week self-quarantine after he went to Ghana with Memphis in May delegation. He discusses policing in the age of COVID-19.
Memphis kindness blog, April 17: MicroPort donates 100,000 surgical masks
MicroPort Scientific and its Arlington-based orthopedics division have donated 100,000 surgical masks to Memphis Fire Services, and the company plans to donate 100,000 more locally soon.
Metro
Two off-duty Memphis cops arrested for drag racing, department says
A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper allegedly spotted Corvettes driving at a “high rate of speed” on Winchester Road at 2 a.m. Sunday.
Premium The Early Word The Early Word: Bauhaus in Frayser is for sale, but beware of Pig Man
Premium Spirit of Memphis Calkins: They’re not just cutting a ribbon in Whitehaven. They’re showing us the way.
Shelby County Lowery wants a ‘change in culture,’ Pearson gears up fundraising, and Republicans want Sawyer to resign
Business
Long pause for laughter: FedEx commercials poke fun at office power moves
Prolonged eye contact, flashy watches, late arrivals and long pauses: The shipping giant returns to humor in new brand campaign.
Premium Real Estate The City hasn’t officially bought the Sheraton yet but it’s already repaid $4M on the bonds
Premium Real Estate International Paper building sold
Premium Health Care Glasses that slow nearsightedness in children now FDA-approved
Sports
American commissioner hopeful College GameDay can visit Memphis
“It would be terrific,” American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti said of the possibility of College GameDay coming to Memphis. “I’m crossing every finger. I’m saying every prayer, hoping that (the Tigers and USF) continue to play well. And we’ll see where the chips fall.”
Premium Memphis Tigers Football How UAB firing Trent Dilfer impacts the Tigers’ game prep
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward lead deep cast of Grizzlies perimeter prospects
Premium Memphis Tigers Football Analyzing how Memphis’ stingy defense compares to previous years
Food
What to order: Sushi for breakfast at Kitchen Laurel
Hold the wasabi and ginger, because all the cake roll needs is warm syrup for dipping.
Suburbs
From ‘recreation desert’ to its golden era, Lakeland Parks is booming
A dog park, an accessible playground and beyond, Lakeland Mayor Josh Roman says the city’s latest project “will be the cherry on top.”
Arts & Culture
Memphis music ‘all-stars’ unite for a bash
“You’re just not going to see all of these artists together in this way any other time.”
Opinion
Calkins: They’re not just cutting a ribbon in Whitehaven. They’re showing us the way.
You know the best way to solve the ills of a community? With hope. There will be plenty of that at Whitehaven High School Wednesday — where they’re cutting the ribbon on a new STEM center.
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: What’s happening this week
On this episode of The AM/DM, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about the National Civil Rights Museum’s Freedom Awards and the unofficial beginning of the Tigers basketball season.