Shelby County records third highest coronavirus case jump since crisis began
This is the third time Shelby County has reported more than 100 new cases in a single day since the first coronavirus case was confirmed in the county in early March.
Coronavirus live blog, April 17: Grizzlies set up community fund
The fund will be divided into three focus areas: education, food insecurity and support for small businesses and people in the local gig economy.
Whitehaven golf course reopening Saturday to ‘test’ loosening of restrictions
The Links at Whitehaven city golf course will reopen Saturday, April 18, in the first loosening of restrictions in the city’s state of civil emergency.
Calkins: For Rev. Eli Morris and Hope Church, getting COVID-19 may have been an answered prayer
Eli Morris is feeling better after testing positive for COVID-19. Now he and the rest of the clergy at Hope Church are focusing on those in the community who are facing the same challenges he faced — usually with fewer resources.
Five inmates test positive for COVID at Shelby County jail as Bonner takes safety precautions
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner said five inmates at 201 Poplar and 31 of his employees have tested positive for COVID-19. He said everyone who comes into the facilities has to wear a mask.
Virginia Tech transfer Landers Nolley II includes Memphis in his final list
Virginia Tech transfer Lander is, picked his final three destinations to play college basketball, including Memphis, along with Georgia and Ole Miss.
Local leaders face ‘challenge’ of how and when to reopen economy
Behind the Saturday trial opening of the city-owned Links at Whitehaven course is a lot of jockeying for positions by local businesses that want to be in the first wave of reopenings — from elective medical procedures by doctors to car washes and barber shops and nail salons to restaurants.
Downtown agency rushes love and money to distressed businesses
Twenty Downtown businesses severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic have now received forgivable loans totaling $135,000.
Small businesses left empty-handed as Paycheck Protection funds run out
As Congress debates adding more funds to the Paycheck Protection Program, many small businesses try to hang on.
SCS to get $49M in emergency funds
The money will cover short-term needs as schools address students’ learning loss and anticipated trauma from this year’s shutdown, as well as uncertain future revenues due to a likely recession.
Thirty years later, Nikki McCray still holds a special place in Collierville
Before all her accolades as a player and as a coach, Nikki McCray was the "Coast to Coast" wonder of Collierville High.
Gibson’s and Kelly English team up; new meal deals
Kelly English is passing out Gibson’s, Elwood’s has a Saturday night steak dinner, and Jimmy Gentry’s corn mash comes back next week.
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
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
Regional One’s Union Avenue plan happened at breakneck speed
A week before Thanksgiving, a local real estate agent got a call to look for a 16-acre site close to the Medical District.
Health Care School district, Health Department team up to battle exploding HIV rate
Sports
Herrington: Even rousing win can’t erase worry about Ja Morant
While the good vibes of a hard-fought win perhaps provided a happy distraction, this Ja Morant absence seemed to raise more concern than past ones.
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball ‘Colby Freakin’ Rogers’ snaps into form in Tigers’ road win over Tulane
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
Bailey: Shhh. Don’t tell anyone. We need to vote on a new official
Suburban officials seem to prefer casting secret ballots rather than letting their constituents know who they picked to fill vacancies on government boards.
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.