Coronavirus live blog, April 24: Tenn. adds 460 cases, largest daily increase so far
The Tennessee Department of Health reports 2,001 cases in Shelby County.
Slight uptick in local cases coincides with increased tests
Shelby County reported 50 new cases Friday, but also confirmed its highest single day of new tests since Monday.
The Lumineers, Liam Gallagher among acts dropping out of BSMF lineup
Festival organizers say the majority of previously announced acts will remain on-board for the rescheduled Beale Street Music Festival in October. A revised lineup announcement with replacement acts is planned for June.
COVID-19 field hospital conversion underway on Union Avenue
About 500 people are working to meet the May 14 deadline for opening a makeshift hospital to handle overflow patients in the coronavirus pandemic.
Harris extends county emergency order a week as 44% of county cases considered recovered
The county order covers unincorporated Shelby County and follows an extension of the Memphis emergency order earlier in the week with some first steps toward an economic reopening.
Herrington: When it comes to coronavirus in Memphis, ‘Tennessee’ only means so much
A constant factor of Memphis life seems more pressing now than usual: To paraphrase Texas songwriter Joe Ely, we may walk the streets of Memphis, but we’ll have you understand, Tennessee is not entirely the state we’re in.
Tennessee’s 1M students will learn less because of coronavirus closures
Students will miss at least 50 days of classroom instruction — almost a third of the school year — because of the pandemic.
Tennessee to reopen restaurants and retail stores with $5B loss in GDP projected
Facing a possible $5 billion loss in gross domestic product from the COVID-19 crisis, Tennessee will open restaurants Monday, April 27, in 89 counties, even before lifting a “safer at home” order. Shelby County is not included in the re-opening.
When benefits outweigh employment
Employees receiving generous unemployment benefits can make it hard for restaurateurs to have adequate staff when it’s time to reopen and to meet their PPP forgiveness requirements.
Achiuwa heading to the NBA, according to ESPN, sources
In what should not come as a surprise, Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa will leave the Tiger basketball program after one year and head to the NBA.
46 Downtown businesses given $260,000 to help survive pandemic
Sixty-three percent of the 46 Downtown businesses receiving the forgivable loans were minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE).
TSWA all-state bowling teams announced
Bowlers from Bartlett, Briarcrest and CBHS named to sports writers all-state team.
KIPP closes two Memphis charter schools
KIPP officials say they will continue remote learning plans through the end of the school year, but the closings will mean hundreds of students will have to find new schools this fall.
A new Starbucks may be brewing for Raleigh
Neither Starbucks nor the developer has confirmed it, but a building permit document suggests that Raleigh may soon have its own Starbucks coffee shop.
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
IV and weight-loss clinic coming to Arlington
Pro Health’s services include weight-loss solutions, IV hydration infusions, testosterone replacement, sinus cocktail shots, sports physicals, B12 injections and more.
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.