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.

What's next for St. Jude 02/25/2026

What's next for St. Jude After more than 40 years at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and over a decade as its president and CEO, . So what happens now? Today, we’ll introduce you to new business reporter Steve Bohnel and we’ll chat about Downing’s new role, his possible replacement and even about curing cancer. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40220445

The task force's wide-ranging impacts 02/24/2026

The task force's wide-ranging impacts After the Memphis Safe Task Force was deployed last fall, the Collierville Police Department did something unexpected. It increased the number of officers who were on patrol and paid them overtime to work the shifts. The idea was that the task force might push would-be Memphis criminals into Collierville and the other suburbs, where those individuals would be safe, so to speak, from the full 13-agency federal task force. But it hasn’t worked out that way for many reasons. Today, suburbs section editor Clay Bailey joins Mary Cashiola to talk Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40201700

Tackling for the NFL and deciding not to run for office 02/23/2026

Tackling for the NFL and deciding not to run for office This week brings us the NFL Combine and two Tigers tackles who get to attend, Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission meetings, a deadline to not run for office and the annual Guns to Gardens drive, in which guns are donated and then melted down to be made into garden tools. Today, newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins Mary Cashiola to talk about all of that to help prepare you for . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40191020

Improv, Bad Bunny and other things to do this weekend 02/20/2026

Improv, Bad Bunny and other things to do this weekend As the week winds to a close, newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins Mary Cashiola to talk about . There are plant sales, Bad Bunny-inspired events, Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy doing a monologue and a week’s worth of Afro-Latino stories, music and dancing. They’ll discuss all that and more. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40170885

Recent Grizz developments and what to make of them 02/19/2026

Recent Grizz developments and what to make of them As the Grizzlies head into the second half of the season, their focus seems to be locked onto next season — or beyond. In a bright spot for Memphis, NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently said team relocation is not on the table even as the league plans to expand. Today, reporter and columnist Drew Hill is here to walk us through all these developments. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40159620

What's next for Oak Court Mall 02/18/2026

What's next for Oak Court Mall More than two years ago, Oak Court Partners bought 31 acres of prime East Memphis real estate for $18.3 million. That real estate, located at 4465 Poplar Avenue, was the site of Oak Court Mall, arguably, at one time, the city’s toniest shopping venue. (Full disclosure, two of The Daily Memphian’s board members are investors in Oak Court Partners.) These days, the site is home to wrecking balls and demolition equipment as the land is being prepared for its next life. Today, we’re joined by The Daily Memphian’s CRE reporter, Andy Ashby, to talk about what’s happening and what’s next for the property. /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40147055

Will federal troops be pulled from Memphis? 02/17/2026

Will federal troops be pulled from Memphis? In the last few weeks, special deployments of federal law enforcement have been pulled back in Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland. So what might happen to the Memphis Safe Task Force? If operations in other cities are ending, could Memphis be far behind? Public safety reporter Aarron Fleming talked to the White House last week to answer that very question. This morning, he shares his insights with us. /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40137490

Celebrating three holidays in two days 02/16/2026

Celebrating three holidays in two days : Presidents' Day, Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras. And if you want to run for county elected office, you have two different ways to go about it. But this week will be key. Bianca Phillips joins us to talk about all of that. But we also have a special challenge: How to celebrate Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras at the same time? Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40120150

A lot to love 02/13/2026

A lot to love If you’re planning on doing something special this particular weekend, it’ll help to have a significant other, a gal pal or a bromance going on. Because Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year and there are to commemorate it: You can run a 5K with your sweetie or paint portraits of each other or meet someone new at your own “meet cute” at Novel. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here to talk about it all. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40089425

Giant Rats and other mysteries 02/12/2026

Giant Rats and other mysteries In 1972, — a local club — began in Memphis. But, what was the group about? Pest control? Animal husbandry? Carnival? The explanation lies in this clue: The answer is elementary, my dear Watson. The Giant Rats are stans of Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Every year, though in varying numbers, the group gets together to celebrate Holmes’ presumed birthday of Jan. 6. Today, reporter Jody Callahan joins us to talk about the club and really all things Sherlock Holmes. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40078700

Memphis on the music scene 02/11/2026

Memphis on the music scene In some ways, Memphis will always mean music. But there have been questions about Memphis’ continuing role on the larger music scene as the industry’s infrastructure -- labels, recording studios, A&R men -- is largely located elsewhere. The Grammy Awards, arguably the music industry’s biggest night, were held at the beginning of the month, and though there weren’t any Memphians who won a Grammy this year, . Today, arts and culture editor Elle Perry joins us to talk about Memphis’ role on the national music scene. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40061615

Restaurant scene roundup 02/10/2026

Restaurant scene roundup The restaurant industry can seem turbulent, especially in the past five years or so. New concepts seem to always be opening while others, even old favorites, close after decades in business. The Daily Memphian’s Sophia Surrett chronicles these openings and closings in her weekly . Today, she joins us to talk about a few restaurant openings, closings and other announcements on the horizon. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40049200

The State of the City and your relationship 02/09/2026

The State of the City and your relationship , local government is back to work, with the Shelby County Commission back to its regular meeting schedule. Plus, Memphis Mayor Paul Young will give the annual State of the City address Tuesday. But the thing you may want to note early in the week is something happening later in the week: Valentine’s Day. It’s on a Saturday this year, so get your dining reservations early. As always on Mondays, newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins us to talk about it all. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40030010

Party like it's Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year 02/06/2026

