Andy Wise: Mediaverse: Memphis snagged an interview with the reporter who went from WREG to WMC this year.

POLITICS: City Councilwoman Janis Fullilove has a hearing date set for last year’s charges. US Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn’s home accidentally goes into foreclosure; more from the Daily News and the Memphis Flyer.


Two candidates for State consititutional offices are involved with a ‘distasteful’ pension scheme involving taking out insurance policies on elderly State employees to benefit the State’s pension fund.

The Inaugural: He just wants to be there. For one civil rights veteran, it’s a ‘thrill’ to go. Mid-Southerners in the Grambling State band are rarin’ to go; more on Grambling from WREG. Southaven High School students prepare for trip; more from the Commercial Appeal. This mother is doing it for her children.

DeSoto County: Special committee sets list of special funding projects, from Federal monies. Hernando is seeking a grant for work at Lee’s Summit Park. Horn Lake elections continue to draw entrants. The Commercial Appeal demonstrates that life in DeSoto County is no tax bargain compared to Shelby County. The Bonne Terre Country Inn is closed; some brides-to-be are upset. The North Mississippi Land Trust gains more acreage.

TENNESSEE: State revenues for December fell 10 percent. Interstate 40 is now the nation’s top highway. State’s budget revenue shortfall has now hit $380 million for FY2009. However, the lottery is up $8 million for 1Q of 2009.

The Governor’s Race: The Commercial Appeal provides a quick run-down of the possible candidates.

The Main Street Journal interviewed Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons last year and discussed his run for governor.

State Colleges and Universities: The University of Memphis is sponsoring a domestic violence project. The University of Tennessee’s endowment has dropped by one-third, thanks to the economy and banking disasters. After fears of dropping 1500 students over school fees, Tennessee State University only drops 500.

Arlington: A Commercial Appeal profile of the city’s Senior Center.
 

Memphis City Schools: They are awarded an AT&T grant for an after-school math program.

MISSISSIPPI: State legislature will tackle budget cuts this week. The State has moved forward on hiring a Medical Examiner, but is it long term? Also, the latest Mississippi Outdoors sporting news, from the CA. The City of Coldwater appears headed to court over a racial dispute involving the mayor.

Local Hospitals: A new treatment for heart attack victims, called therapeutic cooling is coming to local hospitals.

School Lunch Menus: Memphis City schools here and Shelby County schools here.

Shelby County Commission: Vote is likely today for final reading of payday lender zoning ordinance. For a variety of reasons, this is a highly anticipated meeting.

Germantown: The idea of a community fund is pretty well shot down.

Bible Patrol Man: An interesting profile of a man, Mark Hyde, who has really dedicated his life to Christ.

ARKANSAS: The City of West Memphis is running a budget deficit. Forrest City school system starts new student text-messaging trouble reporting line.

Tenn-Care: The Med is still negotiating with AmeriChoice. Also, another report on the State’s OK by the court to restart patient eligibility.

Trinity Community Coalition Outreach: Women’s shelter in South Memphis is asking for help.

BUSINESS: Dollar stores seeing rising stock prices. Cutbacks by business on travel is affecting the travel industry. Coupons via cell-phone? UPS and Merck enter into shipping agreement. Thrift store forced to remove references to Shriners. Price Ford in Millington hasn’t sold yet; negotiations continue. Memphis firms hire Red Deluxe Brand Development for PR overhaul.

More than half of large construction firms plan layoffs this year.

A business profile of Lamination Service Inc. And a Daily News profile of the Mary Carter Decorating Center, a cake-making business. Belz Construction Company files suit against a former bookkeeper. And another business profile, this time for Fork It Over Catering.

Local banks still waiting for their piece of the bailout pie. And local home sales are still down and falling. The Daily News looks back at 2008’s housing and foreclosure disaster.

People in Business, from the CA, for Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Memphis Crime: It should go without saying, but don’t ever leave an unattended car running in Memphis. Meanwhile, Police Director Larry Godwin promises to reduce home burglaries.

Citizens for Better Service: Memphis activist and civic promotion group honors around 200 students and some adults for doing good in the community.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra: A look at the search for the next director, and what the search committee is looking forward.

Shelby County Election Commission: Hoping to opt out of a State requirement for paper ballots.

Lichterman Nature Center: It’s the annual volunteer cleanup time!
 

Walt’s World: A note to the grown-up Walt.

Carbunkle Trumpet: A gruesome picture story of the dove and pigeon problem on the South Bluffs.

Otis L. Sanford: He offers up a eulogy to Mayor Herenton career, with two years left in his term?

Chris Peck: Thoughts on funerals.

Wendi C. Thomas: A memoriam for a beloved grandmother upon her death.

16 Balls in the Air: Sleepy mutterings of children.

BEEB: The no fun daddy .

Jen-sized: A rant on people who steal from Goodwill.

Complacencies of the Peignoir: Familial peace is lovingly restored.

quite swimmingly: Something for the Grizzlies fan and

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: A rant against CBS and feminism, and using math to prove how much trouble we’re in.

Smart City Memphis: Some New Year’s resolutions from Sheriff Mark Luttrell, MCS Commissioner Betty Mallot, city activist Emily Trondheim and County Commissioner Mike Ritz!

The Shelf Life: Tonight at 7PM is the blog’s book discussion of Revolutionary Road.

Commontaries: Thoughts on Joe Brown’s rash comment.

Dining With Monkeys: Guest reviewer Steph take her tribe over to Yia Yia’s.

Joe Larkins: He’s deciding whether or not to keep his blog!

Commercial Appeal: On ash spills and spreading the cost of repairs. President-elect Obama needs to go forward, but slowly and thoughtfully, on the economy. Praise for the mayor and aldermen of Bartlett for foregoing raises. Praise for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Another plea for consolidation.

Notes From Memphis: Saluting Memphis’ Italian heritage and a couple of Downtown notes, and then the moon over Memphis.

polar donkey: Criticising Rep. Steve Cohen for supporting TARP.

The English Major Bookstore: She’s been busy, got some new shelves, and could use a comment or two to boost her spirits.

The Daily Docket: News of a big Obama inaugural celebration.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: The wedding planning continues and she gets a celebrity photographer!