Chris Herrington: The absence of Grizzlies’ stars provides a chance to observe the trends of some players who are in outsized roles.

Shelby County Health Department reported 639 new cases from more than 4,300 tests. Eight deaths were reported, bringing the total to 1,024.

A Memphis police officer has been relieved of duty after being arrested and charged with kidnapping and killing a man.

Germantown hosted a seven-hour vision session Saturday in which it discussed the budget, bluebirds and vaccines.

The Binghampton Community Land Trust, the first of its kind in Memphis, was created after concerns about rising housing prices spurred by new development in Binghampton. 

Xavier Tillman Sr. will have an expanded role to fill if Jonas Valanciunas misses time due to health and safety protocols. 

Groups such as the Gangster Disciples, Crips, Bloods and Latin Kings are splintering into neighborhood cells with names like the Choppa Gang in Hickory Hill, Concrete Cartel in East Memphis, 4 Corners in Orange Mound, and Dixie Homes Murder Squad, Major Frank Winston of MPD’s Multi-Agency Gang Unit said.

SCS Superintendent Joris Ray and his counterparts in Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga appeared virtually for an hourlong panel discussion with members of the House Democratic Caucus ahead of this year’s legislative session.

A trend of rising housing prices combined with less homes available in Shelby County is reflected in two North Memphis neighborhoods: Frayser and Raleigh, albeit at different rates, according to Memphis Area Association of Relators (MAAR) data.

Claims on social media that Molly’s La Casita is closed and for sale are wrong. It’s temporarily closed but will reopen when it’s not ‘crazy out there,’ owner says.

From Dec. 26, 2020 to Jan. 9, 2021, the Health Department reported an average of 601 cases and 3,870 test results a day yielding a 15.5% positivity rate.

The 552 coronavirus cases reported Saturday came from 4,752 test results, yielding a 11.6% positivity rate. The health department also announced that all vaccine appointments for January have been filled.

The Daily Memphian’s City Council Scorecard opens the new year with two council decisions — one on a familiar issue in council discussions. The other is a close vote on a lower speed limit.

As of Wednesday, 40% of Tennessee’s 95 counties had moved into the priority group that includes teachers. Those areas have smaller populations and fewer health care workers to inoculate after years of rural hospital closures.

Charter school eyes state tournament after missing opportunity in 2020. 

Jonas Valanciunas left before halftime for “health and safety protocols”; sources say it was not a positive COVID-19 test. 

Related Story: Box score: Grizzlies 115, Nets 110

A veteran Memphis real estate broker says he believes Tesla is coming to Memphis soon. The broker represented the seller in a transaction this week involving the former — and now vacant — Homer Skelton Wolfchase Hyundai dealership property at 3020 N. Germantown Parkway.

Appointments may be made online, now. People without internet access may call 901-222-SHOT to schedule an appointment beginning Monday at 8 a.m.

A developer seeks to change a planned development to build a 22,490-square-foot commercial center at the northeast corner of Hacks Cross and Sedgwick Way in Southwind.

Former local Democratic party Chairman Corey Strong, on The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast, says the Georgia model of bringing activists and organizers into the state party machinery will take time — probably six to 10 years to take Tennessee from red to purple.

Mike Miller’s Mustangs will face two nationally ranked teams next week in Washington, D.C.

The $8.6 billion waiver must be approved by the Tennessee General Assembly and sets a cap on TennCare funding with the state keeping a share of any savings if its spending comes in below the cap. 

“I never thought that the trappings of congressional power or Trump’s dominating and vindictive personality would turn the principled guy I’ve known and liked for years into a political lapdog.”