The 901: COVID-19 recent surge causes problems, delays for in-person learning in Memphis

Good morning, Memphis, where today marks the one-year anniversary of the horrific Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Many of us watched the events unfold on live television, while some Tennesseans were there to participate.

But, first, as the new omicron COVID-19 variant dominates the active cases here in Shelby County, coronavirus once again is causing problems for in-person learning.

Just as schools in the Memphis-area were beginning to settle into that so-called “new normal,” the high rate of transmission now impacts families by exposures and illness, leading to staffing shortages and more student absences, our Laura Testino reports in her story for subscribers.

“I think people need to expect that most people will have COVID come into their homes this time around and hopefully, they won't get terribly ill, they'll just get colds, because they're vaccinated and boosted if they can be,” said Dr. Sandy Arnold, chief pediatric infectious diseases at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

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Schools delay in-person class due to COVID-19 surges

LeMonyne-Owen College and Christian Brothers University and Rhodes College all delayed in-person classes for the spring semester, Laura reports.

The delay for schools comes after the soaring number of coronavirus infections toward the end of 2021.

"We’re all in this together, and we all understand that the COVID-19 pandemic requires us to continuously modify our plans in order to safeguard the health of our employees and students," said Dave Archer, interim CBU president.

A year since Capitol riot: Where charges stand against people with Tennessee ties

On Jan. 6, 2021, many of us were glued to our TVs, watching as the riot at the U.S. Capitol unfolded.

A year later, more than 700 people from 45 states were charged with federal crimes in connection to the events — 22 of which have clear ties to Tennessee.

Our Mariah Timms tells us who the defendants linked to the Volunteer State are and where their charges stand to this day.

Warrant issued in Young Dolph killing

A first-degree murder warrant was issued for Justin Johnson, 23, in the shooting death of Memphis rapper Young Dolph,

The warrant was issued by the Memphis Police Department and has a reward of up to $15,000 being offered jointly by the U.S. Marshals Service, MPD, Crime Stoppers and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, our Katherine Burgess reports.

Wintry mix forecast to blanket Mid-South, causes school cancellations

A Winter Weather Advisory was issued for the Memphis area until 6 p.m. Thursday, our Micaela Watts reports.

The advisory comes as a cold front moved into the region overnight bringing a wintry rmix of rain, sleet and snow. The early-morning conditions were cold but largely dry.

As a result of the weather, seven public school districts in Shelby County announced they were canceling class in advance for Thursday.

Shelby County Schools, Arlington Community Schools, Bartlett City Schools, Collierville Schools, Germantown Municipal School District, Lakeland School System and Millington Municipal Schools are all closed due to snow Thursday, Laura and our Gina Butkovich report.

The 901 was written by Ray Padilla, the digital producer for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Ray_Padilla_.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The 901: How schools are dealing with COVID-19 omicron surge, delays