Calkins: Thanks to y’all, John Payne will start walking next week
John Payne needed more than $92,000 to buy the robotic system that can help him walk again. Thanks to the generosity of readers, the ReWalk will be arriving next week.
COVID-19 jail lawsuit dismissed after both sides reach settlement
Lawsuit alleged Shelby County failed to address the spread of the coronavirus, putting medically vulnerable and disabled detainees at risk of contracting COVID-19.
Prepare for takeoff on Ja Airlines Flight 12
Flight 12 is a high-altitude ride ready to take the Grizzlies to their dream destination: the playoffs.
Memphis football reportedly finds new WR, TE coaches
It turns out coach Ryan Silverfield’s candidates were already on his staff.
Company founded by Grizzlies’ Pera leases Memphis warehouse space
Ubiquiti, a communications technology company, has completed a lease for 161,000 square feet of warehouse space in the Southeast Memphis industrial district.
Grants available for Black-owned restaurants
The Kraft Heinz Co. is partnering with The LEE Initiative and Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice on the grant program.
New owner describes plans for Masonic Temple building
Bill Townsend feels he didn’t so much buy a building as a 107-year-old time capsule. He’s already got short-term plans and has discussed long-term possibilities with brg3s architects.
South Main area to get a grocery store this year
Cash Saver and High Point Grocery owner Rick James is opening a small independent grocery in South Main.
Taylor is new chairman of changing Election Commission
Shelby County election commissioners chose Brent Taylor Tuesday, April 13, as the new chairman of the five-member body.
County and Army Corps study Loosahatchie Basin flood areas
A $450,000 joint county-federal grant would study 10 areas of land in northern Shelby County for flood control projects that could double as public recreation areas when they are not underwater. One project is already underway near Big Creek in Millington.
Tennessee House delays hair discrimination bill
The CROWN Act, which bans discrimination against people for wearing natural hairstyles such as braids, locs or twists, was delayed Tuesday, April 13 in the House Commerce Committee.
New health directive expected this week, mask mandate could be gone in a month
A more permissive health directive could be issued in 30 days if numbers hold steady.
Former Memphis guards Damion Baugh and Boogie Ellis find new homes
The two entered the transfer portal shortly after the Tigers won the NIT championship.
U.S. recommends ‘pause’ for J&J vaccine; Memphis to offer Pfizer in its place
The CDC and FDA are investigating clots in six women in the days after receiving the J & J vaccine, in combination with reduced platelet counts. More than 6.8 million J & J doses have been administered in the U.S.
Health officials: 2,000-3,000 locally have received J&J vaccine
Doug McGowen also says doses were wasted last weekend when the size of the line at the Pipkin Building site was overestimated. He says fewer than 100 doses have been lost since the city took over vaccine distribution in late February.
Ex-Memphis assistant resigned following Title IX complaint
John Simon was placed on administrative leave Feb. 22 and resigned on March 15.
Arbo’s is the new dip on the block, and owner thinks there’s room for all
A new cheese dip has launched in this cheese-dip-lovin’ city. Andrew Arbogast has taken his dad’s recipe and brought us Arbo’s.
Coronavirus: New cases under 150 again
The 111 new cases come from 971 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 11.43%.
Lakeland school board approves 2021-22 budget
The $19.25 million for the upcoming fiscal year directs more money to teachers and maintenance of future athletic fields.
Restaurant Reboot: Staffing in pandemic’s wake is a ‘disaster’
With enhanced unemployment benefits and better-paying distribution jobs, restaurateurs don’t know when they’ll be fully staffed. Worse, they’re still uncertain when they’ll be back to 100% capacity.
Opinion: Teacher’s Discipline Act sets schools up for failure
The “School to Prison Bill” prioritizes punishment over care for vulnerable and disadvantaged students.
SCS student, official discuss equity in American education
SCS equity officer Dr. Michael Lowe and Cordova Middle student Justin Crutcher joined a national conversation on equity in Black boys’ educational experiences.
Metro
Richland student gets ‘soap-prise’ after winning national contest
Just days after placing in a regional spelling bee, one Richland student was shocked to learn she’d won a national soap-dispenser design contest during a schoolwide celebration.
Education FedEx veteran will lead U of M communications team
Business
Priscilla Presley calls Beale Street site ‘hallowed ground’
Presley was on hand for the announcement regarding the former Hard Rock Cafe site, which will house the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
Real Estate Commercial Appeal printing building sold for almost $4M
Sports
Houston’s push pays off with win over CBHS
Houston senior soccer player Clayton Somogyi does the damage as Mustangs remain undefeated in 2024.
Premium Downtown Buckley: Baseball season brings hope for Redbirds. And AutoZone Park.
Food
The amazing mission — and incredible brownies — of Lucy J’s bakery
Josh Burgess, who founded Lucy J’s with his wife, joined Eric Barnes to talk about Lucy’s J’s support of families working to get out of homelessness and the many ways the bakery supports these families.
Suburbs
Collierville leaders suggest changes for Principle Toyota plan
There are several hurdles Principle Toyota must overcome before it could relocate to Collierville.
Arts & Culture
Priscilla Presley calls Beale Street site ‘hallowed ground’
Presley was on hand for the announcement regarding the former Hard Rock Cafe site, which will house the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
Opinion
Opinion: Rental owners can help reduce crime
“Rental property owners can reduce crime by utilizing police calls for service information at their properties. This is no untested theory. It is a proven method that has been put into practice in other crime-ridden neighborhoods in Memphis. And it works.”
Podcasts
Sound Bites: Live pastries, dive bars and a trip to Harbor Town
This week on Sound Bites, Holly Whitfield and Chris Herrington dined on pastries from Crosstown’s Lucy J’s Bakery and dished on some recent local food news.