The Early Word: AutoZone Park is a diamond in the rough; Chapter ends for Memphis libraries — for now

Kelsey Bowen By , Daily Memphian
Updated: July 13, 2026 6:30 AM CT | Published: July 13, 2026 6:30 AM CT Premium

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Running on empty (ballots): If you ordered an absentee ballot, you might want to be sure all the races are on it

Friends without benefits: Memphis Public Libraries won’t be partnering with Friends of the Library for fundraising for now. 

Major changes for a minor league stadium: AutoZone Park needs upgrades, officials say. Or else, the Memphis Redbirds may not stick around

A garbage deal: Germantown residents are under a new trash-collection contract, which came with a higher price and new rules

Remember the magical Merrymobiles?: Once upon a time, whimsical trucks called Merrymobiles made their way around Memphis. 

Cash in on cash-only: There are still places in Memphis that only accept cash, and they have their reasons

2 Cats 2 Purr-ious: Native Memphian Robert Ellis opened a bike shop in Midtown inspired by his two loves

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Kelsey Bowen

Kelsey Bowen

Kelsey Bowen is a born-and-bred Memphian with publications in Creative Nonfiction magazine and at the Library of Congress, who occasionally moonlights as a writing teacher. You can usually find her digging around a Summer Avenue antique mall or seated at a Malco movie theater.


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