Coronavirus live blog, May 18: Hybrid model likely for schools in fall
Shelby County Schools superintendent Joris Ray outlines the district’s long-term strategy for reopening schools.
Phase 2 reopening begins, expands waiting period to 21 days
The second phase of reopening the Memphis area economy began Monday, May 18. It will go for 21 days before a much more ambitious third and final phase of the reopening plan.
Commissioner has a plan to cut expenses
'Despite our financial soundness, everyone in Shelby County soon will be paying more in property taxes unless my colleagues on the County Commission embrace a serious reality check regarding the shortfall in the county’s general fund.'
Here’s what Phase 2 reopenings look like
A rundown of what's included in Phase 2 of the new Shelby County Health Department directive.
County officials want cloth face coverings to be required, not requested
The resolution urges Health Department officials to require Shelby County residents and visitors to wear masks when out and about.
Here are the people advising Memphis school leaders on fall return
Superintendent Joris Ray said a plan to return to school could be a mix of in-person and online instruction. It’s still not clear when the 2020-21 school year will start, but Ray said he expects to present a school re-entry plan in early July.
FedEx, Microsoft tag team to ‘revolutionize commerce’
FedEx and Microsoft have formed a strategic alliance that company leaders believe will "revolutionize" commerce by giving businesses more visibility into and control of inventories and supply chains.
West Tennessee prisons, Shelby County Jail hit hard by coronavirus
At least three prisons in West Tennessee and the Shelby County jail top the list of correctional facilities with inmates and detainees who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Herrington: Government mask ordinances risk doing more harm than good
The elevation of mask-usage into a kind of political symbol is a drag — it’s flat-out dumb — but it’s happened, and I’d worry that a government requirement, even a loosely enforced one, would increase the political strife around the issue without a commensurate increase in compliance.
Strickland to close $26 million revenue hole in current budget from familiar sources
The $26 million in red ink is mostly from drops in sales tax revenue because of the closing of "nonessential" businesses in the pandemic. The plan for the current fiscal year, including more use of the city's reserves, was presented to city council members Monday with a vote possible at Tuesday's council session.
Shelby County tests far below goal, 42 new cases
Shelby County saw 42 new cases of coronavirus from only 688 tests reported Monday. The county's positivity rate overall is 7.2%.
Memphis adding scholarship kicker with class of 2021
The Memphis Tigers plan to add a kicker in the class of 2021 — two of their targets find their successful special teams history appealing.
Memphis Tigers holding simulation showdown between two historic teams
Memphis plans to hold a "simulation showdown" between two historic Tiger teams.
Lee tours new, $51M coronavirus care facility in former CA building
The hospital will open when numbers of COVID-19 patients make it necessary; they will arrive by ambulance in a drive-up bay off Beale Street.
Hopdoddy in Overton Square is closed for good
Count Hopdoddy in Overton Square among the restaurants in town that closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and will not reopen.
BCS taps Abraham as principal of Bartlett Ninth Grade Academy
The vice principal at Bartlett High School will take over the reins at the academy beginning July 1.
Raymond James files more allegations against landlord
Raymond James wants to go another legal round against its Downtown Memphis landlord. The company also reveals that six years ago it negotiated to be anchor tenant for what is likely the planned One Beale office tower.
When the Civil War siege of Corinth ended, the conquest of Memphis began
Even though Corinth was a small town of about 1,200, its location made it the key to controlling the western half of the Confederacy and its most important city, Memphis.
After canceling TNReady exams, state must pay millions for testing prep work
Decisions about payment and future tests are among scores of questions and adjustments that all states are dealing with after the pandemic shuttered schools nationwide before testing season got underway.
Election changes churn political waters
The Shelby County Election Commission picked new voting machines earlier this month without the public knowing the name of the company or the price. But it has done little to settle the ongoing debate about changes to how Memphis voters exercise their right.
Marathon day for County Commission fails to produce budget
The commission calculated cuts and additions to the $1.4 billion budget, which must be approved by June 30.
Metro
Body of Thaddeus Smiley found in Wolf River
Smiley jumped in the river to rescue a drowning child on Friday before being swept away by currents that officials estimated were as fast as 6 mph.
Metro Mississippi River loses most of its ‘white gold’ before reaching Gulf
Premium City of Memphis Ask the Memphian: To beat summer heat, where can you swim in Memphis?
Premium City of Memphis What John Zeanah says his new job will be all about
Business
Ashlar Hall gets more time for renovations
Ashlar Hall was approved for a use variance in 2023 to allow an event center on the property. However, that variance was set to expire in September.
Transportation & Logistics Saddle Creek Corp. is closing
Food News Bahama Breeze files layoff notice two weeks after closing
Premium Health Care Future of forensic center serving 20 counties is uncertain
Sports
Vols overcome call, defeat UCLA to reach Women’s CWS semifinals
Tennessee’s softball team goes extra innings to advance to play Texas on Monday in the semifinals of the Women’s College World Series.
Premium Sports Redbirds recap: Birds grab game 5 in series against Bulls
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Three questions Memphis must answer as Tigers begin summer workouts
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: Four lessons from an Oklahoma City-Indiana NBA Finals
Food
$15 Deal: Feast & Graze’s salmon BLT tacos are medley of bold flavors
This fan favorite includes smoked salmon, white cheddar, capers, garlic aioli, bacon, green-leaf lettuce and cherry tomatoes — all on grilled naan.
Suburbs
GPAC selects new director
In a release, Patrick O’Connor, GPAC board president, said when he shared the recommendation with the board, there was “total support for Parke.”
Arts & Culture
Can you spell and drink at the same time?
Those who fancied themselves good spellers gathered Saturday at Crosstown Brewing Co. for the Drunken Dictionary Spelling Bee.
Opinion
Guest column: Memphis has a crime crisis, and we welcome federal help
Public safety is not a partisan issue — everyone deserves to feel safe in their community.
Podcasts
Sound Bites: Good Fortune Co. co-owners talk about Guy Fieri and more
Good Fortune Co. has appeared on the Food Network on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” and the co-owners have appeared separately on “Guy’s Grocery Games.”