The Shelby County Health Department reported 259 new coronavirus cases Thursday, July 22. One month ago, the agency reported 14 new cases. Majority are Delta variant.

Morgan is in his second term on the City Council, which has a limit of two consecutive terms. Contenders for county offices in the May Democratic and Republican primaries can’t begin pulling petitions to get on the ballot until Dec. 20.

Bad air joins our health worries, while politicians wrangle with health departments in Memphis and Nashville. But better sidewalks, AutoZone Park, the Milwaukee Bucks and even the TVA give us reason to smile.

The board of a Downtown agency approved a matching-grant program that offers commercial property owners up to $5,000 to repair their sidewalks.

The nomination of Dr. Michelle Taylor as the new Shelby County Health Department director drew fire Wednesday, July 21, with distribution of a May memo to Mayor Lee Harris that said a search panel recommended not picking Taylor and continuing the search.

Legislators seek to clarify stance on vaccinations in wake of national criticism following the firing of vaccine official Dr. Michelle Fiscus.

Leslie Ballin, a Memphis-based criminal defense attorney, has represented Daniels since her arrest in 2019.

A vote Monday by the Shelby County Commission on a new voting system could mean new voting machines by the May county primary elections. 

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Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. wants the county to get the bonuses to county workers in the next pay period. County Mayor Lee Harris says the county needs to be sure the use of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds is allowed before it cuts checks.

New name and concept for the existing Restaurant Iris building has been revealed, Army Corps of Engineers gives final approval on the redesign of Tom Lee Park, and masks will be back at SCS this fall. 

The precinct site sold for $3.5 million after being appraised at $6 million, setting up a council debate about whether to take the best offer now or wait for a better one.

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The council also gave final approval Tuesday to new historic overlay districts in Crosstown and Vollintine-Evergreen, took its first vote on a pipeline infrastructure review board and passed an ordinance banning landlords from putting the belongings of those they evict on city rights of way.

Masks will be required when the coming SCS school year begins, but field trips, athletics and reopened playgrounds will come back again. 

MPD’s Slow Down Memphis operation to combat speeding, drag racing and interstate shootings has revved up by partnering with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The Shelby County Commission will vote on Taylor’s appointment on Monday, July 26.

TVA officials outlined remediation plans that include trucking treated coal residue to a private landfill near Memphis International Airport.

The long awaited permit clears the way for the park’s redesign to begin moving dirt and creating new features in Tom Lee Park after a three-year planning process that has seen the plans change over time. 

It was a busy day for the Memphis Medical District, as Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital announced an expansion, neighborhood investment was bolstered and the temporary COVID hospital on Union closed without ever opening. 

Plans have been submitted for renovating the building anchoring the prominent southwest corner of Union and Front.

The council also takes up the vote delayed two weeks ago on the sale of the old Union Avenue police station in Midtown, a car lot in Raleigh and takes the first of three votes on restrictions of future oil pipelines within the city.

All expenses, including monthly rent, are eligible to be reimbursed by the federal government.

With COVID surging again, Shelby County’s low vaccination rate is a growing concern. Meanwhile, some local employers are struggling to hire enough workers to meet demand, and Penny turned 50.

The COVID-19 vaccine is readily available, but many people are still deciding against vaccination – at least for now. The moment of urgency has passed and instead has been replaced by a relaxed attitude, even as the Delta variant spreads and puts unvaccinated people at risk for severe illness and even death.