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
Thanks to her role in ‘Mufasa,’ Pilar is a star
Hollywood sound designer Watson Wu spent a week in Memphis in 2022 recording sounds at the zoo for “Mufasa: The Lion King.”
City of Memphis This Week in Memphis: School’s out for winter; Liberty Bowl game kicks off
Business
What’s on the road ahead for newly independent FedEx Freight
Analysts say FedEx Freight, worth $30 billion, should be traded against its peers, not locked up inside.
Premium Health Care Memphis wrap star, former St. Jude patient meet on reality show
Sports
Tigers LB Chandler Martin to enter NFL Draft
Memphis linebacker Chandler Martin is forgoing his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft, he announced Sunday on X.
Update Memphis Tigers Football Memphis Tigers transfer portal tracker
Food
$10 Deal: Ali Baba’s smoky-sweet flavors are straight from the fire
Joshua Carlucci says a Mediterranean wood flame grill is at the heart of Ali Baba’s traditional — but unforgettable — menu.
Suburbs
Collierville grad will be front and center in UT’s College Football Playoff
University of Tennessee drum major Christian Carroll, of Collierville, is only the third Black drum major in the school’s history.
Arts & Culture
UT’s three Black drum majors all have ties to Memphis
There have only been three Black drum majors in the more than 150 years since the University of Tennessee marching band was founded.
Opinion
Echols: It’s all about time
“Whether too much or not enough or just the right amount, time is the thread running through every last tidbit of our human existence. ... And time is what this season of Advent is all about.”
Podcasts
Tigers Podcast: Football season recap, basketball’s rough schedule
Memphis football writer Frank Bonner II, basketball writer Parth Upadhyaya and columnist John Martin discuss this year’s football season and the raised level of expectations for Memphis basketball as it prepares for its final two non-conference games.
Games
Crossword: GloRilla
Memphis rapper GloRilla’s visit to an Orange Mound high school inspired this week’s crossword puzzle.