“Overall budget is holding in spite of market conditions but we have a long way to go,” Megasite CEO Clay Bright said.

 The top five include property taxes, redistricting, pay raises, a takeback on critical race theory and the strategic battle for a new commission chairman.

Strickland asked Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, in a letter dated Thursday, to list the bridge project as one of the state’s long-term infrastructure priorities. He cited the three-month shutdown last year of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge as well as the advanced age of other bridges at Memphis across the Mississippi River.

High COVID-19 case numbers are not only affecting staffing at testing sites but at area police agencies, fire departments and hospitals, Memphis and Shelby County officials said Thursday, Jan. 6.

Ken Moody opened his challenge of County Mayor Lee Harris Thursday in Overton Square with an attack of Harris’ leadership, similar to how Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland campaigned in his 2015 upset of incumbent AC Wharton Jr. 

The latest COVID-19 Task Force briefing begins at noon, Thursday, Jan. 6.

Some local COVID-19 testing sites will be closed today because of wintry weather. Others will have reduced hours.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 2,661 new cases for Thursday, Jan. 6. 

A suspect has been identified in Young Dolph’s killing, Collierville High parents are concerned after staffing shortages leave classes empty and how much parking does a park need? 

After a meeting held by plaintiffs suing the city and Memphis River Parks Partnership over the $61 million Tom Lee Park redesign, community members expressed a few concerns about the project.

Related story:

Tom Lee Park redesign plaintiffs want parking lots restored

The area is under a winter weather advisory, from early Thursday until Thursday evening, with total snow and sleet accumulations of up to two inches, according to the National Weather Service.

Authorities issued a warrant for a man they say is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of Young Dolph. A $15,000 reward has been offered by police agencies for information on the whereabouts of Justin Johnson. 

Three Collierville High classes were unsupervised Tuesday; the first day back after winter break. The district investigated, and Principal Roger Jones communicated with affected parents.

Shelby County Health Dept. Director Dr. Michelle Taylor told Shelby County commissioners Wednesday, Jan. 5, that state health officials are also watching the strain on hospitals and public health institutions closely. 

The plaintiffs are taking the city and Memphis River Parks Partnership to court over the $61 million Tom Lee Park redesign.

Related story: 

Community members react to Tom Lee Park lawsuit

Active COVID-19 cases top 22,000.

Jury trials in Shelby County Criminal Court are suspended through Jan. 28 as COVID cases increase locally. 

The assistant to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland is expected to formally get into the race starting with the May Democratic primary. 

The National Weather Service says the Mid-South can expect snow for Thursday, Jan. 6.

More colleges are postponing in-person classes, beer is back, Arlington slows its (bed) roll and both the Tigers and the Grizzlies get a win. 

The Science of Beer returns to the Museum of Science & History for a big, spread-out tasting and educational event Jan. 14.

The council also approved medical office space on Covington Pike, and delayed a vote on a controversial retail development with gas pumps at Broad and Tillman.

Memphis City Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon will run against incumbent Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael. Meanwhile, Marcus Mitchell is running for Juvenile Court Clerk County Commissioner Brandon Morrison is running in a new district.

Calvin Williams lost much of his support for the appointment when he told council members his 2007 conviction on federal bribery charges was about his refusal to implicate Black elected officials. 

Dr. Michelle Taylor says Monday’s lower count in new reported COVID cases, “does not represent an actual decrease in viral transmission.”