The AM/DM

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

Ethan Edwards' vision for a high-end liquor store in East Memphis — one that goes far beyond shelves of wine and spirits — has been stalled for more than a year. The Station is currently open but court rulings, denied licenses and a bitter legal fight with nearby competitors have kept the business from selling liquor. Today, Edwards is trying again. The Station is headed back to the City of Memphis' Alcohol Commission at 9 a.m. this morning, and Edwards' hope is that he'll be granted a license today. But as those who have been following this story know, it's not yet a done deal. This morning, reporter Jody Callahan and editorial director Mary Cashiola discuss.  Plus: New approval gives old properties a second chance to create value for Shelby County Collierville opens a new fire station A controversial air emissions construction permit issued to xAI will stand No timeline on the appeal in the Nichols federal case leaves two former officers in limbo Collierville gets to work on a 25-year plan  

Last week, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools debuted its new "Real Time Safety Center" to the public. Located in a vacant elementary school, the new safety center will serve as a training hub for school resource officers and provide round-the-clock surveillance on the district's more than 200 facilities. But the real goal is to prevent tragedy.  Today, we're talking to enterprise reporter Laura Testino about her first-hand look inside the facility and what the district hopes to accomplish.  Plus: Ford will now produce gas-powered trucks in BlueOval City Crosstown CEO Todd Richardson was dying until Adrian Garcia showed up Memphis' historic cobblestone landing formally opened Friday Charlie's Meat Market's temporary closure could turn permanent MICAH says the Sheriff's Office is staying in the ICE training program Alabama Shakes will be the first concert at the new Grind City Amp

It's the last full, holiday-free week of the year and time to get business done. The Shelby County Board of Commissioners and the Memphis City Council will have their last meetings of the year. Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about those meetings as well as Collierville starting its 2050 vision process.  Plus: The city is still spending on Liberty Park debt and consultants while construction remains stalled The Station owner is trying again for a liquor license Ja Morant is frustrated by the recent loss to the Jazz and team injuries DA Barton warns Memphis criminals to turn around Ford and SK On are to dismantle their battery joint venture An attorney splits with Feagins in a suit against MSCS Wild Beet is to open in the former Railgarten space

Bianca Phillips and Mary Cashiola suggest what to do this weekend, including a "Friday After Next" party — on Friday, natch — and a live action murder mystery at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens.  Plus: There are new plans for the former Club 616/Spectrum Memphis in May names the honored country for 2026 Thousands of Memphis-area kids could lose pre-k in January A Houston company plans to turn two blocks of Downtown into a tech hub The Sheriff's Office responds to inmates' depictions of jail life

Before there was the Memphis Safe Task Force, there was Viper, an FBI operation that occurred very quietly over the past summer. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and enterprise reporter Sam Hardiman talk about what The Daily Memphian learned about Viper through an open records request, including the operation's very speedy strategy. Plus: CBU exits probation after two years Lakeland approves a new plan for The Lake District after years of setbacks The Raleigh Springs Civic Center farmers market breaks ground Cxffeeblack's new flagship cafe has opened MSCS wants to transfer Lucy Elementary to Millington's school district over the summer  

For the past year and a half, the Shelby County Jail — commonly known as 201 Poplar — has been over its 2,400-inmate capacity. And with the recent surge in local arrests tied to the Memphis Safe Task Force, conditions inside 201 seem to be deteriorating. Recent inmates describe overcrowding, violence, neglect and a system struggling under the weight of new bookings. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and public safety reporter Aarron Fleming talk about conditions inside the jail, what's causing them and what suggestions have been made to fix the issues.  Plus: Memphis seniors get $3M in federal funding for home repair A local law firm files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Germantown waits to change the debt limit Ashlar Hall's restoration was 'anything but simple'  

Former Tigers head football coach Ryan Silverfield initially joined the program in 2016 as the offensive line coach, becoming head coach four seasons later. But news broke a little more than a week ago that Silverfield had taken a job with Arkansas and would be leaving the University of Memphis. Now, we know that Southern Mississippi coach Charles Huff will join the U of M as its new head coach, and he's bringing some members of his coaching staff with him.  Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola talks to University of Memphis football reporter Frank Bonner about where the program is now, how important the new coach is for the university and what to know as the Tigers go into the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa.  Plus: Local baristas battle in a latte art competition Lakeland board considers rezoning land along US 70 Before the Memphis Safe Task Force, there was Operation Viper Prosecutors charge 15 in an alleged marijuana trafficking conspiracy A new Collierville office park is made to order for businesses who want to design their own space

The week starts out very serious, with two public meetings to discuss the plan to close Chickasaw Middle School and fold it into Westwood High School to create a new Westwood school serving sixth through twelfth grades.  Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss that, as well as the Greater Memphis Chamber's Annual Chairman's Luncheon, one of the best local networking events of the year — if you ask Cashiola.  They also discuss a recent trend of the season, the holiday rom-com, and how there's one coming out that's set in Memphis.  Plus: Recent inmates describe filth and physical abuse at 201 Poplar and Jail East Memphis football is hiring Charles Huff as the next head coach Grizzlies flex their bench strength to knock off the Trail Blazers Brothers-in-law buy the Renaissance Center office building for $33.5 million Marsha Blackburn targets cargo theft in Memphis with new federal legislation

