The Early Word
The Early Word: Penny is saved, but Memphis may earn fewer tax dollars
House passes bill to track undocumented students, Hogwarts is coming to the Orpheum and we’ve got ideas for St. Patrick’s Day.
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 1275 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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March 2026
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Wing man owes big, and Collierville is over half-done hotel
State legislators get automatically reelected, something may finally open in San Diego Cantina and a Grizz loss is a win.
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The To-Do List St. Patrick’s Day fun, Brazilian food and unlimited coffee
In this week’s To-Do List, Crosstown Arts opens spring exhibitions, the daffodils come in all colors at the Dixon and the Orpheum reveals its next Broadway lineup.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Game over for Tigers, but liquor stores aren’t giving up
District 93 House seat has no candidates, Germantown changes its tune on mayoral rules and a former food hall may be getting a new life.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Life advice from Lionel Hollins and good news for Liars
Salinas reports back from an ICE detention center, xAI gets approval in Mississippi and stingrays return to Memphis Zoo.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Germantown rejects TIF; meet the new guy in Ford’s seat
Regional One gets the green light, the Tigers women’s basketball coach is out and coffee industry pros spill the beans.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Tigers triumph, and West Memphis has meals on wheels
XAI tax revenue could double, Ja Morant finally talks and we look into the world of model-train hobbyists.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Guard deployment hinges on semantics; Tigers lose again
Lawmakers argue over the West Bank, Millington wants a Lone Sailor and Brookhaven Pub is getting a fresh look.
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The To-Do List The Elvi are coming, and you can eat chili, soup and gumbo for a cause
In this week’s To-Do List, catch the premiere of a new opera set in Memphis, the Dixon celebrates women in the arts and the Monster Club honors the King of Cool.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Tigers’ losses may cost a pretty Penny; new rooms with a view
New Germantown mayor may be limited to one job, xAI hints at another water-recycling plant and a Filipino bar opens this weekend.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Liberty Park money matters and an xAI mystery
Car thefts are way down, Brent Taylor has a challenger and a pastor is turning her church into a sober club.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Where to go if you fancy a pint or need cute glasses
Family sues Youth Villages for wrongful death, and Memphis gets some sports wins at a time of great sports loss.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: MATA may get back on track, but basketball is off the rails
Gubernatorial candidates get sassy, Lakeland wants more from the sheriff’s office and we share the story of Memphis’ oldest person.
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February 2026
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The Early WordThe Early Word: How to fix 201 Poplar and how to lose a basketball game
TBI looks for a suspect in an officer shooting, another golf bar is opening and we say goodbye to SlowMo again.
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The To-Do List Heated revelry over ‘Heated Rivalry’; Orpheum goes ‘Back to the Future’
In this week’s To-Do List, ABBA songs hit the Theatre Memphis stage, hundreds of tulips are in bloom at Memphis Botanic Garden and there’s wrestling in The Green Room.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: New shopping center plans and a Cook Out in the Back Yard
Judge rules in favor of new Collierville Chick-fil-A, dirty-soda shop owners get into the baseball game and Kelly English is opening a new place.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Say goodbye to Smart Mart and five MSCS schools
The Sheraton hotel has a new name, city library workers’ fate is in now your hands and MLGW explains why your bill is so high.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Who’s on the ballot and which schools may close?
Meet two Grizzlies fans who are just happy to be here. Plus, Comeback Coffee is coming back – sort of.
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The To-Do List Robert Duvall on screen, Steve Mulroy on stage and a Bad Bunny party
In this week’s To-Do List, celebrate Lunar New Year at the Brooks, read about wrasslin’ at Novel and celebrate Afro-Latino Week all over town.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Task Force effect on suburbs; CBU class on Grauer murders
MSCS audit reveals payroll problems, the Sheraton reno has a timeline and we’ve got the recipe for a Good Fortune ramen bowl.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Bad time for Memphis basketball, good time for skinny jeans
St. Jude’s CEO is stepping down, an anti-LGBTQ marriage bill moves ahead and the Riverbeat lineup is out.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Your house note may go down, and a Tiger’s off the team
Bad Timing got good news, cocktails meet canvases in the Edge and you can play Ja Morant in a new video game.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Thousands of bottles of booze for sale; hundreds against xAI
Trigger law could require schools to track immigration status, local politicians remember Jesse Jackson and Memphis stages are alive with the sound of musicals.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: An East Memphis eatery rises, and a Downtown one falls
Wanda Halbert tries to run again, Coach Penny might need a manager and we look into what killed Memphis Mardi Gras.
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The To-Do List From speed dating to partner painting: What to do for Valentine’s Day
In this week’s To-Do List, see new works from Ballet Memphis, swap seeds at Lichterman Nature Center and eat free king cake at Moxy.
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