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.

A quintessential Memphis weekend 09/18/2026

A quintessential Memphis weekend This weekend brings us a quintessential Memphis event: the Cooper-Young Festival and its accompanying run, the Cooper- Young 4-Miler. You also have a chance this week to watch “The Matrix” on the big screen — the really big screen — at the Pink Palace, take a parking spot over as a pocket park and get your ballet on, very quickly. Arts and culture editor Elle Perry is on the show today . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42947228

Discovering the wildlife all around us 09/17/2026

Discovering the wildlife all around us For years, the Memphis Zoo has worked to bring the Louisiana pine snake and the dusky gopher frog of the southeastern U.S. back from the brinks of extinction. But, recently, it began a project focused on the wildlife of West Tennessee using cameras, mounted at human knee height, to take pictures of animals in their natural habitats near parks, golf courses, cemeteries and other open spaces. Features reporter John Klyce is here today — on The Daily Memphian’s eighth birthday — to talk and what the zoo has learned so far. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42931387

Landers Center docs and text messages give new info on termination suit 09/16/2026

Landers Center docs and text messages give new info on termination suit After former Landers Center Executive Director Todd Mastry was fired in January of 2025, he filed a federal suit against DeSoto County and the county’s Convention and Visitors Bureau for wrongful termination. Mastry claims he was fired because members of the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors wanted him to stop booking Black artists and he refused to do so. Last month, DeSoto County and the CVB asked the court to dismiss Mastry’s case. In doing so, Mastry’s attorneys filed a number of documents why the case shouldn’t be dismissed, who said they were appointed, and in some cases later replaced, solely to terminate Mastry. North Mississippi reporter Aarron Fleming is here today to talk about what exactly we have learned from these newly filed documents. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42901235

What is going on with the county's elected officials? 09/15/2026

What is going on with the county's elected officials? When new Shelby County clerk La Sonya Hall got to her office on Sept. 1, she was greeted with 34 crates of unprocessed car title and registration packets. Separately, days into the new Shelby County Commission’s four-year term, two commissioners have been formally charged with crimes. A third is under review because of a 2025 Memphis City Council grant her nonprofit received. Today we’re joined by longtime political reporter Bill Dries to talk about and how they impact the elected officials, the bodies on which they serve and the electorate. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42901205

HBD to the DM and congrats to Calipari 09/14/2026

HBD to the DM and congrats to Calipari Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is back with us today to talk about Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42892850

Yoga, home tours and hot takes 09/11/2026

Yoga, home tours and hot takes Today, newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins us to help us decide . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42867355

Black bears, bees and birds of prey 09/10/2026

Black bears, bees and birds of prey Our friends at the Mississippi River Basin Ag and Water desk recently produced in Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee — and how experts expect the bears to soon recolonize Middle and West Tennessee. The Ag and Water desk had art for the story, but when we ran it, Daily Memphian photographer Patrick Lantrip stepped in with more images of his own. He’s here today to talk about his experience shooting bears, bees, birds of prey and other wildlife. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42829880

Where MATA wants to go 09/09/2026

Where MATA wants to go Today, Steve Bohnel is here to talk about , including its new board and the trolley system, and where it hopes to go. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42829770

A Shell, a hotel and a Classic game 09/08/2026

A Shell, a hotel and a Classic game The big news this week is probably the 90th anniversary of the Overton Park Shell and the four days of concerts that are planned to celebrate it. We’ve also got the Southern Heritage Classic coming into town this upcoming weekend, an airport hotel under consideration, a burned-out gas station getting under construction and the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the twin towers attack. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips joins us to set up . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42818795

A big weekend in Memphis 09/04/2026

A big weekend in Memphis It’s a weekend for s. Bianca Phillips is here to talk about it all. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42777040

Is Memphis at a turning point? 09/03/2026

Is Memphis at a turning point? Earlier this year, 5C Data Centers bought the former Fred’s Inc. headquarters at 4300 Getwell Road for $25 million. 5C is now operating in 200,000 square feet of the more than 1 million-square-foot former Fred’s space. That means that . Today, business reporter Andy Ashby joins us to talk about Fred’s, 5C and both distribution and data centers. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42658285

