The AM/DM

The AM/DM is a quick morning podcast full of Memphis news brought to you by The Daily Memphian. In addition to daily news about government, education, public safety, food and sports, Mary Cashiola sits down with The Daily Memphian's journalists to get the scoop behind the stories.

'The Music Man,' murder and a 'Matrix' actor 08/14/2026

'The Music Man,' murder and a 'Matrix' actor This weekend’s for the theater kids. John Legend is coming to town, you can watch a movie in a swimming pool or meet a new partner at Novel. Arts and culture editor Elle Perry joins us today to talk about . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42419125

A new Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium for a new fan 08/13/2026

A new Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium for a new fan The University of Memphis Tigers will play their first home game in September in the renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The $227 million construction project isn’t yet finished, but last week. Today, Frank Bonner is here to talk about what fans think of the construction project -- and what it means for conference realignment and Memphis’ concert calendar. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42415670

Explaining the controversy over two new North Mississippi judgeships 08/12/2026

Explaining the controversy over two new North Mississippi judgeships Last year, the Mississippi state legislature created a new Circuit Court and a Chancery Court judge in DeSoto County. But, in doing so, lawmakers said that only a small section of county voters could elect the two new judges for those courts. — and racially motivated — and is now suing the state to eliminate the newly created subdistrict. A federal judge heard arguments in the case last week and will soon decide whether the new courts will be allowed to stand as is — just weeks before voting starts in Mississippi for the 2026 general elections. North Mississippi reporter Aarron Fleming joins us today to talk us through the issues in the case and how it could impact the Mississippi’s governor’s race. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42396845

After a gas station catches fire, rules to prevent blight could contribute to it 08/11/2026

After a gas station catches fire, rules to prevent blight could contribute to it In January 2024, the Exxon Hop-In at the corner of Poplar Avenue and Highland Street caught fire. The location had been home to a filling station since the 1930s. In 2024, people expected that, even after the fire, the gas station would be rebuilt. But here we are two and a half years later, and nothing is happening at the site. It’s still vacant and it still is surrounded in construction fencing. Reporter Andy Ashby joins us today to talk about and use it as a case study for other redevelopment. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42384745

It's all in the hips this week 08/10/2026

It's all in the hips this week It’s all in the hips this week as we prepare for two very Memphis, but very disparate summer traditions. It’s both golf tournament week and Elvis week. Choose one or the other or both, and prepare for Memphis to show you something special. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins us to talk about those events as well as Ikea asking this week to change the name of one Memphis street. /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42372130

Go off the beaten path this weekend 08/07/2026

Go off the beaten path this weekend If you like off-the-beaten path type of events, you will love what’s going on this weekend. This off-the-beaten-path weekend will take you on a foam run, through the lion’s gate portal and into a brewery book fair. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins us today to talk about those events and more fun you might want to get into this weekend. /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42352150

Trying to solve a 575-acre mystery 08/06/2026

Trying to solve a 575-acre mystery At the very end of July, Memphis Light, Gas and Water revealed it had been asked to study what would happen if a new user wanted to connect to the grid and use up to 300 megawatts of electricity. Though no one said what might need to use that much electricity, the request came from an investor that owns 575 acres of vacant land in Pidgeon Industrial Park. That same investor was highly involved in bringing xAI’s initial facility to the Mid-South. Today, Sam Hardiman joins us to talk about what might be planned for that parcel of industrial land, a discussion on data centers and what’s the latest from SpaceXAI. /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42340925

How a case of mistaken identity led to months in jail 08/05/2026

How a case of mistaken identity led to months in jail In May, a shooting at OUTMemphis left two victims in critical condition. A day later, police arrested a transgender woman known as Jewel. However, Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said last week that police had arrested the wrong person after witnesses misidentified the shooter. Today, reporter Jody Callahan is here to discuss this story and how it all happened. Plus, how the mistake came to light. /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42321945

