The Early Word
The Early Word: Judge Norris steps off another case; Grizz make rookie moves
MEM could get a new name, Dainja is denied and a popular brunch spot has a mold problem.
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 1013 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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June 2025
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The To-Do List This weekend brings outlaws, an Irish birthday and summer Shell shows
This week, Memphis Listening Lab turns four, art pairs with wine at the Brooks and there’s ballroom dancing on the Bluff.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Grizz get Coward; Germantown gets more yoga pants
Judge in Nichols case could be deposed, some of Tennessee’s private school voucher data is staying private and we’ve got your guide to Fourth of July fun.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: No new Shelby County taxes and what’s next for FedEx
Germantown’s taxes are going up, a state ban will make it harder to catch a legal buzz and big tech predates the “Digital Delta.”
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: HoochieCon, Project Pat, Brewfest and summer solstice fun
This week, Juneteenth events continue, the rained-out Mid-South Pride parade has a new date and Lukah releases a new album — with lasers.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Alleged trespasser mad over crime; BBQ matriarch dies
Harris suggests tax hike again, the city nominates an animal shelter director and we’ve got a tip on how to handle bad takeout food.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Morant claps back, and NAACP throws a stone at xAI
MSCS is selling properties, Harris backs off his tax hike and we bid farewell to “real dude” Desmond Bane.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Ford-Harris drama heats up; Head Start funds get late start
Man dies after police shooting, the Grizzlies’ trade market is wide open now and local Gen Z hipsters can soon stock up on blue-collar workwear.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Grizzlies say bye to Bane, and we’ve got a Parkways primer
FedEx makes a power move, there’s a fight brewing in Bartlett and we’ve got tips on what to order at City Silo.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Jail is full of mildew, and Morant splits with Miller
Lawmakers accuse MSCS of destroying records, county property taxes may go up and Gonerfest has a new home.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Black Pride, dog yoga and what to do for Bonnaroo FOMO
This week, Juneteenth gets started early, the BoDeans are at the Shell and the Memphis Social Bicycle Club races — in drag.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: MSCS OKs small raises, and Primas is whisking away
A new jail might have a new address, the Grizzlies need to find their center and less is more in Bartlett.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: ‘Big, beautiful’ budget brawl hits home; Cane’s been raised
City Council passes budget, the Music Hall of Fame announces a new class and Overton Park golfers had 99 problems — but a hole wasn’t one.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Texting is the new speeding, and a kid sings for St. Jude
Historically Black medical school comes to Memphis, city worker raises may be lowered and Germantown throws Houston High a bone.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: You could have a Crosstown office; Zeanah has a new job
Man’s body was recovered from the Wolf, the West Tennessee forensic center’s future is uncertain and Jerrod Smith is not throwing away his shot.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Trump tariffs worry FedEx founder, and Max’s maxes out
Nichols suit will go on despite DOJ dismissal, MSCS forensic audit is coming and tight tops don’t sell chicken wings these days.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Pride is on Beale, and ‘weird music’ is at Crosstown
This week, Juneteenth kicks off early, Just City gives us a reason to laugh and you can sip booze in a bookshop for a good cause.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Old Temple Israel will go, and so will Tigers basketball exec
Germantown church will expand, U of M will cost more and The Daily Memphian gets a new restaurant reporter.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Midtown church goes big, and ninjas are coming to Wolfchase
Collierville won’t stop the party, FedEx pilots are “fed up,” and one man made a difference at Barksdale.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: A $30M county mistake? Plus, a party foul in the ’burbs
The city has hired a Sherton hotel consultant, and it wants to shield DOJ records from the Tyré Nichols lawsuit. Plus, we’ve got a look at what to eat at the Germantown horse show.
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May 2025
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Slowdown Cinema, dragon boats and Cooper-Young cats
This week, watch a ghost movie at Elmwood, meet Chris Parnell at Comic Con and eat all the pasta at Memphis Italian Festival.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Rape-kit suit ends, and so do some Grind City beer sales
Retired judge will focus on thinning the jail population, the Central High Jazz Band gets their own day and Bahama Mamas aren’t coming back.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Comebacks planned for Clayborn Temple and Ashlar Hall
County trustee calls Harris’ budget a “fantasy,” MSCS is powerless over PowerSchool and Calkins remembers Reggie Barnes.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: MSCS won’t deny immigrants; hurricanes are coming
More affordable homes are on the way, Tigers track stars are heading to Florida and you could be Incredible Pizza’s landlord.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Jes Shea loves her new skin, and PJ Haggerty has a new home
Burying power lines would cost billions, private-school vouchers are big in Memphis and a Midtown fan store is spinning its last rotation.
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