Author: Matthew Harris

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Robot Rise at University of Memphis

CREDIT: University of Memphis/Facebook

A new center for advanced automation and robotics will come to Memphis, due in part to a $1 million grant from the U.S Department of Labor.

The new Mid-South Advanced Automation and Robotics Center (AARC) will be run from the University of Memphis (U of M) Herff College of Engineering and function as an automation and robotics training center.

Plans for the AARC came about due to the growing number of robotics in the transportation and logistics sector in Memphis. As the tech sector has boomed, the need for a program in which Memphians can gain advanced training and practice with automated systems has skyrocketed, according to the U of M. School officials hope the AARC will fill that gap.

University of Memphis/Facebook

The new center will focus on robotics and automation.

“The AARC addresses a critical need in our workforce pipeline,” said Greater Memphis Chamber president and CEO Beverly Robertson. “The opportunity to bring an automation training solution to our city will help ensure that local residents are able to compete for future jobs in Memphis and guarantee our competitive advantage in attracting top-tier technologically driven corporations to the city.”

The area’s ties to the transportation sector have always run deep but got even deeper with two recent investments. In early 2019, FedEx Logistics announced a $43 million project to move its headquarters to Downtown Memphis. More recently, DHL announced an $85.7 million Memphis campus to give logistics service for medical devices and YETI coolers. Both companies are on hiring blitzes here in anticipation of the upcoming rush of holiday package volumes.

The AARC will be designed to ensure that training can be updated easily for potential future job sectors. The center plans to employ Amatrol Skill Boss Logistics supply chain automation training units and Yaskawa-based robot training to give trainees hands-on experience and knowledge.

Certificate-based training will be available to students of the University of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College, and other partner institutions, as well as training for veterans. In total, the AARC will service eight counties in three states while providing economic support to trainees who qualify.

“The AARC will be a significantly positive addition to not only our University but also our city,” said U of M president M. David Rudd. “It will provide vast opportunity for our students, local employers, and relevant workforce growth within Memphis. It’s a grant we are honored to accept and a mission we very much look forward to executing.”

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the trade group for manufacturing automation, has reported increases in automation for several years. But sales of automation machines have contracted in the first half of 2020.

“It’s clear that our industry is feeling the effects of COVID-19, its strain on supply chains, and the overall economic uncertainty due to our current circumstances,” said Alex Shikany, A3 vice president of Membership and Business Intelligence. “Despite the numbers reflecting these recent challenges, our latest market surveys tell us that there is optimism for what the next six months will bring.”

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New Arcade Plans to Bring Retro Feeling to Cooper-Young

CREDIT: Source: Nerd Alert Facebook

Source: Nerd Alert Facebook

A new arcade venture is set to open in Cooper-Young this weekend, bringing a vintage feel to the area. The arcade, called Nerd Alert, will house classic ’80s arcade machines, nostalgia and retro horror memorabilia, as well as oddball and gag gifts.

Nerd Alert is run by Melissa and Tyler Oswald. The couple, who in the past operated a similar venture in Morris, Illinois, called CLUTTER, relocated to Memphis earlier this year with the purpose of bringing a more nostalgic feel to the city. Since late July, the couple has been hard at work remodeling and renovating their shop.

In line with CDC guidelines, all arcade cabinets have been spaced out to adhere to social distancing policies, and masks are required for entry. They are also asking that all patrons take advantage of sanitizing stations placed throughout the shop.

Nerd Alert will celebrate their opening day on September 26th. They are located at 1061 S. Cooper Street.

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MATA Rolls Into ‘Cashless Economy’ With App, Website

CREDIT: Justin Fox Burks

Justin Fox Burks

Last week Memphis Area Transit Authority launched a redesigned website and new app aimed towards modernizing and streamlining its bus service.

The app, GO901 Mobile, is a free mobile fare app that allows passengers to purchase single fare tickets and all-day passes on their smartphones using a debit or credit card. The app also enables users to add money to and manage their account balance allowing them to buy multiple passes or tickets and store them for future use.

Once downloaded, riders will be able to hit the “use ticket” or “use pass” button to display their single-use ticket or all-day pass. They then need only to scan their pass on the scanners located in the front of MATA vehicles.  

With the launch of the app, MATA also rolled out a new version of its website. The changes included a new sleek design as well as integration for the new mobile app. The website allows users to more easily manage their account balance and ticket purchases with the new GO901 app.

“A few years ago, we began making a concerted effort to improve communications by implementing a series of actionable recommendations,” said MATA spokeswoman Nicole Lacey. “When we met with key stakeholders at that time, one of the biggest takeaways was that we needed to improve the mobile interactivity of the website. We think we have accomplished that and hope that visitors find it to be more appealing, more informative, and more engaging.”

The redesigned website and new app are the most recent changes in a long line of modernization efforts by MATA. Last December, MATA began offering wi-fi access on all of its fixed-route buses, para-transit vehicles, and rail trolley cars. The next step for MATA will be the implementation of new ticket vending machines and point of sale systems.

