Skip to content
Toy Truck Drive
Advertise with Us
Bluff City Life
Contests
Chick-fil-A Community Champions
Mid-South Heroes
Wendy's Giant of the Week
  • Tyre Nichols
  • Watch Live
  • Latest Video
  • News
  • First Alert Weather
  • Sports
  • Great Health Divide
  • Traffic
  • Share Your Pics
  • Digital Desk
  • Home
    • Watch Live
    • Share Your Pics
    • Recent Video
    • Download Our Apps
  • News
    • State
    • National
    • Education
    • Digital Desk
    • Back to School
    • Good News
    • Political News
    • Consumer
    • Crime
  • First Alert Weather
    • School Day Forecast
    • Hurricane
    • The Breakdown
    • Weather Headlines
    • Closings
  • Special Reports
    • Investigations
    • 5 Star Stories
  • Health
    • Coronavirus
    • Vaccine
    • Best Life
    • Bridging the Great Health Divide
  • Community
    • Black History Month
    • Mid-South Heroes
  • Sports
    • Grizzlies
    • College Football
    • College Basketball
    • Friday Football Fever
  • Olympics
  • Traffic
    • Gas Prices
  • Programming
    • Schedule
    • Bluff City Life
    • Digital Desk
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
    • Advertise With Us
    • Careers
    • Editorial Board
  • Contests
  • Latest Newscasts
  • PowerNation
  • Investigate TV
  • Gray DC Bureau
  • Press Releases
Closings and Delays

Health

  • Coronavirus
  • Vaccine
  • Best Life
  • Bridging the Great Health Divide

News

MLGW: Emergency warming center opens in Pinch District

Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 4:40 PM CST
|
By Lydian Kennin
An emergency warming center will open at 8 p.m. Monday in the Pinch District and will remain open until 8 a.m. Thursday, Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) and the City of Memphis announced.

Coronavirus

COVID-19 is commonly known as coronavirus

Weekly Report: Arkansas Dept. of Health monitoring COVID-19

Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 10:08 AM CST
|
By Region 8 Newsdesk
The Arkansas Department of Health is monitoring the spread of COVID-19 weekly.

News

Congressman Steve Cohen

Congressman Cohen announces over $500k grant to UTHSC for research on Angelman Syndrome

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 3:44 PM CST
|
By Action News 5 Staff
On Wednesday, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced a $512,103 grant to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) to study the role of sensory receptors in Angelman Syndrome, a rare neurological disease affecting balance, motor impairment and seizures.

Health

The annual Mid-South Mission of Mercy is returning to Bellevue Baptist to host its free,...

Local nonprofit to provide free dental care to those in need during 2-day event

Updated: Jan. 19, 2023 at 4:47 PM CST
|
By Action News 5 Staff
The annual Mid-South Mission of Mercy is returning to Bellevue Baptist to host its free, two-day dental clinic for underserved and underinsured people living in Memphis and the surrounding Mid-South area.

Health

Participants of St. Francis blood drive to be entered in drawing for Super Bowl tickets

Updated: Jan. 17, 2023 at 9:22 PM CST
|
By Action News 5 Staff
Saint Francis Hospital will be hosting a blood drive on Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m in which all participants will be entered in a drawing for two tickets to the 2023 Super Bowl game.

News

Warming center to open at 10 p.m. for those seeking shelter from cold

Updated: Jan. 13, 2023 at 5:09 PM CST
|
By Lydian Kennin
The City of Memphis has announced that it is opening a warming center Friday night for those seeking shelter from the cold.

Health

Shelby County physicians urge agreement between BCBST, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare as negotiations continue

Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 at 11:02 PM CST
|
By Bria Bolden
There’s still no deal between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST) and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare on rates the insurance giant will pay and what the local health care provider will charge.

Top Story

14th child under age 18 dies of Coronavirus, MSDH says

Updated: Jan. 11, 2023 at 2:07 PM CST
|
By WLBT.com Staff
“Vaccination not only protects you, but it also protects those around you who may not be eligible for vaccination or who may be at higher risk for complications due to age or underlying health problems.”

