The Early Word
The Early Word: A not-guilty verdict and a look into the city’s budget hole
Humes Middle could be an arts school, Oak Court could house a car dealership and Bar Limina wants to be the “space between.”
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 974 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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May 2025
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The Early WordThe Early Word: More AI is coming, and Ford actually brings the Raid
County Commission will vote to sync MSCS elections, Tom Lee’s legacy resurfaced in a time capsule and Darren Musselwhite has a famous cousin.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Tom Lee’s rescue and Memphis’ drive-out tag ‘epidemic’
WKNO may face Trump cuts, the Real ID deadline is this week and we take a look inside the “River of Time.”
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Halbert mistake cost millions; Feagins wants to ‘take seats’
Clayborn Temple suffers more loss, Republicans want partisan school-board elections and the Grand Carousel at CMOM is a time machine.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Troll Fest, murder songs and the death of the Log Lady
This week, Alton Brown brings his “Last Bite” to Memphis, and Chris Isaak brings his “Wicked Games” to Graceland. Plus, Riverbeat takes over Tom Lee, and Memphis Fashion Week is here.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: What’s left of Clayborn; plus, a shoe store steps out
Acquittal is denied in the Nichols trial, an autism program counters RFK’s comments and more shake-ups may be coming to MSCS.
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April 2025
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Bed, bath, booze and an old golf course with too much green
Clayborn Temple fire probe is underway, college students get visas back (for now) and the Ostrander show will go on.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Clayborn Temple may ‘rise again,’ but Oak Court Mall will not
Tyre Nichols’ mom takes the stand, some MSCS buildings are in bad shape, and you can leave your Halloween skeletons up all year in Germantown.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Where is Mongo now? And do where the Grizz go from here?
Gun violence is plaguing Memphis, an xAI meeting gets heated and Lakeland used to be a lot more fun.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Ja’s fall takes us all down; plus, expert says xAI isn’t so bad
MPD has eyes on Downtown, late-night Chinese food is coming and we meet the man behind Bartlett’s social media.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Race cars or crawfish, and nerd out on the science of wine
This week, watch 10-minute plays at Hattiloo Theatre, see Julien Baker & Torres in Oxford and get a sneak peek of Baron von Opperbean (with cocktails for a cause).
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Grizzlies need us to believe, and Redbirds just need money
MSCS board members could have terms cut in half, new jail may cost big bucks and MAS is bouncing back.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: MSCS takeover is dead for now, and some want xAI dead, too
The Zoo wants more money, the Grizzlies lost again and “Sunday supper” comes to Cooper-Young.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Spiked drink probe ends, and JJJ needs to slay today
Lawmakers pause an anti-immigrant education bill, state Constitutional amendments will go to voters and the Overton Park Shell drops its summer line-up.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Grizz get caught in a storm; Liberty concert mystery solved
Five people were shot in the Medical District, the MPD is being sued over an arrest and we’ve got tips on what to order at Felicia Suzanne’s.
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The To-Do ListThe To-Do List: Shell Daze, Time Warp and Mary J. Blige for real this time
This week, Peabody rooftop parties return, Africa in April is back and Saddle Creek opens another art show.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: CBU students forced to leave; Haggerty may leave Tigers
MSCS may tear down old buildings, the state budget slashes Memphis programs and Ja Morant is a maybe tonight.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: ICE targets U of M students; would a Grizz loss be good?
Baron Von Opperbean gets big bucks, a school takeover compromise is coming and a Midtown bar owner brings “fun times” to Millington.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: High stakes for the Grizz and new steak at Barksdale’s
A property-tax hike may be the “only option” for a new jail, a Wolfchase hotel could be yours and something new is brewing in Germantown.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: xAI may get lower tax bill; Houston High is stuck in the ’90s
Charges were dropped for a codefendant in a Rhodes student’s killing, the AG’s office goes after a Memphis charity and all the Grizzlies have to do is win.
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The Early WordThe 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.
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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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