CASA of Memphis & Shelby County: The organisation of volunteer advocates for juveniles had a public event to raise awareness of the need for advocates for kids in the juvenile justice system.

Triangle Noir: City Housing and Community Development Director Robert Lipscomb says the planned Downtown renovation project may not be dead and he may have a line on hundreds of millions in Federal funding, via HOPE IV. You can read the Triangle Noir proposal at the Commercial Appeal’s website. (PDF document.)

POLITICS: Governor Phil Bredesen will announce his ‘clean’ energy bill for the Legislature today. More from WMC, the Daily News. The governor will also be honoring Memphis blues musician Robert Belfour with a Governor’s Arts Awards.

A new bill in the House would let professors carry hand guns onto college and university property; more in the CA. Another bill allowing wine transportation into state passed the Senate. A law sits on the governor’s desk that could double the number of new tollways being built in the state. The gun carry in restaurants bill has been delayed a week.

Bill Dries of the Daily News has an extended report from Saturday’s Democratic Convention, which elected Van Turner as the new party chairman.

LeMoyne-Owen College: Even historically black college is a struggle for underprepared black students and graduation rates show it.

ARKANSAS: Last Fall, uncertified officers were caught handing out tickets, which had to be dismissed. Now the town is missing money and no one knows why. The House narrowly voted down a bill placing restrictions on toy gun sales. Senate rejects in-state tuition rate for children of illegal immigrants. Governor Mike Beebe says he’s found the funding for the dairy stabilisation plan, without having to raise taxes or fees; he also signed a tax cut for utilities for manufacturers.

Toyota Family Literacy Program: Funded by Toyota Motor Co., with Memphis one of five pilot programs, the grant is for $600,000.

UPDATE: Main Street Journal: In our latest issue, Joe Saino wonders, Competition or More of the Same? and Michael Roy Hollihan looks to Nashville, The State Legislature and our Future: Can Anyone Know What’s to Come? Also, Richard Thompson on How Journalism in Memphis is Adapting: Changes at the Commercial Appeal and the Flyer.

Tax Season: The IRS will allow taxpayers to deduct the sales tax from a new car purchase.

The Gold Club: City assistant attorney says that Steve Cooper’s club is having more work done than was in the submitted plans, which is why the ’stop-work’ order was issued.

Survey Says: According to Hope Now, foreclosures are still rising, even with help available. Also, alcohol sales and consumption were up in 2008, says the Beverage Information Group. The Conference Board says that online job postings are down nationwide, but up in Tennessee. The National Association of Realtors says purchases of second homes were down by a third last year; more in the Daily News. And, the Center for Venture Research says ‘angel investing’ was down more than a quarter.

DeSoto County: County officials announced the breakdown of Federal stimulus funds going to which city. Southaven Community Church has a castle for you! The old Hull-Dobbs Ranch on Star Landing Road has been rezoned for a new planned development.

TERRA House: The buyers of Memphis’ first ‘green’ compliant home have backed out. However, other potential buyers are already in line.

Memphis Zoo: The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has given our zoo re-certification.

Good Morning Memphis: Getting a facelift … without surgery. Pregnancy 101. Advice and tips for students looking for summer jobs. A luncheon in April to benefit the Red Cross.

TENNESSEE: State is receiving $2.3 million in Federal stimulus funds for lunchroom equipment, to be distributed to the counties. Seizures of untaxed cigarettes have increased fivefold since the cigarette was raised in 2007.

BUSINESS: Esquire Dry Cleaning in Whitehaven suddenly closed up and took their customers’ clothes! Valero Energy files for a permit for a new building on Rivergate Road. Hilton Hotels is cutting an undisclosed number of jobs in their Memphis headquarters. NovaLign Orthopedics wins FDA clearance to sell a bone device. The Federal government has ended its 18 month monitoring of Smith & Nephew and its competitors.

A business profile of Emerge Memphis, a business incubator.

People in Business from the CA, for Tuesday.

Marina Cove: The once desirable apartment complex comes to a sad and lonely end.

MISSISSIPPI: More students are graduating statewide, but the dropout rate still went up incrementally. State public schools will soon have a new, tougher ratings system. The specialty tag list will soon be longer by two dozen options. Bill to raise the cigarette tax, which had died last week, was revived and will soon return to reconciliation talks; more in the CA. A bill to increase some fines and fees by one dollar, to fund the State Attorney General’s cybercrime office, sits on the governor’s desk. House and Senate still not agreed on proposal to tax hospitals to fund Medicaid. A State income tax check-off will be used to help fund the State’s upcoming 200th anniversary celebration.

Workforce Investment Network: They will be sponsoring a series of job fairs in Memphis and Shelby County.

Overton Park: More on the dispute over the planned retention basin.
 
 

Previously Posted: Delta Air Lines has replaced Northwest at Memphis International Airport; WREG also has the story. More on the conference at which the Reverend Jeremiah Wright will speak; more from Eyewitness News and the Commercial Appeal.

Consolidation: Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton is keeping up the consolidation conversation.

Shelby County Schools: New superintendent John Aitken is interviewed as he takes office.

US Census: Training began this week and address verification is the first step.

Foreclosure: Renters whose building owners go into foreclosure don’t have many options.

Thaddeus Matthews: His guest on Friday will be mayoral candidate Carol Chumney. His report from the weekend’s Democratic convention says that the vote for Van Turner as chairman was strictly along white/black lines. Is that correct?

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: Some very random thoughts.

Smart City Memphis: Charter schools and the Tennessee Education Association.

loudersoft: Eric is back from the SXSW Fest and has part one of a report.

joelarkins: His own personal experience with Coach Cal, and why the move to the UK rankles him.

Ashley la Rouge: A lazy Monday afternoon.

16 Balls in the Air: Something short to give you a little smile today.

Secret Agent Mom: A tale of weaning Mr Baby, told with detail.

Running With Dice: An old school D&D game and then a long report of part of the game.

Pretty in Pink Megan: Photo proof that she had a great weekend.

Commercial Appeal: Youth violence interdiction is important. Mayor A C Wharton is leading a lot of political and civic leaders on the push for consolidation.

Real Memphis: Well, she had an interesting weekend, with bike races and moving furniture.

Vegan Crunk: They had a food swap and it was all vegan, too.

Urf! Lessons learned from 2 and 3 year olds.

theology & geometry: Why life as a copy editor is hell.

poopiebitch: Rolled foods, ie. sushi and cinnamon rolls!

panacea: She’s back from the Hawaiian vacation.

One Half Amazing! Coach Cal is missing the bigger opportunity and a social media calendar for you to use.

Mediaverse: Keeping up with the Coach John Calipari - U. Kentucky bromance.

The Horn of Plenty: Want a free magazine with recipes and foodtalk? Check this post out.

The English Major’s Bookstore: Maybe she just needs the tiniest bit of encouragement?