There are 1674 article(s) tagged The Early Word:

• July 2026

  • The Early Word: Boozer oozes confidence; plus, the tea on matcha

    Task Force is a political football, a vegan restaurant is closing and not everyone is jazzed about the Memphis Jazz development.

    By Bianca Phillips July 10, 2026

  • The Early Word: A wild public meeting, chicken drama and a burger break

    There’s another Task Force fatality, the MSCS forensic audit is out and Ikea wants a road name change. 

    By Bianca Phillips July 09, 2026

  • The Early Word: Burger chain’s belly ache and a possible crackdown on AI

    Shelby County Jail heats up, Ragin’ Cajun may not be raging anymore and the Grizzlies are totally centered. 

    By Bianca Phillips July 08, 2026

  • The Early Word: World Cup defeat still a win for Redbirds; new grocery plans

    Candidates for new 5th district have their say, the Grizzlies could get another center and Vitalant wants your blood. 

    By Bianca Phillips July 07, 2026

  • The Early Word: Tomato farmer has a vine idea, and we take you back to 1776

    A Memphis crime family faces racketeering charges, a local nonprofit for veterans is calling it quits and pro hockey is coming back. 

    By Bianca Phillips July 06, 2026

  • The Early Word: Judge Coffee is out of court, and Santi is off our court

    The state takeover of MSCS is halted, a local “Jeopardy” contestant’s run is done and Celtic celebrates its crash-aversary.

    By Bianca Phillips July 02, 2026

  • The Early Word: Hello to new state laws and goodbye to Coletta’s on Appling

    Court is back in session, gluten-free donuts are coming soon and we reflect on Ja Morant’s greatest hits. 

    By Bianca Phillips July 01, 2026

• June 2026

  • The Early Word: Ja Morant is gone, and 201 Poplar is closed

    County taxes are going up, Coach Cal will get his roses and GG Jackson is here to stay.

    By Bianca Phillips June 30, 2026

  • The Early Word: The ‘E’ is back in Elvis; Ardent fight is a broken record

    Young is shaking up his office, Millington’s racetrack reno is stalled out and you can help guide the future of Rainbow Lake.

    By Bianca Phillips June 29, 2026

  • The Early Word: Pike Place-style market is coming; Grizz rooks are here

    Vegan cafe lives on after owner’s death, Novel’s cafe is expanding Downtown and the Tigers sign a social-media star. 

    By Bianca Phillips June 26, 2026

  • The Early Word: Grizzlies get centered; TCAP shows the kids may be alright

    New County Commissioner is accused of misusing grant funds, the Memphis Zoo was hit with a bomb hoax and a barbecue chain comes to Olive Branch. 

    By Bianca Phillips June 25, 2026

  • The Early Word: Grizzlies get Boozer, and the Redbirds get their city money

    FESJC’s future is uncertain, SpaceX recommits to building a water recycling plant and a local sommelier wins big.

    By Bianca Phillips June 24, 2026

  • The Early Word: A ballpark money mystery and a mayor’s farewell

    Man is sentenced for local chef’s death, the House District 93 race heats up and the old Marine hospital apartments will get a refresh.

    By Bianca Phillips June 23, 2026

  • The Early Word: Food scene is popping, and U of M campus crime is dropping

    MSCS sues over takeover, the Tigers’ roster is complete and we meet a senior swimmer who’s headed to the Olympics. 

    By Bianca Phillips June 22, 2026

  • The Early Word: Takeover board elects a chair; Harbor Town gets a sports bar

    A Memphis music producer is found dead, an aviation school is flying into Millington and a state department is fighting AI fakery.

    By Bianca Phillips June 19, 2026

  • The Early Word: Sawyer is suspended, and free art is coming to Downtown

    Collierville’s chicken fight continues, MLGW is trying to keep our lights on and a Binghampton cafe says goodbye.

    By Bianca Phillips June 18, 2026

  • The Early Word: MSCS takeover board is ready to roll, and so is a new Sonic

    Government tries to silence SpaceX critics, something new to coming to the Memphis sky and we learn how our movie critic really feels about “Disclosure Day.”

    By Bianca Phillips June 17, 2026

  • The Early Word: Tami Sawyer’s fraud charges, and SpaceX’s Grok bombshell

    County Commission may raise taxes, a meatpacking plant packs it up and four local Wendy’s are saved from closure.

    By Bianca Phillips June 16, 2026

  • The Early Word: Lunching in Memphis and flying over Bartlett

    There’s a new spot for sunset selfies, an arts school is coming to North Memphis and linguists study why Memphians say “mursic.”

    By Bianca Phillips June 15, 2026

  • The Early Word: The road to Graceland is a hot mess; Redbirds fight gets messy

    New Treadwell school plan is in limbo, Hernandez Govan is back in jail and the Mempho lineup is out.

    By Bianca Phillips June 12, 2026

  • The Early Word: Chemical plant to come down; Orpheum dishes out love

    Olive Branch says no to a new data center, Memphis Made beers are here to stay and the Overton Park Shell turns 90.

    By Bianca Phillips June 11, 2026

  • The Early Word: More AI is coming; AutoZone Park swings and misses

    Pearson and Cohen drop redistricting lawsuit, DeSoto residents sue SpaceX and FedEx pilots finally get their wish.

    By Bianca Phillips June 10, 2026

  • The Early Word: Animal officer faces cruelty charge; Task Force gets sued

    WK Kellogg Co. is cutting jobs, churches are organizing voters and there’s prime real estate for sale on Poplar.

    By Bianca Phillips June 09, 2026

  • The Early Word: Midtown’s Viet Hoa expands, and the Blue Monkey shrinks

    Local group makes plans for xAI tax revenue, a firefighter develops AI apps and a bar takes a stand against AI art.

    By Bianca Phillips June 08, 2026

  • The Early Word: Ardent hits a sour note, and two restaurants see double

    Former bank CEO is sentenced over child porn charges, Morant Trade Watch is on and you can eat barbecue for breakfast.

    By Bianca Phillips June 05, 2026