The Early Word
The Early Word: Maybe we don’t need a new 201, and locals celebrate the 901
Most of the MATA board quits, charges are upgraded in pastor Ricky Floyd’s death and we dish on the morning life hacks of prominent Memphians.
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.
There are 1064 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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September 2025
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The Early Word
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August 2025
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The To-Do List Shinedown comes home, opera is everyday and Project Pat is on Beale
This week, the sun sets on the Sunset Skate series, the Delta Fair brings thrills (and a lot more) and Slider Inn goes “Back to the Future.”
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Why Judge Norris recused himself; Bartlett grocery clues
U of M students protest anti-DEI moves, Carrefour is finally coming down and Filipino food is popping up on South Main.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: County director goes back to jail; Bartlett’s picky on grocers
FedEx lays off hundreds, the city spills the tea on the MATA CEO search and Lakeland Cracker Barrel fans rejoice.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Very Visible sale and a call to investigate MPD’s crime stats
MSCS started the year without enough teachers, students protest xAI’s offer to fix schools and the Grindfather gets his flowers.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Another Smith for FedEx board, more booze in Collierville
MSCS has offers for Elvis’ alma mater, county commissioners aren’t locked in on a new jail and a former Tiger is suspended for fighting.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Mayor claps back at sheriff, and Govan is not guilty
Trump calls into a Memphis radio station, TacoNGanas is everywhere and new Ja 3s dropped Thursday — but good luck finding them in your size.
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The To-Do List Darius Rucker’s at the Garden, and there’s a horror circus at the mall
On The To-Do List this week: The Ostrander’s show must go on, Kelly English serves an art-inspired menu and the Stax Music Academy opens the fall Shell series with a summer-themed show.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Royal name for new ‘Old Bridge’ and a very giving golfer
MLGW has control issues, zoo elephants are finally getting room to roam and there’s more soul in Soulsville.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Burger joint is evicted, and an emoji shows up in Dolph trial
City Council has a plan to speed up the blight fight, BlueOval experiences another delay and Hardaway could bring on a late addition with a cool name.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Grizzly negotiations and another trial over Dolph’s death
Another Smith could join the FedEx board, a former Tiger may make Magic and Slider Inn offers brunch in a glass.
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The To-Do List The Orpheum is alive with the ‘Sound of Music,’ and Labubus hit the runway
On The To-Do List this week are the Memphis Chicken and Beer Fest and an Unapologetic anniversary. Plus, Like Really Creative is doing, like, a lot this week.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Mass shooter’s massive sentence, MSCS’ big job ahead
Germantown sexual-solicitation case heads to a grand jury, microbreweries may finally be allowed in Collierville and JJJ gets into crypto.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Firm looks for MSCS fraud, and ICE will use nearby prison
FedEx exec leaves with big bucks, two Downtown hotels are merging and a man breaks the Oreo record at Jack Brown’s.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Much love for Fred Smith but not much luck for Feagins
School-board shake-up is delayed, the zoo’s male lion dies and Magnolia & May’s owners are up to monkey business.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: FESJC par-tee’s over; plus, why Elvis is buried at Graceland
MATA doesn’t have the money for a trolley return, Bar Hustle’s pizza has a secret and Shadyac has a new gig.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: BlueOval trucks delayed again; Ja sells out — of shoes
Celtic Crossing is temporarily closed, Swedish cowboys were spotted at FESJC and we tell you where to find corn dogs coated in cereal.
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The To-Do ListBook fair and recess for adults, speed dating for artists and a luau for dogs
This week, Elvis Week begins and a Jeff Buckley documentary screens.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Last call for Liquor Store, but Germantown gets tequila
Feagins’ attorney demands retraction from The Daily Memphian, the jail and courts could move to New Chicago and FESJC tees off.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Librarians want to unionize; golf sends a caddie to college
The city will soon own a Downtown hotel, a former Tiger is fighting for his life and a new cafe offers Juiced What You Needed.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: What you spent on city’s Bass Pro retreat; R.I.P., Doom
More xAI could mean more pollution, Memphis’ golf history is set in stone and the Tigers don’t crack the Top 25.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Poplar viaduct history lesson and your guide to par-tee time
Musselwhite gushes over xAI, some inmates will get out of jail free and Bartlett isn’t losing its Mojo.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Teacher shortage and a settled dispute in the Nichols suit
A cold front has arrived, a fancy wine bar opens Downtown and there’s vegan sorcery afoot at Guac Fresh Mex.
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July 2025
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The To-Do List Unleash your inner Sandra Dee, jam to Jerry Garcia tunes, party with Skinny
This week, support kidpreneurs in Germantown, learn to homestead in Millington and get broken stuff fixed at the Central Library.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Ole Miss death a mystery; MSCS schools get sorted
Germantown tries to help Houston High, Tom Lee’s house may see new life and runners cover 465 miles for St. Jude.
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