About 1,000 trick-or-treaters strolled through Memphis Botanic Garden Saturday. As children gathered candy, they met costumed volunteers like “Professor Fang” and “Indiana Bones,” who taught them about nature. 

On the WKNO program “Behind The Headlines,” Natalie McKinney and Terence Patterson also called for a move away from the idea that school choice for parents involves getting students to schools in other parts of the city.

Legislators voted to allow, but not require, partisan school board elections. The legislature also reviewed a number of bills related COVID-19 measures.

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Legislators approve bill limiting Health Department autonomy

Tennessee has been under a governor-issued emergency declaration since pandemic began.

Shelby County Schools reported 68 new COVID-19 cases among students and 20 new cases among staff at its public and charter schools this week. 

“Celebrating first holidays when your baby is in the hospital is difficult, and we want to provide some normalcy to families by having a little fun with these costumes,” said a Regional One spokesperson.

Cammy Abernathy, dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida, is one of three finalists for the University of Memphis presidency, according to a statement posted to the university’s website. She will visit the campus Tuesday, Nov. 2.

The Maxine A. Smith University Center commemorates the civil rights activist’s efforts to desegregate schools and universities in Memphis. 

The similarly made Moderna vaccine also is being studied in young children, and both Pfizer and Moderna also are testing shots for babies and preschoolers.

The bill amending the Health Department’s power is headed to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk.

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Partisan school board elections approved among COVID-19 bills

As Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn made her latest stop at the National Civil Rights Museum Thursday night, she was met with a resounding message from local parents, advocates and educators. 

We’re singing the praises of a rare Finch, shaking up Steph and Golden State and considering a proposal to take the Shelby County Health Department’s authority away.

As the Shelby County Commission nears a final vote on a new set of district lines, here is how to find out what commission district you live in, who is your commissioner and whose district you might be in depending on which map the commission approves at its Monday, Nov. 1, session.

The bill would give the Tennessee health commissioner the authority to determine uniform quarantine guidelines for the state and appoint county health directors.

In Shelby County, 53.6% of the eligible population has received at least one vaccine dose, while 40.8% is fully vaccinated.

Watch the COVID-19 Task Force Briefing live now.

This is the second year the poll has been conducted. 

We’re dancing with joy over the newest Health Department directive, there’s a new authority at the Memphis Megasite, and we’ve got copycat Pancho’s recipes revealed. 

Earlier this month, a federal grand jury in Nashville handed down a five-count indictment against Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey and a Nashville social club owner.

The Downtown Memphis Commission wants to address the long-term problems associated with Downtown parking. 

Meeting in special session Wednesday, Oct. 27, Shelby County commissioners set the stage to approve a redistricting ordinance on third and final reading at their regular Monday meeting. They also increased the recommendations from the ad hoc group on redistricting to a total of four maps.

In requesting his move from the chairmanship, Kelsey continued to maintain his innocence.

SCS’ October board business meeting discussed an uptick in violence, as well as the upcoming town hall for education funding. 

Clay Bright will head operation and development of the Haywood County Megasite. He has been the Tennessee Transportation Commissioner since 2019.

Bills are proposing making school board elections partisan. Some educators question the move.