The Early Word: Jail is full of mildew, and Morant splits with Miller

Bianca Phillips By , Daily Memphian
Updated: June 13, 2025 6:38 AM CT | Published: June 13, 2025 6:34 AM CT Premium

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Cue the scary movies tonight, because it’s Friday the 13th. If you’re looking for something to do besides movie night though, The To-Do List has got you

Leaks, rust and mildew: A new study highlights a long list of things that are wrong with the jail at 201 Poplar.

Destroying documents? A Tennessee House member wrote on social media Thursday that he was “hearing” Memphis-Shelby County Schools was “destroying documents” ahead of its state-funded forensic audit.

Up or down? Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris says he’s not proposing a property-tax hike this year, but, um, it sounds like he is.

‘Those people’: The former DeSoto County Convention and Visitors Bureau finance director, has filed a lawsuit against DeSoto County, its Board of Supervisors and its CVB.

Trashmore sale snag: The future of Collierville’s former Shelton Road landfill — home to the sledding location known as Mount Trashmore — is up in the air.

Grizz split: Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is no longer working with former Grizzlies player Mike Miller’s agency

Flown the coop: Midtowners who want to “eat mor chikin” are going to have to drive out east for the summer.

Nacho grandma’s nachos: In our $15 Deal this week, we’ve got a hot tip on barbecue nachos without the meat

Who’s playing Gonerfest: Gonerfest, the annual music fest from the Goner Records folks, released its 2025 lineup on Thursday. Also, the fest is moving to a new Midtown location this year since the old one, Railgarten, is, well, a goner. 

Tale of two Gabriels: Two Memphis Tigers athletes took home accolades in the NCAA Championships this week. And both were named Gabriel. Sort of. There was Gabriela Zych and Gabriel Koletsi.

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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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