Best Life

Best Life: Debunking the worst exercise myths

Updated: Jan. 9, 2023 at 7:22 AM CST
|
By Ivanhoe Newswire
A recent study found more than 110,000 deaths could be prevented per year in the US if adults over age 40 spent an additional 10 minutes a day engaged in physical activity.

Coronavirus

Tunica, Lafayette counties under high risk for COVID exposure

Updated: Jan. 6, 2023 at 2:56 PM CST
|
By Jacob Gallant
With a high risk of transmission, the Mississippi Department of Health recommends wearing a mask.
Current Temperatures
Current Temperatures

Health

New emergency center in Arlington seeks to save lives

Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 7:37 PM CST
|
By Sydney Hawkins and Action News 5 Staff
Starting next Monday, a new emergency center in Arlington help will cut down on the long drive some West Tennesseans have to take for emergency care.

News

Infant receives life-altering surgery as negotiations continue between MLH and BCBST

Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 7:17 PM CST
|
By Parker King
After a back-and-forth between Blue Cross Blue Shield and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, a seven-month-old received life-altering surgery Thursday.

News

Surgery approved for 7-month-old after being originally denied due to insurance questions

Updated: Jan. 4, 2023 at 6:53 PM CST
|
By Parker King
A 7-month-old Memphian will now have a chance to save his hearing, after being approved for a surgery that was originally put on hold by Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

News

BCBST customers no longer covered at Methodist Le Bonheur Health facilities; contract negotiations gone sour

Updated: Jan. 2, 2023 at 6:12 PM CST
|
By Parker King
The New Year brings new beginnings for many, but for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST) customers it’s the beginning of not being covered under the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (MLH) network.

News

Another SCHD clinic closes due to water issues

Updated: Dec. 27, 2022 at 2:59 PM CST
|
By Lydian Kennin
Another Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) clinic is closed due to water pressure issues.

News

Churches in Memphis prepare to open doors during cold weather

Updated: Dec. 21, 2022 at 6:54 PM CST
|
By Stephanie Douglas
With dangerously cold temperatures pushing into parts of the Mid-South, The Room in the Inn is stepping up in preparation ahead of this Christmas cold freeze.

Health

First medical marijuana harvest is underway in North Miss.

Updated: Dec. 21, 2022 at 6:28 PM CST
|
By Parker King
The first crop of medical cannabis is being harvested in Mississippi after the state’s Medical Cannabis Act was passed during the latest general assembly.

Health

Procedure at Regional One helps with effects of tremors in Parkinson’s patients

Updated: Dec. 15, 2022 at 7:09 PM CST
|
By Taylor Tucker
Nearly 90,000 people in the U.S are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease each year, and though there is no cure, treatment can bring patients some relief.

Cold and Flu

Local health experts concerned about flu medication shortage

Updated: Dec. 14, 2022 at 10:27 PM CST
|
By Stephanie Douglas
As Tennessee hospitals see a surge in RSV, COVID and flu cases, Baptist Medical Group says it’s leaving their pharmacies’ shelves limited on cold and flu medication.

Coronavirus

Shelby Co. sees increase in COVID-19 cases amid holiday season

Updated: Dec. 14, 2022 at 9:18 PM CST
|
By Sydney Gray
In the midst of an already busy cold and flu season, local health experts have renewed concerns over COVID-19 as cases rise.

Health

Health and community leaders gather to discuss ways to end HIV/AIDS epidemic

Updated: Dec. 12, 2022 at 10:27 PM CST
|
By Joyce Peterson and Lydian Kennin
Monday night in Memphis, doctors, advocates, and activists came together to talk about how to end the AIDS epidemic in a community with one of the highest HIV transmission rates in the country.

Cold and Flu

Mid-South ranks among top areas for flu activity

Updated: Dec. 8, 2022 at 6:47 PM CST
|
By Stephanie Douglas
As we head into the holidays, the Mid-South ranks among the top areas for flu activity.

News

Methodist Le Bonheur says gender-affirming procedures were paused

Updated: Dec. 2, 2022 at 7:21 PM CST
|
By Jacob Gallant
The ACLU demanded that Methodist Le Bonheur reschedule the surgeries no later than December 31.

