The AM/DM

It’s another music-filled weekend in Memphis, with Mempho Music Festival returning to the Memphis Botanic Garden’s Radians Amphitheater, the 50th anniversary tour of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” coming to the Orpheum Theatre and the Pink Palace celebrating Taylor Swift’s new album (all weekend-long).  Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss it all.

After two popular fast food restaurants — Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s — challenged the town’s parking regulations, Collierville is looking at changing its maximum number of spaces for restaurants. Today, the town’s Planning Commission is expected to decide what changes it will recommend to the Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen. If the maximum is increased, the change could potentially reshape parking for future and existing restaurants. Editorial director Mary Cashiola and suburbs reporter Abigail Warren discuss.  Plus: "Ja & Jaren" enter their seventh year together An Uptown brewery heads to the Great American Beer Festival Memphis Botanic Garden begins entry courtyard renovations MSCS is to sell two buildings The first National Guard deployments are expected within two weeks A former officer involved in Tyre Nichols death wants to be released from custody  

Seven years ago, a new startup began in Memphis to bring people local news. Staffed by longtime local journalists, The Daily Memphian began September 17, 2018, with morning and afternoon emails and a design that felt very reminiscent of a physical newspaper — but there was no actual print component. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and CEO Eric Barnes talk about the past seven years, why the site is a nonprofit and if print will ever make a comeback.  Plus: Mulan permanently closes Cooper-Young location after fire A Brownsville factory expected to be part of Ford's BlueOval City supply chain is canceled The Regional One Health rebuild team has been announced Changes are coming to MSCS elections AngelStreet Memphis plans a youth-first recording studio Some documents in the Tyre Nichols civil rights lawsuit could become public

Memphis’ native lizards, known as skinks, generally prefer a natural, wooded habitat, away from people. But more Memphians are finding lizards near — and at times in — their homes. They crawl out of fireplaces, skitter across porch lights and hide in cracks. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and reporter Jody Callahan revisit a question about why there seem to be more lizards in the Mid-South now as opposed to many years ago.  Plus: Fire breaks out at a Cooper-Young restaurant Hive Bagel is opening a new location in East Memphis Taco Prime offers an authentic experience in Bartlett A Collierville educator is Tennessee's Teacher of the Year A prominent Midtown yoga studio is closing after 12 years Memphis Safe Task Force begins this week

Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about the week ahead, including Richard Smith joining the FedEx board and new plans for Whitehaven’s Peppertree Apartments.  Plus: Former Memphis councilman Myron Lowery has died DNA links a Texas murder to a 1997 rape of a Memphis girl Memphis police shoot and kill a man Ja Morant discovered his international fame The Memphis Tigers beat the FAU Owls A children's book teaches kids about stormwater A historic Cordova school is for sale The new Monopoly: Memphis edition debuts Edmund Ford Jr.'s federal trial is pushed back

This weekend’s fun includes the Mid-South Fair, Gonerfest, a yoga festival and Shakespeare. Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about all of that on The AM/DM podcast this morning. And former Daily Memphian food writer Joshua Carlucci is expected to be back in town and at Novel Saturday for the launch of the latest issue of The Pinch. Plus: A new police shift targets speeding, reckless driving and drag racing Bartlett plans major upgrades to sewer and water treatment systems Collierville selects a team to create a roadmap to 2050 Memphis-Shelby County Schools recommends closing five schools

Earlier this week, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted to move all nine Memphis-Shelby County Schools board seats to the 2026 ballot — effectively shortening some members’ terms from four years to two. Commissioners who backed the resolution say it’s about aligning elections. Critics say it’s essentially a recall on the school board. Today, Mary Cashiola talks with Bill Dries about the 7–5 vote, the backstory to the clash, and what might happen next.  Plus: A bond was set on day two of the hearing for DeAndre and Vinessa Brown A woman has been sentenced for the Graceland sale scheme Memphis Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on its biggest development yet A new food co-op has opened on South Main Street

Readers love them. Readers hate them. Readers love to hate them. The Daily Memphian’s comment section is a place the community can discuss the issues of the day, but it’s also a place where discussions can get heated. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and digital director Holly Whitfield talk about how the comments section works, why moderation is not censorship and why the site’s comments will likely never go away.  Plus: The County Commission failed to pass a resolution opposing the National Guard deployment Assessments of Memphis-Shelby County Schools' buildings estimated repair costs throughout the next 10 years The Collierville library expansion will now cost $12 million Sweet Musings Bakery & Cafe expands to East Memphis

For the first time in years, Bolton High School’s girls soccer team is back on the field — and it’s about more than the score. Editorial director Mary Cashiola and preps reporter John Varlas talk about the school’s inexperienced but eager team and how they are trying to bring hope and energy to a school still reeling from tragedy. Plus: Fancy Cat Cafe is set to open in Southaven Hyde Park housing plan is revealed DeAndre and Vinessa Brown remain in custody

In this look at the week ahead, The Daily Memphian’s Mary Cashiola and Bianca Phillips talk about two related proposals in front of the Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony and how the Shelby Farms Greenline started oh-so-many years ago.  Plus: USL League Two is coming to Memphis in 2026 FedEx reports positive first quarter results The Lakeland vice mayor is running for spot on Shelby County Commission Memphis Safe Task Force specifics are still being worked out

We get into the Memphis Tigers’ last SEC football game (for a while, at least), where you can see hot air balloons take flight and why you might want to hit the Totally Rad Vintage Fest. Also, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter Bianca Phillips talk about the real reason we don’t always touch on what’s happening with sports.  Plus: Competing rallies demonstrate a partisan divide over the National Guard deployment Ramblin' Joe's on Sam Cooper opens on Sunday MLGW takes a step toward buying a Cordova property Council members push Governor Bill Lee to reject the National Guard deployment Main Street will soon get new banners An xAI subsidiary subleases 550+ acres for a solar panel project

