The Early Word: BlueOval EVs aren’t coming soon; Penny loses his shoes
Hope your morning is off to a sweet start, Memphis. It’s Thursday, Aug. 22, and maybe you’re one of the lucky readers who’s getting in on our first-ever Restaurant Insider at Muddy’s Bake Shop today. The sold-out event includes a private cooking class with owner Kat Gordon and a brunch of quiche, salad and sweets. If you missed out, just know that subscribers get first dibs on tickets, so be on the lookout for details on the next event.
Also today, the University of Memphis is holding a late groundbreaking for Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium upgrades, one month after phase two of the $220 million renovation project got started.
Just like every major event that was scheduled in 2020 (aka the year that wasn’t), Ford Motor Co.’s BlueOval City-made electric truck is being delayed by a year. But Ford can’t blame a worldwide pandemic on its plan to move delivery of EV trucks from May 2026 to late 2027. No, it claims the delay is to allow the company to incorporate new lower-cost battery technology. The delivery delay also means Ford will be starting later on assembly, and that impacts workers who were counting on jobs at its $5.6 billion BlueOval City complex in nearby Stanton, Tennessee. At this point, few people believe that Ford will abandon BlueOval City, but the delay is raising some concerns around Americans’ interest in electric vehicles and Ford’s production of them.
Turns out Memphis Tigers Coach Penny Hardaway is just as susceptible to package thefts as the rest of us. According to a Memphis police report, Hardaway was a victim of theft on Aug. 8, when 14 pairs of Nike shoes — estimated to have a total value of $2,100 — were stolen. Neighborhood camera footage shows a man pushing a shopping cart filled with packages near Hardaway’s $4.25 million Memphis Country Club home.
Plus, an escaped DeSoto inmate was arrested 500-plus miles away, a restaurateur couple has been keeping a secret and we’ve got the perfect spot for your next Instagram profile pic.
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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. She’s a diehard morning person who spends her free time running marathons and ultras. She’s the author of “Cookin Crunk: Eatin’ Vegan in the Dirty South.”
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