While MATA had plans to introduce new buying options before the outbreak of COVID-19, the pandemic heightened the need to offer cashless fare options.

“We’re seeing all across the country how the COVID-19 pandemic has caused more industries — including public transportation — to take a second look at how to operate in a cashless economy,” said MATA Chief Executive Officer Gary Rosenfeld. “With the introduction of the new GO901 mobile app, it will hopefully remove the fears associated with the virus and paper money as well as offering passengers more convenient payment options and the possibility of attracting new customers who don’t want to carry cash or go to the transit centers to purchase passes.”

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Domestic Violence Rises During Pandemic

CREDIT: Shelby County Crime Commission

Shelby County Crime Commission

The Shelby County Crime Commission announced a sharp increase in domestic violence aggravated assaults during the months of May, June, and July.

Data released by the Memphis Police department showed a 21 percent increase throughout Shelby County. May was exceptionally bad, with the month showing almost a 30 percent increase in reported domestic violence aggravated assaults.

Shelby County Crime Commission

Though not explicitly stated by the Shelby County Crime Commission, it was inferred that quarantine conditions could have led to an increase in domestic violence calls. Prior to nationwide lockdown efforts, domestic violence aggravated assaults in Shelby County had been down almost 7 percent for the year.

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COVID Puts a Damper on Memphis Animal Welfare Group’s Rescue Operations

CREDIT: Streetdog Foundation

Streetdog Foundation

For years, the Streetdog Foundation has been one of the leading groups working to ensure the welfare of animals in Memphis. The group works to identify feral and stray dogs and rehabilitate them through a system of foster homes, until they can be adopted outright.

The group, which is comprised entirely of volunteers, has faced struggles due to limitations put in place by the COVID-19 pandemic. SDF Media Coordinator Laura Lines says one of the main problems faced by the group is trying to balance the safety of volunteers with the needs of dogs in Memphis.

“We follow government and state guidelines, so we have been hesitant to call on a lot of volunteers for an event. Even though we would like to, we can’t do the big organized rescues that we used to do. Typically we have more than 10 people during those events because it takes a whole crew to get our goals accomplished. COVID has really stopped our ability to be able to save a large intake of animals due to use not being able to be in groups.”

The humane and empathetic rescue approach that the SDF uses in their rescues has been another source of their struggles during the COVID pandemic. Though they employ the use of traps, the SDF will stay nearby watching the traps on a camera or in-person to ensure the animals aren’t exposed to the elements for too long. This means that volunteers can spend hours close to one and another, potentially creating a health hazard.

“Very rarely do we get a dog where we open the door and they jump in the car. When it’s a more feral dog, a dog that has been on their own for a while, or a dog that has been mistreated by humans, they are not going to just know we are good people. A lot of the rescue is building a relationship with the dog over a couple of weeks. It may not happen on the first day we go out. It might take weeks before they know our car or they know our scent and trust us enough to come with us. Building that relationship has been hard with many of us not being able to leave our homes.”

Networking and fundraising have also been issues for SDF. The group regularly operates with about 120 volunteers. Though they do have room to board dogs that have undergone medical procedures or are being transferred elsewhere, dogs are kept with fosters. They also rely on community donations to provide services to the community. In the past, they have been able to solve these problems through community events, but as of late they have been struggling.

“The biggest impact to our organization has been not being able to hold in-person fundraising events. It’s sort of a trickle-down problem because those events are where we meet new volunteers and new fosters. It’s been hard because not only are we monetarily suffering we are also struggling to find new people who we can invite to join us in doing the volunteer work.”

Despite their setback, SDF has been working tirelessly to ensure that dogs are safely taken off the streets and given new homes. Though they have been unable to host in-person fundraising events they have plans to transition their in-person fundraising event, Howl At the Moon, into an online experience. To find out more or to help support SDF, visit their website.

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Local Coffee Shop Victim of Apparent Arson

CREDIT: Via Keedran Franklin

Via Keedran Franklin

Mobile coffee shop The Check-In was the victim of a fire late Sunday evening.

The business was started by local activist Keedran Franklin. His goal was to provide a safe meeting place for Memphians that gave back to its community. The Check-In is also owned and operated by released felons, providing economic opportunities for those often overlooked due to their criminal records.

The brick and mortar section, called Kajie’s Cup, was destroyed in the blaze along with tables, chairs, and outdoor tents. Among the damaged goods were also projectors and other tools used by community organizers for event planning and teaching. The mobile coffee shop was undamaged.

Business owners said they were told the fire was set intentionally. However, there has not yet been an official confirmation from the Memphis Fire Services Division.

Local Coffee Shop Victim of Apparent Arson

In a Facebook video, Shannon L. Bourne became emotional as she recounted the event.

“The fire department received a phone call at about 8:20 or 8:30, saying that a building was on fire off of Winchester and Millbranch. When we arrived, we found out that the building had been set on fire and that it was intentional. We’re still working, we’re still moving, we’re still operating, but this is currently what we are dealing with. It hurts my feelings to see it. They don’t want me walking all the way through here, but this is currently what it’s looking like. ”

Despite the fire damage, The Check-In will continue operating normal hours out of the truck. The owners have set up a gofundme page to help cover the cost of the damages.

