The AM/DM

In May, U.S. immigration courts started scheduling what are being called mega master hearings, a full docket of preliminary hearings to handle mostly procedural matters. Joining us today to talk about that — and how the Memphis Safe Task Force is impacting local prosecutors — is new Daily Memphian public safety reporter Mary Evans.

Plus:

• A jury finds a man guilty for killing a Memphis musician
• Sheriff Buckner taps a new chief inspector
• Pat Neely is back with another barbecue show
• MPD officers shoot and critically injure a man during a chase
• 5C Group says it plans to quadruple power at its Memphis data center with fuel cell technology
• A new cafe will open beside East Memphis' One City Church

Adam Queen, the cutting gardens manager at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens, is part of a community of people interested in native plants. Today, digital producer Nick Lingerfelt joins us to talk about his story on Queen as well as the whys and hows of growing native plants.

Plus:

30 years after Hershey arrived in Memphis, many people still don't know the factory exists. But one of the factory's leaders is hoping to change that. Today, features writer John Klyce is here to talk about his time inside the factory, what they make there and how the Hershey's plant is making itself known in the community.

Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here to talk about the happenings this week, including Memphis City Council, a possible sentencing hearing and a food symposium.

Plus:

• Where the money stands on Regional One's new hospital
• The deadly police chases and little transparency in the Memphis Safe Task Force's first year
• Alpha-gal syndrome is spreading
• Blackburn sues and Hagerty seeks the disbarment of Special Counsel Jack Smith
• An abortion pill debate reaches the FedEx annual meeting
• Germantown grandkids can attend the suburb's schools for free if capacity allows
• The MSCS board picks a new chair as a takeover challenge looms

Newsletter editor Bianca Phillips is here to shepherd us through the weekend.

Plus:

• Family and friends are still wrestling with the death of a loved one after he was killed by the Memphis Safe Task Force
• Christa Pike is alive a day after Tennessee's failed attempt to execute her
• A Memphis warehouse raid nabs 30K packages of synthetic kratom
• A shuttered nightclub will remain closed for now
• Alo Yoga stretches to Southaven
• Collierville is considering e-bike education over regulations
• A Mississippi senator announces millions for roadway improvements in DeSoto County

As of Sept. 29, the Memphis Safe Task Force has been on the ground in the city for a year. Today, we're joined metro editor Jane Donahoe to talk about what's happened over the past year and what we expect to see in the future.

Plus:

• The Sheriff's Office fills the role of chief inspector of jail
• Zach Edey is on the mend
• Huntington National Bank is investing $300,000 in Memphis for affordable housing and career training
• The assessor sounds the alarm on the county tax base
• Germantown rejects residents' appeal of the Bodine School expansion
• Southaven homeowners near the SpaceXAI power plant haven't received offers for their land despite reports
• DeSoto deputies are cleared of wrongdoing in a fatal 2025 Nesbit shooting

The University of Memphis is in an interesting moment in athletics. Today, Frank Bonner II joins us to talk about more conference realignment, new/old coaches, the basketball team's predilection for 3-pointers and what it would take to get season ticket-holders back into seats.

Plus:

• The IKEA building has sold
• Judges deny the state's request to throw out Chattanooga's lawsuit over the airport board takeover
• The Belmont Grill building owner buys the property next door
• CBU is approved to join the NAIA
• The Memphis Land Bank fires its CEO after questionable credit card spending
• The historic Brunswick building gets new life as Brunswick Rail Yard restaurant
• FedEx brings panda-monium to Atlanta