City paves the way for more outdoor restaurant dining
The city says restaurants can expand outdoors in private space right away and can expect cooperation if they have a good plan for expansion to sidewalks or even street seating.
COVID-19 cases, positivity rate rising while hospital capacity tightens locally
Shelby County, from July 8-22, averaged 342 new cases a day, 2,350 test results and a 14.6% positivity rate, according to Shelby County Health Department data.
Brightest comet in 20 years blazes path over Mid-South
The 3-mile ball of ice will make its closest approach to the Earth on Thursday, July 23.
Analysis: What the Justise Winslow injury means for the Memphis Grizzlies
For the second time in five months, the debut of forward Justise Winslow in a Grizzlies uniform has been delayed. This time, it's a new injury for a player who can't seem to stay healthy. What does it mean for the Grizzlies, this summer and beyond?
TSSAA approves 8-game contingency plan for high school football
The board also approved several policies designed to mitigate COVID risk for the fall season.
LeMoyne-Owen College to offer students free laptops, a new Methodist Le Bonheur clinic on campus
The college will open for virtual classes Aug. 12, and will monitor coronavirus case numbers to decide whether to reopen the campus after Labor Day.
Collierville Alderman Tom Allen dies at age 84
Alderman Tom Allen has died at age 84. Allen was recently diagnosed pancreatic cancer.
210 units for Nylon Net Building, Oakhaven warehouse approved
The current plan for the adaptive reuse of the Nylon Net Building is to build 199 apartments and a two-level parking structure with 230 spaces.
Hargett draws fire in U.S. Senate committee on state’s resistance to expanded absentee voting
Hargett called for more federal funding for election procedures in the pandemic without Washington putting any conditions on state election officials in the process. Lawmakers questioned him closely on the state's opposition to expanded absentee balloting even after it was ordered by a state court.
Lunch duty, P.E., class size: School systems seek hundreds of waivers from state mandates
The state Board of Education will consider the first round of requests Friday. That vote will offer an early glimpse of how far Tennessee will go to help schools navigate COVID-19 at the expense of statewide policies aimed at improving the quality of public education.
Pinnacle touts mortgage business in Q2 affected by COVID-19
Pinnacle granted payment deferrals on $4.4 billion in loans and issued $2.2 billion in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to customers affected by the pandemic.
Frayser CDC hires new executive director
Memphis native Damon Williams, who succeeds longtime director Steve Lockwood, has worked in nonprofit housing for the past 15 years.
The Grizzlies get bad news
In the latest Daily Memphian Grizzlies podcast, beat writer Drew Hill and columnist Chris Herrington discuss the first bit of bad news to come from the NBA bubble for Memphis.
No proof MMR shots mitigate COVID-19, but stream steady at shot clinics
Argument continues on the value of live vaccines to stimulate the immune system in the fight against COVID-19; there is no randomized study yet to prove it.
Opinion: What it means to be an ally in Memphis
As a brown American living in a Black and white city, I have often felt like I am standing on the median. I have watched my Facebook friends slowly show their stance on the Black Lives Matter movement: Some have remained quiet ... some are willing to speak up and support the movement.
Absentee ballot count stands at about 11,000, Phillips says
So far, the return by voters of the unusually high number of the mail-in ballots hasn't shown up in the early voting turnout figures. Shelby County Elections Administrator Linda Phillips told county commissioners Wednesday, July 22, that some absentee voters may not complete their ballots because they are expecting to see the presidential general election that is on the November ballot.
Metro
Judge Norris defends himself: ‘I do not harbor any bias toward MPD’
U.S. District Judge Mark Norris wrote that he recused himself “because of the apparent bias of others against the Court.”
Premium Shelby County Halbert hasn’t paid rent — but the County Commission might step in
Shelby County State, local leaders sue Gov. Lee about guard, although City of Memphis opts out
Public Safety Activists decry Memphis Safe Task Force, immigrant arrests
Business
Cordova apartments sold for $41.6 million
The Cordova property is the Alabama-based real estate firm’s first investment in the Memphis area, but the CEO said more are planned.
Premium Real Estate Palladio closing for good ... or is it?
Real Estate Uptown brewery to add beer garden, dog park and playground
Premium Real Estate Inked: Carhartt store opens in East Memphis
Sports
From East Atlanta rain to Memphis shine: Everett Roussaw Jr.'s homecoming
A catalyst of the Tigers' defense this season is Everett Roussaw Jr., a junior transfer from UAB who’s racked up 27 tackles for Memphis in five games played.
Premium Memphis Tigers Football Memphis at UAB: What to know before Tigers’ first game after bye week
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball Calkins: It was a surreal night on Beale Street — and everything Penny Hardaway dreamed
Memphis Tigers Basketball Ballin’ on Beale allows new Tigers to ‘experience Memphis’
Food
Table Talk: From city streets to coffee cups, Memphis brews up a buzz
The third annual Grind City Coffee Tour is about to have Memphis buzzing for all the right reasons.
Suburbs
DeSoto County school board seeks resignation of member who supported Lindsey Whiteside
DeSoto School Board members want Michele Henley to step down from her office, after she wrote a letter of support for Lindsey Whiteside, who pleaded guilty to sexual battery with a minor.
Arts & Culture
Arts Beat: Lifetime, AMC network feature Memphians in new shows
A new show, filmed in Memphis and Atlanta, stars Memphis rapper Slimeroni and features numerous other local connections. And, Eric Jerome Dickey’s novel comes to Lifetime.
Opinion
Hill: Memphis wants GameDay. But will GameDay want Memphis?
ESPN College GameDay may have interest in the Memphis Tigers, but much depends on what happens in other games this weekend.
Podcasts
The AM/DM podcast: Happy Grizz Week! Plus, art on the river, beer in CY
This weekend, there are lots of chances to score Memphis Grizzlies swag ahead of Wednesday’s home opener. Plus RiverArts Fest and Repair Days bring art to the riverside, and beer fest brings lots of beer to Cooper Young.