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MATA to Restore Three Bus Routes Throughout Memphis

CREDIT: Justin Fox Burks

Justin Fox Burks

After discussions with the Memphis City Council, the Memphis Bus Riders Union, Citizens for Better Service, and the Boxtown Neighborhood Association, the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) announced that fixed route service will be resuming formerly retired routes.

The Route 6 Northaven, 31 Firestone, and 38 Boxtown will resume effective Monday, September 14th. The routes had been temporarily reduced in response to COVID-19. 

The resuming routes are listed below. 

Route 6: Weekday service only, frequency every 45 minutes from 5:40-9 a.m. and 3:15-6:15 p.m.

Route 31: Weekday service only, frequency every 35 minutes from 6-8 a.m. and 3:15-6:15 p.m.

Route 38: Weekday service only, frequency every 90 minutes from 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

The resumption of routes comes amid a push by MATA to implement a new on-demand micro-transit project in Boxtown, Westwood, and parts of Whitehaven in 2021. The project’s goal is to improve access to its fixed route service and combat declining ridership.

During the announcement, MATA also revealed that they would be making general service improvements. MATA plans to go into detail on the extent of the improvements via public virtual meetings occurring on September 8th and 12th.

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Christ Community Health Services Moves COVID-19 Drive-Through Testing Site

Monday, Christ Community Health Services announced that it would be moving its drive-through COVID-19 testing site to expand access to testing services.

As of Monday, August 31st, all drive-through testing is being done at 1720 RKS Commercial Cove. Testing will continue to take place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Chief nursing and quality officer Shayla Williamson says the move will allow for more testing to be done.

“The move allows us to increase our ability to test up to 500 individuals daily. We are encouraging people to pre-register to help speed the testing process,” she says. “Those wishing to be tested are asked to text: Test2020 to 91999 or call Christ Community at 901-842-3160. The Lamar site will allow for limited testing of individuals who have not pre-registered.”

Christ Church began testing in early March and has tested over 20,000 individuals with drive through testing at their Third Street and Hickory Hills locations.

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Proposed Bipartisan House Bill Cracks Down on Animal Cruelty

Rep. Steve Cohen

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn, helped introduce a bipartisan bill that would create an Animal Cruelty Crimes section within the U.S. Department of Justice.

The introduction of the bill, which has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee, comes after a successful bipartisan effort to use $1 million from the Legal Activities account to enforce animal welfare laws throughout the country.

Support for the bill was also raised after a series of cockfighting investigations in Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky exposed massive illegal enterprises involved in the global shipping of animals for fighting purposes.

“I’m proud to support the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act. Intentionally inflicting harm to defenseless animals, including through competitive dogfighting and other inhumane practices, has no place in civilized society,” said Rep. Cohen. “Enforcement of measures already on the books is critical to ending these barbaric practices, which is what this measure aims to do.”

The proposed section of the DOJ would focus on the enforcement of animal welfare acts that were introduced and strengthened under the Trump administration as well as enforcing previously enacted animal welfare criminal statutes.

The bill comes after two years of work between Congress and the president in which the legal framework relating to animal abuse was strengthened. Specifically, the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, Parity in Animal Cruelty Enforcement, and Pet and Women Safety Act were modernized and given more defined guidelines which allowed law enforcement agencies to act in more situations.

The dedicated Animal Cruelty Crimes section at the DOJ would allow for a more focused lens to be shined on animal abuse and give more resources to organizations working to fight animal abuse. The DOJ already has similar dedicated sections on other important national concerns, such as environmental protection, wildlife, and organized crime.

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Crosstown Calls for Your Memories for Third Anniversary

CREDIT: Crosstown Concourse/Facebook


Crosstown Concourse opened to much fanfare in 2017 with tours and live music events dominating the day and night. The same was true for 2018 and 2019.

But this year, thanks to COVID-19, Crosstown is calling for a more muted celebration.

With the Concourse unable to safely host a celebration, they have asked for the community to share their favorite Crosstown photos on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter with the hashtags #yourconcourse and #bettertogether for a chance to win a $50 Concourse gift card.

“Three years ago, when Concourse welcomed thousands of Memphians from all walks of life at the opening celebration, we were finally able to experience the vertical urban village dream of ‘better together’ in action,” said Todd Richardson, president of the Crosstown Redevelopment Cooperative. “If absence makes the heart grow fonder, Crosstown Concourse’s third anniversary this week has given us the opportunity to reminisce about our favorite memories and events over the last three years, and, as a result, cherish more than ever all the people and arts programming we miss so much.”

Memphians have until 5 p.m. on Friday, August 21st to make posts. Three winners will be randomly selected and announced on Concourse social media channels on Monday, August 24th.

Crosstown Concourse/Facebook

Crosstown Concourse’s opening day in 2017.