It's St. Jude Memphis Marathon weekend, but that doesn't mean the fun stops. It some ways, it just keeps going ... for 26.2 miles. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss some of what's happening this weekend, including the Stumbling Santa pub crawl, the latte art throwdown and one of Phillips' favorite events, what she calls "the crystal show." Plus: Two were arrested following a chase where a state trooper fired a shot USPS signs a lease for a Memphis facility TBI finds nothing unusual in a MPD audit The Downtown Memphis Commission's Design Review Board approved facade designs and renovation plans a restaurant and a brewery

When it comes to going to the theater, December has some very popular — and very traditional — offerings. Think the Mouse King or Tuna, Texas, and you'll know what we're talking about. Today, The Daily Memphian's resident theater kid Alys Drake, who also writes our monthly theater roundup, takes us through December's offerings.  Plus: Memphian Chloe Sexton appears on "Next Level Baker" tonight The Daily Memphian Commercial Real Estate Seminar is this afternoon at Memphis Botanic Garden Mr. Rusty's Real Taste of Chicago has closed its Winchester location The State of Tennessee challenges the National Guard ruling Hattie B's is a step closer to opening a second Memphis-area location As the City Council debates firefighter raises, one member compares it to rape The trial begins for a Memphis doctor over $41M in reimbursement

The Memphis Safe Task Force, the massive federal, state and local law enforcement operation in Memphis, has now been operational for more than two months. Public safety reporter Aarron Fleming recently got an inside look at the day-to-day operations during a ride-along with Warrant Team Bravo, as they moved to find and arrest a homicide suspect.  Today, Fleming and editorial director Mary Cashiola talk about how he was able to do the ride-along, what he learned from the U.S. Marshal he rode with and what it felt like to be on the ground with the task force.  Plus:  Memphis library workers might need to reapply for ther jobs A golf simulator is planned for Collierville For DeSoto County students, getting a head start in college begins at The W A new Frayser high school means families may get assigned to different schools The City of Memphis and the Police Association edge toward a resolution over the second lieutenant position A former Memphis police officer charged with murder five years ago will serve 38 years in prison for his crimes

Longtime local food writer and chef Jennifer Chandler joined The Daily Memphian in 2024 and left the news site about a year later due to family obligations. But now she's back as a freelancer and bringing Daily Memphian readers delicious recipes as part of our long-running "Recipe Exchange" series. Since she's returned, for example, we've gotten recipes for Char's pecan pie, Alcenia's candied yams and Curb Side Casseroles' ambrosia.  Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola talks to Chandler about the best advice she has for home cooks, nostalgia dishes, the most important thing for a dinner party and what, exactly, is a tart pan.  Plus: Ryan Silverfield takes Memphis personnel to Arkansas Hattie B's restaurant chain hopes to add a location in Germantown A team at UTHSC is using a revolutionary method to study certain types of viruses and test an antiviral drug Duncan Williams has been named chairman of the Greater Memphis Chamber Board of Directors Conservation efforts save 700+ acres from logging  

GivingTuesday is one of a few Thanksgiving-related holidays, such as Black Friday, Buy Nothing Day, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. But, GivingTuesday, started in 2012, differs from those other holidays because it's not about consumerism.  In advance of GivingTuesday, editorial director Mary Cashiola and Sarah Leach, The Daily Memphian's director of fundraising and development, talk about the news site's role as a nonprofit, the free content the site provides despite the paywall and their own goals for GivingTuesday.  Plus: The Grizzlies beat the Clippers, but fall out of the NBA Cup contention A "quiet turnaround" is underway for Belly Acres A Memphis company has been penalized for Clean Air Act violations Officials say plans for a Bartlett corner would destroy the character of the neighborhood Houston's is to be demolished FedEx lays off more than 850

Today is Black Friday, the day people traditionally start shopping for holiday gifts — and retailers try to capitalize on that by offering consumers heavy discounts.  In honor of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Museum Store Sunday, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about some of the ideas listed in The Daily Memphian's gift guide.  They also talk about other fun events happening this weekend, such as Flyway Comedy Club's Friendsgiving special.

If you're not "on the apps," you're not really trying. That's the message single people get these days as they try to navigate the dating world. The apps in question, of course, are Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Grindr, Her, OkCupid, eHarmony, Match.com and others.  The Daily Memphian's Nick Lingerfelt recently talked to single Memphians as cuffing season begins to get a sense of how locals think about the apps and the dating pool in the Bluff City. He joins the show today to talk about that, real life relationships and five first date ideas.  Plus: The city searches for a new library director Pam Bondi and Bill Lee tout a crime decline 56 days into the Memphis Safe Task Force A lawsuit claims that a Memphis 7-year-old was handcuffed and pushed into a bookcase