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.

The 175 cases come from 2,947 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 5.9%.

Members to meet Downtown for budget retreat.

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.

The Portland Trail Blazers earned the right to say whatever they want after the butt-kicking they gave the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night.

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. 

The Grizzlies hit just nine 3-pointers to the Trail Blazers’ 15, and only Jonas Valanciunas had any sort of offensive rhythm early.

Related story:

Box score: Trail Blazers 130, Grizzlies 109

With much of the plan already outlined well before Wednesday’s speech, reaction from the city’s two congressmen and the state’s two U.S. senators was set along partisan lines. There was a social media blitz by all during President Joe Biden’s remarks.

Related story:

Biden to nation and the world: ‘America is rising anew’

Biden marked his first 100 days in office as the nation pushes out of a menacing mix of crises, making his case before a pared-down gathering of mask-wearing legislators for massive structural changes.

Related story:

City’s national representatives react to Biden’s ‘American Families Plan’

The Tigers finish the season 8-4 after losing to Utah Valley, 1-0.

The former East High standout played sparingly in three seasons with the Tigers.

Sullivan, Knox, Hamilton and Madison counties lift mask mandates; Davidson is waiting.

Germantown’s Board of Education approved a construction firm for Houston Middle School’s addition. Board members also added a position to look at the academic and non-academic needs of students.

The Board of Adjustment approved zoning exceptions for the nearly 10-acre, mixed-use Orleans Station on the campus of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Other cases included the rejection of illegal business signs on Summer and a compromise for a nonconforming hotel sign on Lamar.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said rising economic and mental stress levels in the community resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic made this the right time to pursue this new policy.

The boys 1,600-meter and girls 800-meter relay teams set state standards at Collierville’s Dragon Relays.

The Four Way’s owner Patrice Bates Thompson got a gift of $40,000 when she appeared on NBC’s “Today” show, and Gibson’s Donuts participated in The Kindness Revolution.

The Lululemon Pop Up store in Midtown, which opened last year as the pandemic spread, has closed.

The first major, outdoor live-music event in Memphis since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mempho Fest Oct. 1-3 will feature Friday and Saturday headline sets from Georgia’s Widespread Panic, and a closing Sunday night set from North Carolina’s Avett Brothers.

Memphis at the top for three-star Texas safety Jaidan Scott.

The 113 new cases come from 1,666 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 6.8%.

Two building owners are asking for variances so they can offer boarding rooms or apartments in areas zoned for employment.

After some fine goalkeeping keeps the Brothers at bay, they score three times in the final 15 minutes to win first meeting of the season against their arch-rivals.

Chase Carlisle said he plans to bring a resolution to the City Council May 4 opposing the city and TDOT’s recommendation to shut Scott Street off from Poplar.