Positivity rate declines with small increase in positive cases; Randolph stresses holiday safety
Shelby County's positivity rate has declined slightly with a small increase in cases due to more than 1,400 administered tests Wednesday.
Coronavirus live blog, May 21: Executive order permits groups of 50
Gov. Bill Lee said he signed an executive order Thursday allowing groups of 50 to participate in social and recreational activity. But he continued to point toward the importance of social distancing as people gather. The order includes Shelby County and five other counties with health department independent of the state.
What a $12 million local COVID testing infusion will – and won’t – do
Mayor Jim Strickland’s proposal to expand testing moves the city closer to a more ambitious scaling up of COVID-19 testing as local health experts explore an even broader scale for the long term.
Tennessee unemployment highest in 37 years in April
Tennessee's unemployment rate in April was the highest on record, eclipsing a low-water mark that had stood since 1983.
Memphis airport traffic starting to rebound
Memphis International Airport passenger traffic fell 95% in April and appeared to start rebounding in May, while cargo activity strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kundarrius Taylor no longer with Memphis Tigers
The 6-foot-2 wide receiver tweeted Thursday afternoon that he entered the transfer portal.
Coach Penny Hardaway’s NBA experience has Tigers involved with Mac McClung
Former Georgetown player Mac McClung wants to improve his point guard skills for the NBA. There's no better teacher than Tigers coach Penny Hardaway.
Although limited, Mulqueen glad to get his 901 FC players back on the pitch
Enthusiasm and motivation are high as 901 FC players begin to transition back to doing what they do best.
Harris signs letter of intent for new $4 million voting system
The details of the winning proposal for the new voting machines were made public Thursday with the signature of Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. Still to come is approval of funding by the Shelby County Commission.
Arcade games may be slow to return, but Rec Room heading outdoors
The venue also has become "home" to 901Wrestling, which hopes to resume live matches around mid-June when the Rec Room plans to reopen.
Attorney General asks Supreme Court to intervene in voucher lawsuit
Gov. Bill Lee said the State Attorney General has filed a request for the Tennessee Supreme Court to take the Education Savings Account case and allow it to move forward while the case is on appeal.
Herrington: Alone in the Jungle Room and other notes as Graceland reopens
How do you measure 6 feet of social distance in Elvis speak? Where the Memphis Zoo stenciled 6-foot markings of snakes and alligators on the ground when they reopened, Graceland has gone with six gold records or six teddy bears.
Daily Memphian takes 2 first-place honors in digital contest
Judges noted The Daily Memphian "had the best user interface in the category and the most balanced design with graphics and text" in awarding first place for best website.
Memphis adding additional four-game series with Arkansas State
Memphis will play Arkansas State eight times over the next 10 seasons after agreeing to a new four-game series.
Memphis area jobless claims top 100,000 since pandemic hit
Tennessee reported 6,081 new jobless claims from the Memphis area, raising nine-week total to 86,080 in southwest Tennessee and likely pushing it to more than 103,000 in the metro area.
Metro
The Early Word: Joint office fights violence, and a local yogi is a warrior
Mauck slaying case heads to grand jury, a Downtown theater fences off foot traffic and a Memphis chef is on fire.
Public Safety Man accused of citywide shooting spree will go to trial next summer
Business
FedEx lays off hundreds across three cities, including Memphis
The cuts this week are likely the result of the company’s massive work to merge its Express, Ground and FedEx Services divisions.
Spirit of Memphis Priest, marine biologist address climate change from shared perspective
Sports
Love it, Like it or Hate it: Reviewing Memphis’ win against Ohio
“When the chips are down, we just fight harder,” Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said after the Tigers’ 94-70 win over Ohio. “We don’t come out punching. But when we get down and things look a little bleak, we can turn it on at any given time and push away.”Related content:
Memphis Grizzlies Cold 3-point shooting dooms Grizzlies at Golden State
Food
Huey’s on Poplar Avenue closed until tonight due to fire
The main reason for the closure was the smoke and smolder that affected the surrounding kitchen area. Huey’s area director said after they clean up, they will be “ready to rock and roll.”
Suburbs
Bailey: A tour around the suburbs
Honors and ground breaking for Buc-cee’s highlight a week of touring around the suburbs for news.
Arts & Culture
Felix Cavaliere to receive AutoZone Liberty Bowl award
Felix Cavaliere and The Rascals earned rock-and-roll fame with No. 1 hits like “Good Lovin’,” “Mustang Sally,” “Groovin’” and “People Got to Be Free.”
Opinion
Calkins: 901 FC is gone. Could the Redbirds be next?
If Memphis doesn’t find the money to make needed repairs, Geoff Calkins says, there could be an empty ballpark at B.B. King Boulevard and Union Avenue before long.
Podcasts
Tigers Podcast: Football’s senior day, basketball’s second-half magic
How will this Memphis football season be remembered if the final two regular season games play out in the Tigers’ favor? Can the Tigers’ basketball team continue to pull of their second-half magic? Drew Hill, Frank Bonner II and Parth Upadhyaya discuss.
Games
Word Search: Thanksgiving to-go
Can you solve this week’s word search?