In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday, Aug. 12, setting a "higher bar" for people to sue businesses, schools and healthcare facilities accused of making them sick through negligence.

This week on The Extra Podcast, Elizabeth Cawein, executive director of Music Export Memphis, joins Eric Barnes to talk about how local musicians are dealing with the coronavirus shutdown.

Legislation to toughen penalties for protesters around the Capitol passed the Legislature Wednesday, including a provision making illegal camping on state property a felony offense.

Those 119 newly reported cases come from 1,047 tests, giving the day a positivity rate of 11.4%.

It's Wednesday, Aug. 12, and we're talking about a "Swiss Army knife" of a player, a far-flung soul festival and Birds banned — at least for a short while. Also, is this a banner year for mosquitoes? 

Democratic lawmaker called the House’s Republican leader a “liar” for saying those who voted against a legislative crackdown on protesters support spitting on law enforcements officers.

Tennessee Department of Human Services Commissioner Danielle Barnes said 450,000 kids have been approved to receive EBT as part of pandemic food insecurity programs.

The Congressmen, in their respective districts during Congress’ recess, say they are prepared to return to Washington if Democrats and Republicans can reach an accord on pandemic relief and stimulus funding. 

Many salons have reopened, but the business model looks drastically different including reduced occupancy, said Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery.

Senate committees are set to consider competing legislation Tuesday dealing with COVID-19 liability immunity and the punishment of protesters in the Legislature’s special session.

If you are looking for local coronavirus data, you've come to the right place. 

Money can be used to help with living expenses, including rent and food, plus tuition and books.

The suspension does not affect the two other scooter operators, Spin and Explore Bike Share, which has a fleet of OjOs.

It's Tuesday, Aug. 11, and The Walk Downtown is applying for a new tax incentive, some schools are back in session and the U of M is still planning on playing football. 

Churches, day care providers and other places are scrambling for state permission or funding to provide schoolchildren supervision and space to log on to online learning during the day.

Shelby County Commissioners want to try a swap out of federal CARES Act funding similar to one city council members did a week ago. But tensions left over from a rough county budget season that ended in June are hanging around.

With the immunity the nation should have by the time a COVID-19 vaccine arrives, health officials say a 45-65% immunization rate should be sufficient.

It’s the first time students have attended in person school in Shelby County for nearly five months.

What Sheleah Harris did last week isn’t unheard of, but it’s also not the everyday occurrence.

The state attorney general would have authority to file criminal charges against protesters under legislation introduced for a special session of the General Assembly, overstepping local district attorneys general.

After several days of decreasing, the 7-day average of new coronavirus cases in Shelby County has increased again.

It's Monday, Aug. 10, and it's going to be hot. The area's coronavirus tripwires are in effect, our hotel pipeline just can't stay the way it is, and a soul-baring show could come with a side of charcuterie. 

Other tricks to improve connectivity and reliability include putting a rate limit on gaming consoles and paying for business-class connections.

County commissioners vote Monday on a waiver of the county's hiring and pay freeze, and nearly 100 more waivers requested by officials are waiting in the wings. Commissioners say they need a budget book with specific line items and dollar figures to know whether the waivers would put the county in the red.

Madonna Learning Center will welcome students back to school as early as Monday. Staff has prepared all summer to foster a safe environment where students learn and achievements are celebrated.