The Early Word: Green wants Lee’s seat, and Delta stops before it starts

Bianca Phillips By , Daily Memphian
Updated: July 15, 2025 6:14 AM CT | Published: July 15, 2025 6:14 AM CT Premium

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Good morning, Memphis! It’s Tuesday, July 15, and Ezekiel Kelly should learn his trial date today. Kelly is accused of killing three people and wounding three others in a citywide shooting spree in 2022.

Tonight, the Memphis Grizzlies’ Summer League team plays our old archrivals, the Golden State Warriors. 

New flight to be grounded: Delta Air Lines is launching a new daily nonstop flight between Memphis and New York City this fall, but if you need to take it between next January and May, you’re out of luck.

RIP, Kwizera: A beloved animal at the Memphis Zoo died Sunday after a brief illness.

On down the road: Lawyers for Tyré Nichols’ family are asking for a long delay in the civil trial against the City of Memphis.

How Santi spent his summer break: It’s been a big summer for Memphis Grizzlies player Santi Aldama.

Welcome to Braywolf: Collierville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen paved the way for a new subdivision Monday night.

Tigers in the pros: If you’ve been missing former Memphis Tigers players, you can get your fix with NBA Summer League.

Throwing some Eyeshade: Congrats to our staff for taking home lots of awards in the 75th Annual Green Eyeshades.

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Bianca Phillips

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.


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