The Early Word: Young is making moves, but 100 N. Main is paused

Bianca Phillips By , Daily Memphian
Updated: July 21, 2025 6:54 AM CT | Published: July 21, 2025 6:22 AM CT Premium

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Happy Monday, Memphis. It’s July 21, and Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. should get a trial date today. He’s facing bribery and tax-evasion charges for his alleged role in a government grant kickback scheme.

See what’s happening later this week in the appropriately named This Week in Memphis.

New faces on Young’s team: Memphis Mayor Paul Young has made some recent changes in his cabinet.

Ole Miss player killed: An 18-year-old who was supposed to play football for Ole Miss this coming season was fatally shot in Cordova on Saturday.

To search or not to search? Memphis-Shelby County Schools Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond’s contract ends next year, so what will the school board do?

Memphis Tiger arrested: New Memphis Tigers men’s basketball guard Sincere Parker allegedly attacked his girlfriend.

Crime is down but ... do people believe it? One Memphis police colonel suggests a strategy that may help rebuild trust in the department.

Xs and arrows: For 50 years, until 2001, Union Avenue’s lanes switched directions with green arrow and red X signs. Here’s how that came to an end.

Seafood and soda: Steakhouse Char is probably best-known for turf, but our own Ellen Chamberlain says you shouldn’t overlook the surf.

Dirty pop: A Mormon drink trend made popular in Utah has made its way to East Memphis. 

100 N. Main paused: Downtown’s 100 N. Main is being redeveloped, but not much is happening right now.

Meet Mayor Stokes: The first Black mayor of Horn Lake got his start as a bagger at Kroger.

Summer’s over: One Memphis high school basketball star got some playing time in the final Memphis Grizzlies NBA Summer League game.

If you’re already a subscriber, you shouldn’t be seeing this shortened version of The Early Word. But if you are, let us know! Shoot an email to: gthroneburg@dailymemphian.com.

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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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