How Broadway gets to Memphis 08/04/2026

How Broadway gets to Memphis Every year, The Orpheum Theatre brings about seven Broadway shows to Memphis. They might be comedies, dramas, musicals. But they aren’t just the shows that are on tour that year. The Orpheum shows are carefully selected for Memphis by Orpheum President and CEO Brett Batterson. In fact, for the upcoming season, which starts in September, the Orpheum is staging two non-musical plays in Memphis — for the first time in nearly 30 years. So how does Batterson decide what he’ll bring to Memphis? Today we’re joined by reporter John Klyce, who recently answered this very question. /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42310030

What you need to know before you vote 08/03/2026

What you need to know before you vote Election Day is Thursday, and you’ve probably heard us say it a million times, but we have lots of free resources to study up on before you go to the polls. Holly Whitfield gives you our . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42279595

Your dog can make a splash this weekend 07/31/2026

Your dog can make a splash this weekend It’s hot, hot, hot, so do Fido a solid this weekend, and take him to a pool party. On today’s AM/DM podcast, Kelsey Bowen and Bianca Phillips go to the dogs. They talk about Streetdog Foundation’s Summer Splash — essentially a pool party for dogs — and, of course, they talk about their own dogs, Margot, Tater and Ella. They’ve also got a — all of them indoors and out of the heat. Plus: ] /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42269055

Ragin' and rambling on in Bartlett? 07/30/2026

Ragin' and rambling on in Bartlett? In early 2024, after months of rumors about it, an outdoor entertainment project was announced for Bartlett. Called The Ramble on Summer, it was going to be located at the former Bartlett Nursery site and patterned after Memphis’ Loflin Yard or Railgarten. It’s now mid-2026, and the project is moving forward. But it’s doing so with newly disclosed investors. Adding to all of this, one of the same people behind The Ramble also — and its future is far from clear. Joining us today is suburbs reporter Michael Waddell to talk about where both developments stand. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42261030

Bagels, seafood and dip 07/29/2026

Bagels, seafood and dip slated for the former Fancy’s space Downtown. opening a new location seven times as big as its first. A Memphis couple after a restaurant fire. And a restaurant with a “lights on but no one’s home” vibe that . Those are all recent storylines from the Memphis food scene, and reporter Sophia Surrett is here to talk about them all in another restaurant roundup. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42245330

Diving into the details of Memphis' council ethics complaint 07/28/2026

Diving into the details of Memphis' council ethics complaint Earlier this month, The Daily Memphian’s Samuel Hardiman broke the news that . Two City Council members and a City Council staffer were said to be involved, but details about that involvement were scant. Today, Samuel Hardiman is back for part two of our discussion into what we know, what we don’t and what this all means, including some of the fallout. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42233575

IP earnings and Ducks Unlimited 07/27/2026

IP earnings and Ducks Unlimited sees International Paper holding its second-quarter earnings call, and they should have lots to talk about. We’ll also have the Shelby County Board of Commissioners meeting, Ducks Unlimited’s annual expo and Sun of a Vegan closing. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here to tell us all about it. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42222045

En pointe, kicking back and putting a good foot forward 07/24/2026

En pointe, kicking back and putting a good foot forward If you’ve been wanting to bust a move, or just plie a little bit, this is the weekend to do it. Bianca Phillips is here to talk . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42197305

What we know -- and what we don't -- in Memphis' council ethics complaint 07/23/2026

What we know -- and what we don't -- in Memphis' council ethics complaint Earlier this month, The Daily Memphian’s Sam Hardiman broke the news that . Two City Council members and a City Council staffer were said to be involved, but details about that involvement were scant. Today, Hardiman is here for part one of our discussion into what we know, what we don’t and what this all means. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42189395

The other state takeover 07/22/2026

The other state takeover The has garnered a lot of attention over the past two years. But, due to a new state law this year, the state is also taking over a few other boards. Namely, the boards of Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Nashville International Airport and Memphis International Airport. In the Bluff City, the change has largely been met with a shrug. But that’s not the case in Nashville. Today, we’re joined by Steve Bohnel to talk about and why locals in Memphis and Nashville may have reacted differently. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42173520

