The Early Word
The 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.
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 1112 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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August 2025
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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 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: 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 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: 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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 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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September 2025
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The Early WordThe 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.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: New library honors Liza, and we find the best baked taters
Court ruling may allow kids to carry guns, a South Korean company is going big in South Memphis and Cooper-Young is getting fancy new apartments.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Germantown trees are cut down, and free zoo days are longer
A former sheriff has died, Olive Branch cuts off The Daily Memphian’s access and a beloved Midtown Vietnamese restaurant has new owners.
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The To-Do List Smash Mouth is at the zoo, ZZ Top is at the Garden and the brat pack is back
This week, art meets booze at the Dixon and the Brooks, and weenie dogs race at the Germantown Festival.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: New Nichols trial will be different; a Wing Guru flies the coop
A viral disease is on the rise in Memphis schools, a judge recuses herself and we explain why Memphians are rooting for a football team from 700-plus miles away.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Harris is done with ethics board; Bayer may have a buyer
Southaven band’s money is stolen, The Archives is revived and Riverside Drive is changing again.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Crime is way down, and SweatHouz is hot (then it’s cold)
City trust takes control of MATA’s money, Firestone won’t be the site for a new jail and DeAndre Brown gives up on gun rights — for now.
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Podcasts The AM/DM podcast: The ’90s are alive in Memphis this weekend
In this episode of The AM/DM, newsletter editor Bianca Phillips and digital producer Kelsey Bowen talk about the weekend ahead, which is ripe with events that hearken back to the dot-com era.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Speed cameras lack teeth, but IShowSpeed says we’re ‘lit’
Ghost Mob members face new charges, Trap Fusion is launching a ghost kitchen and it’s game off for a Germantown sportsplex.
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The To-Do List Cooper-Young Fest, Pride Fest (again) and the co-creator of the Ninja Turtles
This week, Southaven launches its hummingbird fest, the Halloran Centre celebrates 10 years and Beale Street throws a 100th birthday party for B.B. King.
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Metro The AM/DM podcast: B.B. King and The Daily Memphian have birthdays
In this episode of The AM/DM, newsletter editor Bianca Phillips and columnist Chris Herrington talk about the week ahead, which includes The Daily Memphian’s upcoming anniversary.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: National Guard is coming, and so are MPD demotions
Food truck puts greens on a grilled cheese, the Tigers football team is undefeated and we take a trip down memory lane to the “beach within reach.”
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