Tigers football makes a statement 09/02/2026

Tigers football makes a statement After a coaching change last December and 71 new players on the roster, the Charles Huff era of Memphis Tigers football began last weekend with a 27-21 victory over UNLV in Las Vegas. The Daily Memphian’s Tigers sports reporter Frank Bonner is here to talk about the game, what it could mean for the rest of the season and some . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42643185

Why the county wanted four rapid DNA testing machines 09/01/2026

Why the county wanted four rapid DNA testing machines Last month, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and District Attorney General Steve Mulroy announced the purchase of four new rapid DNA machines, giving local law enforcement the ability to turn DNA test results around in 90 minutes. Today, reporter Brandon LaGrone is here to talk about what this means for Memphis and Shelby County. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42627175

Satellite Music Hall and Metal Museum space open 08/31/2026

Satellite Music Hall and Metal Museum space open A very local holiday anchors this week but there’s plenty of other happenings coming up. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here today and we set up the week. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42613280

Recess and roller derby days 08/28/2026

Recess and roller derby days It’s a weekend for nostalgia. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here to talk about . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42578195

Poplar Plaza's experiment in the experiential 08/27/2026

Poplar Plaza's experiment in the experiential Poplar Avenue and Highland Street has been a landmark corner for years, in part due to Poplar Plaza’s second-floor exterior facade. Now with leasing for the shopping center, something they are calling dwell time. Commercial real estate reporter Andy Ashby is here to talk about what exactly they are trying to do and why. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42543965

Collierville's Selberg situation 08/26/2026

Collierville's Selberg situation More than two weeks ago, then-. Fire department staffers were told of the change by assistant fire chief Mark Carter, who was appointed interim chief. But details were scant. Suburbs reporter Abigail Warren has been following this story for us, and today she’s here to talk about what might happen now. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42543960

Memphis was once known for daycare van deaths. How it happened again. 08/25/2026

Memphis was once known for daycare van deaths. How it happened again. Two weeks ago, a non-verbal autistic first grader died after being left in a Cordova daycare van. Kid University was supposed to drop six-year-old Winter Jones off at Macon-Hall Elementary for school that morning. Instead, she was found hours later and rushed to an area hospital, but she did not survive. Today, longtime reporter Jody Callahan is here to talk about to keep kids safe. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42543330

College football starts; commissioners' time ends 08/24/2026

College football starts; commissioners' time ends The University of Memphis football team will play its season opener Saturday against UNLV. But, before that, eight of the 13 Shelby County Commissioners will have their last meeting before rolling off the board. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here today as we talk about all of that and tee up the week. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42529490

'Mean Girls,' former coworkers and a hot tomato 08/21/2026

'Mean Girls,' former coworkers and a hot tomato If it’s Friday, it’s time to tune in for chitchat about Bianca Phillips is here to talk all about it. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42503115

Moving with the movies 08/20/2026

Moving with the movies Earlier this week, M. Today, The Daily Memphian’s arts and culture editor Elle Perry is here to talk about this moving development. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42486450

The case for — and against — crossover voting 08/19/2026

The case for — and against — crossover voting When Tennessee voters go to the polls during the primaries, they are asked which ballot they want: Republican, Democrat or general. That is the moment they declare their political party, not when they register to vote. Which means, hypothetically, Tennessee voters can declare a different political party during every primary election, should they want to do so. But Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn recently tweeted, in all caps no less, , forcing voters to choose their affiliation when they register. Bill Dries joins us today to talk about what it’s all about as well as some of the political strategy that can come into crossover voting. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42464540

How Friends of the Library became frenemies 08/18/2026

How Friends of the Library became frenemies In early July, the new director of the Memphis Public Libraries announced t, a local fundraising group. Business reporter Noah McLane joins us today to talk about how the 60-year partnership came undone. Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42462270

Election deadline, greenway update and goodbye, commissioners 08/17/2026

Election deadline, greenway update and goodbye, commissioners Civic engagement is the watchword this week. Two members of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners are inviting up to 25 people to join a virtual conversation with them as they leave office. This week will also see an update on the Wolf River Greenway, the brand new airport board meeting and the qualifiying deadline for the upcoming Nov. 3 election. Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is out today so longtime reporter Bill Dries joins us to talk . Plus: /episode/index/show/dmdailyupdate/id/42456005

'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

The AM/DM

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