The AM/DM

January hits hard this weekend, but there's still stuff to do, especially if you're ready to be put to work. In today's episode, newsletter editor Bianca Phillips and editorial director Mary Cashiola talk about it all.  Plus: TN Republicans unveil sweeping immigration legislation Sally Jones Heinz is stepping down from MIFA Locals worry what could happen here in the wake of a fatal Minneapolis ICE shooting Woodland Presbyterian launches a $2.2M campus campaign Local GameStop locations are closing A man dies in Frayser after a chase with the Task Force

In December, a new baby orangutan was born at the Memphis Zoo — only the second orangutan born there in a decade. The World Wildlife Foundation estimates that there are fewer than 120,000 orangutans left in the wild and about 1,000 total in zoos worldwide. That's down from an estimated 230,000 orangutans who were living a century ago. So, having a new baby orangutan at the Memphis Zoo is good news — and it's unbelievably adorable. Today, reporter Jody Callahan joins us to talk about everything orangutan.  Plus: A local movie wraps filming around Memphis SmokeSlam is to pause in 2026 A woman arrested at an ICE protest appears in court Germantown updates rules on beer and liquor sales

For much of its first year in existence, xAI used Tesla Megapacks and portable natural gas turbines — in addition to some power from Memphis Light, Gas and Water — to power Colossus, its first area data center. But the artificial intelligence company's local power usage ramped up in April of 2025, after the company appeared to fully connect to a newly constructed MLGW substation. Today, we talk about the amount of power xAI is using, as well as what they are using it for, and how it fits into the national conversation.  Plus: Grizz coach says there is a chance Ja will play in Europe The Commission steps in to pay the county clerk's rent in Millington New home developments could increase in Lakeland The County Commission votes to keep all nine board seats on the 2026 ballot Some pre-K classrooms could close within 30 days without county funding

The 114th Tennessee General Assembly convenes in Nashville today with an aggressive, but perhaps quick, agenda. Today, Noah McLane, our reporter in Nashville, is here to set up the upcoming session for us.  Plus: Desmond Bane has no hard feelings Tennessee passes on federal help that would feed far more children Baptist Memorial sells a Germantown-based clinic An iconic North End restaurant announces its sale xAI's $50M Memphis energy footprint

It's a big week in politics and governance, as the 114th General Assembly starts its latest legislative session in Nashville.  But, closer to home, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners will chat about a resolution to set new standards to censure members of the body who break the rules of decorum. Former presidential candidate Kamala Harris will talk about her new book, "107 Days," at a ticketed event at the Orpheum Theatre.  And then the Memphis Grizzlies are on the road ... to Europe.  In today's episode, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss the events of the upcoming week.  Plus: Midtowners have a new ice cream shop A measles case was reported at Memphis International Airport A state lawmaker files a bill to keep ICE out of schools and churches A Bartlett resident is bringing Play It Again Sports to the suburb Leaders tout xAI's investment in the Southaven data center

This weekend is full of music, movies and dancing. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about "The Magic of Motown," "it girls" of art, films about running, films with puppets, blacksmithing classes, line dancing and transcendent dancing.  Plus: A Bartlett resident is bringing Play It Again to the suburb An East Memphis liquor store gets approval from the local Alcohol Commission A $60M renovation will get a Memphis raceway firing on all cylinders again Erling Jensen Small Bites gets a new chef A jury finds a local gynecologist guilty of 40 charges

Ellen Chamberlain recently put together a "worth the drive" piece on restaurants that may be a little bit off your beaten path but should not be missed. She joins us today to tell us all about them.  Plus: Jerri Green is named interim chief public defender A packed room challenges a Southaven board over xAI Military lawyers are sworn in to help with federal Task Force cases Two local lawmakers now agree how to move forward with a MSCS takeover

In May, during a Fox News interview, Kash Patel, the director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, said Memphis was "the homicide capital of America per capita." He also mentioned that he didn't know that until he was confirmed in his position. But that news may have been less surprising to Memphians, where the murder rate has long been cause for concern.  In 2025, however, the number of murders declined more than 25% since 2024. Today, reporter Sam Hardiman joins us to talk about the city's murder rate, when it started falling, potentially why and if the Memphis Safe Task Force has played a demonstrable role.  Plus: CBU names an insider to guide the post-probation turnaround Jason Smith and John Martin are set to replace Calkins on the 92.9 lineup What Memphians can expect in the 2026 TN General Assembly Germantown's The Standard development could generate $2.2M in taxes A former bank CEO pleads guilty to child porn charges

