The AM/DM

We're back with book fairs and a recess-themed party just for adults. Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss Elvis tribute artists, giant slip-and-slides and the new Jeff Buckley documentary — and more.

Plus, a former Memphis police officer pleads guilty to kidnapping charges, a man who escaped DeSoto County custody pleads guilty to attempted murder, the County Commission reacts to an ambitious jail plan, a cause of death have been confirmed for a 201 Poplar inmate, The Liquor Store on Broad Avenue is closing and Cleotha Abston's attorney argues to have his rape conviction overturned.

In today's episode of The AM/DM, we get to know Joseph Mangin, The Daily Memphian's summer intern.

We also talk about a new grant aimed at protecting the Memphis Sand aquifer. Alcy Ball, in South Memphis, is home to the former Memphis Defense Depot, and with a known breach in the aquifer, the community wants to create a plan to protect its groundwater.

Also, Marie Feagins' attorney demands a retraction from The Daily Memphian, Marsha Blackburn joins the race for governor, Arlington officials work to handle issues related to growth and infrastructure, the Memphis City Council considers diverting funding to fix potholes and clean up blight, the city hopes to close on the Sheraton by next month and a man is arrested for sexual solicitation of minors at a Germantown park.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young and members of his team recently did a team-building and training session at Bass Pro at the Pyramid — complete with an overnight stay. Editorial director Mary Cashiola and enterprise reporter Samuel Hardiman talk about what the city administration hoped to gain — and how much it cost.

Plus, former Tiger Anthony Rice fights lung disease, Jon Hornyak is retiring from The Recording Academy, long-serving County Commissioner Julian Bolton has died, St. Jude's telethon breaks a fundraising record, the xAI site in Southaven could mean more air emissions in Memphis and the Overton Park 9 unveiled the Memphis golf history walkway.

Problems continue to plague the Shelby County Jail, known as 201 Poplar. The jail, built in 1981 for $58 million, has a capacity of 2,400 inmates. Recently, the facility has had an average daily population of 2,758.

In addition, at least seven inmates have died this year, due to a variety of reasons. And intake is currently taking, on average, three days, with the daily jail population "soaring."

Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and public safety reporter Aarron Fleming talk about the challenges the jail is facing, a local initiative to get nonviolent criminals released and what the long-term solutions to a number of jail issues could be.

Also, Desoto County leaders look to mitigate financial impact on residents by reducing the millage rate and a strong start for the local industrial real estate market leaves brokers optimistic for the future.

Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips talk about what's on the horizon for the Memphis area.

Also, Memphis-Shelby County Schools is facing a lot of potential changes, The FedEx St. Jude Championship is back, Memphis Mojo Cafe in Bartlett has closed, teacher vacancies persist in MSCS classrooms, Germantown is implementing a clear-bag procedure for athletic events and a judge says the spat between the city and attorneys for Tyre Nichols' family is unworthy of sanctions.

Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips discuss what fun can be had this weekend. There's singing, there's dancing and there's backyard rabbitry. Just not all at the same time.

Also, a cold front is coming, Hotel Pontotoc's bar will open soon, Tom Lee's house gets money for restoration, the MSCS interim leader will split the district into regions, conditions at the Shelby County jail continue to come under scrutiny and Germantown may adjust policies to fund Houston High's renovations.

Today's episode brings us to Bartlett where the last restaurant in a local chain has closed, but not without a little social media controversy.

The Daily Memphian's Mary Cashiola and Bartlett reporter Michael Waddell discuss how Goodwill wanted to open a drop-off center and specialty shop in a Baby Jack's restaurant location and how it all went a little wrong.

Plus, St. Jude runners began a 465-mile relay, Memphis-Shelby County Schools accepts a donation from xAI, an inmate has died at the Shelby County Jail, ASD schools' applications to become charters has been denied and the Memphis Police Department has named a new assistant chief.

For years, the tallest building in Downtown Memphis — 100 N. Main — has stood vacant. 100 North Main LLC, which is redeveloping the building, bought it from the Downtown Mobility Authority last year, but actually broke ground on the project in 2023. Today, editorial director Mary Cashiola and CRE reporter Dima Amro discuss what's happening with the $309 million redevelopment project and why it's in "a pause."

Plus, Memphis plans for AutoZone Park renovation, an update in Sincere Parker's legal case, the County Commission postponed a vote for MSCS board changes, a former Kellogg facility has new ownership, Rowan will open its first store in Tennessee and Marie Feagins was pressed on claims in court.

After a strange turn of events in a high-profile, federal criminal trial, The Daily Memphian stepped into the case with a filing of its own.

On this episode of the AM/DM podcast, editorial director Mary Cashiola and public safety reporter Aarron Fleming talk about the news site's decision to try and get several documents unsealed in the federal case of the former Memphis Police officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols.

Also, Memphis Record Press is expanding, a hospitalized Bolton football player dies, Methodist enters a new partnership and it's a buyer's market for residential real estate in Memphis.

Editorial director Mary Cashiola and newsletter editor Bianca Phillips tee up the week ahead. School board seats may go back on the ballot soon, and the weekend brings plenty of back-to-school events.

Plus, former mayor Bill Morris dies at 92, Lausanne begins a multi-phase campus transformation, TDOT helps Monarch butterflies, the Daily Memphian heads to court, BlueOval City plans to protect the aquifer, new sentencing dates have been set for former cops charged in the death of Tyre Nichols and the airport works to ease parking issues.