The Early Word: ‘No Kings’ in the city, but a Downtown bar may have ghosts

Bianca Phillips By , Daily Memphian
Updated: October 20, 2025 11:44 AM CT | Published: October 20, 2025 6:21 AM CT Premium

Good morning. Apologies that you’re getting this newsletter later than usual. It’s because Amazon Web Services — which supports many websites, including nytimes.com — had outages overnight. It’s coming back online, but you may have trouble logging on elsewhere today.

It’s Monday, Oct. 20, and kids and teachers across Shelby County are back in class after fall break.

For a look at what’s coming up in the days ahead, check out This Week in Memphis.

Hole-istic approach: Memphis is finally being proactive about its pothole problem

Covering for Halbert? The Shelby County Commission may have a plan to pay the rent Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert won’t pay.

TBI and Tami Sawyer: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been asked to look into an Oct. 7 incident involving General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer.

No kings (but lots of costumes): Thousands showed up to the corner of Poplar Avenue and Highland Street for a protest on Saturday.

Putting the soul in Soul Burgers: Are there ghosts at Earnestine & Hazel’s? We try to find out.

Coach Cal countdown: Our sports writers look back at Coach John Calipari’s most memorable Memphis Tigers games

Mic drop: Want to belt out the lyrics to “KPop Demon Hunters” songs without worrying what some stranger thinks? Go here.

Tigers finally fall: The Memphis Tigers football team is no longer undefeated.

Affordable housing bootcamp: Memphis has a shortage of affordable housing, but a new academy may help.

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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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