Best Life

Best Life: Should you repair or replace? 3 factors to consider

Updated: Dec. 2, 2022 at 6:32 AM CST
|
By Ivanhoe Newswire
Companies like Keurig and Moen are well known to replace defective items without arguing.

News

Medical marijuana is growing in multiple Mississippi facilities and products could be available by start of 2023

Updated: Nov. 30, 2022 at 6:39 PM CST
|
By Courtney Ann Jackson
There are a lot of puzzle pieces that need to fit together for the medical marijuana industry to be fully up and running and most of those are now in place.

Money

Congressman Cohen announces $11.4M grant to the Shelby Co. Health Department amid flu spike

Updated: Nov. 29, 2022 at 2:50 PM CST
|
By Action News 5 Staff
Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee’s 9th District announced on Tuesday morning that the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) will receive $11,452,467 in grant money.

Best Life

Best Life: Savvy Shoppers: The Secret Sauce to Saving Money

Updated: Nov. 29, 2022 at 6:28 AM CST
|
By Ivanhoe Newswire
Grocery stores have a secret sauce they use to get you to spend more money when you planned to spend less.

Best Life

Best Life: Diabetes Awareness Month: Know the Truth About T2D

Updated: Nov. 28, 2022 at 6:59 AM CST
|
By Ivanhoe Newswire
Knowing the signs and the facts about diabetes could end up saving your life.

Health

Carbon monoxide leak could take days to fix at Midtown apartments

Updated: Nov. 23, 2022 at 8:16 PM CST
|
By Walter Murphy and Sydney Gray
Hundreds of tenants were evacuated Tuesday night following a carbon monoxide leak at The Venue apartments in Midtown. Officials say fixing the leak could take days, displacing hundreds right before Thanksgiving.

Good News

‘Baby Café’ debuts in Memphis, providing assistance to families with infants

Updated: Nov. 22, 2022 at 6:41 PM CST
|
By Lydian Kennin
The Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) has debuted a “Baby Café” on Tuesday, which will provide families in need with resources to support their growing infants.

Vaccine

Tenn. attorney general joins 21 other states looking to get rid of COVID vaccine mandate for healthcare workers

Updated: Nov. 17, 2022 at 10:16 PM CST
|
By Bria Bolden
One year after it was originally filed, Tennessee is joining a petition with 21 other state attorneys general wanting strike down a COVID-19 vaccine mandate at health care facilities.

Health

New Crossroads Treatment Center debuts in Memphis to combat opioid addiction

Updated: Nov. 15, 2022 at 4:57 PM CST
|
By Taylor Tucker
A new Crossroads Treatment Center has opened up in Memphis to help more people fight opioid addiction.

Diabetes

Mid-South health care provider aims to improve lives of diabetes patients in West Memphis

Updated: Nov. 13, 2022 at 6:01 PM CST
|
By Sydney Gray
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and one Mid-South health care provider is working to educate people in West Memphis about the disease.

News

North Miss. dispensaries prepare to stock their shelves with medical cannabis

Updated: Nov. 9, 2022 at 8:18 PM CST
|
By Parker King
North Mississippi medical marijuana dispensaries are getting their doors ready to open to patients.

News

Free flu shots available at 7 clinics across Shelby County

Updated: Nov. 9, 2022 at 6:36 AM CST
|
By Sydney Hawkins
Flu shots from the Shelby County Health Department will begin being administered Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cold and Flu

Shelby County Health Department offering free flu vaccines amid high rate of emergency room visits

Updated: Nov. 7, 2022 at 8:03 PM CST
|
By Lydian Kennin
The Shelby County Health Department is offering free flu vaccinations at no charge during a special statewide “FightFluTN 2022″ vaccination event on Wednesday, Nov. 9.

Elections

Two West Tenn. DAs urge Arkansas voters to approve recreational marijuana

Updated: Nov. 7, 2022 at 7:38 PM CST
|
By Sydney Gray
Shelby County leaders are pleading for Arkansas residents to approve recreational marijuana in the state.

