The Early Word
The Early Word: School takeover board comes to life, and a law firm is dead
UTHSC looks into racism claim, Holiday City has a new owner and we get a first taste of Josephine Estelle.
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 1314 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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June 2026
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The Early Word
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May 2026
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Slaps on the wrist for City Council chair and Arlington mayor
NBA passes lottery reform that could impact the Grizzlies, a Bartlett soul-food spot catches fire and you can stop worrying about Fred Smith Jr.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Mulroy sues over ‘busywork,’ and Boozer isn’t a given
Germantown kid falls out of the Spelling Bee, Southern food goes swanky and it’s time to start making tailgating plans.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: New voter map is upheld, and Grizz may get a raw deal
Three are appointed to the school takeover board, Blackburn questions Trump and the former Daily News building has a new owner.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: New Le Bonheur exec pulls out; No Comment switches it up
A Midtown church is tearing down buildings, a Memphis kid stars in a new movie and we look back at what brought the U of M law school Downtown.
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The To-Do List The River Run, the Sunset Symphony and lemon drops in the park
In this week’s To-Do List, meet the artist behind Wiseacre’s cans, take a storybook tour of Tom Lee Park and get a taste of Cuba.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Anthropic’s rent at xAI and how Mike Miller lets talent fly
Novel workers vote to unionize, an immigrants-rights group sues state troopers and Memphis names its first poet laureate.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Huff has a lot to say; Andrew Michael guys have a new place
Redistricting fight brings out the big guns, the ex-MATA CEO wants her job back and Novel workers may form a union.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Outdoors Inc. takes a hike; Memphians dance for a Grizz Girl
No Kings bodycam video is out, a Memphis voice remains on the education board and a 13-year-old is a barbecue champ.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Latest on the state takeovers of local schools and politics
Memphis hospitals get bad ratings, barbecue fest ended with back-to-back champs and we look back on the life of Monk.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Civil-rights activists rekindle as judge sides with voter map
Another suit is filed over redistricting, a Germantown restaurant will open ahead of schedule and The Artist Table is gone.
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The To-Do List Brass band on the Wolf, Bigfoot on Beale and Birdcap’s new book
This week, you can peep Cooper-Young backyard gardens, camp out with mushroom people and release your intentions into Hyde Lake.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Harris presents his last budget, and Newby’s just won’t die
The Shell is getting a backstage, a Cooper-Young property changes hands and there a familiar face at Buster’s Butcher.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: A Grizz star has fallen, and Sexton pushes House Dems out
Pearson picks his district race, a new Downtown bar wants the morning crowd and Houston’s-style chicken tenders are back.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Residents throw more money into trash and down the drain
Another lawsuit is filed over redistricting, Ghost River owners explains why they left Beale and Huff wants the Tigers to be like Michael Jackson.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Grizzlies get lucky, and the redistricting fight is on
FedEx may have an advantage over Amazon, suburban school enrollment is down and here’s why tomatoes cost so much.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Memphis gets carved up, and the Grizz need lottery luck
Colleagues remember Judge Skahan, third-graders will get retested and HighTee golf lounges adds, um, high tea.
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The To-Do List Puppies take over Crosstown, and Greek Fest serves 7,000 kebabs
In this week’s To-Do List, catch up on the first “Heat” before the sequel drops, watch an Irish sports throwdown and catch the season’s first free show at Overton Park Shell.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Memphis may be split into thirds, and a Legacy is dissolved
The vacancy left by G.A. Hardaway is filled, a new chatbot has moved into Grok’s house and Collierville is giving up on X.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Election winners locked in as redistricting effort begins
Shooting breaks out in Cooper-Young, Carolina Watershed may get a new life and we’ve got the opening lineup for Crosstown’s new music venue.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: FedEx has an Amazon problem, and BBQ fest plays with fire
Shelby County will back an MSCS lawsuit, the Chamber looks for a new leader and a taproom is ghosting Beale.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Memphis could get flipped, and TBI gets more power
Protesters block xAI, and you can buy a recording studio and a record store with everything in it.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Ted Townsend is out, and Baron Von Opperbean is in
Mulroy’s under a microscope, ramen joins pastries Downtown and we meet an inspiration on wheels.
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April 2026
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The To-Do List A very Wu-Tang weekend, a River of Time and Riverbeat Music Fest
In this week’s To-Do List, you get a pass to peek into people’s backyards, there’s a morning rave on Beale Street and Global Cafe hosts a beer mile for a cause.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Some push to paint this town red, and a hotel gets a refresh
The kid who sued Ja Morant is a Tiger now. Plus, we’ve got a deep dive on Grizzlies guard prospects and an intro to our new food writer.
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