Despite shifts in CDC guidelines, a mask giveaway hosted by the Shelby County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has plenty of takers. 

Amid a decreasing threat of COVID-19 infection, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave most Americans the green light Friday, Feb. 25, to ditch the mask indoors.

A judge Friday ordered a new trial for activist Pamela Moses after she was convicted for illegally attempting to register to vote. A new trial date has not been set. 

The commission won’t fill the vacancy until next month but most if not all of the names on the list are expected to be those running in the August primaries for a full four-year term in Nashville.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlined the new set of measures for communities where COVID-19 is easing its grip, with less of a focus on positive test results and more on what’s happening at hospitals.

Harris joins state Rep. London Lamar and nonprofit leader Rhonnie Brewer in seeking the Senate seat, which has been vacant since Feb. 2.

There’s a new contender for an open school board seat while more incumbent judges file for re-election.

Rainess Holmes made a court appearance on Friday, Feb. 25.

Glenda Adams faces up to five years in prison.

FedEx Corp. suspends Ukraine operations, MATA may go autonomous and the Shelby County Health Department wants you to let them know if you’ve got COVID. Plus, the downtown gets a swanky new supper club.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis had a front-row seat Thursday, Feb. 24, for Russia’s political defense of its invasion of Ukraine.

“We are primarily arguing that this is an infringement on the counties’ sovereignty,” former Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper said on behalf of MSCS and MNPS.

The sentencing hearing was originally set for Thursday, March 3.

The local task force revealed a new testing results portal at its second-to-last COVID briefing as well as a vaccination event in partnership with the Memphis Grizzlies. 

MATA will work with Virginia-based Moment AI to develop and deploy autonomous vehicles. The vehicles would still require an operator.

The bill was amended to apply only to Memphis. It will become law with Gov. Bill Lee’s signature.

The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement bill would increase funding for schools without raising taxes, Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn says.

Memphis City Council member Worth Morgan says selling MLGW could lead to higher bills, Memphis-Shelby County Schools considers year-round schooling, South Memphis may get a new museum and Bartlett studies LED streetlights.

During an hour-long online town hall Wednesday, Feb. 23, City Council member Worth Morgan and MLGW leaders fielded questions about recent increases in utility bills and the ice storm repairs.

In his third State of the District address, Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray announced higher teacher compensation and unveiled a new logo for the district, as well. 

Memphis Light, Gas & Water confirms it is reviewing its failure to post financial disclosure forms on the Internet — just as City Council members begin asking critical questions.

The commission set the schedules Wednesday, Feb. 23, for taking applications, interviewing candidates and making the picks. 

The Shelby County Commission considers what to do about two vacant seats, a bill that would make Juneteenth a state holiday stalls and the Butler Row project moves forward. 

The county administration is working with a national coalition of local elected leaders to question the efficacy fines and fees in the local criminal justice system. Among the first changes, was dropping a fee for medical services at the county corrections center.