Spread across 29 hospitals in 28 Tennessee counties, the grants help smaller hospitals bridge funding gaps created by reduced patient volumes while federal funds become available.

As our new normal emerges, we must remember that SCS students are children first, and admonitions of “social distancing” go against the very notion of being a child. Students need authentic opportunities to interact with one another, be seen, and be heard and we commit to making that happen.

Dr. Alisa Haushalter and Dr. Bruce Randolph of the Shelby County Health Department say it's important to wear face coverings and maintain proper distance when interacting with people not from the same household.

SCS announced yesterday it is looking at a hybrid model for schools in the fall, and we're talking about making masks mandatory for Shelby County. Plus, a few Tigers are going toe-to-toe and we're looking on the bright side with an ophthalmologist. 

You see it all the time when you're out shopping — people breaking the new norms around COVID-19. So what's to be done about it? Nothing at all. 

Up for discussion Tuesday is a move to get a proposal from a specific TVA competitor and a legal opinion that could put off an electric rate hike scheduled to take effect July 1.

The latest edition of our tracking of Memphis City Council votes includes May council moves on an ordinance that would require masks for face covering to be worn in public and some larger issues that showed up in votes on Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division bond issue votes.

Grappling with finances in the pandemic era, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says the entire budget is up for review, including funds tied to the Education Savings Account, though he favors keeping the program intact as the Legislature gets ready to convene June 1.

The commission calculated cuts and additions to the $1.4 billion budget, which must be approved by June 30.

The resolution urges Health Department officials to require Shelby County residents and visitors to wear masks when out and about.

Superintendent Joris Ray said a plan to return to school could be a mix of in-person and online instruction. It’s still not clear when the 2020-21 school year will start, but Ray said he expects to present a school re-entry plan in early July.

A rundown of what's included in Phase 2 of the new Shelby County Health Department directive.

The $26 million in red ink is mostly from drops in sales tax revenue because of the closing of "nonessential" businesses in the pandemic. The plan for the current fiscal year, including more use of the city's reserves, was presented to city council members Monday with a vote possible at Tuesday's council session.

The reset court cases apply to defendants who are currently not in custody.

“While this is an annual event we look forward to every summer, we must continue to keep public health at the forefront,” Mayor Mike Palazzolo said in the release.

Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis, Arkansas , which closed due to coronavirus on March 17, reopened Monday, May 18.

The dinner, originally scheduled to take place April 20, will be replaced with a virtual event that will take place at a date to be determined.

At least three prisons in West Tennessee and the Shelby County jail top the list of correctional facilities with inmates and detainees who have tested positive for the coronavirus. 

The Shelby County Commission approves the creation of a Northaven rubbish district and a contract with a trash hauler.

Decisions about payment and future tests are among scores of questions and adjustments that all states are dealing with after the pandemic shuttered schools nationwide before testing season got underway.

Shelby County saw 42 new cases of coronavirus from only 688 tests reported Monday. The county's positivity rate overall is 7.2%.

Should classes resume in school buildings, officials are considering the logistics necessary for social distancing, such as staggered school days where certain grades would go on certain days, splitting classes into half-day sessions and running more bus routes. 

The second phase of reopening the Memphis area economy began Monday, May 18. It will go for 21 days before a much more ambitious third and final phase of the reopening plan.

Shelby County Schools superintendent Joris Ray outlines the district’s long-term strategy for reopening schools.

New Memphis music focuses on love after loss and John Malmo weighs in on the power play between MLGW, TVA and others. Plus, with summer almost upon us, what are we going to do about pools?