National Bipolar Foundation: Memphis-founded organisation works to remove any stigmas attached to the disorder and is launching a new initiative for 2009, says founder Marc Kullman.

POLITICS: State Sen. Jim Kyle has filed a bill to radically restructure the state’s higher education supervising systems. Shelby Mayor Wharton warns Governor Bredesen not to ’skim off’ Federal stimulus funds destined for cities and counties. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey has made it official: He’s running for governor. Rural Republicans have now formed their own caucus in the Legislature. A very intense debate is happening quietly in Nashville over whether judges should be elected or face up/down reappointment votes.

Collierville: Municipal Court’s switch to electronic ticket reporting was a first. The Market on Poplar easily won approval for substantive changes to the retail center. Police Dept., Chamber of Commerce, Secret Service and area merchants team up on counterfeit money effort. New building activity is down so far for the year by 45%.

TENNESSEE: The State’s Dept. of Commerce and Insurance is warning taxpayers to first check the credentials of whoever prepares your taxes. Follow the link to learn how.

Beale Street Music Festival: The lineup is announced and there are at least 60 acts this year, including Al Green, Steve Miller, Bonnie Raitt, Fall Out Boy, and maybe Elvis Costello and Bonnie Raitt. Many more to come. The Memphis in May website. More from the Flyer, Eyewitness News, WREG, Commercial Appeal.

American Council of Engineering Companies of Tennessee: They have awarded four Memphis companies their Engineering Excellence prize.

Good Morning Memphis: Keeping kids healthy by teaching good habits. Bargain Thursday on meat! Spricing up an old home on a budget, or maybe you can refinance. Ask a lawyer: Divorce and family law. Going green.

Memphis Crime: Once a judge has levied restitution, it’s pretty much up to you to try to collect. Also, be sure the locksmith you call is legitimate, or you may get stuck.

Main Street Journal: Rescued: The Fight to Save Our Historic Buildings by Lance Allen and The Battle: The Shelby County Schools System is Still in the Fight for Special School Districts by Michael Roy Hollihan. Chuck Bates presents Part Two of Socialism Not Seen Since FDR. You can peruse the Table of Contents here.

ARKANSAS: Because they fall below the minimum size for an independent school district, two school districts near Turrell may be merged.

University of Memphis: Students Advocating Service is hosting a fundraising banquet to raise awareness of world hunger. The School of Law is trying to diversify its program by reaching out to high schoolers.

Black Business Association: A report on the BENNY awards evening.

Bellevue Baptist Church: They have bought the old Georgian Hills Baptist Church on North Watkins to become the new home of Impact Baptist Church, an inner-city outreach mission.

Commercial Appeal: The Flyer looks at the travails of their rival, the Commercial Appeal.

MISSISSIPPI: About 13% of state homeowners are at least 30 days behind on house payments. The Public Service Commission has ordered both state utility companies to lower interest rates on delinquent bills.

Cooper-Young Development Corporation: They are selling Midtown homes at reduced rates for low and middle income buyers.

DeSoto County: Governor Haley Barbour’s reluctance to take Federal stimulus funds may mean less for the County. New wireless computers on carts speed up patient care at Baptist Memorial DeSoto. A flurry of last minute filings in various municipal elections. Lewisburg Primary School soon to start construction.

Unemployment: Both state and Shelby County unemployment rose in January, to

Consolidation: The Daily News’ Bill Dries spoke with County Mayor Wharton about consolidation, which is still a goal.

Re/Max: A Memphis-area franchisor has been sued by Re/Max of Kentucky / Louisiana over unpaid fees and penalties.

Airlines: Pinnacle reports a $3.8 million loss in 4Q; the CA paints a rosier picture. Delta Air Lines’ February traffic dipped almost 12%, including Northwest’s added traffic; more in the Daily News. FedEx faces possibility of easier unionisation thanks to legislation pending in the House. FedEx responds.

BUSINESS: Memphis stocks were hit this week in the market’s beatdown. Total sales for Fred’s dropped slightly for February, but shares increased in value. GTx’s new drug (toremifene) application won’t be ruled on until October 30; more in the Daily News. Same store sales for Target fall 4.1%.

The medical real estate market is doing well in Memphis.

The M&F Bank has closed on $30 million of TARP Federal money.

A personal profile of Paula Raiford, daughter of “Hollywood” Raiford, who is opening a new club downtown.

People in Business for Friday, from the CA.

BusinessTN: They have released their ranking of Tennessee’s Power 100. Memphians are numbers one and two on the list: J. R. “Pitt” Hyde and Fred Smith. Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton and Shelby County Mayor A. C. Wharton rank high (19 and 25, respectively) as does University of Memphis President Shirley Raines. (37) Many others from here on the list!

Grizzlies: They are ranked near the bottom of professional sports franchises in America.

Stanford Financial Group: Some people will be allowed to access their accounts on Monday.

Downtown: Riverside Bluffs LLC’s Horizon condo project on Riverside Drive is going to apply for a PILOT from the Center City Revenue Finance Corp.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: A look at the possibility of closing the social work program and its impact.

Survey Says: The Mortgage Broker’s Association reports that 11% of homeowners are now either delinquent or in oreclosure.

Foreclosure: Don’t wait until foreclosure happens to get help, start looking early.

Previously Posted: IRS warns of stimulus money scam. Methodist Le Bonheur will still try to build a hospital in Olive Branch. Same-store sales for Fred’s rose in January.

Children’s Miracle Network: Fred’s stores will be selling balloons in a charity fundraiser.

Playhouse on the Square: The collapse of the Stanford Financial Group has left a big backdrop of doubt on the Playhouse’s future.

Memphis - Shelby County Government: City claims it is owed $42 million from the County in PILOT funds. The search for a new superintendent for the County schools is proceeding rather quietly.

Urf! He wrote a piece for the Commercial Appeal and then comments on it here; plus, he’s mentioned on the radio!

theology & geometry: Impotent rage at her Blackberry and AT&T. Can you help?

Gwynn Bradley: March is awesome and here’s why.

Ask Myron: Stardom is big business.

Commercial Appeal: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is in danger of losing its accreditation if the Legislature doesn’t step up. A call for the end of the State Ethics Commission is wrong, wrong, wrong.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Deconstructing an anti-gun editorial with facts.

Smart City Memphis: Thoughts on making Memphis more bike friendly and what that’s important; social networking technology could revolutionise Memphis.

Mediaverse: Thoughts on the unionisation of FedEx.

John Branston: Stanford Financial Group’s Laura Pendergest-Holt - mistress of the universe.

Love is a Movement: Trying to understand a tennis disconnect here in Memphis.

Long Tall Animals: An existential crisis is brewing.

I’ll be the one in heels: Wow … what league is this again?

George E. Harden: The black newspaper market is bucking the larger newspaper industry trend by meeting a need.

Gilmour Girl Goes Memphis: The tale of an early morning bike ride. Make It Happen blogger was the other rider mentioned; here’s her take.

Complacencies of the Peignoir: A daughter’s fierce desire to help her mother.