The Early Word: BlueOval trucks delayed again; Ja sells out — of shoes

Bianca Phillips By , Daily Memphian
Updated: August 08, 2025 6:37 AM CT | Published: August 08, 2025 6:33 AM CT Premium

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Get ready for swarms of Elvis fans, Memphis. It’s Friday, Aug. 8, and Elvis Week starts today with a tribute artist showcase. This is your chance to see all the Elvi without their sideburns and bling. Tonight also kicks off an exclusive run of the new Jeff Buckley documentary at the Malco Ridgeway Cinema Grill. And Bar Limina becomes Bar Lumpia for a Filipino food takeover

Another delay for BlueOval: Ford Motor Co. is pushing back local production of electric trucks — again.

Ex-cop pleads guilty to murder: Former Memphis police officer Patric Ferguson pleaded guilty Thursday to killing a man in 2021.

DeSoto escapee sentenced: Joshua Zimmerman, the DeSoto County inmate who escaped custody last summer and was captured months later in Chicago, is heading to prison.

Two more inmate autopsies: For the second time this week, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reported causes of death for inmates who died earlier this year. 

Powers that be: Memphis Light, Gas and Water CEO Doug McGowen says it doesn’t have enough power for xAI.

The other shoe has dropped: Ja Morant’s new Nike Ja 3s sold out in a matter of minutes.

Irish goodbye: The recently “de-patioed” Celtic Crossing closed on Monday to start renovations. Here’s when it may reopen.

Corn dogs and cereal: Pok Cha’s Egg Rolls serves a dish that incorporates both.

Grizz Qs and As: You’ve got Memphis Grizzlies questions; we’ve got answers

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Bianca Phillips

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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