Stanford Financial Group: Brokers are beginning to find other work at new firms.

West TN Tea Party: A ‘tea party’ protest has been organised for Jackson on April 24 at Pringles Park.

UPDATE: Main Street Journal: New from 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?

Already posted: Richard Thompson on How Journalism in Memphis is Adapting: Changes at the Commercial Appeal and the Flyer. The Table of Contents is here.

Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce: They have started a pilot program offering fliers to members to hand out to employees offering mortgage and foreclosure counseling services.

Memphis Housing Authority: They received a $13.2 million grant from the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, for rehabbing public housing. More about Federal funds being used to fight blight and foreclosure from the Commercial Appeal. And another story.

The New Bridge: Environmentalists want to extinguish Pat Kerr Tigrett’s crowning achievement — the bridge lights. Well, for one symbolic hour this weekend, for Earth Hour.
 

BUSINESS: Local businesses expected to score with NCAA Tournament this weekend. International Paper’s top executive, John Faraci, earned $10 million in compensation in 2008, which was actually down over the year before. NovaLign Orthopedics has received approval from the FDA for a new ‘bone fixation system’. Northwest Airlines’ former employees will soon be wearing the Delta Air Lines uniform; the company also has to decide the Coke v. Pepsi choice. The UT Medical Group has filed to begin renovations on the tower at 1400 block of Union.

A personal profile of Victor Robilio Jr as he becomes the first male president of the Memphis Bar Auxiliary. And another profile of James G. M. Lenschau, of Martin, Tate, Morrow and Marston PC.

FedEx: The Teamsters respond to the company’s statement that it may stop a large plane order. More from the Daily News. A related story on labor discussions in Washington.

Wolf River Trail: Two security cameras will be installed at the trailheads.

Memphis Area Legal Services: A progress report on the complaint to be filed against a dozen of Memphis mortgage loan companies.

Oakland: The newest Alderman, Karl Chambless, calls the town the ‘brightest star’ in Fayette County. Also, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen is considering a red-light camera system for three intersections. (Both stories via the Oakland News.)

LeMoyne-Owen College: A new TN Bureau of Investigation study ranks the college high on security. Rhodes College also fared well. More from WREG.

US Post Office: The Postmaster General, John E. Potter, is asking Congress to help the PO survive. More from WMC the CA.

The Med: Thanks to Governor Bredesen’s budget, the near future security of the hospital is better. They may also spin off some clinics in a cost-saving move. In a related story, the UTHSC didn’t fare so well in the Bredesen budget.

MISSISSIPPI: State’s unemployment rates stays nearly flat at 9.2%; more from WMC. The Senate approves the ‘teen text and drive’ bill. Here is a breakdown of the projects to be funded with $300 million bond issue bill. House/Senate talks over hiking the cigarette tax continue to stall.

POLITICS: Bill allowing direct wine shipments into state goes to Senate vote; further reporting from the Daily News. A ’slavery regret’ resolution is advancing in the Legislature. The ’saggy pants’ bill advances out of committee; WREG has video of the committee discussion. A bill to deregulate the phone industry in the state has cleared a House committee; more in the Daily News. As did bill to allow gun carry in parks. Clay Perry has announced his run for the Probate Court Clerk office currently held by Chris Thomas. Zach Wamp has announced his gubernatorial campaign staff.

Redemption Revival Conference: It’s hoped that thousands of women will come this weekend to the Cook Convention Center for a revival sponsored by Bellevue Baptist Church and Impact Ministries.

ARKANSAS: Governor Mike Beebe signs the lottery act into law. Gun carry in churches bill fails. Officials say $100 million will be needed from Federal stimulus funds to balance budget. Senate committee approves bill requiring parental consent for teen tanning.

Previously Posted: More on the street closings due to CSX roadwork, via the Bartlett Express. More on the Swift Drivicng Academy class action lawsuit. Sheriff Mark Luttrell won’t run for County mayor.

University of Memphis: As Student Government Association elections start, so do the grievances. Federal money to help relieve some of the stresses at U of M. Women’s History Month is wrapping up at the school.

Jobs and the Economy: Fogelman Property Mgmt. will now let renters out of leases if they lose their jobs.

City Councilwoman Janis Fullilove: Her problems seem to be mounting, as she misses an important meeting.

DeSoto County: County sheriff, after 15 month wait, names his new chief deputy, Frank Rainey.

Halls: This is weird! Mountains of abandoned Tupperware containers are found on an old Tupperware plant site near northwest TN town.

Memphis Family Shelter: They are seeing more and more families in need right now.

Survey Says: The Consumer Electronics Association says consumer confidence is at a one-year high. The Commerce Dept. reports that new-home sales rose in February by almost 5%. The UCLA Anderson School of Management says they don’t expect the economic recovery to begin until some time in 2010. Durable goods orders rise.

Lean Left: Advice for rightwing bloggers, but really, it’s for anyone.

Love is a Movement: An interesting short essay on the problems of South Memphis and why they seem to resist everyone trying to help.

MAKE IT HAPPEN: An update on the busted knee and some love for her husband.

Midtown Security Community: Operation Safe Community endorses these bills in the Legislature.

Notes From Memphis: A report from the Mud Island Park public forum. And, Kenneth Cole downtown? Sadly, not that Kenneth Cole.

One Half Amazing! Six kickass webapps.

Pretty in Pink Megan: Help her pick out this weekend’s outfit. Out with the old junk foods. And doggy pics!

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Carrie Underwood, the ACM Entertainer of the Year award and the Humane Society? Also, Oath Keepers.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: Want to take the Autism-Spectrum Quotient Questionnaire?

Commercial Appeal: Chiding City Councilwoman Janis Fullilove. Change the law to reduce the number of uninsured motorists.

Confessions of a West Tennessee Liberal: A look inside the controversy of the Shelby County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee.

Wendi Thomas: Fighting back against self-segregation at the Tiger Den.

Shane of Memphis: Spring is a time of changes.

Running With Dice: Three random thoughts on gaming, Mississippi and more.

theology & geometry: A pair of friends get married. And a family news update.

The English Major Bookstore: This weekend, she’s having a major book sale.

The Shelf Life: Movies … reimagined as books. Reviews of The Lost Hours by Karen White and The Vagrants by Yiyun Li.

The Gates of Memphis: The Zombie Massacre is coming soon!

Alexandra Pusateri: Charging for online gaming is a losing proposition.

joespake: A series of photos of a gigantic oak that fell on a house on Galloway. Start with this Flickr link and keep clicking.

Mick Wright: He and Leadership Bartlett travelled to Nashville. Same thing: start with the above Flickr link and click.

Urf! Thoughts on memphisconnect, Twitter and the common idea that everyone in Memphis is just one person away from everyone else.

16 Balls in the Air: Moms and boys. Her first kid lost … in the house.

Because I Said So: How to make long road trips into family time.

Cindy Wolff: Mid-South Spay & Neuter Services is offering spay/neuter discounts.