U of M researchers discover 'extinct' weevil
The AM/DM
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, — and what its rediscovery might mean in an era of rapid biodiversity loss. Plus:
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Veganuary makes the case for plant-based eating
The AM/DM
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...
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Ask Me Anything edition
The AM/DM
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, and the would-be liquor store on White Station Road. Plus:
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What Memphians think about the task force
The AM/DM
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, Today, we’re joined by metro editor Jane Donahoe to talk about what our reporters recently learned. Plus:
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2026 begins
The AM/DM
The year begins officially on Thursday, and we’ve got a list of things for you to do on Wednesday, New Year’s Eve, . Mary Cashiola and Bianca Phillips set up the week for you. Plus:
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What to do on the last weekend of the year
The AM/DM
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 Plus:
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Collierville looks to its future
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 Plus:
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BlueOval's pivot to gas-powered trucks
The AM/DM
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 Plus:
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The 2026 election season starts ... now
The AM/DM
This week marks 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...
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Christmas music and holiday spirit
The AM/DM
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:
info_outlineEarlier this week, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners approved a $43 million loan to keep the county afloat — and to make sure that the government could make payroll in a few weeks. The county has experienced cash flow problems at this time of year before, but this time around, it’s raising bigger questions about the county’s long-term financial stability.
Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and politics and government reporter Bill Dries talk about what’s driving the shortfall and if there are larger problems, or solutions, on the horizon.
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