People behind the COVID pressure-valve facilities in Shelby County are ready to go to work if the surge overwhelms hospital capacity.

Most notably missing is student achievement and growth information, even from years when standardized testing occurred. 

The congressman from Germantown addressed the environment in Washington, D.C., ahead of the election.

It’s the second consecutive election the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office has come up with federal funding to buy the updated scanners for Shelby County.

Mayors are concerned about rising cases, with at least one, Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald, joining the call of local health officials for a statewide mask mandate. 

“The only community that is not in the red is Tate County, Mississippi,” said Shelby County Health Dept. Deputy Director David Sweat. “If you live anywhere in the Mid-South, you live in a county we determine to be at high risk of transmission.”

Following a marked rise in new coronavirus cases, COVID-19 task force briefings are back to twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Beginning this week the COVID-19 task force briefings are back to twice a week after coronavirus case numbers increased.

National public health officials have encouraged businesses and schools to improve their air systems to reduce the chances of infection through the air.

Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court late Monday by a deeply divided Senate, with Republicans overpowering Democrats to install President Donald Trump’s nominee days before the election and secure a likely conservative court majority for years to come.

Data shows transmission happening in suburbs where athletic events are frequent and masks are fewer. 

Shelby County Criminal Court was set to begin holding some trials next month, but now restarting jury trials is on hold until the health department issues COVID-19 safety protocols. 

Joris Ray’s overall score was 4.13 out of 5, showing that he “completely met expectations” during the 2019-20 school year.

Budget committee chairman Edmund Ford Jr. amended his resolution to stick with the county’s policy of keeping its financial reserves at 20% of general fund revenues. He has suggested a 15% to 20% guideline.

Applications can be made online and are due by the end of the business day at the election commission. Completed absentee ballots are due at the election commission by the time the Election Day polls close at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 and cannot be hand-delivered. 

Tri-Star Arts created the Current Art Fund as a partner in The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts’ Regional Re-granting Program.

Daja Henry, who is originally from New Orleans, will start working in Memphis Dec. 16.

District leaders speculate some students left in favor of in-person learning at charter or private schools because SCS started the year all online.

There were 256 COVID-positive patients in area hospital beds as of 5 p.m. Sunday.

Rides will be free all day on Nov. 3 for all MATA modes of transportation.

It’ll probably be a gray Monday. But we’re talking politics, a historic apartment project, and a parking structure to end all parking problems. 

Here are a few changes in how elections are conducted in Memphis, close elections and even a belated admission that a pivotal mayor’s race was rigged.

Related story: Presidential campaigns have distinctly Memphis flavor

Tennessee may not be a battleground state in the presidential general election, but the absence of the Trump or Biden national campaigns in Memphis leaves a race for president on uniquely local terms.

Related story: A local history of tumult and change at the polls

The commission will vote Oct. 26 on setting new parameters for the spring budget season. And the county’s CFO says it could be dangerous to lower the percentage of reserves on hand.