Shelby County Trustee: WMC looks at out-of-state, no-bid contract with Texas law firm to collect delinquent taxes. Trustee’s office claims it can do better for less.

Millington: The economy may delay completion of a housing project at Naval Support Activity Mid-South.

Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton: His next ‘ASK AC’ program is Thursday night, on Comcast digital channel 30, beginning at 7PM. The public is invited to send in questions, up to three per email, to publicaffairs@shelbycountytn.gov. (Name address and phone number must be included.) The program will repeat Friday at noon, and then Saturday nights at 9:30PM on channel 17 throughout April.

Federal Stimulus Funds: $3.2 million will upgrades to the Clifford Davis-Odell Horton federal building. New Federal income tax cuts and tax credits are also going into effect. Nearly $92 million in funds will go to Memphis City Schools.

Fetal Infant Mortality Review: Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton and Governor Phil Bredesen announce study into causes and solutions. More in the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal.

ARKANSAS: The Senate passed a bill that allows 24 hour alcohol sales at the state’s two dog-racing tracks; more from WMC. House passes sales tax holiday resolution; more in the Daily News. Senate prepares to vote on bill to keep execution policy and procedures confidential. The Arkansas Global Warming Commission’s legislative package dies in the House. Senate approves resolution regulating Toughman and mixed-martial arts competitions. They also approved a regulation requiring insurers to cover autism treatment. $25 million relief fund for teachers’ insurance premiums fails in House.

Agape Child & Family Services: Their ‘Workplace Initiative’ program helps workers deal with family and personal issues to help them with their jobs.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: Grants from the National Cancer Institute totalling $2.8 million will fund research into gliomas.

Intellectual Property: In the modern economy, it’s an important business or corporate asset that should be protected, says attorney Grady Garrison.
 

Shelby County Sheriff’s Department: Sheriff Mark Luttrell warns that cutting the 31 staff employees his budget will require, will jeopardise public safety.

FedEx: A judge in Washington state has ruled FedEx Ground delivery drivers are independent contractors and not wage employees. More in the Commercial Appeal.

BUSINESS: The market for initial public offerings is still frozen. Buckeye Technologies will freeze salaries and cut executives’ pay to save money. International Paper is closing a mill in Virginia. ServiceMaster lost more than $126 million in 2008. Quebecor World is laying off 350 employees and may close a plant. Majestic Star Casino Capital (parent of Fitzgerald’s casino) warns that it may have to declare bankruptcy.

A professional profile of labor relations and employment law attorney Shawn R. Lillie, of Allen, Summers, Simpson, Lillie & Gresham, from the Daily News. And from the CA, a business profile of caterers Bach’s Lunch.

People in Business, for Thursday, from the CA.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: They are holding ‘NanoDays’ events all this week to to raise scientific curiousity.

Juvenile Court: Despite a lower case load expected because collections will be handled by the State now, the Court is asking for $1.7 million more for budget. County Commission is ‘dubious’.

Survey Says: ADP says the economy lost 742,000 jobs in March. PMI Mortgage Insurance says the Memphis housing market is among the most stable in the county. The National Association of Realtors says pending home sales are up slightly. Construction fell for the fifth straight month (through February), though not as much as expected. The Institute for Supply Management reports that the manufacturing index shows contraction.

Memphis Convention Center: Requests for firms to conduct study of feasibility and costs of maintaining the old center, draws 20 firms.

Oakland: The TBI raided and searched the home of mayor Bill Mullins. (via the Oakland News)

POLITICS: Are State Republians stealth supporters of an income tax? A proposal by Rep. Brian Kelsey to clearly ban an income tax, written into the State’s Constitution, was ’smothered’ in committee with Republican help. More from Fox13.

The bill closing the State’s gun carry permit database has cleared committee, with a small addition, and is ready for a full Senate vote; more from WMC. House committee stops bill to allow college campus carry by professors; more in the Daily News and from the Associated Press. Two bills making confidential information on crime victims who receive restitution and information on public buildings making their way in the House; more in the Daily News.

Newspapers: A very, very long and detailed story from the American Journalism Review, looking at the retreat in statehouse news coverage by major newspapers and how bloggers are leaping into the gap to cover the news.

Memphis in Black & White: Fox13’s series of reports on race relations in Memphis continues with a look at whether President Obama is black or not. Previous installments of the series can be found here, here, here and here.

Memphis Police Association: More on the indictment of MPA former president Tommy Turner, who has also been relieved of duty. More from Eyewitness News, WMC, WREG, Daily News and the Commercial Appeal.

Campbell Clinic: They have opened a new after hours clinic.

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.

University of Memphis: Headline in the Daily Helmsman makes for media outrage story. If your GPA is below 2.0 watch for an email from Retention Services or you may have trouble registering next semester. Art gallery, a part of ‘Why Do You Hate Me?’ week, promotes awareness of the diversity of Hispanics.

MLG&W: The Board of Directors meets today and will discuss the Lichterman Water Pumping Station.

MISSISSIPPI: The Access to Justice Commission will hold its first meeting next week. Senate defeats bill to remove certain convictions after two years. The House - Senate panel to increase cigarette taxes is still stalled. Although Legislature is now adjourned, it is near certain to return in May or June to complete work on the State’s budget!

DeSoto County: Somerset Park will grow into an urban forest, one day, with the start of about fifty seedlings and saplings planted by Horn Lake / Walls Girl Scouts. Goodman Road in Southaven is now Donald R. Chambliss Sr. Memorial Highway.

Previously Posted: WREG encounters City Councilwoman Janis Fullilove at a public event and try to ask her questions about her recent problems. More on Stanford CIO Laura Pendergest-Holt’s lawsuit against her former attorney.

I-269: According to the Flyer’s John Branston, the new interstate corridor will mostly benefit Mexican drug lords and American auto makers.

Mediaverse: Thoughts on female news anchors in Memphis; Cal’s players’ impact on the NBA.

LeftWing Cracker: Well, this Wyatt Bunker item is certainly news.

Lean Left: More thoughts on the departure of Coach Cal; large portions of the Constitution could use updating;

From the Southern Table: A restaurant reveiw of the best meal ever! Read carefully.

Cwabs! Does he not look at bit like Eddie Izzard?

Commontaries: Was Coach Cal’s departure a Madoff in Memphis?

A Geek and His Blog: After a nasty accident, Markus is back on the set of his new movie.

55-40 Memphis: Bob answers an emailer.

Commercial Appeal: A reminder that this is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. College campuses are safer than the media would lead you to believe.

Greg Akers: Now that Coach Cal is gone to Kentucky, comparing Memphis and Lexington.

moremittenz: Random thoughts on bikes, allergies and Spring.

Because I Said So: Judging from two unrelated experiences, the economy and our children are in good shape.

Notes From Memphis: WKNO is soliciting your memories of downtown Memphis for a new edition of Memphis Memoirs.

Panacea: “Is there such a disorder as jasmine blossom induced hysteria?”

Radio Sweethearts: Support your local public radio station;

Regnanld Milton: Your one panel political cartoon for the day.

Pet Scoop: Cindy has a long list of the many pet events happening this week and weekend.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: A Memphis Tea Party protest is planned for April 15th. (Tax day!)

Dan Gurley: Coach Calipari’s legacy will live forever at the U of M.

Daily Helmsman: The racist and hateful words wall on the U of M campus is making a joke of a serious problem.

Secret Agent Mom: The arguments against the arguments against breast-feeding.

Smart City Memphis: In praise of John Willingham and his tax plan.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: A good-news update after a brief hiatus.

theology & geometry: The Memphis Zombie Massacre is just a few weeks away. Prepare yourself.