The Early Word: Methodist’s bond rating is down, and food pop-ups are in
Are you thawed out yet, Memphis? It’s Monday, Jan. 13, and welcome back to the work week — and school week — after what I hope was a weekend of sledding and snow-person-making.
The Shelby County Commission is getting down to business today with discussion of a new “governance plan” to improve the relationship between Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins and the school board.
New Collierville Mayor Maureen Fraser will chair her first Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting in the suburb’s top-elected position tonight. And the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen will consider a development contract for a new Chipotle Mexican Grill where the Back Yard Burgers that used to be a Pizza Hut used to be.
The Memphis Grizzlies will get another go at the Houston Rockets tonight in Texas. That’s after a timeout call by Coach Taylor Jenkins may have cost the Grizzlies Thursday’s game against the Rockets at home. See what else is coming up in This Week in Memphis.
Bond-rating firms Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s have both downgraded Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare for the second time in just over a year. Both firms cited operating losses and diminished reserves. The move comes after years of challenges to the larger health care sector but also specific challenges for Methodist.
You’ve probably heard that The New York Times is predicting 2025 will be the year of savory coffee and cannabis-spiked drinks. But what about local food predictions? Our own Jennifer Chandler looks at what could be the top five trends on the Memphis food scene, including pop-up restaurants and smaller dining rooms.
Plus, MATA is running out of money, TikTok is on the Supreme Court’s clock and new Collierville Mayor Maureen Fraser dishes on her fave restaurants.
Topics
The Early Word Subscriber OnlyAre you enjoying your subscription?
Your subscription gives you unlimited access to all of The Daily Memphian’s news, written by nearly 40 local journalists and more than 20 regular freelancers. We work around the clock to cover the issues that impact your life and our community.
You can help us reach more Memphians.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we provide free news access at K-12 schools, public libraries and many community organizations. We also reach tens of thousands of people through our podcasts, and through our radio and television partnerships – all completely free to everyone who cares about Memphis.
When you subscribe, you get full access to our news. But when you donate, you help us reach all Memphians.
Pay it forward. Make a fully tax-deductible donation to The Daily Memphian today.
Thank you for reading the local news. Thank you for investing in our community.
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.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.