In the time the Memphis Safe Task Force has been on the ground in the Bluff City, it's been challenging for local journalists to get accurate data on its operations, such as who has been arrested and where members of federal law enforcement are working within the city.  Recently, however, The Daily Memphian was able to obtain daily reports from the Task Force between Oct. 1 and Dec. 8, with reporters Aarron Fleming and Sam Hardiman analyzing each day's information. One thing of particular note was that most of the Task Force's immigration arrests stem from traffic stops.  Today, we talk about that and what else the daily situation reports could show us. Plus: Trump claims the Memphis crime drop is due to the Task Force McLendon rolls out legislative priorities for Mississippi The futures of the last state-run ASD schools are in limbo National Guard numbers swelled in mid-November

For decades, scientists believed a small beetle with a comically large snout had quietly vanished from the forests of the eastern United States — wiped out by the same disease that nearly erased the American chestnut tree itself. The greater chestnut weevil hadn't been definitively seen since the 1990s. Many assumed it was extinct. But two scientists at the University of Memphis weren't so sure. Today, the story of a beetle presumed gone — and what its rediscovery might mean in an era of rapid biodiversity loss. Plus: Venezuelans in Memphis feel euphoria now that the 'nightmare' is over Memphis overcomes sloppy play to open American Conference play with a win against North Texas 2026 is set to be a big build year for Lakeland and Bartlett A 'Save the Harrold' campaign reimagines a historic Millington building A Mississippi state senator is to introduce legislation targeting a school board member who supported Lindsey Whiteside There is a new wave of Memphis-connected health apps Nearly 90% of Task Force immigration arrests started with traffic stops

It's the new year and a time when people often look to make changes in their lives, whether that means getting healthier, spending more time with friends or family or finding a new job or career. That's the thinking behind Dry January. But it's also the thinking behind a similar effort, Veganuary, a 31-day challenge to have people cut animal products out of their diets.  Today, The Daily Memphian's newsletter editor, Bianca Phillips, joins us to talk about her own personal journey to living a plant-based lifestyle, the local restaurants she likes and steps others can take to try eating vegan.  Plus: New THC laws will reshape how Tennessee eats, drinks and gets high Buc-ee's in West Memphis and Fayette County is delayed XAI buys a building for a third Memphis-area data center in Southaven Marshall Steakhouse owner decides against selling

Just call this The AM/DM AMA.  To wrap up 2025 and answer some of our readers' most burning questions from the year, we decided to do an "Ask Me Anything" style segment. Today, digital director Holly Whitfield brings questions derived from social media channels, and we talk about media bias, if citizen groups could overcome xAI and what might happen with The Station, the would-be liquor store on White Station Road.  Plus: A Christmas party shooting rekindles the fight over 'party house' rentals Kuya restaurant will blend Filipino culture and food on South Main One of the city's largest murals has been painted at Le Bonheur The former Memphis Motorsports Park is to reopen next year TVA is moving ahead with natural gas turbines in Southwest Memphis

In the three months since the Memphis Safe Task Force began in Memphis, the operation has impacted almost everything in some way, whether it's crime rates, court dockets, school transportation or even restaurants and nightlife.  We know how many of Memphis' elected officials feel about the task force, but what about regular people, just trying to live their lives? What do they think? Today, we're joined by metro editor Jane Donahoe to talk about what our reporters recently learned. Plus: The Memphis Zoo welcomes a critically endangered baby orangutan A local mission-driven apparel company returns to its roots A native Memphian is apppointed number two of the U.S. Marshals Service

The year begins officially on Thursday, and we've got a list of things for you to do on Wednesday, New Year's Eve, in our guide to the holiday. Mary Cashiola and Bianca Phillips set up the week for you.  Plus:  House GOP is set to push forward a Memphis school takeover plan with 'teeth' U of M is asking the state for $162 million for two projects A Bible education program is expanding into Germantown and Collierville public schools

