Shelby County Stimulus Money: Eyewitness News looks at some of the Federal stimulus funds coming to the area. And The Med will receive almost three-quarters of a million in Omnibus spending funds.

Commercial Appeal: The Associated Press picks up the CA story on wrongly-issued handgun carry permits and here is what the short version looks like.

Memphis City Schools: Board of Education member Kenneth Whalum Jr speaks on President Obama’s education policy, especially merit pay. How merit pay works at twelve City schools.

Acupuncture: A survey of the state of practice and laws in the Mid-South, from the Commercial Appeal.

FedEx: Founder Fred Smith was the only Memphian to appear on Forbes’ list of world billionaires. More from the Commercial Appeal.

BUSINESS: All fourteen Memphis-based companies on the NYSE closed up on Thursday! S & K Famous Brands is closing its only Memphis location, at the Wolfchase Galleria. Jackson, MS, based bankruptcy firm, Snow Butler adds two former Farris Bobango attorneys, James Bailey and Michael Coury, to its Memphis office.
A report on yesterday’s Bartlett Business Expo 2009.

A business profile of sports belt maker Dave Millican, from WMC. And a business profile of Olive Branch’s High Point Sports Training Facility .

MISSISSIPPI: The number of foreclosures is going up; more from WMC. Some of the projects being funded by the Federal Omnibus bill.

Morgan Keegan: Investors were awarded damages into six figures in two latest arbitration cases.

Collierville: City wins Tree City designation for the fourth year in a row. A test program to convert yard waste into mulch could save the City thousands every month. (Both stories via the Collierville Independent.)

Recession Opportunities: If you can find the money or the credit, it’s a good time to buy a car.

Mid-South Crime: The VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) program alerts victims when their attacker is released from prison. Police chiefs of Millington and Collierville protest oddly high crime numbers in recent study from University of Memphis and the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, which do not match their own reports.

ARKANSAS: Senate committee approves a $40 million cut in grocery taxes. State Supreme Court clears newspaper in suit over story on alleged rape.

Lakeland: Board of Commissioners approve bid contract for expansion of City Hall.

Survey Says: February’s retail sales beat expectations, according to the Commerce Dept. However, household net worth declined 18% in 2008, says the Wall Street Journal. Network Solutions reports 69% of US small businesses were profitable! Unemployment within the African-American community is 13.4% nationwide.

Memphis Black Business Expo:: This year’s showcase will be held at the Raleigh Springs Mall on April 25. Over 150 businesses are expected to participate.

Friday the 13th: A mystic bit of history, via the Daily News.

POLITICS: Pro-labor groups and Democrats held a rally in Nashville in support of the Free Choice Act. A look at grocery store sales of wine in Memphis, with a fascinating discussion in the comments. More on the strange Wyatt Bunker - Matt Kuhn Commission District 4 friendship. More on Shelby Mayor A C Wharton’s legislative push for new laws on crime. Congressional Democrats from the Mid-South and members of the Rural Caucus ask for special regional attention from President Obama.

The ‘living wage’ restriction bill passes the Senate and now heads to the House; more from WREG, the Daily News. The House passes a ban on thumbprinting with gun purchase. A bill temporarily expanding the Elections Commission by two members, to give Republicans a majority, has passed in the Senate.

US Rep. Steve Cohen has been accused of interfering in the murder trial of Dale Mardis in the death of Mickey Wright.

SunTrust Foundation: An arm of SunTrust Banks awarded scholarships totalling $200,000 to students at four area schools.

Good Morning Memphis: Shopping at Goodwill and still looking stylish! The founder of ‘Heal the Hood’ talks about a rally next month. Ask the attorney about real estate. Tips from MLG&W on how to cut your utility bill! The Church Health Center’s new website is discussed. Moving your money and investments into safe savings.

Reappraisals: Early looks at notices sent out to Northeast and South Shelby County areas shows an ‘overall increase’ in appraisals, between 8 and 15%. More from the Commercial Appeal. The Daily News interviews Property Assessor Cheyenne Johnson.

Tennessee Health Care Campaign: Activist group trying to reform health care at the Federal level will have a Reform Summit on March 28.

City Government: Despite budget shortages all around, City employees are still buying new office furniture.

DeSoto County: Laws preventing police from also serving as officeholders causes three to drop out of County races.

TENNESSEE: The number of foreclosure filings was up in February, over January, but very down compared to 2008. The high school graduation rate in state rose by the highest amounty in a national ranking — from 61 to 72%! More on that from WMC. State Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz says unemployment benefit checks will rise by $25 per week, thanks to changes.

Previously Posted: More on the Memphis - Halifax cargo distribution connection. More on the closing of Sportsman’s Warehouse; more in the CA. Southaven’s Springfest lineup announced.

Covington: Subdivision residents think they’ve been overbilled by the local utility, and they are right … sort of.

Brain Release Valve: Now we have to ; one very cool picture.

Fore Left! Firearms restrictions and mass murders. What is President Obama’s priority?

Left Wing Cracker: Steve lets guest-blogger Matt Brown advocate for Jay Bailey, for chair of the SCDP.

Fertile Ground: Meet the new kid’s bathroom. And breakfast deception.

Mick Wright: The Subway Conundrum.

Smart City Memphis: Ten more reasons to love Memphis, and thoughts on the City-County schoolbuilding issue.

Thaddeus Matthews: More on the ‘white progressive Democrats’ issue and the SCDP Chair candidacy of Van Turner.

The Chubby Vegetarian: It’s nearly time for the farmer’s markets. Look for some fresh vegetables this weekend.

Commercial Appeal: Kudos to three Tigers. They oppose limits to Mississippi’s eminent domain laws on development grounds.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: When men and cakes collide.

Phyllis Fickler: The fun and the power of being a Nielsen ratings household.

The Chockley Blogs: When kids start to stink.

Paisley & Pearls: Cute (expensive) stuff for your wrist and a free gemvelope!

Notes From Memphis: A happy birthday to Poppy.