A second group of limited-service restaurant owners whose places were closed by a Health Department coronavirus directive spent a day in court seeking to reopen. As was the case with the first group that appeared in court last week, no ruling was issued.

Symposium open to public.

Despite calls from a White House task force leader for Tennessee to take stronger steps to curb the coronavirus spread, Gov. Bill Lee reiterated he doesn't plan to close down the state economy again and resisted the call for a statewide mask mandate. 

The child was 11, according to the Shelby County Health Department website, and was being treated for another condition at hospitals in Memphis. 

An attorney is looking into the deaths of three Shelby County Jail inmates who died within days of one another. 

Officials hope to process absentee voting applications the same day they arrive up to Thursday's deadline to apply. Meanwhile, in-person early voting continues through Saturday, Aug. 1, at 26 locations. Election day is Aug. 6.

On Sunday, July 26, the overall positivity rate of coronavirus tests in Shelby County reached 10%.

District officials are also looking for community partners to help parents unable to be home with their school children. 

It’s Monday, July 27, and more bar owners are expected in federal court to fight a Health Department directive keeping them closed. The Shelby County Commission meets today, with a final reading of a "ban the box" ordinance.

DeCarcerate Memphis, a task force made up of criminal justice advocates and others, formed to demand transparency and accountability of the federal Operation Relentless Pursuit initiative launched in January in the city. The initiative includes a federal task force to fight violent crime. 

Also on the agenda for Monday, July 27, is a vote on creating a county health board that commission Chairman Mark Billingsley is seeking to delay. And the commission elects a new chair for the next year as it nears the two-year mark of its current four-year term.

Memphis Police were called to Golf & Games Family Park at 5484 Summer Ave. on Saturday after youths stampeded and vandalized the business. Large crowds led to the business closing early.

Memphis Bridal Show took place in Olive Branch Sunday. Brides met with vendors about their upcoming wedding and some are planning to go the altar despite the pandemic.

United in the fight against COVID-19, but divided by social and political issues, faith may offer America its best opportunity for community and shared healing. 

A protest about police funding moved from Overton Park to the steps of the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center on Saturday. When protesters attempted to move inside 201 Poplar, they were turned away by sheriff's deputies.

The Shelby County Health Department reports 430 new coronavirus cases and one new related death in the county. Plus, regional hospitals' intensive care units see a decrease in usage.

Dr. Jeff Warren says Shelby County now has "too many people who are sick to be able to randomly test people who aren’t." 

But citing the need for districts to adhere to social distancing guidelines, the board granted 56 requests to waive duty-free lunch breaks for teachers. 

Shelby County posted the second highest county total for the state through the first six days of early voting. Davidson County, including Nashville, has the highest turnout and, at least for now, is the bluest county in terms of early voters' choices of primaries. Of the state's 95 counties, 92 show Republican majorities in their turnout.

Shelby County Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter's county health board proposal is drawing some resistance from suburban leaders who want to know more about its powers. The last county health board was abolished in 1909 and was no stranger to controversy.

On The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast, the County Commission chairman says the differences between the two don't appear to extend to the rest of the commission. Mark Billingsley also said he hopes to move to lift the county hiring budget freeze once there is a reconciliation of the budget approved by the commission last month after rejecting Mayor Lee Harris's original proposal.

New Health Department directive has a few new rules for full-service restaurants and allows a check of food versus alcohol sales.

EDGE awarded a $20,000 NEED grant to Summit Management Corp., which runs the annual Southern Heritage Classic. To date, EDGE has awarded $584,200 to 103 businesses; 83 of those (81%) are minority and women-owned businesses. 

Collierville is expected to make changes to its school reopening plan. The changes are based on recommendations from the Shelby County Health Department.