The Early Word: Death of a newspaper building and layoffs at Hollywood Feed

Bianca Phillips By , Daily Memphian
Updated: June 03, 2026 6:24 AM CT | Published: June 03, 2026 6:17 AM CT Premium

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Good morning, Memphis. It’s Wednesday, June 3, and no one is safe from inflation — not even the University of Memphis. The U of M’s Board of Trustees will consider an “inflationary cost increase” for tuition this morning.

Hollywood Feed layoffs: The Memphis-based pet-supply chain made cuts in its corporate office.

Death of a newspaper building: The former Commercial Appeal building will be torn down soon. Geoff Calkins pays tribute.

It’s been 84 years … The seemingly neverending roadwork on Elvis Presley Boulevard started in 2013. It’ll be done 18 years later.

New judicial race coming: The Aug. 6 ballot just got a tad longer.

Another DeSoto child-sex crime: A former DeSoto County priest-in-training pleaded guilty this week to child exploitation.

Stepping on the gas: An eyesore at the corner of Poplar Avenue and Highland Street may finally be replaced.

Life in plastic: A new-ish simulation lab is giving nurses and doctors in training some life-like patients to practice on. 

Tune into this: Movie buff Chris Herrington devoted quite a bit of space in his movie column this week to a review of “Tuner.” And spoiler: He really liked it.

No new taxes: Arlington residents won’t see a property-tax increase after city leaders passed a “very tight” budget. 

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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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