County averaging more than 200 COVID-19 cases a day the past 2 weeks
During that span, Shelby County recorded its four highest single-day increases in new cases and exceeded a 10% daily positivity rate in 10 of the past 14 days.
Governor to address Capitol Commission on removal of Forrest bust
Gov. Bill Lee said Wednesday, July 1, he will address the Capitol Commission about removing the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from the State Capitol’s second floor, but he didn’t say whether he would make a recommendation to the panel when it meets July 9.
The Early Word: Police protests, corona spikes and what’s this about Whataburger?
South of Beale is heading east, a new, interactive COVID map could help guide your travels, and a former big box is getting turned into a one-stop shop.
Police arrest protesters outside City Hall
Memphis police began arresting protesters outside City Hall Wednesday morning, July 1, as they stood their ground and refused to leave.
Shelby County coronavirus cases top 10,000
As of 5 p.m. June 29, more than 80% of ICU hospital beds in Shelby County were in use, overall.
BTW’s class of 2020 gifted with laptops, coding lessons from Women’s Foundation
The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis is working to reduce poverty in the 38126 ZIP code, one of the poorest in the city. Booker T. Washington High School is at the center of the initiative.
Lee orders liability protection for health care providers, considers legality of mask requirements
Governor signed an executive order providing legal cover for health care providers in the COVID-19 pandemic and said his administration is looking at the legal authority for local governments to mandate face masks.
Smiley says look for more City Council moves on police reform
On “Behind The Headlines,” the first-term council member said the proposals to come will push further on changing the Memphis Police Department beyond nonbinding resolutions approved last month.
Southwest community college plans expansion, new ‘front door’ on Union
Southwest Tennessee Community College plans to convert the closed Office Depot building near Downtown for its performing arts programs, for an array of student services, for a bit of retail to serve students and for a more prominent presence along busy Union Avenue.
Blackburn lauds closing of University of Memphis Confucius Institute
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn announced the shutdown of the University of Memphis Confucius Institute, saying students of Chinese culture and language at U.S. colleges should be “alarmed that the Chinese government has infiltrated their institutions.”
Judge in jail lawsuit urges both sides to talk
U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman says the case isn't about her ordering changes at Shelby County Jail, but about whether vulnerable prisoners should be ordered released.
Statewide campaign aims to raise suicide awareness
Campaign will provide resources to help people identify the signs of someone considering suicide and materials to build awareness.
Jenkins: Grizzlies expecting full roster of players, coaches for Orlando ‘bubble’
The Memphis Grizzlies are expecting full participation from players and coaches in the Orlando "bubble" as the NBA season gets set to resume, head coach Taylor Jenkins said on Wednesday.
Nelson: Strickland should be an agent of restraint
Public safety includes not taking actions that risk turning up the city’s temperature at a volatile time. In those moments the mayor needs to be an agent of restraint.
It was a 14-year Interim, but SOBeast is moving in the storied East Memphis spot
Ed and Britney Cabigao are opening a second location of SOB, called SOBeast, in the location on Sanderlin that has been home to a host of chefs at Interim.
Metro
Elon Musk’s xAI could power Memphis data center from Mississippi
For weeks, The Daily Memphian has observed workers go south along Tulane Road from xAI’s second Memphis site to several locations in Southaven along Tulane Road and Stanton Road and then back north again.
Education With new library, ‘Frayser’s got it going on’
Premium Public Safety Youth Villages board chair urged DA to not prosecute staffers
Premium City of Memphis Appeals court sides with city in suit brought by Cleotha Abston victim
Business
Varsity Brands commits millions to St. Jude
Varsity Brands also fundraises during St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. Last year Varsity Spirit President Bill Seely became the event’s first official corporate champion.
Premium Transportation & Logistics Better lighting, ‘car condos’ set to take off at Memphis airport parking lots
Business Elon Musk-founded xAI could purchase large order of transformers
Business South Korean manufacturer announces $50M expansion at former Mitsubishi plant
Sports
Nike EYBL is in town. Here are some top players to watch.
Just less than a quarter mile from Tiger Lane, some of the best high school basketball players in the country will all be under one roof as part of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.
Premium Chris Herrington Herrington: How far-fetched is Giannis to Grizzlies?
High School Sports St. George’s track star voted athlete of the week
Premium Sports Redbirds recap: Memphis falls to Nashville, loses fifth straight
Food
SmokeSlam’s back on the river, bigger and smokier
The second installment of SmokeSlam began Thursday as thousands poured into Downtown’s Tom Lee Park while the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest continued at Liberty Park in Midtown.
Suburbs
Elon Musk’s xAI could power Memphis data center from Mississippi
For weeks, The Daily Memphian has observed workers go south along Tulane Road from xAI’s second Memphis site to several locations in Southaven along Tulane Road and Stanton Road and then back north again.
Arts & Culture
The To-Do List: SmokeSlam, Cosmic Carnival and Bill & Ted’s last adventure
This week, Ruby Bridges is here for her namesake reading festival, Opera Memphis closes its season with a gender bender and GWAR brings shock rock (and lots of fake blood) to Minglewood.
Opinion
Herrington: How far-fetched is Giannis to Grizzlies?
Will Milwaukee trade Giannis? Do only the healthy teams advance in the NBA playoffs? Can we get a conference quota in the draft lottery? Do you remember Luigi Datome? And much more.
Podcasts
Sound Bites: Gina Neely talks food, family and SmokeSlam
Gina Neely is the guest on this week’s “Sound Bites.” In addition to riffing on what makes good barbecue and why Memphis is No. 1 on her list, Neely and Holly Whitfield discussed SmokeSlam.