The Early Word: New library honors Liza, and we find the best baked taters
Want more Early Word than this? There’s more. Way more. Subscribe now to read the full story.
Mornin’, friends. It’s Thursday, Sept. 4, and Memphians can get an in-person sneak preview tonight of the new Hulu documentary on Memphis Rox climbers tackling Africa’s Mount Kenya. The series features Jarmond “Mond” Johnson, the Memphis Rox employee who was shot and killed at the gym earlier this summer. The series drops on Hulu Friday.
‘State intervention … has historically failed’: Memphis-Shelby County Schools Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond points to a previous failed state takeover to show why he thinks a new one won’t work.
Kids and drunks with guns: A recent state court ruling seemingly made it legal for a 10-year-old to carry a semiautomatic rifle to a community basketball court.
More bills for Bill: University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave is getting a big ole bonus.
Power moves: A South Korea-based manufacturing company is doubling its capacity in South Memphis.
Liza’s Library: St. Mary’s Episcopal School will cut the ribbon on its new library, named for a slain former teacher.
Taters gonna tate: Daily Memphian food writer Ellen Chamberlain went on a quest to find the best baked potato in Memphis. And she found it — in Southaven.
Look inside The Cooper: The residential portion of The Cooper mixed-use development will have some modern amenities you don’t often see in Midtown.
Arlington relishes pickleball: Pickleball players can finally stop using the tennis courts.
From Main to Broadway: Typically, musicals come to the Orpheum Theatre after leaving Broadway. Next week, that’s reversed.
If you’re already a subscriber, you shouldn’t be seeing this shortened version of The Early Word. But if you are, let us know! Shoot an email to: gthroneburg@dailymemphian.com.
Topics
The Early Word Subscriber Only2025 is almost over. Now is the time to support your trusted local news source.
Will you help us reach more Memphians with quality, in-depth local news? Make a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian, a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization, today.
Thank you for keeping up with what’s happening in Memphis. Thank you for investing in our community’s trusted local news source.
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.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.