Alternative Medicine

Arkansans divided on legalizing recreational marijuana ahead of Election Day

Updated: Nov. 1, 2022 at 7:51 PM CDT
|
By Sydney Gray
Dispensary owners say legalizing recreational marijuana would be a step in the right direction for Arkansas, but state transportation leaders disagree.

National

Private Practice: Confidential drug and alcohol programs for physicians keep patients in the dark

Updated: Oct. 31, 2022 at 2:29 PM CDT
|
By Joce Sterman, Daniela Molina and Bailey Williams
Physician health programs across the country are designed as a confidential treatment option for doctors battling addiction. But patient advocates argue they put doctor reputations ahead of a patient's right to know.

Digital Desk

Study finds more than a quarter of second-career nurses are over 40

Updated: Oct. 31, 2022 at 12:34 PM CDT
|
By Amanda Hanson
Action News 5′s Andrew Douglas spoke Audrey Mills and Cary Hamilton at the digital desk to about how they decided to transition to a second career in nursing at St. Francis Bartlett.

Health

Your guide to dropoff locations for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Updated: Oct. 27, 2022 at 2:59 PM CDT
|
By Action News 5 Staff
The Drug Enforcement Administration will host its 23rd National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, offering the anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local dropoff locations nationwide.

News

Shelby County Health Department offers booster shots for young children

Updated: Oct. 25, 2022 at 12:12 PM CDT
|
By Sydney Hawkins
Nearly 25% of children ages 5-11 in Shelby County have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Shelby County Health Department is now offering booster shots to that age group.

Health

Shelby County leaders raise awareness for mental health, addiction resources

Updated: Oct. 24, 2022 at 6:39 AM CDT
|
By Sydney Hawkins
City leaders across Shelby County are set to meet in just a few hours to discuss a vital part of health care -- mental health.

Community

Mid-Southerners ‘Step Up’ for annual Down syndrome fundraiser event

Updated: Oct. 23, 2022 at 11:08 PM CDT
|
By Walter Murphy
The Down Syndrome Association of Memphis and the Mid-South (DSA Memphis) held their annual Step Up For Down Syndrome fundraiser event on Sunday.

Digital Desk

Doctor shares tips for diabetes management

Updated: Oct. 21, 2022 at 12:20 PM CDT
|
By Amanda Hanson
In honor of National Diabetes Month, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) is encouraging people to develop a diabetes self-care plan.

State

Gov. Lee: Tennessee will not add COVID-19 to list of recommended vaccines for school

Updated: Oct. 21, 2022 at 7:34 AM CDT
|
By Chuck Morris
Tennessee students will not see the COVID-19 vaccine on the recommended list for school.

Best Life

Best Life: Colorful diet saves eyes and brains

Updated: Oct. 19, 2022 at 7:13 AM CDT
|
By Andrew Douglas
A new study reveals that certain colorful foods can make those longer lives healthier.

Vaccine

Shelby County Health Department offers bivalent COVID-19 boosters for children ages 5-11

Updated: Oct. 17, 2022 at 11:36 AM CDT
|
By Shyra Sherfield
SCHD says the booster can only be given to children who have completed the initial two-dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago.

News

Memphis honors lost lives on National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Updated: Oct. 14, 2022 at 7:31 PM CDT
|
By Taylor Tucker
Every year, about 90,000 infants die before the age of one.

Health

LeBonheur Children’s Hospital warn parents of RSV cases on the rise

Updated: Oct. 14, 2022 at 6:59 PM CDT
|
By Stephanie Douglas
It’s an illness a Memphis mother I spoke to says that her newborn baby is fighting to overcome.
Watch Live
News
Special Reports
First Alert Weather
Sports
Community
About Us
Schedule
  • Action News 5
  • 1960 Union Avenue
  • Memphis, TN 38104
  • (901) 726-0555
Public Inspection File
PUBLICFILE@WMCTV.COM - (901) 726-0501
EEO Report
Closed Captioning/Audio Description
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Advertising
A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - © 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc.