The 901: Joris Ray no longer serves as Memphis-Shelby County School’s superintendent
Good morning, Memphis, where Gov. Bill Lee is in the city to discuss more about Ford’s $5.6 billion BlueOval City project and Memphis’ future growth prospects.
But, first, Joris Ray is no longer the superintendent of Memphis-Shelby Couinty Schools as board members voted to accept a proposal he made through his counsel earlier this month, our Laura Testino reports.
The vote for the proposal ends the external investigation into allegations Ray abused power or violated policy.
As part of his termination, Ray will receive at least $480,000 in severance pay, MSCS district attorney Kenneth Walker said.
Read Laura’s story to find out more about what this vote means for Ray and MSCS.
Suburbs want a voice in potential MLGW-TVA split
The city of Germantown wants its residents to weigh in on Memphis, Light, Gas and Water’s potential split from the Tennessee Valley Authority, our Samuel Hardiman reports.
Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo sent an email noting that the Shelby County suburbs, including Germantown, don't have a vote in MLGW's decision.
"With the possibility of MLGW and the City of Memphis making decisions that will impact utility services for generations to come, one would think that it’s time to expand representation on MLGW’s board to represent all ratepayers. When making a decision this critically important, shouldn’t there be a fair, equitable and balanced representation of all MLGW ratepayers? The time is ripe to make that change," Palazzolo wrote.
Memphis City Council hires energy consultant to study MLGW-TVA split
Memphis City Council hired energy consultant Tabors Caramanis Rudkevich to review MLGW’s study of its options outside of TVA, Samuel reports.
MLGW leadership is poised to release its recommendations as to whether the city-owned utility should leave TVA on Sept. 1.
If MLGW opts to stay with TVA, Tabors Caramanis Rudkevich doesn’t have much else to do. The contract between the firm and the city says that "TCR will not perform any services regarding Phase 2 unless and until MLGW makes a formal recommendation for procurement of alternate power supply components."
Caribbean medical school helps Mid-South with doctor shortage
As a national shortage of doctors continues to hinder healthcare systems across the country, including the Mid-South, Caribbean medical schools are providing increasing numbers of residents to U.S. medical institutions, our Corinne Kennedy reports in her story for subscribers.
Seven St. George’s University students started rotations in Memphis over the summer and seven more are at other Tennessee hospitals.
About a quarter of all physicians currently practicing in the U.S. are international graduates, according to Dr. G. Richard Olds, dean of the medical school at SGU.
Read Corinne’s story to learn how SGU plans to help with the doctor shortage, and hear about one doctor’s path to medicine that led her back to Memphis.
Gov. Bill Lee to speak at Memphis minority business conference
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee will be in Memphis on Wednesday as a keynote speaker at the 2022 MMBC Continuum Economic Development Forum, our Omer Yusuf reports.
Lee is expected to discuss Ford’s $5.6 billion BlueOval City project in nearby Haywood County and Memphis’ future growth prospects, according to the MMBC Continuum.
“People this year should expect to hear about those growth strategies whether it’s growing into new industries, new geographic markets and regions, (and) really have a conversation and receive about the economic state of our region, state, our country,” said MMBC Continuum President and CEO Jozelle Booker.
Ryan Silverfield hints at RB Brandon Thomas to start season opener
Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield provided clues on his running back battle and Brandon Thomas has emerged as a favorite to start during the Tigers’ season opener against Mississippi State next Saturday, our Evan Barnes reports.
Silverfield was impressed by Thomas rushing for 421 yards through the team's first three games. A healthy spring and preseason camp also boosted Thomas' chances along with improving his ball security.
"We have the right to challenge where our running game was towards the end of the year but when Brandon Thomas is in the game, we were a little bit different," Silverfield said. "Whether it was the healthy O-line, healthy receivers blocking better, Brandon Thomas has shown that he's capable of being a starting running back so maybe that's the direction we're heading in."
The 901 is written by Ray Padilla, digital producer for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter at @Ray_Padilla_.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The 901: Joris Ray out as Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent
