Commercial Appeal: An article on reconsidering inducing labor to reduce the number of premature births.

POLITICS: What is President-elect Obama’s agenda for higher education? Survey says … white evangelical Christian voters dominate in TN; more from the Daily News. House Speaker Naifeh says he’s still not giving up his chair.

From the Bartlett Express, more on the Position 6 Alderman’s race.

MISSISSIPPI: Governor Barbour cuts budget and spares education. More from WMC. Olive Branch hopes to use legislature to bypass certification process for area hospital; more from the Daily News. More Olive Branch news — building permits plunge, although Malco plans a new theater there.

BikeMemphis: City’s first bike lanes are now open!

Ethanol: Do not home brew it or you risk engine damage.

The Holidays & Shopping: Getting ready for Taht Time of Year. Other stories from Good Morning Memphis, including Bargain Thursday. Don’t forget pawn shops.

Are your store gift cards still usable?

TENNESSEE: State’s entrepreneurs generate an estimated $23 billion! Via the Flyer, a Variety.com article on TN’s growing move into Hollywood. Some progress reported in TennCare deal with providers.

Woodstock School: Fox13’s Les Smith with Part One of a powerful remembrance and examination of Shelby County’s first all-Negro school, its philosophy and methods, and its lasting influence.

Memphis International Airport: Air traffic controllers say there are serious problems with the runway.

University of Memphis: Author & professor Cornel West is coming to university next week to speak. Students volunteering in Africa. It’s never too late to return to school. Inaugural Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship awarded this year. Now, more than ever, avoid graduation debt! Make sure you have the necessary work done in order to graduate. The university signs an apparel deal with Nike. Swoosh!

Memphis City Schools: More on Superintendent Cash’s plans; and more here. Another story, this one from WMC.

By comparison, Tipton County Schools are doing very well on their school report card. And here’s a story on Fayette County Schools.

System claims gang activity has dropped almost 100%!

Shelby County Commission: A tie vote means they won’t support the Bass Pro Shops arrangement! More from the Commercial Appeal. Also, the Commission eyes a return to the set-rate tax for funding schools, rather than current budget approval system.

Juvenile Detention Center: A tour inside the facility.

BUSINESS: Details on Memphis banks and public companies affected by Dow drop. Similar story on large retail chains with local stores. Crye-Leike to drop out of state office and beef up Midtown presence. Memphis-based Luminetx partners with major national health care purchasing company. Wolfchase Galleria news. Cook Systems gets State IT contract.

People in business, from the CA.

Delta Airlines: Plans to add more flights in Memphis. More from the Daily News and the CA.

Ronald McDonald House: Now open again after major renovations.

FedEx: Company announces green initiatives to cut emissions and fuel use by 2020. More from the Daily News and the CA. Also, they are maintaining their long term profit and sales goals.

ARKANSAS: The mayor of Helena - West Helena suspends 7 of 32 police officers after city burglary spree. More from WMC.

Foreclosures: Getting help for homeowners. In a related story, October home sales in Shelby County are down by almost a quarter from last year.

Cordova: Deer rampage!

LeBonheur Children’s Hospital: They are doubling their chaplain staff.

National Bar Association: The Memphis chapter will present new officers and board members at a fundraiser this Saturday.

Gameday Sportsplex: Their application before the Land Use Control Board is due to come up today.

El Porton: Indications of more identity theft at these restaurants.
 
 

Collierville: Bad economy or no, city issues $13 million in new general obligation bonds. Also, a senior property tax freeze may present problems.

Midtown: Former United Methodist church on Union may keep its facade in deal with Chick-Fil-A.

Goodwill Industries: Bad times for some is good times for them.

Brain Release Valve: A two-fer! Shopping at the Viet Hoa market for catfish and then thoughts on California’s Prop 8 fight.

Panacea: More thoughts on Obama’s election and other political dark clouds.

Radio Sweethearts: The poetry of Dean Young and busy lives.

theology & geometry: Someone’s going to an inauguration!

what would you ax it?: Rediscovering the joys of the bonds of family.

Mick Wright: A two-fer! The future of conservatism and thoughts on Colin Powell’s future.

Ask Vance: Memories of Mario’s Pizza Palace on Park.

Jen-sized: Thoughts on changing TN’s liquor laws regarding wines.

LeftWing Cracker: He comments on the failures of the TN Democratic Party and offers some ideas.

Smart City Memphis: Continuing thoughts on harnessing creativity in Memphis.

vibinc: He’s also dissecting the TN Demcoratic Party’s problems and offering solutions: Part the first and more.

Commercial Appeal: In memoriam to Dr. Walter Walker, the former president of LeMoyne-Owen College.

Commercial Appeal: They argue for passing a “predatory lender” law they admit won’t be effective?

Fore Left!: Thoughts on Obama’s bin Laden strategy.