The Early Word: County commissioner goes to jail, and Halbert left a backlog

Bianca Phillips By , Daily Memphian
Updated: September 10, 2026 7:37 AM CT | Published: September 10, 2026 6:28 AM CT Premium

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Rise and shine, Memphis. It’s Thursday, Sept. 10, and a new hotel could be flying into the airport area if the Land Use Control Board grants the project a permit today. Property owner Rajeev Chauhan said “there are no really good hotels close to the airport,” and he wants to do something about that.

Not off to a great start: New Shelby County Commissioner Will Richardson was arrested Wednesday on tax charges.

Halbert’s legacy: Former Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert left a little gift for her successor.

Dirty work: Arlington leaders have been talking trash and sewage this week.

Back to pen and paper: Memphis-Shelby County Schools has stopped giving students personal laptops.

Say bonjour: A new French restaurant is opening in Collierville Square’s former Raven & Lily space.

From the window to the Wahl: Wahlburgers Wild is taking over all of Bass Pro Shops’ dining operations.

The lights are on and someone is home: El Agave is open in the long-vacant San Diego Cantina spot and serving something called a “quesabirria.”

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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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