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
A block of Downtown Memphis inches toward new name
The Memphis City Council pushed forward with plans for Hyde Square and moved swiftly through a shortened agenda in its second online session in a row.
Education Gov. Bill Lee wants $155 million to fund 20,000 new vouchers
Update State Government New state budget proposes $80M for Memphis
Education Memphis releases funds to ease pre-K crisis — but the fight isn’t over
Elections New bill would bar some Tennesseans from running for Congress
Business
Uncovering the Legacy at 87 Adams: Downtown Memphis church will memorialize thousands
From 1855 to 1862, about 3,800 slaves were sold in what is now Calvary Episcopal Church’s parking lot. The church is shedding a light on this history, and it received a major grant for its effort.
Business Elon Musk joins his rocket and AI businesses into a single company
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers
Winter Weather Business From Cash Saver to Kroger, stores work to restock after winter storm
Premium Spirit of Memphis Seeds for lawyer’s success planted when she was a child
Sports
Grizzlies score 40 points in fourth quarter to beat Kings
Ty Jerome continued his run of efficient scoring for the Grizzlies despite his tight minutes restriction.
Memphis Grizzlies Trade Deadline Tracker: Waiting on a Ja Morant deal
Memphis Tigers Football Memphis coach Charles Huff wants 2026 recruiting class to dream big
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Hill: The Grizzlies are opting for a rebuild. Does tanking in the NBA work?
Memphis Tigers Football Tigers coach Huff says local high school recruiting is ‘50-50’ proposition
Food
With savory hand pies, Whisks of Doom whips up a different type of bakery
Founder Allie Trotter said Whisks of Doom was never meant to fit into traditional bakery culture, which she describes as too “cotton candy” for her taste.
Premium Spirit of Memphis Memphis caterer delivers all the way to Holly Springs — due to weather
Suburbs
Collierville looking at mixed-use for former Gus’s site
The project would replace the historic home that Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken once operated. The mixed-use development would offer a residential ownership option above retail and office space.
Premium Education Lakeland ‘renames’ its middle school for next school year
Arts & Culture
Memphis Movies This Week: ‘Send Help’ is a good time, and ‘Macbeth’ is at Crosstown
Stranded on a South Pacific island with Rachel McAdams? Be careful what you wish for in Sam Raimi’s “Send Help.”
The To-Do List Pro cornhole comes to town, and the Dixon celebrates 50 years
Opinion
Calkins: Jaren Jackson had to be traded. Because it’s time for the Grizzlies to start again.
The Grizzlies stunned the city by dealing Jaren Jackson Jr. Yes, it’s disappointing. But it’s time to start fresh.Related content:
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: Analyzing the JJJ deal — and what’s next for the Grizzlies
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: A Ford era ends
Last year, Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. was charged with seven counts of federal bribery and tax evasion charges. This week, he pleaded guilty to five of them.
Metro The AM/DM podcast: The difference between Memphis and Minneapolis
Games
Sudoku: Feb. 4
Ready for today’s sudokus?