The Early Word: National Guard ramps up, and Newby’s bar serves its last class

Bianca Phillips By , Daily Memphian
Updated: November 14, 2025 6:21 AM CT | Published: November 14, 2025 6:19 AM CT Premium

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Great Scott, Memphis! It’s Friday, Nov. 14, and where we’re going, we don’t need roads. The Orpheum Theatre is having a “Back to the Future”-themed soiree tonight. Bonus points if you show up in a DeLorean. 

For more, check out The To-Do List.

National Guard ramps up: Lots more National Guard members were deployed to Memphis Thursday. 

Whiteside back behind bars: Former youth pastor Lindsey Whiteside is in custody again and has a new trial date.

Shutdown end’s may come with pay day: The federal government reopening came with a chance for Tennessee’s U.S. senators to get a big payout.

‘Whole again’: Overton Park’s public land just grew by 12 acres.

End of an era — again: “The college bar you never graduate from” has is serving its last class.

Going grandmacore: Catherine & Mary’s is getting a fresh look that’s more old than new. 

Speaking of grandma vibes ... There’s a new breakfast spot in Bartlett, and the owner will serve you grits while wearing a muumuu

Starbucks strike starts late: Memphis workers won’t strike until next week, but they want you to stop going there now.

Tigers need ‘chaos’: Here’s the miracle it would take for the Memphis Tigers to win a football championship.

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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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