The Early Word
The Early Word: Pat Neely’s new show and Geoff Calkins’ new pod
The data-center debate continues in Shelby County and North Mississippi, and we take a deep dive into a Memphis music murder mystery.
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 1428 articles by Bianca Phillips :
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October 2026
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Early voting opens, and Penny didn’t spend his own coin
MSCS faces a staffing crisis, the vacant Falls Building gets another chance and an inclusive baseball field is coming to Tobey Park.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Local 110-year-old is full of life, but the Landers hotel isn’t
Millington puts the brakes on data centers, yoga pants are coming to Southaven and our food writer makes her own B-Dubs/Dunkin’ combo meal.
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The To-Do List Aliens, vampires and a market of monster-inspired oddities
This week, the Tambourine Bash is back with a new name, Cooper-Young Beerfest takes over the Midtown Autowerks lot and a music show lasts six hours with no breaks.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Developer goes to jail, and it’s last call at Crosstown Brewing
Takeover board could replace Richmond, Pearson sues the City Council and if you’re craving fluffy eggs, we’ve got you.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: What could save the Sterick; plus a card game with cats
The Memphis Safe Task Force is a hot political topic, and we’ve got recs for ribs and fall coffees.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: School takeover back on hold; more Collierville Fire drama
The data-center moratorium vote is back, and council member Yolanda Cooper-Sutton is suspended from some duties.
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Arts & Culture Here for the boos: Guide to Halloween parties and trick-or-treating
Local haunts are hosting DJ nights, costume contests and even a hearse giveaway for adults. And there’s plenty of chances for the kiddos to stock up on candy all month long.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Long data-center pause fails, but anti-ICE vote succeeds
The troubled Central Lofts have a new future, a Bartlett bar feels like “Cheers” and we’ve ranked the top 10 Grizz rookies.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Big wins for the Grizz and two Memphis restaurants
The County Commission is running out of money for the MSCS suit, airport parking is getting easier and you can say goodbye to what’s left of Oak Court Mall.
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The To-Do List Dia de los Muertos, Irish autumn and a Southeast Asian anniversary party
This week, Collage Dance Collective opens its 17th season, the Broad Avenue Art Walk returns and “Monty Python’s Spamalot” opens at the Orpheum.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Tigers bounce back in OT, and Sunrise is rising farther east
SpaceX is facing penalties, cheese curds are coming to Lakeland and SmokeSlam may be smoked out.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Call him Ty JA-rome; plus, a Downtown law firm moves east
There’s still no plan to pay for a new Regional One, a Millington fugitive was found in Slovenia and we’ve got your Thanksgiving pumpkin pie recipe.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Grizz are undefeated, and the Tigers have a big (man) wait
County Commission won’t ditch the MSCS lawsuit, Anthropic is sued for adapting Elvis songs and things are looking up Downtown.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Brent Taylor’s sexts, Coach Huff rumors and ‘Asian Target’
Blackburn was missing from a gubernatorial forum, the County Clerk has new hours and fifth graders are creating public art.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Secret NBA bar and new rooftop bar opening Downtown
Regional One needs donations, the Tigers wrap their preseason with a loss and Bartlett’s superintendent is saying goodbye.
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The To-Do List Party like it’s the Middle Ages, and dive into Japanese and Indian culture
This week, Buddy Guy plays Graceland, Cameo hosts a techno vampire dance party and Morning After Club pops up after dark. Plus, we’ve got your Halloween party guide.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Nudity comes up in Feagins suit; Grizz take down Ja’s team
Pearson’s mom was allegedly involved in a polling site “disturbance,” dirt is finally moving at Union Station and there’s a lot brewing on the coffee scene.
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November 2026
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Cyberflashing, smash burgers and the end of the long run
Residents say SpaceXAI is lowballing them on home offers, the brewery industry is struggling and the Grizzlies are 6-0.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Memphis Tigers’ first wins and the Grizzlies’ first loss
It’s Election Day! Plus, the Memphis City Council chair faces a lawsuit, and the DA’s office releases Guard shooting videos.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Memphis flips red amidst U.S. blue wave, but it was close
Library workers can unionize, Germantown has a new mayor and a decrepit shopping center is coming down.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Reimagined Central Station and TN DOGE are coming soon
Pearson has things to say about gerrymandering, and we dig into the data on what happened with his loss. Plus, the Grizz lose again.
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The To-Do List Indie Memphis, hot wings and the start of holiday shopping
In this week’s To-Do List, the Metal Museum can fix your broken spoon (but not your heart), and Friends of George’s comes with a campy Christmas musical.
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The Early WordThe Early Word: Crosstown CEO’s new gig and Musk’s two new data centers
Collierville is getting a new place to congregate, one Little Petals location has a buffet and you can be on “Love Island USA”
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Metro This Week in Memphis: Downtown Dining and drinking at the Hu. Hotel
Also happening this week: Some schools are closed for Veterans Day, and the new Sultana Disaster Museum opens.
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