City could allow some tourist attractions, museums to open in Phase 1
Parts of Memphis’ $3.5 billion a year tourism industry could make a comeback as soon as next week. The city will vet reopening plans on a case-by-case basis.
Masked Memphis
Memphians practicing social distancing and following recommended safety measures while in public sport the latest fashion accessory, coronavirus masks, turning us all into benign bandits.
Food drive helps stock stranded international students’ pantries
When a group of local Malaysian-American professionals heard that University of Memphis' international students were having trouble keeping food on their plates, they banded together to stage a food drive.
Coronavirus live blog: Shelby County reports 98 new COVID-19 cases and 3 deaths
In Shelby County, 53 individuals have died from the virus.
Positivity rate still slowing after 30,000 COVID-19 tests in Shelby County
As Shelby County approaches the beginning of "Back to Business" on Monday, 30,000 tests have been administered in the area. A downward trend in the percentage of positivity points to slower spreads of COVID-19, despite rising totals of infected citizens.
Politics Podcast: How the pandemic highlights digital divide, poverty
MICAH director Rev. Ayanna Watkins talks about bail reform, the digital divide and homelessness and the new look its getting with the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic in Shelby County.
UPDATE: YMCA will make Goodlett Farms building its HQ and Resource Center
The YMCA of Memphis & the Midsouth confirmed Saturday that it bought and will use as its resource center a 55,888-square-foot office building in Cordova's Goodlett Farms office park.
Conflicting reopening plans poised to end countywide alliance on pandemic
Shelby County's suburban cities are beginning to expand on openings allowed under the first phase of the local "Back to Business" phased plan and will allow "close contact" businesses to open next week.
Penny Hardaway supports NCAA rule changes
Coach Penny Hardaway calls for action from the NCAA to fight G-League.
Retailers mull reopening Monday, if allowed to
Not every business will be willing or prepared to reopen Monday even if allowed to under the Memphis and Shelby County "Back to Business" plan.
University of Memphis provides communication boards for local hospitals
The boards produced inside the Memphis Speech and Hearing Center allow COVID-19 patients on ventilators to communicate without talking.
FedEx sees no impact from announced protest by workers
FedEx said an announced national job action against several companies in the e-commerce and shipping businesses had "no impact" on operations Friday.
Metro
County Commission keeps tabs as Halbert cooperating with county auditors
While Halbert is now cooperating, County Commission Chair Shante Avant said she may call a special meeting of the body if the cooperation stops.
Education Some Memphis schools won’t have custodians after board rejects contract again
Public Safety No timeline on appeal in Nichols federal case leaves 2 former officers in limbo
Business Former Evolve CEO to take plea deal on child pornography charges
City of Memphis Memphis crime drops again, hitting lowest level in at least three years
Business
Former Evolve CEO to take plea deal on child pornography charges
Former bank CEO Robert “Bob” Hartheimer will plead guilty to a series of child pornography charges.
Ford Megasite Ford shifts gears: Will produce gas-powered trucks, instead of EVs at BlueOval City
Premium Real Estate Grant family tree branching out with development, homebuilding efforts
Premium Business Couple with passion for baking serves thousands of customers out of home
Business The Station owner trying again for liquor license
Sports
Martin: Memphis got crushed at Louisville. What’s next for the program?
While it’s probably unwise to base anything off one particular game, the magnitude of the loss to Louisville should cause any Memphis fan to wonder what should be taken from it.
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: With Zach Edey on the shelf, the Grizzlies focus shifts to ‘Ja & Jaren’ again
Premium Memphis Tigers Football Anatomy of a hire: How the Memphis Tigers zeroed in on Charles Huff
Player of the Week Vote for the high school boys basketball player of the week, Week 3
Player of the Week Vote for the high school girls basketball player of the week, Week 3
Food
What to order: Park + Cherry’s mushroom and butternut squash risotto
Park + Cherry recently debuted a fall/winter menu, and it’s full of seasonal goodness to take the edge off winter’s chill.
Premium Business Couple with passion for baking serves thousands of customers out of home
Suburbs
Collierville gathers feedback, gets to work on 25-year plan
“This is not what I want,” Mayor Maureen Fraser said. “This is not what the Board of Mayor and Aldermen wants. This is what you, the community, wants.”
Metro The AM/DM podcast: What will Collierville look like in 2050?
Arts & Culture
‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Sinners’ win big with Southeastern film critics
Paul Thomas Anderson’s topical action-comedy romp “One Battle After Another” and Ryan Coogler’s Delta-set horror period piece “Sinners” dominated this year’s awards vote of the Southeastern Film Critics Association.
The To-Do List Champagne dreams: Where to party on New Year’s Eve
Opinion
Herrington: With Zach Edey on the shelf, the Grizzlies focus shifts to ‘Ja & Jaren’ again
The Grizzlies are starting all over again: Evaluating the ability of co-stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to elevate this team while still waiting to get whole again.
Premium Guest Columnists Opinion: Chanukah is about the strength of faith and finding light even in the darkest of times
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: What will Collierville look like in 2050?
It’s the last full, holiday-free week of the year and time to get business done.
Metro The AM/DM podcast: Wheel of Fortune, ‘Friday’ party and Phillips on a float
Games
Daily WordRow: Dec. 15
Are you a Wordle fan? Try WordRow, a similar game. It’s free to play.