The Early Word
The Early Word: Rittenhouse in an empty house; Tigers in the Dainja zone
New coalition protests a possible state school takeover, Germantown gets a first look at First Watch and we say sew long to a chain craft store.
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 942 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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February 2025
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The Early WordThe Early Word: A family is reunited after 30+ years, and 12 comes in clutch
A mom sues Shelby County over her son’s jail death, the Chelsea Greenline is finally moving along and Japan comes to Germantown.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Artist pay fight plays out in court, and a new judge is named
A fired federal worker is back on the job, the next sheriff may get a pay raise and there’s a new way to have a cozy afternoon in Germantown.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Bill proposes newer New Bridge; Lucchesi’s pasta is back
The ethics complaint against Memphis’ fire chief is dismissed, a police reform task force is named and Arlington parents get calls from AI Dolly Parton.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Wrong kind of steals for Ja and a new day for Dory
Ex-cop in Nichols case is arrested, the school takeover bill comes together and Tops is up in smoke — again.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Mardi Gras, griots, pirates and the faces of David Bowie
This week, clothing and pottery pop up next to Hard Times Deli, a new sculpture celebrates caregivers and the Dixon’s director talks about cat paintings.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Roads have improved, and a late war hero gets a new home
XAI may build a solar farm, Memphis police officers are at fault for most of their crashes and Ja Morant is here to stay.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Feagins wants phone receipts; Musk explains why Memphis
City tries to toss the Nichols suit again, Brian Kelsey finally heads to prison and the city says it was ready for snow.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Snow is coming; MSCS audit blames board and Feagins
City Council tackles vacant properties, Memphis music goes into the Hall of Fame and we’re getting another barbecue fest.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Secret comedy and passionate music
This week, the Crosstown Arts film series comes back with a love story, ‘Hamilton’ is back at the Orpheum and the Tennessee Equality Project brings its gumbo contest back for the 12th year.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: IP cuts more jobs, and xAI’s short-term power plan goes long
Feagins’ literacy hire resigns, a woman sues Germantown over a skeleton and you can get baby shower food without the baby.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Trafficking probe sparks raid; NIH cuts will hurt St. Jude
Bartlett says no to a mosque, a judge upholds a service-dog ban and the Grizzlies are already hibernating.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Taco truck raid sparks fear; West TN cops charged over arrest
Lawmakers propose a tax raise for a new jail, Durant hits a record in a Grizz game and egg prices aren’t going down any time soon.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Feds take taco truck workers; Lee offers Downtown funds
County Commission approves MSCS audit, Hog & Hominy chefs plan eatery in Germantown and the Bartlett Hy-Vee is stalled.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Sweat may be in hot seat; Barksdale brekky is almost back
MAS interim head pushes for a new shelter, a DeSoto man sues over “false incarceration” and the Tigers get their revenge.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Heart works and other art works, plus a Mardi Gras Ball
This week, Broad Avenue cures your sweet tooth, Blue Suede Vintage reopens in a new spot and Lunar New Year celebrations continue at the Agricenter.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Say bye to St. George’s Memphis, Smart and LaRavia
Shelby County Jail is packed, and Greater Memphis is getting more hot pot, more seafood and more burgers.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Feagins says board broke the law; city may sell land to xAI
Another 201 inmate died over the weekend, three consider a run for county mayor and JJJ seeks out chaos in Florida.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: No Music Fest, no Peer Power contract, no In-N-Out (for now)
State lawmakers try to deny education access, the County Commission may order an MSCS audit and business owners deal with egg-flation.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Shelby Farms road talk is back; Tigers fans are besties
DeSoto officials deny racism claims, FedExForum reno will take a hot minute and an NYC seafood joint is coming to Beale Street.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Mastry alleges racism in firing; xAI got MLGW cutoff notices
MSCS responds to new immigration rules, a Tigers jokester gets serious and JJJ is a vlogger.
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January 2025
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Ballet dancers, dancing lions and a spacy dance party
This week, Tennessee Williams’ painting are on view at Rhodes, Thomas Dambo’s Trolls are in the Garden and Dru’s Bar is hosting a Grammy’s watch party (with prizes!).
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Grizz, Tigers get big wins; leaders get discreet Forum tours
County wants more control over MSCS funds, broken jail doors will take two years to fix and another big live music venue is on the way.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: ROH needs more land, and sledding may return to a landfill
State lawmakers push ahead immigration bill, Tigers football coaches are in the money and a 10-year-old is Corky’s No. 1 fan.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Williams is under probe; Halbert’s been undercharging
School voucher bill sails through, Harris wants state funds for new Regional One and two Grizz rookies are heading to All-Star weekend.
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