The Peabody Memphis — the city’s most iconic hotel — has unveiled a $19 million makeover of its guest rooms. It’s part of a 30-year effort to update the property, which is being funded by a special tourism development zone approved specifically for the hotel and the large-scale renovations.  In this episode, editorial director Mary Cashiola and business reporter Dima Amro talk about the sneak peek Amro got into the new rooms, what other upgrades are planned and the hotel’s numerous nods to duck decor.  Plus: Local business owners are to share their journey on a small business panel today The Tennessee Supreme Court sides with the police union again Collierville is to consider two more liquor stores A Southaven park gets a renovation The Arlington Planning Commission approves a road realignment and a new roundabout The midtown Chick-fil-A on Union Avenue reopens

In the wake of Tyré Nichols’ death, the Memphis Police Department decided it had an absence of supervision in the field, and set out to fix that problem by creating a new position — the second lieutenant. But that solution caused a string of other problems. At the heart of this conflict are 100-plus police officers who could be demoted. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and enterprise reporter Sam Hardiman try to sort through the situation.  Plus: D.C. federal law enforcement efforts could inform what happens in Memphis Wiseacre's OG location is opening an in-house sandwich shop The latest on Google's West Memphis data center The most recent Tops Bar-B-Q fire is suspected as arson

A new convention center hotel and a major convention center expansion are beginning in North Mississippi. Late last month, ground was broken on the Landers Center’s $85 million expansion, which includes a unique hotel-convention center project. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and North Mississippi reporter Brandon LaGrone talk about how it could represent a brand new chapter for the area.  Plus: President Trump sheds light on plan for Memphis Good Fortune Co. made it to the finale in "The Great Food Truck Race" Control of MATA's money goes to a city trust New federal charges target Ghost Mob again Memphis International Airport begins a $700 million upgrade Breakfast chain First Watch will open a Gemantown location in late September

Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips and columnist Chris Herrington talk about the week ahead, which includes The Daily Memphian’s upcoming anniversary.  And just ahead of B.B. King’s 100th birthday, Herrington dives deep into the blues legend’s impact on the Memphis music scene. Plus: The National Guard is coming to Memphis The Memphis Police Department may soon have to demote more than 200 2nd Lieutenants Memphis-Shelby County Schools struggles to hire certified educators 8Ball and his son launch a local nonprofit Collierville Schools is to improve cell service at the high school Two major retailers plan to open locations in Millington Michael Dunavant's appointment to return to the position of U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee cleared the U.S. Senate's Judiciary Committee St. Jude announced a second Advanced Research Center Germantown will not pursue an outdoor sports complex

Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips and digital producer Kelsey Bowen talk about the weekend ahead, which is ripe with events that hearken back to the dot-com era. Also, we tell you where to find The Daily Memphian booth at the Cooper-Young Festival and why it matters. (Spoiler: There’s a prize wheel!) Plus: A Bartlett officer is injured in a fatal shooting of a drug suspect Lakeland looks for ways to pay for special education A West Tennessee ICE facilty has receieved its first detainees Mayor Paul Young says the National Guard could be deployed to Memphis

Out of all Shelby County’s municipalities, Germantown may have the least available land left to develop. The city is landlocked, its boundaries set, but there are 33 acres of what could be prime real estate just west of the popular Saddle Creek shopping center.  Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and suburbs editor Clay Bailey talk about the land known as the “Arthur property” and what it might mean for the bedroom community.  Plus: A former officer convicted in Tyre Nichols' death is released from federal custody Methodist grows the Neuroscience Institute Memphis Police Department touts that overall crime is at a 25-year low Tennessee Shakespeare Co. is putting on two free series of shows

For more than a decade, DeAndre Brown was one of Memphis’ most visible advocates for giving people leaving prison a second chance. Through his nonprofit, Lifeline to Success, he and his wife, Vinessa, built a model that combined job training, anti-blight clean-ups, and mentorship for hundreds of former inmates. But now, that story has taken a dramatic turn. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and longtime reporter Bill Dries talk about how the Browns went from running a celebrated reentry program to facing felony charges. Plus: Riverside Drive has reopened Shelby Farms opens a permanent food truck park Google confirms a West Memphis data center

Potential school closures at Memphis-Shelby County Schools have been a topic of conversation for years now, but it’s been almost just as long since district leaders have actually closed a large number of schools.  But that’s changing soon, or seems to be. Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond’s administration is expected to produce a list of schools to close or consolidate later this month, and at least one board member said there’s no need to keep kicking the can down the road.  What’s more, those potential closures are just the beginning.  Plus: The old Bayer building could become a campus for kids aging out of foster care An embezzlement case leaves a high school band short on funds A new pecan brand is rooted in family Hotel Napoleon's bar reopens with a different operator Riverside Drive reopens with changes Trees are disappearing on Wolf River Boulevard Memphis school students have been diagnosed with a highly contagious illness Wing Guru closes its final Memphis partner location Frontier Airlines is to add a nonstop route between Memphis and Atlanta

Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss the week ahead, and the week ahead signals the beginning of fall festival season. Cooper-Young Festival is on the horizon, along with the Friday night 4-miler, and a new hummingbird festival is alighting on Southaven.  Plus: Memphis Tigers won against the Georgia State Panthers on Saturday Questions surround the new trial for the former officers convicted in Tyre Nichols' death The judge in the police union vs. City of Memphis case recuses herself A new plan for the Arthur property in Germantown is on the table The Memphis Zoo expands the Free Tuesdays program Ballet Memphis names its first executive director Memphis area home sales are down