It’s spacious, it’s modern and everybody can take advantage of river views. But most of its newly renovated workstations and offices are empty because of COVID-19.

The Daily Memphian asked Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter and county Mayor Lee Harris for data used to make decisions about health directives affecting restaurants, and the Health Department released some information Dec. 3.

Creekside Homes is becoming a major player in Arlington subdivision project with several developments in various stages of construction.

Carjackings are “basically a crime of opportunity,” said Lt. Jimmy Lewis of MPD’s Violent Crimes Unit. And this year, he said, police are seeing guns used more often during the crimes.

Memphis lost to Tulane Saturday, ending any hope of reaching a fourth straight championship game. Maybe that means the season was unsuccessful. Or maybe, in the time of COVID, we should reevaluate what we mean by success. 

Game summary for the Memphis-Tulane game in New Orleans, Dec. 5, 2020.

The Tigers won’t be competing for an AAC title, but there’s still the possibility of finishing on a high note.

Related: Memphis loses to Tulane —and its shot at AAC title game

Box score: Tulane 35, Memphis 21

The Tigers’ run game was quashed again, and Tulane’s freshman quarterback rose to the occasion.

Related: Box score: Tulane 35, Memphis 21

Does this season measure up to the Tigers new high standard?

Since 1992, Hunt was the official artist for the Beale Street Music Festival, creating a new painting for the festival each year for nearly three decades.

From Nov. 21 to Dec. 5, the Health Department reported an average of 415 new cases and 3,980 test results a day yielding a 10.4% positivity rate. With cases outgrowing tests, that’s leading to a surging county positivity rate.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 541 new COVID-19 cases and seven virus-related deaths in its daily update Saturday.

Fans rode the wave of emotions as the Tigers tried to keep up with Tulane.

Three billboard companies are donating digital billboard space to encourage Memphians to “Shop Local 901.” The colorful message will be displayed on about 15 billboards about 140,000 times a week this holiday season.

The new Raleigh branch library is set to open Dec. 14, replacing the 54-year-old location at 3157 Powers Rd., which is closed as the transition begins to its future home.

Jeffries exploded for a 15-point outburst in Memphis’ win over Central Arkansas, a long-awaited breakout performance in which the sophomore forward appeared to exorcise the demons that have terrorized him this season. 

Memphis has reached 300 homicides this year, a record- shattering number. 

Landers Nolley II scored 23 points, his third game with 20-plus points. 

Related Story: D.J. Jeffries finds his way, and Memphis is better for it.

Jimmy Thomasson led a quiet life in Midtown. When he died, a stunning outpouring of tributes revealed just how many people he touched by being the best neighbor anyone could want.

Staffing shortages account for bottlenecks in emergency rooms, and the inability to staff hundreds of vacant hospital rooms.

De’Anthony Melton said his first purchase after signing was cars for his sisters and mother. 

Sen. Lamar Alexander also said President Donald Trump has a record to be proud of during the interview on The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast. And he said he carried Memphis in his five statewide general election wins by campaigning everywhere in the county, not just the Republican suburbs.

The rise of running back Asa Martin and zeroing in on a young Tulane quarterback could be part of the Tigers’ plan.

Memphis will play five nationally televised games. The Grizzlies open at home on Wednesday, Dec. 23 against the San Antonio Spurs. The world champion Lakers will visit Jan. 3 and 5.