Pervis Payne, a death row inmate for 33 years, appeared in court for the first time in 14 years Friday for a hearing on access to records in determining his mental competency. 

We’re celebrating Ida B. Wells; some vaccinations become mandatory; and Tennessee is definitely making national news — and the late-night talk shows. 

But national headlines alleging the state is anti-vaccine don’t sit well with lawmakers and elected officials. Many say the difference between promoting vaccines and simply educating residents, particularly minors, is a fine line.

A ceremony Thursday at the site of three lynchings more than a century ago was part of a week of Ida B. Wells events leading up to Friday’s statue unveiling. 

The positivity rate has tripled since July 1, to 8.9%. The majority of cases are the Delta variant, which is 50% to 60% more contagious than the B.1.1.7 strain that was dominant here from mid-March 2021 to early July.

County Mayor Lee Harris plans to nominate a pediatrician and White Station High School graduate as the Shelby County Health Department’s next director. 

Employees may receive the vaccine on the St. Jude campus. Those who received it off campus are to submit verification to the hospital before returning to work. 

Plus, Wright says we’re wrong, a remediation could lead to a renaissance and Iris will bloom elsewhere. 

Veda Ajamu is about to get the chance to help with criminal justice reform as a Justice Reform Fellow for Families Against Mandatory Minimums. 

Rep. David Kustoff reiterated familiar positions on the economy during remarks to the Arlington Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, as well as touching on the status of the Memphis Regional Megasite and Hernando DeSoto Bridge repairs. 

Memphis Food and Wine Festival, derailed by COVID in 2020, returns to Memphis Botanic Garden on Oct. 16; tickets on sale July 15.

The collaborative with more than 150 local nonprofits is to tackle long-terms needs and problems in the same rapid and sustained way the countywide COVID task force has handled the local response to the pandemic.

“In keeping with our mission, we will continue to provide a comprehensive vaccination program for Shelby County residents of all ages,” Shelby County’s acting Health Department director said. 

We don’t have a lot of lots, but we do have a report of hepatitis A. And if you defeated a multimillion-dollar corporation, what would you take on next? 

After gaining its moment in the spotlight with the Byhalia Connection Pipeline project, MCAP is now looking ahead and figuring out how to face future battles. 

MPD Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis discussed meeting with President Biden Monday and plans to fight violent crime in Memphis. 

July donors will receive $10 Amazon gift card.

Blackburn’s recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas was all-China, echoing some of the concerns made by then-Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson during his tenure. 

A worker at an East Memphis restaurant was diagnosed with hepatitis A. Vaccinations are being encouraged for those who ate at the restaurant as a precaution.

MLGW takes its first step to leave TVA, restaurants go on vacation and a $750,000 payout to a former City of Memphis employee. Plus, thoughts on Tigers and Grizzlies basketball. 

The council’s discussion last week about a car lot in Raleigh could be about some larger changes in zoning. Normally the representative of a district gets final say on the zoning, but that’s not how this is going.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation originally identified nine spots beyond the damage spotted in May that shut down all traffic on the Hernando DeSoto Bridge, but that has increased to 16.