No spike in new COVID-19 cases locally as positive percentage declines
County health department data shows 3,523 coronavirus cases, 78 deaths and 2,115 recoveries as of Thursday. A total of 46,444 tests were administered locally for COVID-19.
Former Memphis Showboats coach Pepper Rodgers has died
Former Memphis Showboats coach Pepper Rodgers, who also led the local Canadian Football League franchise, died Thursday in Reston, Virginia.
Coronavirus live blog, May 14: Testing scheduled next week at Memphis housing units
State Rep. Barbara Cooper announced Thursday that free, voluntary testing for COVID-19 will begin next week in many of the city’s housing units in Memphis.
Herrington: Forrest saga on path to surprisingly amicable end
The Forrest statue made the park unusable space for most Memphians. The Sons of Confederate Veterans lost the battle for the hearts and minds of Memphis, thank goodness, long before they lost the legal battle over moving the monuments to Forrest and Jefferson Davis.
Editor of MLK50 news website sues Strickland
The federal lawsuit seeking her inclusion in notices of press conferences by the mayor and administration was filed on her behalf by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
Gibson’s reopening: ‘A sign of normal’ to Memphians?
Gibson’s Donuts, closed since March 21, reopens at the crack of dawn on May 15 for takeout; thousands of doughnuts are already being fried.
Graceland-linked production plant wins planning board’s OK
Despite a “rejection” recommendation from the Office of Planning & Development, the Land Use Control Board voted 6-4 to approve construction of a production facility, using 3-D printing, in the middle of single-family homes in Whitehaven.
FedEx Ground in peak-season mode with e-commerce surge
The e-commerce surge generated by the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed package volumes to holiday peak season levels at FedEx Ground, the company's workhorse for e-commerce deliveries.
Court considers whether Memphis police violated social media sanctions
Undercover officers in the Memphis Police Department’s gang unit have used fake social media accounts to glean information during criminal investigations, a MPD major testified Thursday, May 14, during a hearing on whether the department has violated court-ordered social media sanctions.
Herrington: Thoughts on ‘Phase 2’ and the great mask debate
The operational difference between “Phase 1” and “Phase 2” was always fairly narrow and has grown more so via “phase creep.”
Aresco: Football, Olympic sports scheduling could change
AAC commissioner Mike Aresco told Dave Woloshin and Brett Norsworthy on Wednesday that the conference is still planning to play football this fall.
Former TRA standout Jacob Cole takes the reins at his alma mater
Ex-assistant Jacob Cole helped Rebels finish as state runners-up in 2009.
Memphis Tigers receive American Athletic Conference Championship rings
The Memphis Tigers have started to receive their American Athletic Conference Championship rings from the 2019 season. The U of M defeated Cincinnati 29-24 on Dec. 7, 2019, to win the AAC.
Here’s a proven way to prevent the spread of coronavirus
Yes, covering your nose and mouth with a mask is annoying. Yes, it causes your glasses to fog. Yes, it makes communication more difficult. And yes, it stops the spread of disease.
Pace slows, but pandemic job losses near 80,000 in Memphis area
The southwest Tennessee region including Memphis reported 6,634 new unemployment claims in week ending May 9, pushing the total near 80,000 since COVID-19 business closings began.
Enda Crehan named CBU men’s soccer head coach
Enda Crehan will take over the Christian Brothers University soccer program
Possible MLGW split from TVA draws questions over the right question to ask
Two leaders of the civic group backing an end to TVA ties say on "Behind The Headlines" that they want to hear more about how much it would cost MLGW to go with another electric power supplier without having to generate its own power as well.
Metro
New U of M institute knows the importance of flower power
The university’s new unit, headed by a global expert in sunflowers, focuses on how to boost agriculture specifically in the Mississippi Delta.
Spirit of Memphis On Christmas Day, everybody eats at Brother Juniper’s
Business
Memphis wrap star, former St. Jude patient meet on reality show
After filming on “The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge” wrapped in Pennsylvania, Vanessa West and Adrienne Myers met again — this time back home in Memphis over lunch at La Baguette.
Transportation & Logistics American Airlines briefly grounded flights on Christmas Eve
Sports
Net gains: Santi Aldama’s play once was ‘trash.’ Now the Grizzlies love it.
With inspiration from a book about tennis, sports psychology and more, Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama’s game has taken a huge step forward.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: No Grizzlies for Christmas? The NBA’s loss.
Food
Table Talk: Holiday traditions, with food and family at the table
The holidays are about gathering with friends and family, with good meals as a centerpiece.
Suburbs
Public documents on Harvest plane crash released, final report imminent
Hundreds of pages of investigative reports on the 2023 plane crash that killed four members of Harvest Church in Germantown are now public, including official interviews, expert accounts on the aircraft and wreckage and more.
Arts & Culture
Memphis Movies This Week: ‘A Complete Unknown,’ ‘Babygirl,’ more
A quartet of very different, but quite notable, new movies open in Memphis on Christmas Day.
Opinion
Opinion: A call for solutions and community empowerment
“While I agree that our police department can and should improve, the real question for me is this: Will a Federal Government consent decree yield the true results our community is seeking — will it make Memphis better?”
Podcasts
Memphis mayor plans task force to address police reform
Paul Young offered more detail in a Behind The Headlines interview on what’s next for MPD after a scathing federal report into the department’s policies and practices.