The Early Word: Chicken spot is ‘kuku’ for Memphis; JJJ news you need to toe
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What’s up, Memphis? It’s Wednesday, July 2, so Happy World Sports Journalists Day to our sports-writing team. In case you missed it, these guys just scored a home run (or a slam dunk) with a first-place award for Best Sports Writing in the 2025 Tennessee State Press Contests. Our sports writers have also won writer of the year for three years running from the from the Tennessee Sports Writers Association. Go, sports!
In the money: Elon Musk’s xAI has secured billions to further fund its expansion and operations.
Trump’s local appointees: President Donald Trump nominated a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee to lead the office once again. And he appointed a Memphis CEO to the Tennessee Valley Authority board.
Give back-sies: Memphis-Shelby County Schools is getting its money back.
BBB scorecard: See how U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty voted on President Donald Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful bill” and its many amendments.
On Memphis crime: The Memphis Police Department gave an update on the crime rate Tuesday.
Oh, toe! Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. sustained an injury that could mean he’ll miss the start of next season.
Kuku for chicken: A Philippines-founded chicken chain only has three locations in the U.S. — and they’re all in Memphis.
Sushi rolls over potatoes: A yet-to-be-announced hibachi-and-sushi restaurant is opening in a former loaded baked potato shop.
Jerome vs. Bane: How does new Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome stack up to old guard Desmond Bane? You might be surprised.
Dinos and fireworks: Fourth of July weekend is coming, and fireworks won’t be the only thing going bang.
New day at the library: It was more than a year ago when Bartlett leaders voted to break away from the Memphis Public Libraries system. Here’s how things are going.
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Bianca Phillips
Bianca Phillips is a Northeast Arkansas native and longtime Memphian who’s worked in local journalism and PR for more than 20 years. In her days as a reporter, she covered everything from local government and crime to LGBTQ issues and the arts. She’s the author of “Cookin Crunk: Eatin’ Vegan in the Dirty South,” a cookbook of vegan Southern recipes.
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