Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about what to do this weekend. Their picks include a circus in a parking lot, an awards show that almost didn’t happen and Live at the Garden with Darius Rucker. They also talk about Chris Herrington’s invaluable weekly movie column. 

Plus, Hernandez Govan is found not guilty, a Bartlett skate shop owner is pushing for more public skate parks across the county, Nike and Ja Morant released another sneaker, a burger joint has been ordered to vacate their East Memphis location, two businesses have received grants from the Downtown Memphis Commission, the FedEx logo will appear in the end zone at the Liberty Bowl and MLGW eyes the Smith & Nephew building for a new control room. 

Restaurants come and restaurants go, and business reporter Sophia Surrett tries to take note of them all.  Surrett is the force behind The Daily Memphian’s weekly Food Files column, which documents what new restaurants are opening, which are expanding into second and third locations and which have shut their doors.

Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola sits down with Surrett to talk about the column as well as some of the recent moves within the restaurant industry. 

Plus, the jury deliberates in the Young Dolph murder trial, questions continue to arise about the possibility of a new jail, the city funds a more aggressive battle against blight, battery production at the BlueOval City campus has been delayed, a costume jewelry company requests an $11 million PILOT and Richard Smith has been nominated to FedEx's board of directors.

The U.S. is expected to hit a shortfall of more than 100,000 health care workers in just three short years, with nurses and nursing assistants being some of the most in-demand jobs. Baby Boomers have started to retire and are also aging, needing more health care themselves, impacting both the supply and demand side of the equation. And there aren’t enough people entering nursing school to keep up. 

Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and health care reporter Aisling Maki talk about programs that are aiming to help new people get into the industry. 

Plus, the city plans to keep the Grizzlies, ICE raids are hitting ethnic restaurants, Tennessee officials release TCAP results and the trial begins for a man accused of planning Young Dolph's killing.

For the first time in more than 40 years, Collierville is poised to overhaul its beer rules. It’s a change that could see microbreweries locate in the suburb, beer served with burgers — even in restaurants near churches — and even more liquor stores opening in the area. Editorial director Mary Cashiola and suburbs reporters Abigail Warren talk about the reasons behind the proposed change and the implications of it.

Plus, a West Tennessee ICE detainment center got the votes but the ACLU argues otherwise, the Ghana government pays the University of Memphis $1 million for student costs, a judge rules that Wing Guru must pay Ja Morant and Tonica could open a second location Downtown. 

One note, this episode includes some technical difficulties, so please bear with it. 

Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about the week ahead. In addition to the ongoing debate over how to change Memphis-Shelby County Schools board terms, high school football starts this week. 

Plus, Playhouse on the Square has a new ticketing system, new restaurants are on the way to Lakeland Town Square, a 10-minute play fest features shows from Memphis and beyond, Jennie Robbins marks one year as CEO of Church Health and Memphis-Shelby County Schools could fight vandalism with cameras.

Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about what is happening this weekend and a movie recommendation you do not want to miss. 

Plus, William Whitlow Jr. is unfazed by paychecks that were offered while he was in the portal, the Grizzlies 2025-26 schedule has been released, the People's Hip-Hop weekend is here, a Memphis man was sentenced to hundreds of years in prison, microbreweries could be allowed in Collierville and FedEx finds a new executive from outside the company.

Fewer than two weeks after Elvis Presley died, three would-be grave robbers tried to take his body from Forest Hill Cemetery. They weren’t successful. In fact, one of them was a police informant and had tipped off police before the attempt. But they were also so inept, it might not have mattered. Editorial director Mary Cashiola and reporter Jody Callahan talk about the caper that the police director called a “goat rodeo from the word go” and how it, in a way, led to Graceland’s annual candlelight vigil. 

Plus, Jaren Jackson Jr gets in on crypto's NBA wave, officials in Mason vote to open a shuttered jail to detain immigrants, a FedEx executive will get a multimillion-dollar cash payout, auditors arrive at MSCS looking for fraud in a high-stakes probe and the developer of One Beale combines its two Hyatt hotels.

In recent weeks, Memphis Area Transit Authority officials have raised the idea that the Downtown trolleys could get back on track. But while MATA said it can get the system running, it also doesn’t have the money to run the lines. And, is there something better that could be done with the infrastructure we already have? Daily Memphian editorial director Mary Cashiola and enterprise reporter Samuel Hardiman discuss. 

Plus, the County Commission punts on when to get school board races on the same ballot, the Memphis Zoo's only male lion has died, a judge declines to reinstate former MSCS superintendent Mare Feagins and the owners of Magnolia & May open a new coffee trailer.

Last week, a group of the city’s librarians showed up at Memphis City Council, unannounced, to ask for a change to their employment. Right now, every one of them is an employee appointed by the mayor. But they would prefer to be civil service employees, like the majority of city workers. How this situation came to be is interesting. But how it could be changed is a big question mark, and it could mean voters going to the polls. 

Plus, an inmate is paralyzed after being stabbed at 201 Poplar, the former ALSAC CEO launches a new venture, high lead levels have been found at some Memphis schools, Ford delays the schedule for BlueOval City again and U of M launches a second elementary school.

Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss the week ahead. With the Shelby County Commission preparing to vote on Memphis-Shelby County Schools board elections and Elvis Week in full swing, it’s bound to be a busy week. Plus, a historic church on Chelsea Avenue has potential. 

Plus, the story behind Elvis' final resting place, Memphis Listening Lab has a new director, Prep Curry is hosting Memphis Urban Fashion Week, causes of death have been confirmed for two more jail inmates, a puppet theater is set to take the stage at local parks and a new southwestern-style restaurant is coming to Germantown.