Herrington: Reopening? We’ll wait and see
The city and county can loosen restrictions, but a tour of Midtown and Downtown neighborhoods shows businesses and potential customers still have decisions to make.
Some restaurants opened as rules lifted, but tables were largely empty
While takeout continued, Monday lunch was slow at restaurants that opened for the first day of dine-in since mid-March.
Calkins: Reopen Memphis? Empty shops and restaurants show it’ll take more than mayors to do that
The government didn't shut down the economy. COVID-19 did that. So it'll take more than the government to open Memphis back up.
Coronavirus live blog, May 4: Free testing set for Hickory Hill
Christ Community Health Services is hosting free, drive-thru coronavirus testing from 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 at Mendenhall Mall. No appointment is required and those seeking a test do not need to have COVID-19 symptoms.
Memphis Kindness Blog: Mike Conley donates to CodeCrew
Former Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley donated to CodeCrew. The funds will help provide laptops and supplies for students who may need them for distance learning.
Chancellor strikes down school voucher law
Davidson County Chancellor Anne C. Martin has struck down the state’s private school voucher law, known as the Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program.
Hair care businesses move into first phase of local reopenings
Barber and beauty shops can reopen as early as Wednesday in Shelby County under new health department directives announced Monday.
Businesses reopen with largely sparse traffic
The reopening of businesses across Shelby County started out quiet and slow, with some stores not even taking advantage of the first day of the Back to Business plan.
Leaders weigh ‘Back to Business’ risks of reopening badly
Local leaders worry that conflicting and inconsistent policies could make "Back to Business" rules more difficult to maintain and reopening risks more difficult to control.
Collierville names Dale Lane police chief
Collierville appointed Dale Lane as its next chief of police. Lane succeeds Chief David Tillner, who retired following complaints of low morale and lack of direction in the department.
Shelby County Commission says no to Harris’ wheel tax increase
Many county commissioners said their constituents don't like the wheel tax, don't know how it's used and thought it was going away.
Houses razed for Overton Square apartments
LPI Memphis, the owner of Overton Square, plans to build a three-story, 18-unit apartment building in the entertainment and dining district.
Case count rises locally as testing continues to expand
The looming question now is how will the phased-in reopening affect the county’s progress in slowing the spread of the virus in recent weeks.
Post Office adds grace period for holding mail during pandemic
The U.S. Postal Service will give customers additional time to collect mail that's been held by the Post Office during the COVID-19 crisis.
Bartlett native sings from home in ‘The Voice’ finals
Local vocal coach Mandi Thomas performed in the Top 17 round of the 18th season of NBC's "The Voice" on Monday, May 4. On the results episode at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, the artists will be pared down to the Top 9.
Tigers Notebook: Transfer rules, Penny Hardaway briefly appears in ‘The Last Dance’
Penny Hardaway voiced his displeasure Friday with the reported delay in transfer rule changes. Does the timing make sense?
Tourism industry marks milestone sans visitors
Memphis Tourism is encouraging Memphians to virtually celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week 2020. The focus is "resilience and hope in the face of the coronavirus pandemic."
Metro
Tennessee deputy governor to leave Lee administration
Deputy Gov. Butch Eley has been part of Gov. Bill Lee’s administration for almost seven years.
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Business
Made in Memphis Entertainment office, recording studio for sale
Tony Alexander, president and director of MIME, said the entertainment group does not plan to leave the city, but is ‘testing the waters’ on selling its Union Avenue real estate.
Premium Downtown Greater Memphis Chamber to get sign on 100 Peabody Place
Premium Food News Northside Grill project moves forward
Premium Midtown The Blvd’s pastor talks ‘community-informed’ master plan
Sports
How the House v. NCAA settlement impacts the Tigers
A look at how the House v. NCAA case settlement may impact Memphis Tigers athletics. Federal judge paves way for colleges to pay athletes millionsRelated content:
Memphis Tigers Basketball Federal judge paves way for colleges to pay athletes millions
Premium Sports Redbirds recap: Memphis evens series against Indianapolis
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Food
Dine with Pride: Drag brunch celebrates parade’s Grand Marshals
Chef Eli Townsend said he always looks forward to the Grand Marshal brunch: “It’s the bittersweet closing of Pride Fest and our last opportunity to celebrate ourselves in this way until next year.”
Suburbs
Bailey: It was busy in the ’burbs this week
This past week, Horn Lake held its elections, Bartlett opened a new coffeehouse and a suburb dealt with calls to another big party. Meanwhile, cities are wrapping up the annual budget review.
Arts & Culture
Here’s what Memphis organizations are planning for Juneteenth
This year’s Memphis Juneteenth events include concerts, festivals, parades, film screenings, dance, theater and spoken word.
Opinion
Morris: Be a friend
“We often say loneliness is a public health crisis, and it is. I see it daily. People come to Church Health for physical ailments, but many times what they are really suffering from is isolation.”
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.”