Governor calls for closing for remainder of school year
Gov. Bill Lee calls for schools to shut down for remainder of academic year, plan for fall reopening with precautions.
Coronavirus live blog, April 15: County approves $2.5M for virus expenses
Shelby County Commission has approved spending $2.5 million for coronavirus testing and other expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harris: No raises for Shelby County workers in budget; layoffs possible
As Shelby County's elected officials continue to spend, county Mayor Lee Harris said there could be layoffs next fiscal year.
New grants aim to shore up small businesses in distressed neighborhoods
The EDGE board on Wednesday approved a $1 million fund for Neighborhood Emergency Economic Development grants to coronavirus-impacted businesses in distressed neighborhoods. EDGE immediately began accepting applications.
Democratic Party kills DeBerry challenge, keeps him off ticket
The Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee rejected state Rep. John DeBerry’s challenge Wednesday, April 15, keeping him off the House District 90 Democratic ballot in the August primary.
Chamber opens small biz lunch series to public via Zoom
Greater Memphis Chamber has retooled a live, monthly, members-only small business program to a twice-a-week, virtual, free presentation to help businesses navigate COVID-19 recovery. It begins Thursday, April 16.
Stamps, Worley seeking re-election in Collierville
Aldermen John Stamps and John Worley will seek re-election in November. Financial disclosures filed last week affirmed the two plan to pull petitions in June and desire to continue serving on the Collierville board.
Shelby County gets a D+ in social-distancing matrix
When researchers see a lull in new cases, they look to how well social distancing was going two weeks earlier.
To COVID-19 hell and back: One man’s story
For 62-year-old Hans Guenther of Germantown, the retired life was the good life — until the so-called invisible enemy paid a visit.
Recommendation to keep schools closed ends 2020 prep sports season
Remainder of state basketball tournaments, all spring sports canceled.
SCS has plan to help struggling seniors graduate despite school closure
Online classes for seniors at risk of not graduating because of failing grades are scheduled to begin April 20 and run through May 22.
Analysis on latest Shelby County coronavirus numbers
Shelby County is reporting 1,432 cases of coronavirus and 31 deaths as of Wednesday, April 15.
COVID testing set to expand into more areas of city Friday
COVID-19 testing will ramp up Friday, April 17, as the city moves into more areas with mobile testing, Mayor Jim Strickland said Wednesday, April 15.
Rallings notes slight uptick in violent crime during pandemic
Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings said Wednesday, April 15, that violent crime is up slightly in the city since the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the police department has launched a sting operation to combat the uptick.
Governor fashions economic reboot around risk of COVID spread
Gov. Bill Lee is admitting Tennessee runs the risk of a COVID-19 surge when the state starts to reopen the economy in May, but he argued an economic shutdown can’t continue for months, and he hopes to quell a surge with more testing and hospital capacity.
Calkins: University of Memphis president David Rudd optimistic there will be students — and football — on campus this fall
University of Memphis president David Rudd told The Daily Memphian that "current indicators would suggest" students will be back on campus in the fall. He's hopeful football will be back, too.
Aid package throws lifeline to Memphis airport, but COVID-19 dashes chances of record year
The Memphis airport has gone from 6,000-plus passengers and 80-90 flights a day to 20 or fewer flights and a few hundred passengers as COVID-19 hammers air travel.
Metro
County Commission to mull grants moratorium, other ethics moves
The possible freeze, which follows the indictment of Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. on bribery and tax evasion charges linked to grants, is one of the items on the March 17 agenda.
Metro This Week in Memphis: State school takeover talk starts; Ransom signs off
Spirit of Memphis ‘Harder than it looks': Newcomers give curling a whirl at Mid-South Ice House
Premium Public Safety Crime victims’ safety net unraveling with continued cuts
Business
Le Bonheur leader wants Heart Institute to be ‘center of excellence’
Dr. Bret Mettler is a new leader at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital’s growing Heart Institute, which boasts a slew of recently recruited pediatric cardiologists and heart surgeons from around the country.
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers
Premium East Memphis After the pandemic, this psychiatrist wanted to take a holistic approach
Real Estate Virginia-based firm bringing new senior community to Cordova
Sports
What to know: Memphis’ NCAA Tournament 1st-round foe Colorado State
Before No. 5 seed Memphis takes on No. 12 seed Colorado State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament’s West Regional in Seattle at 1 p.m. CT Friday (TBS), learn a little bit about the Rams.
Update Memphis Tigers Basketball Memphis is headed to West Region in NCAA Tournament
Memphis Tigers Basketball Hobbled but hungry: Shorthanded Memphis wins AAC Tournament title over UAB
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Former Tiger Tony Madlock leads Alabama State to the Big Dance
Food
Rappers, a grocery company and a retiree rally behind Cxffeeblack
“Coffee brings people to the table,” Cxffeeblack founder Bartholomew Jones said.
Suburbs
This Week in Memphis: State school takeover talk starts; Ransom signs off
Also happening this week: Memphis amateur athletes are honored, and suburban schools are on spring break.
Arts & Culture
Rappers, a grocery company and a retiree rally behind Cxffeeblack
“Coffee brings people to the table,” Cxffeeblack founder Bartholomew Jones said.
Opinion
Opinion: It’s time to deal with neglectful property owners
“We have over 10,000 abandoned homes in disrepair, with overgrown yards, piles of trash, and more. It’s time to shift accountability back to where it belongs and make neglectful property owners pay up.”
Podcasts
Memphis’ group violence-intervention program still work in progress
Memphis Police Department Chief C.J. Davis talks on “Behind The Headlines” about getting group violence-intervention right by looking at Detroit’s approach, the pressure that comes with last year’s drop in crime and more.