LeMoyne-Owen is making moves 07/21/2026

LeMoyne-Owen is making moves In the past year, from 17 to 20 acres. While that might not sound like much, it’s an almost 18% increase in the size of the campus. As they often do, the property transactions point to a larger transformation. In LeMoyne-Owen’s case, that includes growing enrollment, adding more classroom space and even rebranding. Today, real estate reporter Andy Ashby joins us to talk about it. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42156440

This week is serving 07/20/2026

This week is serving This week serves up a new tennis tournament, a final football game and an area of Downtown drivers may want to avoid ... until September. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here to tell us Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42147530

All-Stars celebrate 30 years and we get a World Cup winner 07/17/2026

All-Stars celebrate 30 years and we get a World Cup winner This weekend starts with the very fun business of early voting. And it ends with a World Cup Watch Party. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins us to talk about . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42120385

Early voting starts Friday. Are you ready? 07/16/2026

Early voting starts Friday. Are you ready? Early voting starts tomorrow for the Aug. 6 Shelby County general election. But the ballot also includes the state and federal primaries for the Nov. 3 election. It’s a big ballot, and with some of the absentee ballots. The Daily Memphian will also be offering free election coverage starting today and continuing through Friday, Aug. 7. To talk us through it all is longtime political reporter Bill Dries. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42064240

A new EMT team is on a roll 07/15/2026

A new EMT team is on a roll The Memphis Fire Department has a new way to handle emergency medical services: . Today on the show, we’ve got Wallis Rogin, one of our summer interns, to tell us all about it. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42093700

Making a case for improving home base 07/14/2026

Making a case for improving home base Last month, . But the park still needs about $35 million in deferred maintenance on top of the $5 million that’s already been approved. Today, deputy sports editor Tim Buckley is here to talk about the needed repairs, what the team’s president and general manager said about the park and what the modern baseball fan wants in a ballpark experience. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42061605

Early voting, competitive eating and pool checking 07/13/2026

Early voting, competitive eating and pool checking Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here to help us . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42027390

A weekend off the beaten path 07/10/2026

A weekend off the beaten path Bianca Phillips is here to talk all about . There’s an artist talk with Catherine Erb, who takes photographs of fireworks mid-explosion, and an art show from three students who are hoping to raise enough money to do a study abroad program in Florence, Italy. The Ed Murphey Classic pole vaults back into town and onto Beale Street and a bunch of modern knights hit Growlers for a sword fight. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42023765

We're going where for dinner?!? 07/09/2026

We're going where for dinner?!? Restaurant names aren’t always the easiest to pronounce. Ouri Matcha, Cocozza Italian American, Lao Sze Chuan and Ciao Bella have all been butchered a time or two. Today, we’re joined by Holly Whitfield, host of our Sound Bites podcast, and food writer Sophia Surrett to learn how to say the names of some of our favorite restaurants. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42014740

Saving Tom Lee, Elizabeth Taylor and Jimi Hendrix 07/08/2026

Saving Tom Lee, Elizabeth Taylor and Jimi Hendrix For 17 years, some of the world’s most historic images have found their way to a Memphis warehouse, where a local business scans and digitizes them. The company, Historic Images, has digitized more than 12 million images, including pictures of Tom Lee, Jimi Hendrix, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Bruce Springsteen. Today, business reporter Noah McLane is here to tell us more . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/41996650

Tennessee's newest laws 07/07/2026

Tennessee's newest laws The 114th session of the Tennessee General Assembly reconvened this past January with some very high-profile bills on its agenda. But other bills flew under the radar, were enacted and went into effect on July 1. Today, Brandon LaGrone joins us to talk about , especially ones that center on public safety, education and tech. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/41976660

New housing and a beer garden, too 07/06/2026

New housing and a beer garden, too The work week is upon us again, and we have meetings of the Memphis City Council and the Land Use Control Board as well as the release of a highly awaited audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Of particular interest is the Land Use meeting and two applications for new housing, one in Cooper-Young and another on Covington Pike. As the week comes to a close, we also have the opening of a new beer garden. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/41970890

The AM/DM

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