A Memphis business is looking at coronavirus ‘lollipops,’ a Grizz legend explains his Twitter handle, and is Summer Avenue ready for a comeback? 

Tommy Pacello died Monday, Nov. 16. Not long ago, he talked about his diagnosis, his city, his family and his gratitude. He wanted this column as a gift for his daughters. That’s the kind of wonderful dad he was. 

Poplar Healthcare joined the battle against the coronavirus late, but now it’s leading the charge to help Memphis reopen and stay open.

The resolution approved Tuesday by the Memphis City Council for two areas along Summer is designed to make it more difficult to demolish a set of four churches for other kinds of development. It’s similar to a recent rezoning of part of Lamar Avenue but with a slightly different motivation.

Memphis City Council members have rejected a Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division contract with a power industry consultant to explore what it would take for the utility to leave the Tennessee Valley Authority. The vote stops the two-year old process, at least for now. The MLGW board could have a response Wednesday morning at its regular meeting.

Gov. Bill Lee is taking President Donald Trump’s view of the pandemic, saying people should not fear COVID-19 but “respect” the virus and take steps to avoid it, even though the president has downplayed the importance of wearing masks.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Marquita Bradshaw is calling for a debate with Republican Bill Hagerty after their only scheduled event was canceled, saying she wants to face off, while his campaign accuses her of pulling a “political stunt.”

Though the in-person events around the Freedom Awards were canceled this year, 37 sponsors promised to continue their annual support, contributing a total of $725,500. 

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris announced a “901 Student Passport” program, which allows free admission to museums for students who cannot partake in their normal field trips because of the pandemic.

The county Health Department loosened some of the restrictions regarding COVID-19 precautions, moves that will benefit sporting events and restaurants.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 258 new coronavirus cases and two related deaths on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

It’s Tuesday, Oct. 6, and midwifery is a hot topic. Plus, an elected official is taking on appointed ones, Amazon is dropping another package in Cordova, and the U of M is planning a new housing facility adjacent to rapid transit. 

Almost every day, 15%-20% of the people in Shelby County who test positive do not respond to calls from the health department for contact tracing.

Jon McCreery and Brandon Musso both say they want to unify what’s broken in the city of Germantown. The two are facing off for Position 5 in the November election.

The council discussion of the record number of homicides so far this year could venture into past discussions of police reform. The City Council also discusses a rezoning of Summer Avenue to preserve four churches along the busy thoroughfare after one was about to be demolished.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton talked about his plan to strip away the autonomy of the Shelby County Health Department during a visit Monday to the county. He says public health officials should advise mayors, who would make the ultimate decision on pandemic and other health-related measures.

Trump’s doctor, Navy Cdr. Sean Conley, was also upbeat at an afternoon briefing but said the President will not be fully out of the woods for another week.

The first absentee ballots will be in the mail to Shelby County voters Wednesday, Oct. 7, according to the Shelby County Election Commission.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 95 new coronavirus cases on Monday, Oct. 5.

It’s Monday, Oct. 5, and FedEx is getting cold, restaurants want more from the Health Department and the Restaurant Pheonix Project goes whole hog. 

FedEx is hiring, buying freezers and working with pharmaceutical companies to plan a massive distribution effort for the coronavirus vaccine, in which Memphis is expected to play a crucial role.

House Democrats, including five from Shelby County, are calling for a state Comptroller’s audit of Gov. Bill Lee’s federal-coronavirus-funds spending amid questions about its effectiveness.

After six months of coronavirus, the resulting losses are profound, but the stories these people tell are about going on, a process they find central to living with the unknown. 

The Shelby County daily positivity rate from Sunday is about 5.6% after 2,620 tests were administered. The Health Department reported seven new deaths.