The Shelby County Health Department reported 893 new COVID-19 cases and nine more coronavirus-related deaths in its daily update Tuesday, Dec. 15.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services child care assistance program for workers deemed “essential” during the pandemic expires Dec. 31. The state has no plans to renew the program.

Tuesday’s case numbers yielded a 10.6% positivity rate. 

A new training program for local med students, when people here will get the vaccine, and how you can get the most from your food pantry items. 

Dr. Robert Redfield was part of a hour-long Zoom yesterday with Dr. Scott Strome, executive dean of the UTHSC College of Medicine. 

The council also talks about limits on mufflers, a cleanup of the city’s code of ordinances and could take a final vote on a sidewalk change that would require a sidewalk inspection as part of the closing process in real estate sales.

Tennessee cast its 11 electoral votes Monday, Dec. 14, for President Donald Trump, 

The University of Memphis unveiled plans Monday, Dec. 14, for a plaque honoring Miriam DeCosta Sugarmon Willis, the school’s first African American faculty member. 

FedEx reported at mid-day Monday, Dec. 14, it had delivered COVID-19 vaccines to more than 100 destinations without incident and ahead of schedule.

Baptist Memorial Health Care’s flagship Baptist-Memphis hospital on Walnut Grove Road will get the vaccine on Thursday, Dec. 17.

The day’s numbers were the highest new coronavirus case totals since the beginning of the pandemic. There are five new related deaths.

We’ve lost a local civil rights leader, tacos take their place in Cooper-Young, and the Tigers get a brand new Bowl. 

The Salvation Army is working hard to fulfill its holiday season mission as the pandemic impacts giving, but other charitable organizations are doing well.

As parents of students attending Shelby County Schools grapple with how to handle in-person learning once it resumes, larger school districts elsewhere in Tennessee are making plans as well. Related article: Lopsided teacher/student ratio fuel differing decisions

The first COVID-19 vaccines for U.S. use arrived at FedEx’s Memphis hub about 11:30 a.m. Sunday. By 4 p.m., vaccine shipments had started moving to final destinations. Related article: FedEx flying high into latest earnings report

Former NBA players and a host of volunteers helped give out food and protective items to community members. The players are traveling the country to help those in need and continuing to fight for social justice.

Rev. James Netters, city, faith and civil rights leader, died Sunday. He was 93 years old.

The Health Department also reported seven new deaths, and 738 people have died from coronavirus in Shelby County. An estimated 49,873 people have recovered and 4,318 cases in the county are active.

Faith leaders say this holiday season is less about the quest for a perfect Christmas or the best Hanukkah ever, and more about connecting with people as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact, and take, lives. 

Parents have made decisions about their children’s education for the new year, but a lot of the logistics are still up in the air. Related article: Tennessee school districts share staffing concerns

The meeting, held at T.O. Fuller State Park, was led by community organizers, neighborhood associations and 38109 ZIP code residents not satisfied with responses to their concerns by those leading the Byhalia Connection project.

Last week’s budget retreat by the Shelby County Commission included word of a $27.5 million deficit and calls for the county to come up with a way to replenish its reserves and avoid short-term borrowing.

From Nov. 28 to Saturday, Dec. 12, the Health Department reported an average of 501 coronavirus cases and 4,493 test results a day with a 11.2% positivity rate.

The 930 coronavirus cases came from 8,187 test results, yielding a 11.4% positivity rate. Five new COVID-related deaths were also reported, bringing the total to 731.

“This is among the most important work in the history of our company, and we’re honored to be a part of the effort to help end this pandemic,” FedEx president and chief operating officer Raj Subramaniam said in a release.