The Early Word
The Early Word: ‘Big, beautiful’ budget brawl hits home; Cane’s been raised
City Council passes budget, the Music Hall of Fame announces a new class and Overton Park golfers had 99 problems — but a hole wasn’t one.
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 1045 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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June 2025
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The Early WordThe Early Word: MSCS OKs small raises, and Primas is whisking away
A new jail might have a new address, the Grizzlies need to find their center and less is more in Bartlett.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Black Pride, dog yoga and what to do for Bonnaroo FOMO
This week, Juneteenth gets started early, the BoDeans are at the Shell and the Memphis Social Bicycle Club races — in drag.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Jail is full of mildew, and Morant splits with Miller
Lawmakers accuse MSCS of destroying records, county property taxes may go up and Gonerfest has a new home.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Grizzlies say bye to Bane, and we’ve got a Parkways primer
FedEx makes a power move, there’s a fight brewing in Bartlett and we’ve got tips on what to order at City Silo.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Ford-Harris drama heats up; Head Start funds get late start
Man dies after police shooting, the Grizzlies’ trade market is wide open now and local Gen Z hipsters can soon stock up on blue-collar workwear.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Morant claps back, and NAACP throws a stone at xAI
MSCS is selling properties, Harris backs off his tax hike and we bid farewell to “real dude” Desmond Bane.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Alleged trespasser mad over crime; BBQ matriarch dies
Harris suggests tax hike again, the city nominates an animal shelter director and we’ve got a tip on how to handle bad takeout food.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: HoochieCon, Project Pat, Brewfest and summer solstice fun
This week, Juneteenth events continue, the rained-out Mid-South Pride parade has a new date and Lukah releases a new album — with lasers.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: No new Shelby County taxes and what’s next for FedEx
Germantown’s taxes are going up, a state ban will make it harder to catch a legal buzz and big tech predates the “Digital Delta.”
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The To-Do List This weekend brings outlaws, an Irish birthday and summer Shell shows
This week, Memphis Listening Lab turns four, art pairs with wine at the Brooks and there’s ballroom dancing on the Bluff.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: New laws start this week; plus, how you can fix potholes
Two men are dead after a Memphis Rox shooting, a retiring judge has “had enough” and every day is Thanksgiving at The Four Way.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Judge Norris steps off another case; Grizz make rookie moves
MEM could get a new name, Dainja is denied and a popular brunch spot has a mold problem.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Grizz get Coward; Germantown gets more yoga pants
Judge in Nichols case could be deposed, some of Tennessee’s private school voucher data is staying private and we’ve got your guide to Fourth of July fun.
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July 2025
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The Early WordThe Early Word: A Celtic crash, a deal for JJJ to stay and a new Penny in town
A man has been charged in the Memphis Rox shooting, the County Commission went back to the budget and there’s a new option for game night.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Chicken spot is ‘kuku’ for Memphis; JJJ news you need to toe
XAI secures big bucks, MSCS gets its money back from the feds and fireworks won’t be the only thing going boom this weekend.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: xAI gets its way, and a crash can’t stop Guinness from flowing
Fish and chips comes to Collierville, the Redbirds caused a stir on socials and we’ve got an update on JJJ’s toe.
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The To-Do List Watch fireworks three days in a row, and turn it up to 41 with Spinal Tap
This week the Hi-Tone Cafe hosts a market with queer vendors and free hot dogs. Plus a couple of guys named Lee join forces with a Sheikholeslami for an art show at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Shelby Farms’ grave mystery and Memphis’ fight over xAI
MSCS could lose money for translators, Olive Branch has a bonsai bonanza and Germantown gets its first mural.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Collierville sues over party foul; MPD must demote cops
New parks director is named, an Olympic star will run in Memphis and the Grizzlies were so close in Summer League.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Quail Ridge goes from holes to homes, and Rox will reopen
ALSAC has a new leader, and so do three city departments. Plus, girl dinner is having a moment at the Overton Park Shell.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Hy-Vee is off, party’s over and cobblestones are out
ALSAC’s new leader isn’t worried, a former Tigers star gets his flowers and we remember journalist Karanja A. Ajanaku.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Who is new at MSCS; plus, ramen news you need to dough
U of M may dismiss Ghanaian students, Grok chatbot talks about its own antisemitism and we get to know Coach Iisalo.
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The To-Do List Watch live bands on the ‘Pattiloo,’ and get a summer start on spooky season
This week, a James Beard winner takes over Bar Limina, the Dixon highlights early 20th-century female artists and you can make your own music at Bar DKDC.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Texas-sized flooding not likely here; Rox reopens for Mond
Old Daisy has a complicated history, an unexpected record was set at the Ed Murphey Classic and Eggxactly serves barbecue flavors for breakfast.
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