More than 70% of 266 pretrial detainees and jail employees tested for COVID-19 at 201 Poplar late last week were positive, according to numbers provided by Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Alisa Haushalter Wednesday, April 29.

The Tennessee Coalition for Open Government joined news organizations and journalists in filing an open meetings lawsuit Wednesday, April 29, against the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance in connection with a settlement for state Rep. Joe Towns of Memphis.

Memphis company has been supplying critical atmospheric gases to coronavirus field hospitals in Georgia, Florida and other parts of Tennessee.

The spike in weekend cases is part of a discussion from the health department about whether the case increase meant the end of plateau in declining cases from the preceding 10 days or whether it was an anomaly given the targeted testing efforts.

One lawsuit over education savings accounts, or vouchers, pits the state against Metro Nashville and Shelby County governments, as well as Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. Another was filed on behalf of parents in Memphis and Nashville.

The restaurant owner isn’t sure exactly what could be done for employees such as hers who’ve stayed on the job. But she suggests a tax break at year’s end or some kind of stimulus for people who keep putting food on people’s plates.

The announcement came about a week after the state released graduation ceremony guidelines. School systems nationwide have grappled with how to honor their graduating students while still adhering to public health guidelines to stem the spread of the coronavirus. 

Money received from the federal government must be spent on coronavirus expenses and will be shared with the surburban cities as needed. 

”While many Tennesseans start the process of returning to work, every business in Tennessee has the responsibility to create a safe workplace,” Gov. Bill Lee said.

Healthcare providers who treat the uninsured will be able to file claims with the federal government and be reimbursed for services on or after Feb. 4, according to the governor.

Rolling out businesses again gradually is important so health and government officials can monitor the impact of openings in case adjustments need to be made, officials say. 

The rate of positive coronavirus tests in 38118 is between 13.1% to 19%. That’s the highest of any ZIP code in Shelby County, according to data from the Shelby County Health Department.

It's Wednesday, April 29, and today, we're all about businesses reopening, with who and how. Just maybe not when. Also up: Justin Timberlake eats ghost-peppered hot wings while talking about Memphis and his music. 

Even though the stores are closed, Buff City Soap is finding new ways to connect with customers and provide hygiene during the pandemic.

Elected leaders in Shelby County's cities were moving toward a May 1 reopening of the economy until a surge in positive COVID-19 cases last weekend, and that now has leaders debating what the numbers mean and exactly when reopening will occur.

A Step Ahead Foundation is already preparing its office for when employees return. A construction crew this week is installing clear-plastic barriers between open desks, and that material is in high demand.

Ask your doctor if the test you’re taking is specific to COVID-19 and have him or her review with you its limitations, particularly if the test is not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

With the COVID-19 pandemic expected to linger, Senate Democrats are asking the governor and Secretary of State's Office to come up with a plan to protect voters from getting sick at the ballot box.

Assembled by Church Health Center's Dr. G. Scott Morris, leaders of several large local faith communities, across various religions, drafted a single statement in response to COVID-19 and the reopening of Shelby County.

The money is to help businesses and communities get back on their feet from the economic blow that has accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic. But the city is still searching for new federal funding proposals that could be used to make up for more than $100 million in revenue losses the city is expected to take in the economic shutdown.

Period supplies will be available for free Saturday until supplies run out.

Gov. Bill Lee offers $20,000 reward for information on who killed three children in Memphis in drive-by shootings earlier this year. 

The past month has meant navigating a matrix of official restrictions and individual decisions, and so will the many months — maybe years — to come. 

Regional One Health has cut pay by 10% for all salaried workers, including executives and the doctors and nurses caring for COVID-19 patients, as it tries to navigate a financial crisis without furloughs.

While cases dropped sharply Tuesday, Shelby County also reported its second lowest testing daily total in the past 10 days.