Memphis City School Funding: The Board of Education passes next year’s budget, with $84 million City contribution included, even though Mayor Herenton says it won’t be in his 2010 budget. Background from Eyewitness News on various options available to MCS. More on the new school budget, with 350 jobs cut. The Commercial Appeal also has the story.

Reaction to Mayor Herenton’s sketchy budget proposal. And more from WREG.

Memphis City Financing: The city is going to stop issuing ‘commercial paper’ to fund certain projects and switch to ‘bond anticipation notes’. City and County very near a deal involving the Pyramid, Coliseum and Health Department.

Memphis M.O.B.: Local gang with a branch in Albuquerque, involved in cocaine trafficing, is broken up by New Mexico police.

Cook Convention Center: The firms have been chosen to study whether old facility can be rehabbed or if a new facility can be built.

United States Golf League: Memphis entrepreneur Wyatt Isbell is starting a new competitive league, incorporating nine courses.

BUSINESS: Fred’s same store sales rose in March by 1.9%. More on Fred’s strong March sales numbers in the Commercial Appeal.

Study shows that biases of restaurant managers will be reflected in hiring and promotion decisions.

Bank of America has begun processing new mortgage refinances through the Treasury Dept., and has extended its moratorium on foreclosures until April 30.

People in Business, from the CA, for Friday.

P. F. Chang’s China Bistro: On Tax Day, April 15, they will offer a 15% discount to all customers.

Covington: The city’s ‘Blue Light Initiative’ is showing a reduction in local crime.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: The US Department of Health and Human Services has awarded at $325,000 grant to the school for arthritis research. In a related story, researchers in many fields have ‘test tube ready’ projects awaiting funding from Federal stimulus funds.

Good Morning Memphis: The Heal the Hood telethon began this morning; where to watch and listen and donate. National Volunteer Week is just two weeks away; how you can volunteer! An expert in home appraisals with explanations and advice on this year’s County re-appraisals. Also answers on foreclosures and refinancing. US Rep. Zach Wamp is interviewed about the race for governor. Local Walgreen’s stores are offering free healthcare, for certain folks.

DeSoto County: Don’t forget Hernando’s Saturday parade and sendoff for the National Guard unit being deployed; Senator Roger Wicker is scheduled to attend. Also, the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi will create and maintain a database of of family support options from local churches and businesses for the families of those National Guard soldiers. Southaven’s Chamber of Commerce holds its first-ever public forum, with Federal, State and local elected officials — live on television — to address the area’s economic needs and issues. Further reports from WMC and the CA. The ACLU has filed a suit on behalf of six students in Southaven, against the County and the Southaven Police Department, alleging racial discrimination, physical and verbal abuse; more in the CA. A report on the DeSoto Business Expo yesterday. The Horn Lake Chamber of Commerce will host a ‘meet and greet’ for candidates in city elections this Saturday morning.

MLG&W: The utility is predicting a $5 - 6 monthly savings for most customers, thanks to a TVA fuel cost adjustment rate cut. More from WMC and the CA.

Baptist Memorial Health Care: They are using only their own employees’ labor as sole sponsor to build a special Habitat for Humanity home.

University of Memphis: Graduate assistants in the right science department can more than double their stipends! A look at the campus radio station, WUMR, one of the last jazz stations in America.

Hope Lodge: The Mid-South Division of the American Cancer Society is going forward with plans for the out-of-town cancer patients’ residence. Groundbreaking is later this month.

Survey Says: Freddie Mac says mortgage rates remain at historic lows. Tennessee is the 9th most economically competitive state, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Memphis City Schools: The system could receive $57.2 million from Title I funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Thanks to a snow day earlier this year, school days will be by 45 minutes, from April 14 to 24, instead of just adding an extra day; more from WMC and the Commercial Appeal.

Memphis Union Mission: Announced plans to move the mission to Knight-Arnold and Lamar are now on hold as neighborhood businesses and residents complained at the Land Use Control Board meeting. The Mission plans to work with them to calm fears and address concerns.

ARKANSAS: Governor Mike Beebe praised the Legislature for ‘virtually zero partisanship’ in the just-ended session. The Supreme Court’s ruling in a Sam’s Club case may allow all state department stores to sell alcohol.

POLITICS: A Tri-State Defender report from the open forum with Democratic Congressmen Steve Cohen and John Conyers. Rep. Cohen also had some derisive words for State Rep. Stacey Campfield’s proposal to cap lottery winnings for people on State and Federal assistance; more from Eyewitness News, WREG.

