Not long ago, the COVID-19 reports were encouraging. Now, I look at the numbers with a feeling of dread.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is July 30, so more ballot requests are on the way. Meanwhile, a total of 12,314 Shelby County voters have cast their ballots -- absentee and through in-person early voting -- in the first three days of the period that runs through Aug. 1. Election day is Aug. 6. 

On Tuesday, July 21, the Shelby County Health Department reported 211 new coronavirus cases (from 1,862 tests) and no additional deaths.

Teachers in Tennessee and across the nation face hard choices. Should I return to my school building? Should I pursue a remote teaching option if my district offers one? Should I leave the profession altogether?

Citing spikes and a 'scary' environment because of COVID-19, the Rendezvous closed its dining room once again.

Restaurants closed by the Health Department made their case for a temporary restraining order in federal court. An issue: Does COVID spread differently in a bar versus a restaurant?

Jon McCreery, Amy Eoff and Scott Williams have all announced plans to seek office on Germantown's November ballot. Additionally, Sherrie Hicks and Brian Curry have filed petitions with sufficient signatures.

Two proposals on the city council agenda Tuesday would change the rules for naming and renaming streets, parks and other places. It's part of a slate of council proposals that has grown larger than police reform to include changing city government priorities. The effort is being led by a renaming of one of the most well-known addresses in the city. 

University Schools — Campus School and University Middle — have announced they will go all-virtual instead of the hybrid plan it previously released to parents.

Promising 2021 guard Daveonne Warfield hoping transfer to Wooddale will raise his recruiting profile.

Local high school coaches form Metro Black Coaches Coalition to aid players and coaches. 

The Lee Administration is making $115 million in federal funds available to local governments to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UTHSC physician-scientist was part of the original leadership team of The Cancer Genome Atlas. He led the sequencing of RNA, which controls abnormal genetic expression in cancer cells. 

Strike for Black Lives protesters gathered Monday outside the McDonald’s at 2073 Union for a lunch hour demonstration in support of efforts to combat systemic racism and demand better wages and benefits for workers including in the fast food industry.

'My heart is heavy at the passing of this great foot soldier of the movement and congressman for the people,' says the president of the National Civil Rights Museum. 'In his honor, we’ll vote like our lives depend on it, because they do. '

Jeremiah Martin is earning high praise from his Brooklyn Nets teammates and coaches in the Orlando NBA bubble. 

Shelby County’s 304 new coronavirus cases come from 1,678 tests, a positivity rate of 18.1%. 

Early voting across Shelby County in advance of the Aug. 6 election date resumes Monday, July 20, after the first two days drew nearly 8,000 voters.

As leaders around the country make decisions based on wishful thinking, Rhodes College postponed on-campus eduction for the fall semester because it determined it could not safely bring students, faculty and employees back to campus. "It’s about setting your values and having the courage of your convictions," said president Marjorie Hass. If only more leaders would do the same. 

Open letter to TSSAA and governor asks that players' opinions be considered in regard to what football in 2020 may look like.

After weeks of kid food and a vacation without restaurants, it's nice to be home, with a list of places to go and a work plan for the coming week.

Memphis/Shelby County made progress in the struggle against COVID-19, coming out of a Safer at Home order and advancing into a Phase 2 reopening. But Phase 2 has been modified, cases have spiked again, and there remain major concerns going forward, including whether or not elementary and secondary schools can reopen in the fall. 

It is the second historical marker to be snapped in two from its base in the past month. The rector of Calvary Episcopal Church says the marker, noting the location of Nathan Bedford Forrest's slave market, will be repaired and reinstalled as soon as possible.

Porch & Parlor closed after employees tested positive for COVID-19; owner says he'll reopen when it's safe.

ICU capacity in the region is at 89%, slightly less than prior days. The Health Department reports there are 48 beds available.