Graceland pares down Elvis Week in pandemic
A free, reservation-only version of the Elvis Week Candlelight Vigil will feature social distancing and smaller crowds.
Shelby County coronavirus total grows by 466 cases, 4 deaths
Ninety percent of regional ICU and 92% of acute care beds are in use.
First half of 2020 sees spike in violent crime, decrease in property crimes
Homicides and aggravated assaults are up for the first half of the year in Memphis and Shelby County. Property crimes are down; officials said more people at home during the pandemic equates to fewer burglaries.
2020 Cooper-Young Festival canceled
Next year’s festival is slated for Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.
Robotic arms make debut at FedEx hub
Four industrial robotic arms have been installed to load letter envelopes and small boxes onto conveyors at the FedEx Express world hub small package sorting system in Memphis.
Juvenile Court courtrooms closed next week after employees test positive for COVID-19
At least two employees in the clerk’s office and Juvenile Court protective services test positive for coronavirus.
Injunction hearing for closed bars rescheduled
Lawsuits allege no connection between bars and the spread of COVID-19 has been established and that their closings were arbitrary.
Grizzlies Insider: Behind the scenes on those Zoom calls
The young team have turned into 'photobombing’ experts.
Thousands of jobless claims still rolling in
University of Memphis economist John Gnuschke said it will take years, not months, for Memphis to recover from devastating job losses caused by COVID-19.
Official: Coronavirus safety measures will be in place for early voting
Shelby County Elections Administrator Linda Phillips reminded voters that Friday is the first day of early voting and that safety measures will be in place.
Local coaches find rest to be a positive during pandemic
Lack of summer basketball and workouts could lead to healthier high school basketball players.
Opinion: MPD makes 98% of arrests ‘without incident.’ Why was Brandon Webber’s different?
Sometimes it seems our memory is as selective as our outrage. Black men are taken into custody every day without incident. Two young Black men accused of killing Memphis police officers – Tremaine Wilbourn and Justin Welch – were arrested without incident.
Time with kids at home a challenge and a blessing, parents say
Parents who depended on a world where children had places to go and things to do were left to figure out how to teach school-age kids and occupy preschoolers. In many cases, they also had to work while doing those things.
Southwest’s Memphis-Phoenix nonstop coming sooner
Southwest Airlines' daily nonstop between Memphis and Phoenix has been re-slotted for a summer start.
Reporters discuss Grizzlies’ bubble antics
Grizzlies beat writer Drew Hill and Grind City Media’s Devin Walker discuss the Grizzlies’ bubble shenanigans on media Zoom calls, Zach Randolph’s comments on Ja Morant, and project the team’s finish in the eight remaining “seeding” games.
Metro
MSCS has fewer F schools in second year of Tennessee letter grades
Nevertheless, state law requires Tennessee districts with D and F schools appear before the Tennessee State Board of Education for hearings. Such reviews could result in corrective-action plans or audits for districts or charter operators.
Premium Metro Public documents on Harvest plane crash released, final report imminent
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
‘It’s crazy, isn’t it?’: Grizzlies destruction tour rolls on in Atlanta
Over their last four victories, the Grizzlies are winning by an average of more than 25 points. In a league where leads quickly evaporate, Memphis has been able to stay on the gas. Related content:
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Buckley: The table was set. The fans showed up. The Tigers did not.
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.