The Early Word: Farewell to Mr. Smith, free summer meals for kids

Holly Whitfield By , Daily Memphian
Updated: June 23, 2025 8:33 AM CT | Published: June 23, 2025 6:34 AM CT Premium

Welcome to another week, Memphis. I’m Holly Whitfield, filling in for Bianca Phillips.

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners could close their budget season today, but if not they’ll have to hurry to fit in extra meetings to meet the July 1 deadline.

The Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen meets today to approve an elevated tax rate for the 2026 fiscal year budget, while Arlington officials will hold a special-called annual budget meeting.

For more, check out This Week In Memphis.

THE NEED TO KNOW

End of an era News of the death of “the most important Memphian of all time” rocked the city this weekend.

More Musk updates There’s a steady stream of semiconductors flowing to Colossus 2. 

‘We’re just architects’ An architecture firm has invested in about nine properties in the Edge District.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Rolling out: Sushi lovers in Lakeland (surely there must be tens of them) will be happy to know that supersized sushi rolls are now much closer.

Free meals for kids: Groups in Shelby County and DeSoto County are working to help food-insecure students this summer.

Back to Beale: There’s a new New York-based seafood-forward restaurant now open in the former Jerry Lee Lewis Club

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Holly Whitfield

Holly Whitfield

Holly has more than 13 years of experience in publishing and digital content, including 10 years at the helm of the I Love Memphis Blog. She began her career at The Commercial Appeal and is author of Secret Memphis.


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