Party like it's Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year We’re on the verge of another weekend, so today, newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins Mary Cashiola to talk about . There are events for Mardi Gras, Lunar New Year, Edgar Allan Poe’s (belated) birthday and even Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. And football’s biggest game is Sunday. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40012455

Solidifying a legacy at 87 Adams 02/05/2026

Solidifying a legacy at 87 Adams It was a decade ago that members of Calvary Episcopal Church decided they needed to do something about an old historical marker on the edge of their parking lot. In 2018, Calvary erected a new historical marker that talked about the slave market that once operated where the church parking lot is now. This week, the church announced that it has bigger plans for the site, though, with the help of a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation. Today, John Klyce joins us in the studio to talk about and how the church is trying to reconcile its past. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39998205

A Ford era ends 02/04/2026

A Ford era ends Last year, Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. was charged with seven counts of federal bribery and tax evasion charges. This week, . Today, veteran reporter Bill Dries joins us to talk about it, including Dries’ surprise that Ford pleaded guilty after long professing his innocence. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39985090

The difference between Memphis and Minneapolis 02/03/2026

The difference between Memphis and Minneapolis Late last year, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — ICE — operation began in Minneapolis. Since then, federal agents have continued to clash with protestors, and two U.S. citizens have been shot and killed by ICE agents. In Memphis, federal law enforcement came to Memphis in late September, a 13-agency coalition that included the National Guard, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Internal Revenue Service and ICE, among others. Here, while there have been protests and vigils, the scene has been very different from the one in Minneapolis, and . Joining us today to talk about it is reporter Aarron Fleming. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39973660

Back to work? Again? 02/02/2026

Back to work? Again? It’s Feb. 2 — Groundhog Day — and this week in Memphis may feel like something of a do-over. But hopefully it’s in a hilarious, nostalgic way. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins us on this episode to talk about , including the looming NBA trade deadline. Plus: Jerri Green plans to breathe life back into on of the nation's oldest public defender offices /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39958225

What you can do this weekend 01/30/2026

What you can do this weekend As crazy as it may sound, there are public events happening this weekend that haven’t been canceled — including a professional cornhole open and comedy from Mo Alexander. Today, Bianca Phillips joins us to talk about them. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39930740

What it's like for athletes in the portal 01/29/2026

What it's like for athletes in the portal In the last few years, one of the largest changes to college football — and basketball, too — is the number of student athletes changing schools between seasons. The NCAA transfer portal began in 2018 as a way to streamline the process of allowing student athletes to tell their current school they’re planning to leave and let other schools know they are interested in moving. Today, Tigers football beat reporter Frank Bonner joins us to talk about . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39916475

Next steps for Germantown's The Standard 01/28/2026

Next steps for Germantown's The Standard Up until recently, the land on the southwest side of Poplar Avenue and Kirby Parkway was home to Carrefour at Kirby Woods. Now it’s been demolished, and an ambitious plan that includes condos, apartments, a parking garage, office space and a hotel could rise in its place. It’s called The Standard. But before any of that can happen, Germantown needs to vote on its first-ever TIF, or tax increment financing, a tool that allows new tax revenue to help pay off the project’s infrastructure. Suburbs reporter Abigail Warren is here today to tell us and what happens to The Standard if the TIF isn’t approved. One note, the Germantown Industrial Board Meeting was scheduled to vote on the TIF Thursday, Jan. 29, but that meeting was postponed after we recorded this podcast. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39903225

Da Sammich Spot, Crazy Coop and Fleur 01/27/2026

Da Sammich Spot, Crazy Coop and Fleur During the first week of January, Rob Brown was at home when he saw — via his security cameras — law enforcement agents sitting in a van outside his restaurant, Da Sammich Spot. Though the restaurant was closed, Brown didn’t want law enforcement using his parking lot as a staging area, so — again, through the cameras — he asked the officers to leave. When they didn’t, he headed up to the Park Avenue restaurant to see if he could convince them in person. Before the night ended peacefully, the parking lot saw more officers and protesters amass in the area, with video of the incident going viral. Today, food writer Ellen Chamberlain talks to us about , as well as some other recent developments on the local dining scene. Plus: More than 600,000 tulips will soon bloom at The Dixon /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39808440

Deannexation, superintendents and Lisa Marie 01/26/2026

Deannexation, superintendents and Lisa Marie This cold week should see two Collierville households looking to be deannexed, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools system considering a search for a new superintendent and the late Lisa Marie Presley’s birthday weekend. One note, given the winter weather, some of these events may have been canceled or postponed after press time. Join editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips as they discuss . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39853465

It's 'snow fun' this weekend 01/23/2026

It's 'snow fun' this weekend 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 /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39846295

Why'd we send two sports guys to Europe? 01/22/2026

Why'd we send two sports guys to Europe? 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: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39821715

Double Eagle 01/21/2026

Double Eagle 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 coins. That is where today’s story starts. Reporter Jody Callahan tells us about … and how it ended up leaving in the hands of the federal government. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39764315

Ford heads to court, Germantown wants feedback 01/20/2026

Ford heads to court, Germantown wants feedback 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 /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39764240

A weekend to give back, and dance 01/16/2026

A weekend to give back, and dance 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: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39754000

All about orangutans, including the newest at the Memphis Zoo 01/15/2026

All about orangutans, including the newest at the Memphis Zoo 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: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39737530

xAI's power pays 01/14/2026

xAI's power pays 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: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/39720805

The AM/DM

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