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: Cops allegedly race Corvettes; pastor gets house arrest
Collierville has a new prosecutor, Silverfield is feeling “angst” over UAB game and we look at scores from students with private-school vouchers.
Premium North Mississippi Former youth pastor spared prison for child sexual battery
Shelby County Lowery wants a ‘change in culture,’ Pearson gears up fundraising, and Republicans want Sawyer to resign
Premium Millington Ask the Memphian: What’s the story of the Shelby Forest Pig Man?
Business
The AM/DM podcast: A liquor store without liquor
The Station is open, but the East Memphis liquor store isn’t serving everything it wanted to.
Premium Transportation & Logistics Long pause for laughter: FedEx commercials poke fun at office power moves
Premium Health Care Glasses that slow nearsightedness in children now FDA-approved
Premium Transportation & Logistics When Nashville air traffic control went dark, Memphis took over
Sports
Grizzlies podcast: Three losses, Coward hits the court
Drew Hill and Chris Herrington react to the Grizzlies’ preseason losses and discuss what they have seen from Cedric Coward this month.
Premium Memphis Tigers Football Analyzing how Memphis’ stingy defense compares to previous years
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Herrington: Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward lead deep cast of Grizzlies perimeter prospects
Memphis Tigers Football Tigers move up in both major polls
Food
Table Talk: On today’s menu, surplus ingredients
“Chefs who find ways to reduce food waste are the ones who inspire me the most. They’re not just resourceful; they’re spectacularly imaginative.”
Suburbs
Former youth pastor spared prison for child sexual battery
A former high school coach and youth minister at a DeSoto County church pleaded guilty to sexual battery with a minor, but her sentence was considered too lenient by District Attorney Matthew Barton.
Arts & Culture
Collage Dance debuts a new season, new members program
Collage’s $25,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant was canceled earlier this year, but the Memphis dance company is forging ahead with a new season of shows that open this weekend.
Opinion
Echols: ‘Walking in Memphis’ isn’t what it once was
Candace Echols says she walks the line between “a willingness to satisfy my human craving for a good run” and “a consent to be on high alert.”
Podcasts
Grizzlies podcast: Three losses, Coward hits the court
Drew Hill and Chris Herrington react to the Grizzlies’ preseason losses and discuss what they have seen from Cedric Coward this month.