University of Memphis: Graduating seniors will find the toughest jobs market ever. A look at the dofference of opinion between scientists and animal rights activists over mice in laboratories at the school. Student organisation Up ‘Til Dawn raised a record-breaking $262,000 for St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Financial pressures may finally force the City Council to allow beer sales at University of Memphis sports events.

Memphis City Schools: Was Superintendent Kriner Cash ‘booed’ when he presented the insurance switchover proposal? A similar report from the Commercial Appeal.

‘The Rising’: A four day conference to assist Zion Cemetary Project in cleaning up a historic cemetary grows unexpectedly.

Mayor Willie Herenton: The Commercial Appeal reports the FBI has opened another probe on the mayor, this time over a Christmas party.

Collierville: The City now offers mulching as a public ‘green’ extra for waste management.

ARKANSAS: Backer of State lottery bill is balking at proposed lottery chief’s salary. Sponsor of failed bill to allow concealed carry in churches will try again. The EPA is sending $50 million to the state for various water projects. There will be a special hearing on a proposal to grant children of illegal immigrants in-state tuition rates.

BUSINESS: Nucor expects a 1Q loss; more in the Daily News. Sonfish LLC is buying a baker’s dozen of Memphis Captain D’s restaurants among a larger purchase from the previous, bankrupt, franchisee. True Temper Sports had record-breaking sales last year, but missed some loan payments this year. Ecos Innovations, along with other ‘green’ companies, are hoping to get some of the Federal stimulus money. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroads chief executive earned nearly $15 million last year.

First Tennessee Bank downtown goes blue!

The foreclosed Summer Commons retail center is purchased for $3.5 million.

A business profile of The Dog’s Day, from WMC. And another business profile from the Daily News, of Jaguar Logistics.

People in Business, from the CA, for Wednesday.

Stanford Financial Group: Court receiver details the 50 jobs lost here in Memphis, in the wake of the Federal investigation. More in the Commercial Appeal.

Lowenstein Building: Today is the grand opening.
 
 

Survey Says: According to CNN/Opinion Research, more than one-third of those surveyed thought unemployment was the most important economic issue right now. CareerBuilder reports nearly two-thirds of workers over 60 are delaying retirement now.

Germantown: City may shift burden of costs in storm water runoff to residents. The popularity of City’s dog park is causing more and more problems, for everyone.

BizFruits.com: Husband and wife team start up a business management website here in Memphis.

Hamilton High School: Stung by the gang fight and a possibly related murder, the school is trying to repair its reputation. A school board proposal to deal with at-risk kids and gangs.

Center City Commission: They consider a sign improvement grant to a new Downtown art gallery. The CCC has its meeting today.

POLITICS: Are Nashville Republican legislators now giving Shelby County payback for local and state Democratic political antics? A bill to give alcoholics the option to have “Do Not Serve Alcohol” on the driver’s licenses dies in committee without a second. A satiric resolution regarding vasectomies also died in committee. A handful of gun bills will come up for a vote in the Legislature on Thursday; more from WMC, the Daily News and the CA.

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey predicts the Republicans will win the governor’s race in 2010. Republican Senators in State Legislature wonder why their building has no light switches.

Economic News: New housing starts climbed in February, though they are well below last year’s levels. Credit is easing for small businesses.

Workforce Investment Network: Their job fair — today — guarantees to get you a bonus for getting hired and keeping a job!

MISSISSIPPI: Governor Haley Barbour signs several bills, including one on incentives for casinos and another on preserving DNA evidence in felony investigations and another offering tax rebates to non-gaming resort facilities. Senate passes bill to hold a clothing sales tax holiday this July.

Memphis Police Department: They are revamping their hiring process and may give some former applicants a second chance at being hired. More from Eyewitness News and the CA. City may also help with down payment for housing if they live in Memphis.

Re-Appraisals: Reports of surprised and angry reactions continue. And another story on the subject.

Live at 9: Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton is interviewed about lobbying Washington for help with The Med. Via WREG.

National Civil Rights Museum: A website has been set up to give the public a chance to comment on proposed renovations for the landmark. The Commercial Appeal has the story, too.

DeSoto County: Another police officer drops out of Alderman’s race in Southaven. The debate on red-light cameras lands squarely in Southaven. Olive Branch board votes to hire a mapper to help residents contest a FEMA ruling on flood areas and insurance requirements. Southaven also denied a sign variance to Impact Missions. Horn Lake is trying to decide what to do next in annexation struggle with Walls.

Previously Posted: More on the selection of a contractor for renovations to the National Civil Rights Museum. Collierville will lay off 18 employees to help balance budget. More on the stolen cell phone accounts, first reported by WREG. New owners for twenty Mid-South Captain D’s restaurants.

Plough Foundation: They award a two year, $90,000 grant to the Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Great Outdoors University Program.

Shane of Memphis: Becoming a tourist in your own city.

Commercial Appeal: They oppose the ‘living wage’ cap. Tips on successfully beginning the appeals process for a property reappraisal.

Smart City Memphis: Thoughts on doing away with ‘living wage’ in Nashville.

Paul Herron: Daily nutrition may be the single most influential factor in babies’ brain size and intellectual development.

Secret Agent Mom: Final closing or tentative re-opening of her former business?

The Gates of Memphis: Ideas in green urban design from Chicago.

vibinc: Part two of a look at online access and transparency in government, this time in Shelby County.

Reginald Milton: An interview with outgoing SCDP chair Keith Norman.

Thaddeus Matthews: He wonders if Federal prosecutors really have a case against Mayor Herenton, or if they are just making sure it’s nailed down.

theology & geometry: A sad end to a much-loved pet; and Laugh Out Loud Cats and cheese enchiladas.

LeftWing Cracker: He runs a piece from the Van Turner campaign.

Fertile Ground: A report with lots of photos of an anniversary trip to St Louis: part one and part two.

Downtown Memphis Blog: A short video of yesterday’s morning fog, in case you slept through it.

Complacencies of the Peignoir: One woman’s listening secrets on long daily commutes.

Brain Release Valve: Advice on drawing panels and action in comics; a dream while waking up.