Why'd we send two sports guys to Europe?
The AM/DM
Last week, the Memphis Grizzlies organization — the players, members of the front office, the entertainment team, the mascot — traveled to Europe to take on the Orlando Magic. Twice. And The Daily Memphian was there. We sent Grizzlies beat reporter Drew Hill and sports editor David Boyd along for the ride. Plus:
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Double Eagle
The AM/DM
In 1933, just as Franklin D. Roosevelt was about to assume the presidency for the first time, the U.S. economy was in a shambles. There were fears of an economic collapse and that panicked citizens would pull all their gold from banks — the same gold that, at the time, underpinned our monetary system. So Roosevelt took the U.S. off the gold standard and mandated that all gold in private hands be returned to the federal government in exchange for cash. But just before Roosevelt’s proclamation, the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia had crafted almost 500,000 1933 Double Eagle $20 gold...
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Ford heads to court, Germantown wants feedback
The AM/DM
As we begin this somewhat short week, , and the Germantown Industrial Development Board will hear from residents about how they feel about what could be the city’s first-ever TIF district. The tax increment financing proposal is for The Standard, a development located at the site of the former Carrefour at Kirby Woods. In today’s episode, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips take a stroll down Carrefour’s memory lane and, as always, we’ll remind people what the heck a TIF is anyway. Plus: Big changes are coming to Beale Street
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A weekend to give back, and dance
The AM/DM
January hits hard this weekend, but , 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:
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All about orangutans, including the newest at the Memphis Zoo
The AM/DM
In December, — 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:
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xAI's power pays
The AM/DM
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 , as well as what they are using it for, and how it fits into the national conversation. Plus:
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The Tennessee legislature is in session
The AM/DM
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 for us. Plus:
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Political decorum, Grizz across the pond and Kamala
The AM/DM
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...
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Tribute artists, blacksmithing and more weekend fun
The AM/DM
This weekend is full of 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:
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A short drive to deliciousness
The AM/DM
Ellen Chamberlain recently put together a 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:
info_outlineThis 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