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
Republican bill clears way for private firearms in government buildings
This follows a trend in this session of legislation that relaxes gun rules in public spaces.
Public Safety Memphis gun violence cost more than $1B, data says
Shelby County Some docs in Feagins’ initial lawsuit won’t be ‘released to Facebook’
City of Memphis New approach to tidier Memphis interstates starts rolling
Premium Health Care UTHSC looking for new faculty to stem resignations after abuse allegations
Business
UTHSC looking for new faculty to stem resignations after abuse allegations
The staff members’ departures will leave just two occupational-therapy faculty remaining, including the faculty member accused of mistreatment.
Premium Business TV merger means 1 group will control 3 of Memphis’ 5 stations, worrying some
Health Care ‘Universe puts you where you’re supposed to be’: UTHSC students celebrate Match Day
Premium Transportation & Logistics FedEx announces record profitability during holiday season
Premium Real Estate Midtown’s Stomping Grounds aims for 901 Day opening
Sports
Celtics escape ‘amazing’ Grizzlies with late rally
The injury-riddled Grizzlies had a 3-point lead over the Boston Celtics with seven minutes remaining, but the Celtics survived. Celtics rally in fourth quarter to beat Grizzlies Box score: Celtics 117, Grizzlies 112 Former Grizzly and Briarcrest standout Kennedy Chandler returns to NBARelated content:
High School Sports Late mistakes cost Middle College in Class 1A semifinals
High School Sports Panthers steam into Class 4A final; Whitehaven very nearly joins them
High School Sports Walker Valley ousts Whitehaven in Class 4A semis
Memphis Grizzlies Celtics rally in fourth quarter to beat Grizzlies
Food
From crops to cattle, erratic weather is disrupting how Tennessee farms do business
At best, shifting weather patterns mean adjusting planting or grazing schedules. At worst, it means moving animals back indoors, delaying harvests or watching crops fail.
Premium Recipes Recipe Exchange: Brazen Restaurant Group’s Scotch eggs
Suburbs
Lakeland mulls change in government
As Lakeland grows, Commissioner Connie McCarter is suggesting that a change in government with district representation might better serve citizens.
Premium Lakeland Bailey: Suggested change in Lakeland government deserved more details
Arts & Culture
Arts Beat: Downtown is coming alive with the sound of street performers
Walking in Memphis is about to get a lot more entertaining as the DMC will hire buskers to perform along a Downtown street.
Music Tina Turner’s name, image, likeness and most music catalog rights acquired by Pophouse
Opinion
Herrington: Grizzlies notes on injuries, expansion and draft scouting
Herrington offers his thoughts on four Grizzlies topics: The team’s latest injury updates, the NCAA tourney and draft scouting, the standings and lottery odds “race,” and NBA expansion.
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Buckley: Hardaway, Tigers concerned about fans in the stands. What’s the plan to fix it?
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: Spring has sprung, and we take a Journey
Today is the first day of spring, and there are so many ways to get outdoors and celebrate this weekend.
Metro The AM/DM podcast: Meet the local foodie behind our $15 deals
Games
Daily Jigsaw: Yes for Regional One
This jigsaw puzzle is a photo of the signage at Regional One Health and was taken by Patrick Lantrip.