The Early Word
The Early Word: Grizz season is finally over, and kratom may get banned
Chamber CEO is on leave, FedEx pilots may have a deal and Memphis’ “Soul Man” has a new book.
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 1276 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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April 2026
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Kleiman talks, and voucher expansion comes with a cost
Nichols’ case will detail MPD’s use of force, a farmers market becomes a restaurant and Germantown is ready for snow.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Teen killed at Shelby Farms; council wants ‘No Kings’ probe
Young’s alleged stalker gets out of jail, Growler’s is up for sale and something “big” and “bad” is coming to Cooper-Young.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Meet the Tigers’ new sharpshooter; plus, Big Bill’s is back
Charges are dropped for No Kings protesters, school-voucher expansion passes and we look at how the Live Nation ruling may affect Memphis music.
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The To-Do List Hear music on porches, the Peabody rooftop and at the new Grind City Amp
In this week’s To-Do List, an animal-free circus comes to the Buckman, crawfish are on Riverside Drive and you can watch every episode of the first season of “Twin Peaks” on a big screen.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Ted Butler has more putts to give; plus, Elvis’ first home
State cuts some Memphis crime money, Young promises no new taxes and Flip Side is flipping things around.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: State school takeover powers and a racetrack reno in neutral
OUTMemphis is building a new HQ, the Grizzlies get sweet 16 and Kuya has brunch.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Raises, taxes and ‘desperate’ teams that may want Ja
MSCS board votes to sue over a looming takeover, the city has a new name for the area around FedExForum and Crosstown has an office for you.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: School takeover is approved, and Bartlett let the dogs in
NBA Commissioner responds to LeBron’s diss, Lakeland has drama and we’ve got the Live at the Garden lineup.
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The To-Do List A free Grind City show, a singalong brunch and a Halloween party in April
In this week’s To-Do List, a Kubrick classic screens at Crosstown, Shelby Forest has a fest for hillbillies and Memphis Roller Derby opens its 20th season.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Ja’s accuser to visit Tigers; mayoral hopefuls talk takeover
MSCS teachers will get a raise, the Grizzlies could play games in Nashville and the Mushroom Queen returns.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Teens with water guns and the Big One that wasn’t
The city may cut its clothing budget, a handful of local football stars are going pro and the state cracks down on “fake weed.”
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The Early WordThe Early Word: County won’t fund takeover fight; reflecting on Jim Baker
County will get two new courts, Tigers sign two new players and Quail Ridge is almost ready to par-tee.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Guard ruling stands; Hernando gets a place to shell-ebrate
No Kings questioning goes private, a new wine bar is coming to Uptown and Jayden Reid explains why he left the Big Ten for the Tigers.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Some push to paint this town red, and a hotel gets a refresh
The kid who sued Ja Morant is a Tiger now. Plus, we’ve got a deep dive on Grizzlies guard prospects and an intro to our new food writer.
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The To-Do List A very Wu-Tang weekend, a River of Time and Riverbeat Music Fest
In this week’s To-Do List, you get a pass to peek into people’s backyards, there’s a morning rave on Beale Street and Global Cafe hosts a beer mile for a cause.
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May 2026
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Ted Townsend is out, and Baron Von Opperbean is in
Mulroy’s under a microscope, ramen joins pastries Downtown and we meet an inspiration on wheels.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Memphis could get flipped, and TBI gets more power
Protesters block xAI, and you can buy a recording studio and a record store with everything in it.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: FedEx has an Amazon problem, and BBQ fest plays with fire
Shelby County will back an MSCS lawsuit, the Chamber looks for a new leader and a taproom is ghosting Beale.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Election winners locked in as redistricting effort begins
Shooting breaks out in Cooper-Young, Carolina Watershed may get a new life and we’ve got the opening lineup for Crosstown’s new music venue.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Memphis may be split into thirds, and a Legacy is dissolved
The vacancy left by G.A. Hardaway is filled, a new chatbot has moved into Grok’s house and Collierville is giving up on X.
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The To-Do List Puppies take over Crosstown, and Greek Fest serves 7,000 kebabs
In this week’s To-Do List, catch up on the first “Heat” before the sequel drops, watch an Irish sports throwdown and catch the season’s first free show at Overton Park Shell.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Memphis gets carved up, and the Grizz need lottery luck
Colleagues remember Judge Skahan, third-graders will get retested and HighTee golf lounges adds, um, high tea.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Grizzlies get lucky, and the redistricting fight is on
FedEx may have an advantage over Amazon, suburban school enrollment is down and here’s why tomatoes cost so much.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Residents throw more money into trash and down the drain
Another lawsuit is filed over redistricting, Ghost River owners explains why they left Beale and Huff wants the Tigers to be like Michael Jackson.
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