A bill in the Senate would prevent the State from decertifying a jail based only on a jail cell’s square footage. The bill proposing a constitutional amendment over abortion rights has gone back to the House committee for further work. And the Senate passed the bill that eliminates the thumbprinting requirement for gun dealers. Another Senate bill would require all vending machines on State property to have energy efficient lights. And legislation that has cleared both bodies would allow public officials in the state to hold conversations about public business in internet chat rooms, as long as the public also has access to the discussion.

Millington: Everybody hollerin’ goat! A committee met last week to start planning this year’s International Goat Days Festival in September. In other, unrelated, goat news: the Collierville woman with two pet goats has had her hearing reset to June 4.

The deal approving transfer of the USA Stadium to the City of Millington also approved selling the public library building to the Millington Telephone Co. for $1 in the next 10 years; people are upset and worried now that they know. (All stories via the Millington Star.)

Regions Morgan Keegan: Former NFL player and Memphian wins largest award to date in mutual fund investment case. Also, they are defending their bond practices detailed in the New York Times story of earlier this week.

Women of Excellence Awards: The 2009 honorees have been selected. The High Tea gala will be Friday, April 24.

Urban Child Institute: The current economic conditions could potentially lead to family problems with securing health care, housing, food, etc.

Employment Scam: A man named Robert Jamison is apparently scamming potential job hires about providing health care certifications and employment in exchange for fees. He’s used Intravenous Healthcare Academy and Veracity Medical Group as business names.

Local Media: The Memphis Flyer launched a website redesign today.
 

Fayette County: County Property Assessor Mark Ward talked reappraisals with the Oakland Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The County Board of Education approved an extra half-day of pre-registration, where students must provide two proofs of residence. They also approved a hiring freeze with certain exceptions. (All stories via the Oakland News.)

Kid’s Town: This consignment store for kid’s clothing and other items now has 900 consignors signed up for their event today and tomorrow at the Agricenter. Info at the link.

Orthopedic Industry: In a ruling with potentially far-reaching consequences and costs, the FDA will now require that makers of orthopedic devices first put on the market before modern regulations are still safe and could pass those regulations. Also, Wright Medical Group debuts a new line of arthroplastic navigational guides.

Previously Posted: The Jamison name is back in pest control with the opening of Jamison Pest and Lawn. More on the Mid-South Minority Business Council and their Model Diversity Corporation Initiative (MDCI), which seeks to promote diversity and inclusion in workplaces; the Daily News also reports the story. More on that mural going up next to AutoZone Park. More on WKNO’s search for items for its Memphis Memoirs segment on Downtown.

vibinc: The new Tennessee Democratic Party website has an underrepresentation of Shelby Countians.

theology & geometry: Some people have altogether too much spare time. Or do they?

The English Major Bookstore: Needing to feel ‘juvinated’.

String of Theories: Some songs he likes and why!

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: She’s redesigning her website.

Lean Left: Very long rant on racism and nativism.

Smart City Memphis: Why would the TN Department of Education want to take over MCS? Also, tax breaks and education.

On the Beach: In the search for a new job, his first rejection letter.

Haaaaave You Read My Blog? Thoughts on American Idol’s final eight.

Commercial Appeal: Condemnation, but nothing more, over drunk driving. Support for the ‘living wage’ although the paper calls it a ‘prevailing wage’.

what would you ax it? Photos from a trip to Hawaii.

Because I Said So: Dealing with the bizarre eating behaviors of her kids. (via the Commercial Appeal)

John Branston: Mayor Willie Herenton is playing a high-stakes game of cards with his budget. (via the Flyer)

Secret Agent Mom: Pride in her daughter’s non-stereotypical choice of play.

Millington Star: The USA Stadium was the passion of one man, but that passion doesn’t seem to be catching with most residents of Millington.

Buck’s Blog: It’s another Daddy - Daughter Date night.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Thoughts on gun bills working their way through the Legislature.

Pretty in Pink Megan: A sorta strange Domino’s pizza to try and more wedding updates!

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: Some suggestions for where to go after the rooftop parties. And, a tally of Downtown bars and restaurants he’s been to lately.

Mediaverse: Thoughts on lottery spending and winnings.

I’ll be the one in heels: A not-too-icky post-surgery report. It was a cyst on her foot.

Robert McGowan: When do we decide there are too many people? (via the Bartlett Express)

bitter/books: Even in Hawaii, he found the thrift stores!