The Early Word: Churches, liquor stores and gas-powered pickup trucks

Bianca Phillips By , Daily Memphian
Updated: December 22, 2025 6:37 AM CT | Published: December 22, 2025 6:26 AM CT Premium

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Welcome to winter, Memphis. It’s Monday, Dec. 22, and the Winter Solstice was Sunday. 

If you’ve been thinking of running for Shelby County office, today is the first day to pull a petition for one of the many elected positions that will be on the May 5 primary ballot. That includes an already packed race for county mayor. 

‘Nobody was surprised’: Stanton Mayor Norman Bauer saw Ford Motor Co.’s pivot to gas trucks coming, and he’s happy about it. 

Why the 1,500 feet rule for liquor stores? The Station’s fight for a liquor license centers around its distance from a church and school. But why?

Drama at the U of M: The University of Memphis Foundation’s CEO was fired, and the rest of the board followed her out.

Second-gen Santa: You could say a career as Santa was in Kennison Kyle’s genes — or rather, in his red velvet pants. 

The Grizzly that nobody wanted: As a high school junior, Cam Spencer was practically begging college teams to give him a chance.

High steaks: If you’re looking for a fancy meal and don’t mind dropping a hundo on one plate of food, eat this.

Tigers keeping tanking: The Memphis Tigers basketball team just can’t win for losing — literally. 

Best movies of 2025: The Christmas work break is almost here. Here are some movies to watch.

Our 2025 end-of-year fundraiser is underway. We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. Give today to support The Daily Memphian’s work.

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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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