The Early Word
The Early Word: Politics of the Task Force and a lawsuit from Blackburn
MSCS has a new board chair, Germantown grandkids get school perks and the Indie Memphis lineup has dropped.
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.
There are 1415 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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October 2026
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The Early Word
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September 2026
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Mystery retailer buys Ikea, and Audubon’s clubhouse tees off
Abortion pill debate makes its way into FedEx’s boardroom, the Belmont owner buys up more space and we take a deep dive into crime numbers.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: County tax woes and a Task Force with no end in sight
Southaven residents are still waiting to hear from SpaceXAI over buyouts, the “Duck Dynasty” still reigns over the federal duck stamp contest and the Grizzlies are pretty darn healthy.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Land Bank CEO is fired; new eatery rolls into Brunswick
SpaceXAI tries to buy out its critics, the Lindsey Whiteside saga is almost over and a high-end honky-tonk is coming to the Highland Strip.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Locals sue SpaceXAI over noise; wings take over taco spot
A Hickory Hill club has been shut down, Lee Harris gets a street sign and Millington needs ideas for an old building.
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The To-Do List Gonerfest, Weird Al, Morgan Freeman, Project Pat and ‘9 to 5’ times four
If you have trouble finding something to do in Memphis these days, well, we don’t know what to say.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Historic church will be sold; the duck ‘World Cup’ is here
A judge denied a pause on ICE ridealongs, two Grizzlies helped the homeless and you can eat at Ronnie Grisanti’s on a budget.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Outlook not so good for CBU, but The Station’s fight is over
Selberg’s job could have been saved, the old Coletta’s may serve Mexican food and the Redbirds blow their first playoff game.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Liza’s soccer stadium kicks off; burger chain goes bankrupt
Carmeon Hamilton launches Wing Wars, Collierville’s got a new temporary town administrator and a Memphis poet beats Jack White.
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The To-Do List Hispanic Heritage celebrations, CY Fest and barbecuing for beginners
In this week’s To-Do List, folk star Valerie June comes home, parking spots become parks and Neo bends bullets at the Pink Palace.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Central Ave. hotel is back; The Container Store packs up
Former Kid University workers appear in court, protesters want ICE out of the airport and we share the chain restaurants we’d love to see.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: A hospital funding mystery and a ‘Knowledge Bowl’ pause
City Council may ask the Task Force to leave, 201 Poplar inmates sue over jail conditions and croissants are coming to Cooper-Young.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Belmont may come back, and the Pipkin might get pickled
County gets a new jail medical provider, T.J. Hardaway calls off his write-in campaign and Germantown plans for snow.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Zoo spies on local wildlife; plus, your winter forecast
Residents clash with city over SpaceXAI money, the Tigers get trampled and we’ve got the history behind that giant radio tower in Central Gardens.
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The To-Do List ‘Shellebrate’ 90 years of music, and share your Memphis hot takes
In this week’s To-Do List, there’s a new comedy club opening at Flyway, and 8Ball and MJG team up with an orchestra at the Orpheum.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Dark side of Mongo’s Planet and alleged speakeasy tax fraud
Little Petals is “unstoppable,” Grizz games are moving to a new app and a local indie rocker shaved her head to find success.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: County commissioner goes to jail, and Halbert left a backlog
MSCS takes away student laptops, a French restaurant is coming to Collierville and Mark Wahlberg was here.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Tiger meal deal flubs and a baby tiger surprise
The city is pausing plans for a road extension near SpaceXAI, new homes are coming to Orange Mound and Coach Huff is scared.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: New stadium fumbles and Collierville fire chief complaints
Some MATA riders say new buses aren’t enough, and Idlewild students hop on a different kind of bus.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: In-N-Out may go all in on Memphis, but one FedEx exec is out
Troopers helped ICE during the weekend raid, an iconic Downtown building has sold and the new Metal Museum is a family affair.
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The To-Do List Nu metal and power pop are at the Shell, and it’s Beyoncé's birthday
In this week’s To-Do List, get a sneak peek at the Memphis musicians playing AmericanaFest, and check out the openings of Satellite Music Hall and the Metal Museum.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: MATA gets new wheels, and Lee Harris gets a road
Protesters gather outside the Mason ICE facility, SpaceXAI is building another data center and we’ve got a look at Satellite Music Hall’s menu.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: New data center rules and a big cheer from St. Mary’s kids
New sheriff gives a jail tour, there’s a new arrest in the OUTMemphis shooting and we tell you what to expect at the Memphis Tigers season opener.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: 901 Day is here, and Olive Branch mayor starts Dolly drama
ICE raided a Berclair restaurant, a new data center is saying no to a tax freeze and the library escalators are finally moving.
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August 2026
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Bass Pro may cut bait, and Coach Huff makes a big splash
Another data center is coming, a dentist is opening a piano bar and we’ve got the recipe for Cocozza’s meatballs.
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