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
The Early Word: Grizz, Tigers get big wins; leaders get discreet Forum tours
County wants more control over MSCS funds, broken jail doors will take two years to fix and another big live music venue is on the way.
Metro Memphis orgs wary after freezing of federal grants debacle
Business
Box score: Railroads, Chamber push for stiffer cargo theft penalties
Memphis is the No. 2 city in the nation for cargo theft behind Los Angeles-Long Beach, and it’s a problem that “has a ripple effect” for retailers and consumers.
Business Greater Memphis Chamber Chairman’s Circle has new chairman
Sports
New girls basketball coach making a mark at Collierville
After a successful run at Rossville Christian, first-year coach Kendrick Watkins has the Dragons believing after an uncertain offseason.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: Even rousing win can’t erase worry about Ja Morant
Food
Table Talk: Can a kid be a food critic? Corky’s BBQ thinks so
Corky’s No. 1 fan just might be a 10-year-old who goes to St. George’s Independent School.
Suburbs
New girls basketball coach making a mark at Collierville
After a successful run at Rossville Christian, first-year coach Kendrick Watkins has the Dragons believing after an uncertain offseason.
Arts & Culture
Tennessee Williams’ paintings among February art exhibitions in Memphis
Months after his death, the first major Memphis exhibition of South Memphis native Floyd Newsum Jr. opens at the Dixon. Plus, a Colombian artist is showing at Sheet Cake Gallery.
Opinion
Sanford: Firing Feagins was unwise, but she shares the blame
“Now what we have is chaos on steroids. The board is seen as a laughingstock, except no one is laughing.”
Podcasts
Tigers Podcast: After demolition of UAB, can Memphis keep its foot on the gas?
Tigers basketball beat writer Parth Upadhyaya and college sports columnist John Martin analyze Memphis’ blowout win over UAB on Sunday and look at the Tigers’ road ahead.