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, hopefully you like music or comedy. Or both. Today, Mary Cashiola and Bianca Phillips talk about those events as well as what to do on New Year's Eve.  Plus: Community builder Jared Myers is to help shape Bartlett's next chapter School board members are set to vote on the future of Westwood in February Another inmate dies at 201 Poplar

Collierville is currently developing a blueprint for what its residents' hope to see in the suburb over the next 25 years. The process will replace the old 2040 plan and take Collierville into 2050, but what that will look like — and what it will mean for the town — is still up in the air. Today, suburbs reporter Abigail Warren joins us to talk about the possibilities for the town as well as what some people want to see in the historic square.  Plus: More than 70 would-be candidates get petitions for 2026 elections A DeSoto County dentist office will start 2026 with something to smile about A Chicago agriculture processor closes part of a Memphis facility and lays off 95 Paulette's welcomes a new chef

In mid-December, Ford Motor Co. announced new plans to build affordable gas-powered pickup trucks at BlueOval City, instead of the electric trucks it had initially planned to build in West Tennessee. The change to gas-powered trucks also means West Tennessee isn't tied to the nation's shifting EV market.  So, what do people living near BlueOval think? Today, business reporter Sophia Surrett joins us to talk about the change and what it means for Stanton and Haywood County.  Plus: Southaven Intermediate School Principal April Rucker has been named the district's Administrator of the Year The University of Memphis has fired the head of its foundation Trinity Church gets donated property in Collierville A Downtown midcentury highrise was bought for more than $3M

This week marks Christmas and the start of the winter holidays for public school students around the entirety of Shelby County.  But today is also the day when candidates in the first of three 2026 elections in Shelby County can begin filling out qualifying petitions to run for office. And because of term limits, Shelby County will see a new mayor, new sheriff and new clerk — positions currently held by Lee Harris, Floyd Bonner Jr. and Wanda Halbert,  respectively — elected in 2026.   Shelby County is also guaranteed eight new County Commissioners in the year's upcoming election. And then there are the school board races, which will have local partisan primaries for the first time ever.  Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and political reporter Bill Dries dive a little deeper into this first step of the elections.  Plus: Stanton neighbors welcome Ford's gas truck pivot Why Memphis requires liquor stores to be 1,500 feet away from a church or a school Coach Penny Hardaway says Tigers are struggling due to a lack of 'discipline, sacrifice and buy-in' The City of Memphis and the Memphis Firefighters Association are winding down litigation A man is sentenced for aiding a former cop in a murder cover-up The National Guard could be in Memphis well into 2026 after a court ruling

We're wrapping ourselves in holiday music and movies this week. Between Victorian caroling at The Peabody Memphis with Opera Memphis, and a supergroup of Memphis musicians performing the soundtrack from the 1965 animated classic, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at Lafayette's Music Room, you're bound to at least hear the holiday spirit. And you can see 'It's a Wonderful Life' at the Orpheum Theatre.  Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and digital producer Kelsey Bowen discuss some of the fun to be had.  Plus: The Memphis airport is being renamed after Fred Smith The Alcohol Commisison postpones the decision for The Station for three weeks Former MSCS chief Marie Feagins opens bid for Shelby County mayor 15 Memphis schools could close as part of a plan to improve buildings Houston Levee is getting a glow-up

The City of Memphis has spent $13.7 million over the past five years to bring a hotel, apartments and an entertainment venue to Liberty Park, as a way to spark economic development in the area. But years into the project, the hotels and the apartments haven't been built, the tax growth hasn't come to fruition and the city has had to use other money to pay its debt on the project, for three consecutive years.  Today, Mary Cashiola, editorial director of The Daily Memphian, and enterprise reporter Samuel Hardiman look at what's going on with the property and why it's so important to the city.  Plus: Team Car Cafe may be closing but it's going out with a bang Memphis City Council shifts Leftwich funds to the Audubon Golf Clubhouse and Jesse Turner Park renovations A judge tosses a theft case against two former charter school directors Memphis City Council passes a firefighter pay raise MSCS board sues the Election Commission over shortened terms