Friday, May 29, 2026

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:00:01][music] >> This is the AMDM, your quick morning podcast full of Memphis news. I'm Natalie Van Gundy. Today is Friday, May 29th, and today's episode is shorter than usual and missing your favorite segment with Mary Cashiola and Bianca Phillips. But if you're still interested in hearing plenty of news, stay tuned.

[00:00:23]Chef Feathers in Bartlett has served its last bowl of catfish and grits for a while. The soul food spot caught fire on Monday, apparently from an electrical outlet, according to co-owner Chris Moore. Moore said the damage was extensive, but he hopes to reopen later this year. If you're really craving those grits though, Chef Feathers is also opening a downtown location, and you can already get food there to go.

[00:00:47]Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy is taking the state to court over a new law. The law requires his office to file a report every 10 business days on any cases arising from the Memphis Safe Task Force in which charges are dismissed or reduced. The Chancery Court lawsuit, filed Tuesday, alleging the 2026 law is unconstitutional, also seeks a similar court finding on a companion law that allows the Tennessee Attorney General to appoint a temporary prosecutor to take on cases the DA dismisses or where lesser charges are filed. Both laws apply only to the Shelby County District Attorney General.

[00:01:25]They don't name Shelby County outright, but refer to DAs in districts where the Memphis Safe Task Force is ongoing. In an emailed statement on Tuesday, Mulroy said the bills unfairly target Shelby County and infringe on the rights of Shelby County voters. Mulroy is being represented pro bono, or at no cost, by the Washington Litigation Group and Donati Law PLLC of Memphis. The attorneys are seeking a ruling that the laws are unconstitutional and a court order permanently barring their enforcement. Mulroy has said his office already tracks all cases, including those brought by the Memphis Safe Task Force, and tracks cases without regard to where they originate. In announcing the lawsuit Tuesday, Mulroy called the reporting requirements in the new state law vague, duplicative, and administratively burdensome. The lawsuit requests that a three-judge panel hear the case in accordance with state law governing legal claims by local governments against the state.

[00:02:23]U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn says a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund for President Donald Trump's allies, who claim they were unfairly targeted by the Justice Department, needs a revisit. Blackburn addressed the fund intended to compensate those who claim the DOJ unfairly targeted them for prosecution on Tuesday in comments to reporters following a round table with law enforcement leaders in Memphis.

[00:02:49]Blackburn indicated the legislation, which has received bipartisan blowback since President Trump's admin- istration announced it last week, is undergoing revisions following consultations with high-ranking administration officials.

[00:03:02]The fund has drawn fire from Democrats and some Republicans as Trump has refused to rule out some of the funding going to himself, as well as those convicted and pardoned of violent offenses during the January 6th, 2021 U.S. Capitol insurrection. Blackburn criticized the FBI under the Biden administration for what she has referred to as government weaponization, including Special Counsel Jack Smith seeking and getting records of phone calls to and from her and fellow Tennessee U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty before, during, and after the insurrection. Before Tuesday's event, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office Deputy Sheriff's Association officially endorsed Blackburn and her gubernatorial campaign. Memphis City Council member Jere Green is running in the Democratic primary for governor.

[00:03:51]Farmington Elementary fifth grader Josh Vermas quest to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee has come to an end. This is the 11-year-old's third straight year competing at the national bee. He finished 46th in 2024 and tied for 100th in 2025.

[00:04:08]After advancing to the quarterfinals on Wednesday morning, May 27th, Josh was given the word samovar, which is a metal urn used to boil water. It's spelled s a m o v a r. Unfortunately, Josh spelled it s a m i v a r, which knocked him out.

[00:04:26]As a result, he finishes tied for 79th place. While this was a setback, Josh can compete in the bee until he finishes the eighth grade. So, he has three more chances to reach his ultimate goal of winning the national bee.

[00:04:40]Disabled American Veterans is a national organization founded in 1920 dedicated to connecting veterans with resources and helping them navigate the benefits process. Erin Fleming a new DeSoto County chapter of DAV will hold its first meeting tomorrow at Bizarre's Bakery and Breakfast in Hernando at 12:30.

[00:05:00]>> Nationally, DAV is about 1,300 chapters.

[00:05:04]Dave Young, who is spearheading the club's creation and is a disabled veteran himself, said he most often hears from fellow veterans about troubles getting to appointments at the local VA. As part of the club, Young works to secure vehicle donations and helps connect veterans with housing.

[00:05:18]Young suffered from PTSD after serving in the Navy in the 1980s. Clubs at the DAV give those dealing with such situations a place to process what they experienced, Young said. For the Daily Memphian, I'm Erin Fleming.

[00:05:31]>> And that's your short AM DM for this Friday, May 29th. I'm Natalie Van Gundy.

[00:05:37]Find links to all of the stories mentioned in this episode in the podcast description. Listen and subscribe to this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts or on the Daily Memphian's website. And you can also hear us on WYXR 91.7, where our local news stories air every weekday throughout the day.

[00:05:54]Don't forget [music] to subscribe to our other weekly podcasts hosted by your favorite reporters, including Sound [music] Bites, The Daily Memphian's Food and Dining podcast with Holly Whitfield, The Sidebar, The Daily Memphian's Arts and Culture podcast with Eric Barnes, and The Daily Memphian Grizzlies podcast with Drew Hill and Chris Herrington.

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[00:06:21]Thanks for joining us, and be sure to start your day here again on Monday.

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