The Early Word: Trump tariffs worry FedEx founder, and Max’s maxes out
Welcome to the weekend, Memphis! Today is Friday, June 6, and even though Juneteenth is more than a week away (June 19), there’s a two-day festival celebrating this federal holiday today and Saturday in Medical District Park. Expect lots of music, a car show, skateboarding lessons and a lot more.
Get your rainbows ready, because Saturday brings the annual Mid-South Pride Parade and Festival to Beale Street. The LGBTQ+ Pride parade kicks off at 11 a.m., and the festival in Robert R. Church Park goes until 5 p.m. Or, for something completely different, watch 20-year-old pro boxer Mike Cook put his undefeated record on the line in a match at Beale Street Landing.
On Sunday, try the cafe con leche at the first Puerto Rican Coffee Club pop-up at Memphis Whistle. For more weekend ideas, check out the To-Do List.
“We’re going to have ... a significant drag on the economy until these trade relationships are worked out by the president,” said Fred Smith, FedEx founder and former CEO.
Smith, speaking at a panel at The Peabody on Thursday, said he’s concerned about the economy, due to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Smith called FedEx “the biggest tax collector of tariffs of any entity in America.” And he also offered thoughts on what Memphis needs if it’s going to succeed.
If you’ve ever tried walking through Downtown’s Max’s Sports Bar on a busy night, well, good luck. The place gets packed, but the tiny, shot-gun-style space is about to double in size. (More room for the Malort shot photo wall, I hope.) We’ve got more on that in Food Files, plus news of second locations for a popular Harbor Town Italian joint and a University-area vegan spot.
Plus, the Tyré Nichols civil suit will go on despite the Department of Justice probe dismissal, Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ forensic audit is coming, and tight tops don’t sell chicken wings these days.
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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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