Memphis Football Game Still On for Thursday

The University of Memphis Tigers’ football season opener Thursday, Aug. 31, will go on as planned, despite possible heavy rains caused by Hurricane Harvey.

The U of M athletics department, American Athletic Conference and CBS Sports Network say the game will be played as scheduled at 8:15 p.m., per the national broadcast agreement with the AAC.

The U of M is encouraging fans to take their safety into account, and fans are advised to wear clothing that will protect them from the elements. Umbrellas are prohibited in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, including suites and stadium club seating areas, per Liberty Bowl policy.

“We have been actively monitoring the weather and the remnants of Hurricane Harvey with our television partners, Louisiana Monroe leadership, and the American Athletic Conference office,” director of athletics Tom Bowen said in a statement. “While the forecast calls for significant rainfall in the area, we will always follow safety protocols in the event of inclement weather. We encourage each fan to evaluate their individual situation and make a conscious choice to attend the game prepared for the elements.”

The U of M reminds attendees that the new Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium “clear bag policy” is in effect, and fans are encouraged to arrive at the game early.

– Don Wade

Exposure on 901 Day To Proceed as Planned Friday

Exposure on 901 Day, New Memphis Institute’s celebration of all things Memphis on the city’s unofficial holiday – 9/01 – will go on as planned Friday, Sept. 1.

Held again this year at AutoZone Park, Exposure will feature the second annual local celebrity kickball game, local entertainment and performance artists, and 150 local organizations hosting interactive opportunities for community engagement.

The American Red Cross – Mid-South is partnering with New Memphis and will be present at Exposure to guide people in how they can best help those in Houston, Texas, who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Exposure is free and runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. New Memphis is asking attendees to RSVP on the event website, exposurememphis.com, where the group also will be posting updates.

– Daily News staff

FedEx Commits $1M For Hurricane Harvey Relief

FedEx Corp. is donating $1 million in cash and transportation support that will be used to deliver medical aid and supplies to those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

The Memphis-based shipping giant announced Tuesday, Aug. 29, that it will provide the disaster relief efforts via humanitarian partnerships with the American Red Cross, Direct Relief, Heart to Heart International, Salvation Army and Team Rubicon.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the millions of people affected by this unprecedented storm,” David J. Bronczek, president and chief operating officer of FedEx Corp said in a release. “FedEx will continue to work closely with humanitarian and disaster relief organizations to provide support and deliver supplies to assist those hardest hit by the storm.”

The humanitarian partnerships are connected to the FedEx Cares “Delivering for Good” initiative, in which the company uses its shipping and logistics infrastructure to link various organizations, communities and individuals with resources in times of need.

– Patrick Lantrip

Memphis Marks International Overdose Awareness Day

As opioid painkiller abuse rises across the nation, Memphians are preparing to mark International Overdose Awareness Day Thursday, Aug. 31.

A ceremony is set for 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Martyr’s Park Downtown, followed by a lighting of the Harahan Bridge and a candlelight procession to Big River Crossing. Guest speakers include Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich and Memphis Police Department chief of special operations Michael Hardy, and names of individuals who have died as a result of addiction will be read.

The awareness event comes as Tennessee lawmakers grapple with how to best address the state’s opioid crisis. State Rep. Bryan Terry, a Murfreesboro anesthesiologist, and state Sen. Steve Dickerson, a Nashville anesthesiologist, are planning to sponsor legislation in 2018 that increases the penalties for sales, manufacturing, distribution and intent to traffic opioids.

The Legislature has been trying to quell the increase of opioid abuse for several years by enacting numerous new laws, but the number of people dying in Tennessee from opioid abuse has increased nearly every year for last two decades, with more than 6,000 people succumbing to it over the last five years.

– Daily News staff

Music & Heritage Festival Returns for 31st Year

The Center for Southern Folklore is gearing up for the 31st annual Memphis Music & Heritage Festival, which will transform two blocks of Main Street into a celebration of music, arts, dance and a variety of food.

The festival – scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – features four outdoor stages; two stages inside the Center for Southern Folklore, 119 and 123 S. Main St.; and numerous vendors on Main Street between Peabody Place and Union Avenue.

More than 100 performers, dancers, craftspeople and cooks are taking part in this year’s event.

In conjunction with the festival, Center for Southern Folklore co-founder and executive producer Judy Peiser will receive a Beale Street Brass Note on Sunday at 4 p.m. at Silky O’Sullivans, 183 Beale St. The purpose of The Beale Street Brass Note Walk of Fame is to offer a tangible embodiment of the many talented people who have put Memphis music and Beale Street on the world map.

Peiser said the festival celebrates what makes the Delta region special.

“We began in 1982 with our first festival on Mud Island,” she said. “That first festival and all those that have followed over the year reaffirms the abundance of musical talent and this region’s love of music. And whether it’s blues, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz or Latin sounds, this festival celebrates our musical roots in a special way.”

For more information about the center and the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival, visit southernfolklore.com.

– Daily News staff

SCS Board Opposes Frayser Dump Expansion

As another attempt at a construction landfill in Frayser bordering Whitney Achievement Elementary School drew vocal opposition at a community meeting Tuesday, Aug. 29, Shelby County Schools board members also came out against the Memphis Wrecking Co. project.

On an 8-0 vote, the school board approved a resolution by board member Stephanie Love that opposes the expansion of an existing landfill on Thomas Street south of Whitney Avenue.

The school and proposed dump expansion site are in Love’s district.

The resolution cites past unsuccessful attempts to expand the landfill and the expansion’s distance of “within 300 yards” of the elementary school, which is part of the state-run Achievement School District.

The school board also voted to delay the planned release of student data to charter schools ordered by state education officials after learning that Metro Nashville Schools leaders have decided their school system will not turn over the same student data to charter school operators and challenge a state law on sharing student data.

The student data is a way for the charters to recruit students from existing conventional schools.

Some school board members say they often hear from confused parents who may believe their children have been reassigned to the charters. Parents can opt out of having their child’s name and other information released to the charter organizations.

The resolution by school board chairman Chris Caldwell, which also passed on an 8-0 vote, says the school system “will resist the release of student information.” It also states Shelby County Schools will file an amicus brief supporting the Nashville schools decision if the matter should go to court.

Hopson has also resisted the sharing of student data with Memphis Lift, a group allied with charter schools and the Achievement School District, saying parents had complained about how Memphis Lift approached them with personal data about their children. Memphis Lift leaders denied any wrongdoing in approaching parents about the choices they have in where their children attend school.

Hopson said Tuesday his staff will continue to tell parents they can opt out of having their child’s information shared and “in the meantime we will not release the information.”

– Bill Dries