While some Republicans shied away from the notion they were targeting protesters with legislation toughening penalties for rowdiness, Democrats said the GOP-controlled Legislature put a "knee on their neck" during the 111th General Assembly second extraordinary special session.

Shelby County’s 7-day moving average of new coronavirus cases has fallen to its lowest point in nearly two months, while today’s newly reported cases came in at 256.

Feeling heat from state lawmakers, parents and school districts, the Lee Administration is reversing a massive plan for school districts to conduct “welfare checks” on every child in the state because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On "Behind The Headlines," Dr. James Downing talked about the gap between public health and health care as well as the research hospital's $20 million effort to keep the virus off its campus through weekly testing. Data from the testing regimen is also part of a global research effort and St. Jude is participating in clinical trials for a vaccine.

Memphis-based Malco Theatres has announced reopening dates for many of its movie theater locations after closing them due to the coronavirus pandemic.

DeCarcerate Memphis, a local task force made up of community leaders, activists and clergy, voiced its opposition to the federal Operation LeGend that is bringing 40 federal agents to the city. 

Germantown is requiring students to wear masks at all times as they return to school Aug. 17.

The threshold is dramatically higher than other cities across the nation. New York City’s mayor has said school buildings must shutter if the positivity rate exceeds 3%, and other school districts have vowed to limit in-person learning when the rate hits 5%.

Democratic candidate Torrey Harris fired a shot at state Rep. John DeBerry in the state House District 90 race, criticizing his support of legislation designed to crack down on protesters statewide and around the Capitol.

According to the state's Healthcare Resource Tracking System, area hospitals had 51 ICU and 236 acute care beds available, as of 5 p.m. Thursday.

To find candidates for the open jobs, Shelby County Schools is hosting a virtual hiring fair from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. 

While local sports fans are in high spirits, we're looking at saliva testing, two long-time community buildings about to be demolished and a hiring spree. 

Frayser Community Schools decided this summer to start the year with all-virtual classes due to increasing COVID-19 cases in Shelby County over the past several months. 

Memphis police officer LaTica Bennett has been assigned to patrol David Carnes Park in Whitehaven during the pandemic. She took it upon herself to personally greet those in the park every day. 

Our scorecard of commission votes includes a possible swap of some CARES Act funding as well as the first rejection of a move to get past county government's hiring freeze.

Legislation making camping on restricted state property a felony is “ludicrous,” state Sen. Raumesh Akbari said as the Legislature wrapped up a special session designed, in part, to stop “lawless” activity and send protesters packing.

Gov. Bill Lee’s press briefing is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services is reminding parents the deadline is approaching to apply for a program to help provide food for their children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pool testing the city is doing through Poplar Healthcare is now aimed at teachers and students.

The reported total in Shelby County is now 24,347 coronavirus cases, including 20,063 recoveries, 316 deaths and 3,968 active cases. 

“However, it is our expectation that they show up to school appropriately dressed,” Maria Stewart, the district’s director of policy, said of the virtual learning rules. 

The city has also signed a letter of intent with Capstone Development for two hotels on the Central Avenue frontage. The founder of Capstone sees a different kind of recovery from the pandemic for the hospitality industry — one led by the families that travel regionally to the sports tournaments that are the financial engine for Liberty Park's public and private uses.

Collierville has canceled its Labor Day fireworks celebration scheduled for Sept. 5.

It's Thursday, Aug. 13, and college students are beginning to move back into their dorms. We're also thinking about possibilities on Union Avenue and how to become better soccer players. 

At Christian Brothers University, modeling indicated campus would lose more than $4 million if all learning was conducted remotely.