India COVID-19 variant detected in Shelby County
One variant linked to India’s recent COVID-19 surge was detected in Shelby County this week, said David Sweat, Shelby County Health Department deputy director.
Violent crime still rising, first-quarter stats show
Property crimes dropped during the first three months of 2021, according to data from the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission and the Public Safety Institute.
Shelby holds out on ending mask mandate as other metros fall in line
Sullivan, Knox, Hamilton and Madison counties lift mask mandates; Davidson is waiting.
Herrington: The Grizzlies are in a playoff race; it’s time they embraced it
The team is facing at least three lineup disruptions, and there are just 11 regular-season games left to piece together the puzzle.
Bill to let college athletes make money passes Legislature
A bill allowing student athletes in Tennessee to make money from their brand has passed both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly with little opposition, and it is now headed to Gov. Bill Lee.
Existing pipeline makes Byhalia Connection unneeded, environmental groups say
Environmental groups are asking the state to reconsider a permit for the proposed Byhalia Connection oil pipeline because they say an existing pipeline could serve the same purpose. Plains All American mounting fight against revised city ordinanceRelated Story:
Economy recovering, but it won’t look the same, experts say
The pandemic will need to end before businesses shift gears to full recovery mode, according to Douglas Scarboro, regional executive with the Memphis Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, who said, “July 1 seems like a key revaluation point.”
Plains All American mounting fight against revised city ordinance
Plains All American Pipeline is launching a full-on offensive against the proposed legislation with the help of organizations that support the oil and gas industry. Existing pipeline makes Byhalia Connection unneeded, environmental groups sayRelated story:
Memphis Americans are back as new league’s first franchise
The National Indoor Soccer League will have men’s and women’s divisions, with the season to start in December.
City Council to gather in person for first time in more than a year
Members to meet Downtown for budget retreat.
Calkins: It’s time for the Grizzlies and Taylor Jenkins to stop screwing around
After Wednesday’s humiliating loss to Portland, the Grizzlies have 11 games to stake their claim to the playoffs. It’s time to stop screwing around with the rotation — and play the guys who will win.
Is it time to just accept the playoff aspirations?
Wednesday was another “learning opportunity” for this Grizzlies, but the playoffs are around the corner.
Bartlett High names new girls soccer head coach, assistant
Former Germantown player Traci Sipniewski taking the reins after a successful spell in Massachusetts.
The To-Do List: Indie Memphis debuts ‘Debuts’
What could have been a college classroom project became, with Indie Memphis, three film screenings open to the public.
Coronavirus: 175 new cases reported
The 175 cases come from 2,947 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 5.9%.
International Paper reports strong quarterly results in spite of COVID, bad weather
Bad weather and COVID-19 notwithstanding, Memphis-based International Paper outperformed analysts’ expectations in the first quarter of this year. Strong demand for e-commerce has helped boost financial numbers for the producer of industrial packaging.
Grizz Insider: C.J. McCollum’s jab not exactly unfair
The Portland Trail Blazers earned the right to say whatever they want after the butt-kicking they gave the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night.
Eighth grader Warren Nolen already has colleges’ attention
With help from his equally precocious youth coach, the 13-year-old football standout has offers from Georgia, Michigan and Tennessee.
Decker chosen as high school vice principal at Lakeland Prep
Jeana Decker, who’s leaving her administrative role with Millington Municipal Schools, has nearly 35 years of experience in education.
Opinion: Support radio that ‘just sounds like Memphis’
At WYXR, a cast of musicians with global name recognition see the station as a vehicle to express a fascination with not only Memphis’ music, but Memphis’ people.
Metro
Audit clears county clerk’s finances but still cites reporting problems
Wanda Halbert’s office did not provide the auditing firm reviewing county finances with an annual financial statement or a reconciliation of funds collected by the clerk and deposited into the county’s bank account.
Premium Real Estate Former office space will become a creative space for charter school kids
Update Metro XAI water recycling plant on indefinite pause
Premium The Early Word The Early Word: Hagerty talks Task Force, and a giant sandbox is coming
State Government Will TN voucher program expand by 15,000 or 20,000 seats? House and Senate are at odds on details.
Business
FedEx Freight sets goals before going public June 1
FedEx Freight leadership made their pitch to investors in New York, highlighting their push into new markets, sales team nationwide, new website and technology.
Premium Real Estate Prince Mongo sells historic Front Street building for $1.25 million
Premium Real Estate Former office space will become a creative space for charter school kids
Premium Real Estate Inked: Playspace brings sandboxes, Cooper may get cigar boxes and Arlington gets piping supplies
Movers and Shakers Movers & Shakers: Former FedEx attorney joins Adams & Reese
Sports
Grizzlies 25: Zach Randolph overcame injury to make more Memphis memories. But, oh, what might have been.
Let’s return to a moment, repeated regularly over Randolph’s eight years in Memphis, to perhaps the most romantic sight through 25 years of Grizzlies basketball: Z-Bo on the block.
Grizzlies Podcast Grizzlies podcast: Injured players talk, so does LeBron James
Premium Memphis Tigers Basketball What’s Memphis paying new women’s basketball coach Hana Haden?
Golf FedEx St. Jude Championship unveils new ticketing option that includes food, drink
Premium Sports Redbirds recap: Memphis bats dominate opener at Charlotte
Food
Table Talk: At Harbor House, soul food helps heal the mind, body
Despite being loved by foodies the world over, soul food also has a reputation for being salt-laden, artery-clogging, butter-soaked cuisine. But a Memphis-born chef wants to prove that’s not all soul food has to be.
Premium Food News The Second Line reopens in Laurelwood
Suburbs
DeSoto County district attorney highlights plunging crime rates, stiff penalties at chamber luncheon
DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton highlighted lower crime statistics in his State of the County address.
Premium Music Visible Music College plans move to Millington
Arts & Culture
Girls Inc. celebrates 80 years empowering girls and young women in Memphis
Sylvia Martinez, the president and CEO of Girls Inc., joins Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar.”
Premium Business The Wolf named Radio Station of the Year
Opinion
Opinion: DA Mulroy on criminal justice data and accountability
“Delays in handling cases, jail-intake processing delays, the “solve rate” for crimes, the repeat-offender rate — these are all worthy objects of emphasis ... . But they may not fit the right (so to speak) political agenda.”
Premium Memphis Grizzlies Calkins: The Grizzlies have a problem. And it isn’t just basketball.
Podcasts
How Ballet Memphis finds ‘unique points of connection’ with audiences
Ballet Memphis’ executive director Adam Goldberg joins Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar.”
The Sidebar: Eric Barnes on arts, culture & more Girls Inc. celebrates 80 years empowering girls and young women in Memphis
Games
Daily Jigsaw: Redbirds in action
Today’s puzzle is of the Memphis Redbirds opening game at AutoZone Park and was taken by Brad Vest.