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All about the sharp decline in Memphis' murder rate

The AM/DM

Release Date: 01/07/2026

It's 'snow fun' this weekend show art It's 'snow fun' this weekend

The AM/DM

This weekend everything seems up in the air, whether it’s sleet, snow or that event you’ve been wanting to attend. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins us this morning to talk about .  *One note. At press time, these events were still happening, but please double-check before you go, as some cancellations could occur.   Plus: The Plant Based Heat owner wants to sell the original location on Highland

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Why'd we send two sports guys to Europe? show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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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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: