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.

With Tigers and Grizz struggling, what's a fan to do? 11/19/2025

With Tigers and Grizz struggling, what's a fan to do? It’s not a great time to be a Memphis sports fan. The Memphis Grizzlies have been struggling this season, and that’s before star point guard Ja Morant injured his calf. The Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team just experienced its worst home loss since the team lost to South Florida in March 2018. And, the defeat came at the hands of UNLV, headed by none other than former Memphis coach Josh Pastner. Memphis Tigers football has also been lackluster. The team is facing its sixth year in a row to not make the conference championships. To put this all in context for us, Daily Memphian editorial director Mary Cashiola talks with sports editor David Boyd. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39092680

South City represents the end of an era for Memphis housing 11/18/2025

South City represents the end of an era for Memphis housing In South Memphis, an array of art projects are bringing color — and an renewed identity — to a local neighborhood near Downtown. It’s perhaps the culmination of more than 25 years of transformation, but even in the middle of the celebration, there are visible reminders of the pain the community carries. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and veteran reporter Bill Dries talk about the city’s former public housing projects and what has risen in their place. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39065635

Regional One campus, MSCS facilities plan on deck 11/17/2025

Regional One campus, MSCS facilities plan on deck Big government projects may move forward this week. The Shelby County Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on . And the Memphis-Shelby County Schools system , which includes school closures, consolidations and renovations. And the University of Memphis men’s basketball team will be in the Bahamas for the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship. Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss all of that and the week ahead. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39055245

Surreal events for a super weekend 11/14/2025

Surreal events for a super weekend Are you ready to get a little bit wacky? Then this weekend’s events are for you. One gathering combines two trends — eating pudding with a fork and day-raving with coffee — while another combines the Pink Palace and Opera Memphis and LaZer Divas with Sky Pirates of Destiny. (See, wacky.) Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39031090

The mystery of the Lakeland grocer 11/13/2025

The mystery of the Lakeland grocer There is nothing like the promise of a new grocery store, especially one that’s new to the market. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and suburbs reporter Michael Waddell talk about and what new-to-the-market grocer it could be. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39016310

What the possibility of a Michelin star means for Memphis 11/12/2025

What the possibility of a Michelin star means for Memphis Michelin stars have been a thing in Europe since 1900, when the first guides were published in France. And then stars came to the states in 2005, when Michelin inspectors went to New York restaurants. But this year marked the first time the Michelin Guide came for restaurants in the American South. On this episode of The AM/DM, Mary Cashiola and Daily Memphian food writer Ellen Chamberlain talk about Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39006210

What happens after the task force leaves? 11/11/2025

What happens after the task force leaves? The Memphis Safe Task Force has led to a dramatic drop in crime in the city: Aggravated assaults, motor vehicle thefts, robberies and homicides are all down. But, after more than a month in, people are also wondering what happens when the surge ends. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and enterprise reporter Sam Hardiman talk about the federal crackdown and what some experts and community leaders think we can expect to see once the additional law enforcement personnel leave the city. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38991580

A week for walking 11/10/2025

A week for walking It’s Monday, Nov. 10, and if there’s a theme for the week ahead, it might be walking. Many of this week’s notable events have ties to pedestrians, trails and public transportation. This morning, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips, give us the scoop. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38975715

Hot cocoa, holiday shopping and a very short run 11/07/2025

Hot cocoa, holiday shopping and a very short run Outdoor events are all the rage this weekend, with a fun holiday market, a very short run (with a much longer afterparty) and a hot take on fire pits. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss , plus an exhibit of Stax Records songwriter Bettye Crutcher’s letters, lyric sheets and photos once lost — and then found — in an antique mall in Lexington, Tennessee. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38948480

Task force journalism and frequently asked questions 11/06/2025

Task force journalism and frequently asked questions It’s been more than a month since President Donald Trump announced he’d be sending a 13-agency federal task force to Memphis to help curb crime rates. And it’s been about eight weeks since The Daily Memphian reported . Since then, the U.S. Marshals Service has reported the task force has made more than 1,800 arrests, served more than 800 warrants and made more than 300 immigration-related arrests. Though the task force’s focus is crime, education, religious institutions, the court system and even local restaurants have been impacted. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola, CEO Eric Barnes and metro editor Jane Donahoe talk about the site’s ongoing coverage and answer a few frequently asked questions. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38929660

How Collierville's restaurant landscape is changing 11/05/2025

How Collierville's restaurant landscape is changing Collierville recently planned to overhaul its parking requirements for restaurants, in part because of McDonald’s. The fast food restaurant was looking at a new location near Houston Levee Road and wanted to have more parking spaces than currently allowed. That request suddenly had the suburb rethinking its parking formula for restaurants across the board. Today, suburbs reporter Abigail Warren joins editorial director Mary Cashiola to talk about why t and what will happen to the space . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38921855

Motorists take notice of task force 11/04/2025

Motorists take notice of task force The Memphis Safe Task Force has been on the ground in the Bluff City for over a month, making about 1,800 arrests as of Nov. 1 and issuing more than 4,700 traffic citations. With traffic stops being a large part of the task force’s activities, at least by the numbers, it seems some area drivers are more conscientious about expired license plates and revoked driver's licenses. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola talks with public safety reporter Aarron Fleming about the trend. They also discuss how many missing children the task force has found and who those children are. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38906180

Visit a Downtown restaurant and the City Council 11/03/2025

Visit a Downtown restaurant and the City Council Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips help you prepare for . Downtown Dining Week is back, the Memphis City Council will be making sausage (though not literally) and if you haven’t heard of the Dons yet, you will. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38887830

After Halloween holidays, plus Broad Avenue Art 10/31/2025

After Halloween holidays, plus Broad Avenue Art This weekend’s fun starts with a little dress up but keeps the celebrations going with Samhain and Dia de los Muertos. It also includes a walk on Broad Avenue, India Fest and the Memphis Youth Symphony’s fall concerts. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38855310

Local restaurants and the task force landscape 10/30/2025

Local restaurants and the task force landscape Restaurants are third spaces, places where people can gather, socialize and connect outside their homes or work. But that can put restaurants — especially local restaurants — in a precarious position when politics come into play, whether or not restaurateurs want them to. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and food writer Ellen Chamberlain talk about by the Memphis Safe Task Force surge. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38839580

Cedric Coward makes it easy to be a fan 10/29/2025

Cedric Coward makes it easy to be a fan Sometimes the best way to get a hint of the future is to look into the past. And, today, we did a little bit of just that. Cedric Coward, the Memphis Grizzlies’ newest rookie, scored a combined 57 points in his first three regular-season games with the team. On Saturday night alone, he scored 27 points against the Indiana Pacers. Editorial director Mary Cashiola and columnist Chris Herrington talk about and to which other rookies — and eventual superstars — his numbers are comparable. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38818575

Spooky Season is here 10/28/2025

Spooky Season is here Halloween is just around the corner, and The Daily Memphian’s popular “Ask the Memphian” series has been getting into the spirit with a number of local ghost stories. There’s , and . Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and reporter Jody Callahan talk about all the ghosts and goblins. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38804370

Basketball, our favorite holidays and a veto veto? 10/27/2025

Basketball, our favorite holidays and a veto veto? Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips and editorial director Mary Cashiola help prepare you for The last week of October 2025 includes the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic (and John Calipari’s return to coaching at FedExForum), the Shelby County Commission possibly overturning a mayoral veto and, coming up very soon, the end of Daylight Saving Time. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38787195

Raves, wimpy kids and romantic comedies 10/24/2025

Raves, wimpy kids and romantic comedies This week’s fun is perhaps heavy on the heebie jeebies, given the proximity to Halloween. There are two stage productions adapted from novels and a party with a very successful children’s book author. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38764700

A new approach to potholes 10/23/2025

A new approach to potholes Potholes seem to be a fact of life anywhere there are both roads and weather, and Memphis gets a lot of rain. More even than Seattle. But a new City of Memphis program aims to be more aggressive about fixing potholes proactively. On today’s episode, The Daily Memphian’s Samuel Hardiman joins editorial director Mary Cashiola to talk about the new city program, how it works, what the early results look like and how the news website may share a small amount of the credit. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38753950

Can't carry a tune? Get a karaoke room 10/22/2025

Can't carry a tune? Get a karaoke room In a city known for music — where legends are born and blues once filled the streets — there will soon be a new place to play. Or sing, rather. It’s not a concert venue or a dark bar, but a karaoke place with individual rooms for groups of two to 20 people. Today, The Daily Memphian’s Mary Cashiola is joined by business reporter Sophia Surrett to talk about . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38737445

In our Calipari era 10/21/2025

In our Calipari era Sixteen years ago, University of Memphis basketball coach John Calipari left Memphis for the University of Kentucky, and to say the Bluff City had hard feelings may be an understatement. Before that, Calipari had been at the U of M for nine seasons, taking the Tigers to the NCAA title game in 2008. But five months after Calipari left Memphis, the NCAA retroactively ruled Derrick Rose ineligible and forced the Tigers to vacate all wins from their historic 2007-08 season. Monday, Oct. 27, Calipari will be back in Memphis and back at FedExForum. And to celebrate, remember or rewind, The Daily Memphian’s sports team has picked nine memorable moments from the coach’s nine years in Memphis. Editorial director Mary Cashiola and sports editor David Boyd discuss how they did it. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38720820

Food, culture and building community 10/20/2025

Food, culture and building community On this special episode of The AM/DM, editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips are joined by Sarah Leach, director of fundraising and development for The Daily Memphian, to talk about this week’s events. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38642555

Happy Grizz Week! Plus, art on the river, beer in CY 10/17/2025

Happy Grizz Week! Plus, art on the river, beer in CY This weekend, there are lots of chances to score Memphis Grizzlies swag ahead of Wednesday’s home opener. Plus, River Arts Fest and Repair Days bring art to the riverside, and beer fest brings lots of beer to Cooper-Young. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips and digital producer Kelsey Bowen talk about . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38614735

The birds and the bees, tigers and chimpanzees 10/16/2025

The birds and the bees, tigers and chimpanzees When you think of a pregnancy test, you might picture something small, plastic and available at a corner drug store. And that does work, surprisingly, for some animals at the Memphis Zoo. But, for others, zookeepers use methods that are more time-consuming, more laborious and much smellier. To help animals reproduce — and species thrive — staffers at the Memphis Zoo study poop, freeze sperm at -196 degrees, and even help endangered species reproduce long after their deaths. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38601420

Germantown mayor's job could get bigger 10/15/2025

Germantown mayor's job could get bigger Germantown will soon ask its residents a big question: Should mayor become a full-time job? Shelby County and the City of Memphis both have a strong mayor form of government. But most of Shelby County’s suburban municipalities have a part-time mayor — with the exception of Bartlett, which switched to a full-time mayor in the ’60s — and a Board of Mayor and Aldermen. And this spring, Germantown residents will have the opportunity to vote on whether their mayor should also be full-time, while remaining their city administrator as well. Today, Mary Cashiola and Collierville and Germantown reporter Abigail Warren talk all about it. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38583945

A liquor store without liquor 10/14/2025

A liquor store without liquor The Station is open, but the East Memphis liquor store isn’t serving everything it wanted to. The Station has been at the center of a controversy ever since it got a license from the Memphis Alcohol Commission. In doing so, the body signed off on The Station meeting a requirement that it was 1,500 feet away from a church or school — in this case that it was far enough away from Woodland Presbyterian. But questions arose over whether The Station actually met that distance requirement and if the Memphis Alcohol Commission meeting was even legal. And in the latest, the owner of The Station is firing back. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38573510

What's happening this week 10/13/2025

What's happening this week Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about . This year, it includes a high-profile game of HORSE. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38558815

Monsters, beer and a mutt strut 10/10/2025

Monsters, beer and a mutt strut This week’s activities are heavy on seasonality, . Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about those activities and more. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38536945

Navigating and reporting on the National Guard 10/09/2025

Navigating and reporting on the National Guard On Sept. 15, President Donald Trump announced — from the Oval Office, no less — that he was sending a federal presence to Memphis. The 13-agency task force was to include members of the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, ICE and the National Guard. Today, members of The Daily Memphian’s metro team — Aarron Fleming, Sam Hardiman and Laura Testino — sit down with Mary Cashiola to talk about what we know, what we don’t know, how we’re tracking data and what we’ve been able to ascertain. /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/38520080

The AM/DM

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