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.

Spring has sprung, and we take a Journey 03/20/2026

Spring has sprung, and we take a Journey Today is the first day of spring, and there are so many ways . Daily Memphian digital producer Kelsey Bowen joins Bianca Phillips today to talk about all the spring fests: the Indian festival of Holi, the German Frühlingsfest at Brewing and a fairy party at Loflin Yard. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40550530

Meet the local foodie behind our $15 deals 03/19/2026

Meet the local foodie behind our $15 deals Erica Horton is a local foodie and, for the past year, she’s been writing many of The Daily Memphian’s $15 Deals. Today, we talk to her about the local restaurant scene and some of our favorite $15 deals. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40529460

Jerry Lee Lewis' home tour 03/18/2026

Jerry Lee Lewis' home tour For the past year and a half, Jerry Lee Lewis’ Nesbit ranch has been open to tourists. As with the home tour of another famous Mid-South musician, visitors of the house can see gold records, antique cars and other rock ’n’ roll artifacts. Today, North Mississippi reporter Brandon LaGrone II is in the studio to talk about . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40515050

Getting birds of prey back in the air 03/17/2026

Getting birds of prey back in the air When local birds of prey are injured, they may end up at the Mid-South Raptor Center near Shelby Farms Park. The organization’s volunteers are dedicated to rehabilitating — and more importantly, releasing — hawks, falcons, eagles and owls. Today, we’re talking to enterprise reporter John Klyce about . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40504485

Take a break and wear green 03/16/2026

Take a break and wear green It’s spring break week for area public school students (except for the University Schools district), which means the airport may be busy but the roads probably won’t be. his week also brings us St. Patrick’s Day, the Memphis Amateur Sports Hall of Fame ceremony and a vote on an exterior grant for another plan for 409 S. Main, formerly Puck Food Hall. Today, newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40447460

Time to shamrock out for St. Patrick's 03/13/2026

Time to shamrock out for St. Patrick's St. Patrick’s Day celebrations start early this year, with parades and parties beginning Saturday, March 14. But there’s also the Grind City Coffee Xpo, “Seussical” the musical, a daffodil show and the Orpheum Theatre’s Broadway season reveal party. Daily Memphian newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins us today to share all the tea (and coffee) on . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40416770

What happens now with The Standard? 03/12/2026

What happens now with The Standard? The Standard could have been Germantown’s first TIF, or tax increment financing, district. Located at Poplar Avenue and Kirby Parkway, the development is slated to replace the Carrefour at Kirby Woods. The Carrefour shopping center has already been demolished, and in its place, developers planned to build a hotel, 40 luxury condos and 150,000 square feet of office space. But earlier this week, . Today, we’re joined by suburbs reporter Abigail Warren to talk about what happened with the vote and what happens now. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40403220

Could consumers see tariff refunds? 03/11/2026

Could consumers see tariff refunds? In February, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump’s administration, and using the International Emergency Economic Power Act, were illegal. In light of the ruling, the president quickly enacted other tariffs, but the Supreme Court’s decision did not go unnoticed. Several international companies, such as Costco, Nintendo, Dole Fresh Fruit Co. and they’ve paid over the past year. Today we’re joined by business reporter Steve Bohnel to talk about what the companies are doing to get their money back and what it might mean, way in the future, for the American consumer. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40390805

Ja talks, and the story behind it 03/10/2026

Ja talks, and the story behind it Before this weekend, Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies star point guard, hadn’t spoken to the media since January. That also meant he hadn’t spoken publicly since after the NBA’s trade deadline — when he notably wasn’t traded and Jaren Jackson Jr. was. But there’s a story there about him talking to the media now, and it involves the injury he sustained to his left elbow on Jan. 21. Today, The Daily Memphian’s Grizzlies reporter Drew Hill returns to the show to talk about Morant, and NBA rules about injuries. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40369010

It's your last chance to run for governor 03/09/2026

It's your last chance to run for governor This week begins with a flurry of government activity. Bianca Phillips is here to talk about all of it and help us prepare for . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40358080

All the cooking contests and Elvis 03/06/2026

All the cooking contests and Elvis If this weekend has a theme, it’s food competitions for a good cause. There are also Elvis Tribute Artists in town to perform and roller derby lessons, so one might be able to skate, rattle and roll. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here to tell us . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40330265

Getting MATA on track 03/05/2026

Getting MATA on track The Memphis Area Transit Authority has struggled in recent years, with funding, misallocated resources, bad bus schedules and questionable spending. Now, the beleaguered public transportation agency is headed by an operations trustee, Rodrick Holmes, who used to MATA’s general counsel. Mary Cashiola is joined today by enterprise reporter Samuel Hardiman, who recently got Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40314805

How much money goes to U of M athletes 03/04/2026

How much money goes to U of M athletes Last year, a U.S. District judge finalized a settlement permitting university athletic departments around the country to distribute up to $20.5 million annually in revenue to student athletes. This past week, for the first time ever, to student-athletes under revenue sharing. Today, the U of M Board of Trustees will hear a presentation on that program, and we’re asking sports editor David Boyd all of our questions about how this all works. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40302145

13 commissioners, mayor and all the clerks 03/03/2026

13 commissioners, mayor and all the clerks The Shelby County primaries are fast approaching. The official primary election day is Tuesday, May 5, but early voting starts Wednesday, April 15. Moreover, there are all kinds of seats up for grabs, including county mayor, 13 Shelby County Board of Commissioners districts, county sheriff, probate court clerk, county clerk and circuit court clerk. Joining Mary Cashiola today is longtime political reporter Bill Dries to talk about how it’s all shaking out so far. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40287435

Banana ball and Ford replacements 03/02/2026

Banana ball and Ford replacements This is the week when the Banana Ball Championship League (finally) comes to Memphis. The Savannah Bananas are not coming to Memphis, but two other teams from the league — the Party Animals and the Indianapolis Clowns — will be at AutoZone Park with their signature take on baseball. And this week marks the next step in who might replace Edmund Ford Jr. on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners. Today, Bianca Phillips joins Mary Cashiola to talk about it all as we prepare for . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40257855

Tulips and a steamy show 02/27/2026

Tulips and a steamy show Another week is in the books, and . There’s a “Heated Rivalry”-themed dance party at Minglewood Hall, the Memphis Coin Club Show at the Landers Center and more tulips blooming in East Memphis than you’ll see anywhere else outside of the Netherlands. Well, actually, don’t quote on us on that last bit. But a lot of tulips. Suffice it to say, this weekend isn’t for wallflowers. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is in the studio, so she and Mary Cashiola discuss all that and more. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40248685

In med school, young doctors can do no harm to first patients 02/26/2026

In med school, young doctors can do no harm to first patients One of the first classes medical students take is gross anatomy. They first learn about the human body during a lecture and then it’s onto the lab, where their first patient — a donor body — awaits them. Today, reporter John Klyce is here to talk to us about , why it’s important and even how they find their bodies. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/40232135

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

The AM/DM

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