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
The Early Word: Lunching in Memphis and flying over Bartlett
There’s a new spot for sunset selfies, an arts school is coming to North Memphis and linguists study why Memphians say “mursic.”
Metro The AM/DM podcast: Juneteenth, local breweries and don’t forget Dad
Premium The Early Word Ask the Memphian: Why did the city and state try to put a highway on Mud Island?
Performing Arts A new act for Humes: Arts and tech school planned for Elvis’ alma mater
Spirit of Memphis Talking in Memphis: How GloRilla inspired a local accent research project
Business
A $30M renovation turned an apartment complex into a fresh start for 200+ families
“We sometimes say that we make our money in complexity,” said Sarah Jemison, head of ALCO, which just cut the ribbon on new affordable-housing units in Memphis.
Premium Transportation & Logistics It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s drone delivery drop-off descending into Memphis-area market soon
Premium Business Memphis native develops system that aims to put out fires in 15 seconds
Premium Spirit of Memphis At Midtown Hardware, one finds solutions, supplies and plenty of smiles
Premium Business Cardboard and creativity: How 901 Games brings Memphis’ gaming community together
Sports
Ole Miss eliminated by Troy at College World Series
Ole Miss (41-23) went two-games-and-out in its first trip to Charles Schwab Field since winning the national championship in 2022.
Premium Sports Redbirds Recap: ‘Birds cap off dominant series with comeback win at Tides
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Hill: What might it cost the Grizzlies to trade up for a guard?
High School Sports Blaze Jordan headed to St. Louis
High School Sports Daily Memphian postseason baseball: CBHS star named player of the year
Food
Around the world in 80 plates: How a woman and her grandpa are exploring Memphis’ restaurant scene
Almost every Friday, Mara Daniele and her grandpa, Doug Duncan, meet for lunch for their “Around the World in 80 Plates” series. So far, they are about a fourth of the way around the world.
Food News Inspire Community Cafe closing this month
Suburbs
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s drone delivery drop-off descending into Memphis-area market soon
Walmart is considering introducing drone delivery from one of its Memphis-area locations.
Premium Germantown New murals add vibrance to Wolf River tunnel on Germantown Greenway
Arts & Culture
A new act for Humes: Arts and tech school planned for Elvis’ alma mater
Local dance director Katie Smythe’s new performing arts school recently bought Humes Middle, Elvis Presley’s alma mater in North Memphis.
Premium Education In the age of social media and AI, college students are opening physical books less. But Rhodes professors still believe reading is fundamental.
Opinion
Echols: A celebration of architecture — right here in Memphis
“It felt as if someone was whispering good secrets to the rest of the world about my home, and I was the one caught unaware. Sure enough, that’s precisely what has been happening for about a decade now.”
Guest Columnists Opinion: Call it what it is — a tax increase
Podcasts
Reporters address SpaceX promises as Elon Musk company goes public
The local face of SpaceX has been making a lot of news as the Houston-based company goes public with a record-setting IPO. The local controversies against that backdrop were discussed on “Behind The Headlines.”
Grizzlies Podcast Grizzlies podcast: Ja Morant trade speculation, listener questions
Games
Sudoku: June 15
Ready for today’s sudokus?