We’re getting cold comfort from MPD, Rhodes is building a new Village and “Bluebird Happy Hour” is already on the books. 

One-fifth of respondents have no plans to get a COVID vaccine; nearly another 20% are on the fence.

Shelby County’s reproductive rate rose to 1 last week for the first time in 2021, indicating cases are again increasing, likely due to the highly contagious U.K. variant. 

Waste Pro is the second private contractor in three years to have the solid waste contract for parts of Cordova, Hickory and East Memphis, known on solid waste routes as Area E.

Watch the Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force Briefing live now. 

Memphis police made more than 300 arrests and seized guns and drugs ranging from marijuana to cocaine during Operation Winter Freeze 2, MPD Director Michael Rallings announced Tuesday, March 23.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 85 new coronavirus cases and zero new coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday, March 23. 

You get a shot! And you get a shot! Plus, Germantown gives us the bird, the timing isn’t great for more reappraisals and there’s a new ‘Slim’ beer. 

Cases of COVID-19 fell steadily in January and February. The plateau now is very likely due to the U.K. variant pulling the numbers up again, Dr. Manoj Jain says.

Commission also approves the appointment of Dr. Marco Ross as Shelby County medical examiner.

The County Commission put off a vote on the change in the reappraisal cycle until its April 12 meeting as commissioners hear a lot from constituents about increased property values in the current reappraisal.

The Monday, March 22, meeting also featured the defeat of a resolution calling for federal officials to reconsider a nationwide permit for the pipeline project granted in February by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Mayor Jim Strickland is taking responsibility for garbage pickup problems and says he is working to address the shortcomings. 

The retired University of Memphis criminologist helped guide and develop the data-driven crime-fighting model.

Jesuit priest who lived with Poor Clares remembered for his service to poor, allegiance to Jesus

The Tennessee Pro-Family Building Act, which would help provide infertility coverage, received a positive recommendation from the Council of Pensions and Insurance on Monday afternoon.

An independent report concluded Ford failed to disclose a county grant he proposed in 2019 would be used to buy computer equipment from Ford totaling $45,000.

All residents age 16 and older will be eligible to get vaccine appointments beginning next week, Shelby County Health Department Deputy Director David Sweat told county commissioners Monday afternoon, March 22.

About 12% of patients in area ICU beds were either COVID-positive or suspected of having the novel coronavirus.

Who’s stepping up efforts to stop a pipeline, who’s doing the electric slide and who is bringing the vaccine right into people’s homes.

The move to every other year comes as property owners are getting reappraisal notices this month that increased property values by an average of 15% to 20% countywide. 

Here are the key figures and organizations involved in the Byhalia Connection Pipeline project and its opposition. 

Related story:

Rocky legal terrain lies between Byhalia pipeline positions and reality

Opponents of the oil pipeline want to keep the dispute in local and state courts. But federal courts have helped to speed up the legal process for pipeline companies. Both approaches are in play behind a blossoming opposition movement that has linked arms with past environmental struggles in the city.

Related story:

Pipeline Players: Who's who in the controversy over the Byhalia Connection Pipeline

When Shelby County Schools students entered their school buildings this month, many did so for the first time in about a year. But children attending smaller suburban municipal districts had been back for months.

The Council Scorecard looks at the surprise that led to the defeat of an ordinance banning retail dog and cat sales in the city and the parliamentary maneuver that means there won’t be any move to reconsider the vote.