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WHAT’S GOING ON- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a pilot project studying the use of blockchain-enabled data technology to track intra- and inter-health care system medicine transfers. The multi-regional pilot advances emerging best practices for health care system data sharing and coordination, creating a connected health infrastructure leading to a more patient-centric establishment. Memphis' Good Shepherd Pharmacy and RemediChain were selected for the consortium as part of their approach to connecting donors with patients unable to afford specialty and rare disease medications.- McDonald’s across Tennessee are expecting to hire about 9,310 restaurant employees for the summer. Employees are eligible for the company’s Archways to Opportunity education program — after 90 days and 15 hours a week, they can get tuition assistance.- From useful tools to kitsch, the Tunica Roadhouse Casino public auction Saturday, May 4 at 9 a.m., might have something to grab your interest. The casino closed in January and is now getting rid of everything from a 1994 Ford F-700 diesel dump truck and three fork lifts to a “Hypnotic beverage dispenser” and plastic swords. Here’s the info.- The recently passed Nevada Assembly Bill 182 officially makes neon the state element. It makes sense as neon is what keeps Las Vegas afloat. So what about Tennessee? We don’t have an official state element, but there is the recently discovered Tennessine, a synthetic chemical element with symbol Ts and atomic number 117. In that complicated way that scientists calculate things, a Vanderbilt professor got to name the element although experts from all over the world were involved. No other state except California has an element named for it.NEWS FROM OTHER SOURCES- Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ 2020 budget proposal will include the largest investment in pre-K in county history — $6 million for pre-K and early childhood education. Read Maya Smith’s story in the Memphis Flyer here.- Germantown-based company MAA has ranked No. 1 on the National Multifamily Housing Council’s 2019 “50 Largest Apartment Owners” list. It’s the third year in a row MAA has been so designated. Read Meagan Nichols’ story in the Memphis Business Journal here.- The General Assembly has been moving to approve an online-only sports betting bill. The house approved it Wednesday and the Senate Finance Committee has moved it on to a floor vote. Read the story in Legal Sports Report here.- FedEx wants to revamp its FedEx Express world hub in Memphis and is hoping for a break on sales taxes. Read Wayne Risher’s story in the Daily Memphian here.- The city has signed a letter of intent with Loews Hotels to build a 500-room hotel near the convention center. Read Desiree Sennett’s story in The Commercial Appeal here.UPCOMINGGot an event? Send your info to Samuel X. Cicci at scicci@ insidememphisbusiness.com. - Margarita Festival: Vote on the city’s best margarita makers. Ticket ($34) includes entry to the event and 15 margarita samples, plus food, cash bar, and entertainment. Proceeds benefit Volunteer Memphis. May 11, 3-6 p.m., Fourth Bluff Park. More info here.- Wolf River Conservancy Grand Opening: The conservancy celebrates its grand opening with the unveiling of the Epping Way segment of the Wolf River Greenway. The Greenway will host the first Epping Way 5k alongside a ribbon-cutting ceremony and neighborhood festival. April 27 at 8 a.m. More information is here.THE HOT SHEETWho's getting promoted? Who's closing big deals? Who's getting awards? Inside Memphis Business magazine's Hot Sheet has the latest on milestones in Memphis.- HealthChoice named Dr. George Wortham as president and CEO. He replaces the outgoing Mitch Graves.- Memphis Fashion Week appointed Karina Benziger as chair.- inferno announced Colleen Radish (pictured) as its newest partner. She joins founders Dan O’Brien, Michael Overton, and Tim Sellers on the agency’s leadership team.- Mind Over Data, a custom systems development and integration firm, added Brian Oliver as its first COO.POWER PLAYERInside Memphis Business magazine publishes a list of local Power Players every year. These are the movers and shakers in more than 30 categories who get things done in their respective fields. IMB’s April issue has the complete list. We also publish individual categories in other issues throughout the year, and we feature individual Power Players in our weekly Tip Sheet.This week’s Power Player is Alicia Brown, principal, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. B.S., Education, U of M; Master’s, Teaching and Learning, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 25 years at SFA, previously serving as classroom teacher, director of student affairs, and assistant principal. School recently partnered with Project Lead the Way to inspire K-8 students with hands-on, transformative learning. Specialized PLUS program offers traditional campus experience to students with diagnosed learning disabilities. SFA accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a charter member of the National Catholic Education Association, and associate member of TAIS and MAIS. School recipient, Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, 2010.For the complete list of Inside Memphis Business Power Players, go here.QUOTABLE“If funding is approved, we have a chance to increase literacy, the likelihood of high school graduation, and, further down the road, employability. We have a chance to ignite a boom in community benefit.”- Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris on the $6 million he wants in his budget for pre-K and early childhood education. Read Maya Smith’s story here. *featured photo from Max Pixel