The Early Word
The Early Word: Bronze lions, a tiger and what’s next for the Grizzly bears
Houston High needs a lot of money, the Tigers get a family reunion and a long-vacant hotel is coming down.
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 954 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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April 2025
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The Early WordThe Early Word: A ‘most horrific’ neglect case and a tight spot for Grizz
A missing boy is found dead, an anti-immigrant education bill moves ahead and soul food is coming back to Ms. Girlee’s.
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The To-Do ListThe To-Do List: Porchfest, knight fights and the function of conjunctions
This week, Lucero plays a free show for Huey’s birthday, a death-row inmate performs from an Ohio prison and you can play musical chairs at Hattiloo.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Jennifer Chandler says bye, and Felicia Suzanne says hi
Six people were shot at an anti-gun violence meeting, MSCS is losing funds it needs for school repairs and xAI may be breaking the law.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: No new property tax, but hotel tax is up and Wells is out
Local measles case was a false alarm, the Hilton hotel is up for sale and we remember inventor/businessman Dan Oppenheimer.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Why Midtown is anti-Memphis 3.0; plus, a pollen primer
The flood waters have parted, pedestrian deaths are on the rise and xAI wants to go nuclear.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Campus School is full, and the Grizzlies can’t afford to slip up
A man pleads guilty in the death of a Rhodes student, a whooping cough case is confirmed and suburban trails are still underwater.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Hot Foot Honeys, drag time travel and a bad tattoo contest
This week, Martin Luther King Jr. is honored, a fashion legend is celebrated and a mid-century home transforms into a vintage pop-up shop.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Bad weather ain’t over yet, and Iisalo is just getting started
Panel floats ways to prevent another Ford Jr. situation, a Broad Avenue gift shop closes and an Overton Square bakery changes hands.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Michelin stars align, and 201 Poplar is a taxing problem
We look into the MSCS interim super’s contract; plus, a state school takeover bill moves ahead and the AAC tourney considers Memphis.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: xAI may have colossal impact, but another Grizz loss may not
FedEx lays off 200-plus near Nashville, new Frayser High breaks ground and SmokeSlam’s gone country.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Richmond plans to revamp MSCS, and a Guru goes to jail
County takes public comment over xAI’s permit, rural DeSoto residents finally have good internet and the Grizzlies keep losing.
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March 2025
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Bar birthdays, a Bartlett bayou bash and Black Violin
This week, visual art and dance are on display at the U of M, MIM brings barbecue to Collierville (in March) and Sir Meatball has a dog party.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Three firings and a Shelby Farms buffalo origin story
The city spends big on contracts, the Showboats are off to a slow start and we look at why it takes so long to open a restaurant.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Measles is here, and the Malco Drive-in can be yours
Trump could let xAI off the hook for air pollution, the state takeover bill could snare other school districts and JoJo’s has a latte more space.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Are you safe from measles? Plus, school takeover news
Young says he doesn’t want to raise taxes, police search for a Downtown shooting suspect and a Midtown outdoor bar is closed for good.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Dolly Parton owns Pancho’s; river parks may get a refresh
The animal shelter will stay closed indefinitely, the City Council wants to clean up the Wolf River Bottoms and the Grizzlies wake up from a long hibernation.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Future is uncertain for Tigers basketball, Redbirds baseball
A Memphis judge is confirmed to a higher court, the Showboats coach takes leave before the season starts and free pickleball is coming to Poplar Plaza.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: All doesn’t mean y’all for Kustoff talk; Tigers go dancing
FedEx cuts its earnings outlook, interim MSCS head talks takeover and Trump plans, and you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for this new coffee spot in Cordova.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Women spin, blossoms bloom and nerds unite
This week, punk rock changes a teen girl’s life at Circuit, Black-owned food trucks take over Tiger Lane and you’ve got one more chance to go back to Comeback Coffee.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Pinch businesses feel the pinch, and Grizzlies lose steam
Memphis doctor is indicted for fraud (again), Ginger’s Bread heads Downtown and we tell you about a takeout app that’s almost “too good” to be true.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: MSCS board unites; Orpheum goes ‘Back to the Future’
County Commission says no to grant pause, DeSoto officials say no to redistricting and California is not golden for the Grizzlies.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Tiger champs head to Dance, and a tiny bit of Tenn. is in Ark.
MAS closes for another distemper outbreak, crime victims’ safety net is unraveling and we tell you what to eat for St. Patrick’s Day.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: How to celebrate St. Pat’s Day, plus daffodils and drag
This week, the owls are not what they seem at Crosstown Arts, “Whose Line is it Anyway?” hits the road and the Orpheum reveals its next Broadway lineup.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: MSCS board may lose power; Richard Ransom notes new gig
Juice shops are making moves, local designers “Stand on Grizzness” and the Tigers get tested in today’s tournament.
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