Good Wednesday morning from Memphis! It's an exciting day: You can start reading J.K. Rowling's new posted-in-installments fairy tale "The Ickabog" and watch NASA's live feed of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket off to the International Space Station. But first...
For the first time since it's conception 98 years ago, the high school at Immaculate Conception Cathedral School won't open this fall, our Katherine Burgess reports.
The prominent school, which was started in 1922, will drop grades 9-12 ahead of the fall semester but will still offer pre-kindergarten through 8th grade classes, per Immaculate Conception's pastor, the Very Rev. Robert Marshall Jr.
If you're looking for someone or something to blame, there's plenty of it to go around.
Administrators had pinned their hopes of reversing the private school's declining enrollment on the state's school vouchers program. It wasn't a bad plan — except that a judge recently ruled the program unconstitutional because it unfairly targeted Memphis and Nashville. At the same time, the novel coronavirus was eroding the financial aid available to the school's current students from the parish. So, not only did the school miss out on an influx of new students — it also was set to lose more current students.
In his letter to parents Tuesday, Marshall ultimately laid the blame at COVID-19's feet:
"It is heartbreaking that a school that survived so much would be felled by a pandemic, but we have no doubt that the faith first planted by the Sisters of Mercy so many years ago will continue to blossom in all whose hearts were touched by their years on our campus."
Speaking of schools reopening (or not): Polls show 1 in 5 teachers say they're unlikely to go back to school this fall and that 6 in 10 parents say they'll look at at-home learning, USA TODAY reports. Also, in case you missed it, two local doctors — the city's infectious disease consultant Manoj Jain and council member Jeff Warren — recently argued that reopening schools was essential to reopening the economy.
CBU, UT plan to extended winter breaks
Like many schools, Memphis' Christian Brothers University and the University of Tennessee system plan to start classes earlier this fall and have longer winter breaks.
The goal — as our Laura Testino points out in her story about CBU's plans — is to keep travel at a minimum during the school year in hopes of avoiding a surge of COVID-19.
That means no fall break for CBU or the UT system, which includes the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis. For CBU, with the exception of a long Labor Day weekend, classes will run continuously from Aug. 18 through Nov. 18, followed by finals week. CBU and UT's next semester won't start until January.
"In August, we fully intend to return to face-to-face instruction, an abundant program of campus life opportunities, fall athletic competitions, and an enriching residential living experience, but to be clear, we must and will do so in a safe and prudent manner," CBU President Jack Shannon said in a message to campus.
"We may move some classes fully online to reduce the strain on our campus facilities, some may employ a hybrid model that reduces the number of students in a classroom at any one time," he said, "and some may be moved to larger spaces to allow everyone to remain socially distanced."
Pink Palace, Lichterman to reopen
On June 9 — two weeks from yesterday — the Pink Palace and Lichterman Nature Center in East Memphis will reopen to the public, our Micaela Watts reports.
Micaela gives us a sneak peek at the new rules visitors can expect:
When visitors return to either facility, they can expect to be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 and will undergo a temperature check for fever, the release said. Visitors will not be required to wear masks, but will be strongly encouraged to do so. ... The facilities will be sanitized three times a day, the release said, and hand sanitizer will be available at ticket counters, restrooms and throughout the facilities. Signage will be in place to remind patrons of good social distancing protocols.
For the first week of reopening for members only, the Pink Palace will be in operation 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum will be closed on Monday.
Memphis, ASU football extend series
The University of Memphis and Arkansas State University will extend their "Paint Bucket Bowl" series another four years starting in 2026, our Evan Barnes reports.
The U of M hasn't confirmed the series, but ASU athletic director Terry Mohajir clumsily spilled the beans during a recent radio interview:
Mohajir announced it last week during an interview on 95.3 The Ticket in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He initially said the series would resume in 2025, but according to A-State Nation, the Tigers are expected to host Arkansas State in 2026 and 2028 and travel to Jonesboro in 2027 and 2029.
Memphis has not confirmed the series.
What else is happening in the 901
- Shelby County Health Department officials are hoping face masks become second nature to people, like putting on a seat belt, our Katherine Burgess reports.
- Two former state attorneys general argue that Shelby County should release medically vulnerable detainees and revise rules to reflect these troublesome times.
- Our Evan Barnes walks us through what Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins is doing to prepare for the eventual return of professional sports.
- After winning just one of 21 games over two seasons as a Texas high school coach, former Memphis Express coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary says he's decided to quit and return to motivational speaking, our Chris Van Tuyl reports. Separately, Chris also gives us the Liberty Bowl's 19902 All-Decade Team.
- This isn't in The 901, but Tennessee's neighbor to the south, Mississippi, is projected to lose $1.2 billion in revenues thank to the pandemic, per The Clarion Ledger. Also, the 17-field, baseball-only Snowden Grove Park in Southaven will reopen this Friday for a youth baseball tournament, our Jason Munz reports.
- In Tipton County, a high school football team is starting to practice once again, our Khari Thompson reports. Khari looks at what that looks like and means to the team.
- Our John Beifuss walks us through five "cool things to see" at the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum in Downtown Memphis.
- The Doobie Brothers canceled their Memphis stop as they reschedule their 50th anniversary tour, our Bob Mehr reports.
- James "IMAKEMADBEATS" Dukes wrote a great meditation for the Memphis Flyer on what the "Party Like a Redneck" mugs in the Memphis visitors center mean.
The Fadeout: Carla Thomas' 'Puppet'
The "Queen of Memphis Soul," Carla Thomas, just released a new album of old songs, "The Puppet: Northern Soul Sides." Fading us out, here's the title track...
Like The Fadeout? Check out The 901's Spotify playlist
Columnist Ryan Poe writes The 901, a running commentary on all things Memphis. Reach him at poe@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @ryanpoe.
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