The Early Word
The Early Word: Could National Guard come here? Plus, bar fixes a mis-steak
Mason ICE facility is detaining immigrants, Demetrius Haley is free from prison and the University of Memphis goes over the “enrollment cliff.”
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 1118 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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September 2025
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Guard will be under Lee’s control; Tops catches fire — again
City questions legality of its employee unions, Good Fortune learns its game-show fortune and Wiseacre OG gets in the sandwich game.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: More on the National Guard; Midtown’s Parkview is back
Midtown Chick-fil-A is back, Arlington traffic may improve in a roundabout way and Thursday is for throwback movies.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Leaders oppose guard plans, and we remember Les Smith
Cats and coffee are coming to Southaven (yes, together), Collierville may max out on liquor stores and we also remember late businessman Walker Uhlhorn.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: When will the guard get here? What’s brewing near Broad?
FedEx shares good news, Brandon Clarke gets tackled by children and we have a tip for how to ward off vampires.
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The To-Do List What’s up: ‘X-Files,’ a fungi fest and ‘Bop Til You Drop’
This week, old movies return to the big screen, a plant pop-up pops up at another pop-up and two Downtown hotels host DJ events.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: House lizards, business cats and river gators! Oh, my!
Tigers defeat Razorbacks, County Commission may reject the National Guard and “four days of music and mayhem” are coming.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: MSCS board shakeup and a Central High kazoo rebellion
Something sweet is coming to East Memphis, the Tigers basketball team signs a new player and we look at what it would cost to fix every MSCS school.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Five MSCS schools may close, but Rhodes is firmly rooted
Council votes down National Guard opposition, Downtown’s gone country and a vacant Midtown dry cleaners is “kleaning” up.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Where the cops are and where to find pumpkin everything
New Monopoly game trades Park Place for Tom Lee Park, a local Supreme Court justice is retiring and we’ve got eight Grizzlies storylines to watch.
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The To-Do List Soak up the fall vibes with cocktails, campfires, fair rides and outdoor music
This week, watch artisans at work at the Pink Palace Craft Fair, celebrate the Greenline’s birthday at Hampline and view rarely seen artwork by Edward H. Perry.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Halbert’s late on her rent, and Cordova history is up for sale
Ford Jr.’s trial has been pushed back, Max’s Sports Bar goes hard on sports and Hardaway says his team is “second-best.”
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Colleges hit a cliff; how Ja spent his summer vacation
Myron Lowery has died, the National Guard won’t make arrests and we explain why your neighbor may have power when you don’t.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Party lines for MSCS board and a Cooper-Young eatery fire
Wanda Halbert denies Millington lease, a Downtown bagel shop heads east and we catch up with the Grizz after summer break.
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October 2025
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The Early WordThe Early Word: The guard’s not here yet, and a Downtown hotel is closing
Mulan has closed in Cooper-Young, MSCS has a new board chair and the Grizzlies have a new center with a down-under accent.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: State rejects county budget; feds want to ‘bulldoze’ crime
Social Desiii offers tastes from every Indian region, the Grizzlies have plans to fill a Bane-sized hole and it’s all gravy for Soul & Spirits.
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The To-Do List Jam out at Mempho, and do the Time Warp again at the Orpheum
This week, eat mooncakes at Crosstown, taste your way around the Medical District and show your commitment to Sparkle Motion at the Pink Palace.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: TV sports guy walks away, and First Watch plans a second
State’s county bond ban doesn’t matter right now, Google is going hard on West Memphis and The Liquor Store has beef with its catfish.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: The Station’s on the rocks; Skelly brings bones to the yard
Tigers football team is still undefeated, and the Showboats and Chris Brown both cancel over Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Task force is pulling folks over; how is it tracking arrests?
County tries to fix its cash-flow crunch, the Grizzlies get off to a rusty start and we’ve got your guide to spooky-season fun.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: High school science center opens, a Cracker Barrel closes
National Guard comes this week, City Council urges meeting to rethink Regional One and the last ex-cop charged in Nichols’ death goes free.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Guard may be here a year, and Pearson takes on Cohen
International Paper building has sold, Monster Market is back and Coach Tuomas Iisalo is looking at the bright side.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Wealthier families get school vouchers; Guard arrives today
South City is finally done, Morant says his ankle is “good” and Banana Ball is coming.
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Arts & Culture Where to scream, get lost and pick a pumpkin this spooky season
Let our Halloween guide to haunted houses, corn mazes and pumpkins patches help you prepare for the season.
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The To-Do List One Artoberfest, two Oktoberfests and Beale Street’s new hoodoo museum
This week, Monster Market opens, Slowdown Cinema screens a vampire classic and Brantley Ellzey takes over Crosstown Arts’ galleries.
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