The Early Word: High stakes for the Grizz and new steak at Barksdale’s

Bianca Phillips By , Daily Memphian
Updated: April 16, 2025 6:37 AM CT | Published: April 16, 2025 6:25 AM CT Premium

Happy hump day, Memphis. It’s Wednesday, April 16, and artist Christopher Reyes and crew are seeking money from the Center City Development Corp. today to finish their Baron von Opperbean and the River of Time exhibit at Mud Island.

And if you’ve got kids at Memphis-Shelby County Schools, you might want to know more about Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond’s $1.8 billion budget. There’s a community meeting on that tonight.

The Memphis Grizzlies played a heck of a play-in game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, but they still fell, 121-116. At one point, a 20-point Warriors lead had evaporated to just two. And then star Ja Morant landed not so gracefully onto the foot of Golden State big man Quinten Post and hurt his ankle. Morant played through the pain though, and even Warriors villain Draymond Green had nice things to say about that. But it just wasn’t enough. The loss means the Grizzlies must win Friday’s play-in elimination game, or their season is over. 

Midtown diner Barksdale’s reopened this week under new ownership. And regulars will be relieved to know that not much has changed, except well, the biscuits and the pancakes and a few other new menu items. The Daily Memphian’s Holly Whitfield tried those biscuits, and she was pleased to find they were tender with a gentle twang of buttermilk. She also tried the new country fried steak plate, a nod to new owner Bryant Bain’s Texas roots, and she explains why you should order it

Plus, 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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Bianca Phillips

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.


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