Tennessee: State adds Shelby County to list of ‘economically distressed’ counties, which will give more leeway to government and business leaders in offering packages to prospective new business.

Swine Flu: Health departments, public agencies and hospitals across the state are all preparing for an outbreak; expect only mild cases here. The Shelby County Health Department reports no cases locally. Local hospitals have activated their pandemic flu protocols; more from WMC, Eyewitness News, Commercial Appeal. Schools and daycares are also preparing. Arkansas’ State Health Department is being flooded with samples from hospitals state-wide. (Story also has many more swine flu story links.) Also, Mississippi prepares.

Foreclosure: There will be a mass foreclosure auction involving homes from many Southern states today at the Cook Convention Center.

Main Street Journal: From our April 2009 issue, another article now online: Mick Wright gazes upon Obama’s Brave New World. Shelby County historian Ed Williams III writes on The Way Things Were: The Shelby County Courthouse and Keeping Lean: What can we learn from Collierville? by Senior Writer Michael Roy Hollihan. Also, publisher Jonathan Lindberg on Deja Vu: What the Governor’s race of 2010 and the Senate race of 2006 have in common. You can read the Table of Contents here.

ONLINE ONLY! Main Street Journal publisher Jonathan Lindberg explains The Politics of Herenton.

Collierville: An ugly racist flyer directed at a youth baseball team was anonymously distributed at a Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department-run tournament. (NOTE: This item has been corrected from an earlier, incorrect version.)

Business: Medtronic has laid off 240 workers in California and moved the jobs to Ireland. Education Realty Trust reports earnings and revenues both dropped. While Wright Medical’s sales were up 1%, their income dropped nearly 20%; more in the CA.

A look at the Walgreen’s Take Care, in-store clinics, from the CA.

Small Business Advocate: ‘Carbon clampdown’ taxes may hurt small business more than help everyone. (via the Commercial Appeal)

People in Business, from the CA for Tuesday.

FedEx: The company is one of several American firms to participate this week in a US / Chinese trade conference.

Homebuying: A look at the first time homebuyers tax credit and how it’s helping people decide to buy.

Delta Air Lines: As fear of the swine flu spreads, the airline’s stock tumbled 14% .

Arkansas: A judicial panel has set aside the week to investigate ethics complaints against Pulaski County Circuit Judge Willard Proctor.

Urban Land Institute: Doug Poutasse, of National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries, is the featured speaker at a conference on ‘America’s Lost Decade of Growth’.

Good Morning Memphis: A couple of events at the public library this week try to keep today’s young interested in the Greek classics. US Rep. Steve Cohen appears to talk about himself and Mayor Herenton’s announcement of interest in his office. Baptist Hospital is having a special ‘women’s health’ event. MCS is having a special Exhibition of Student Work today. It’s simple: eating well helps reduce stress!

Police Department: The MPD talks about the ankle bracelets for accused repeat criminals out on bond.

Zombie Massacre: The Flyer has a video report from the weekend’s bloody fun. Many brains were devoured.

Crime: Memphis is ranked, by Forbes magazine, America’s second most dangerous city. More from WREG. Sales of GPS trackers are on the increase as their price goes down.

Germantown Performing Arts Centre: They are announcing their 2009- 2010 season, beginning in September. It’s a very varied season, even including author David Sedaris.

Germantown: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen votes a double bonus for residents along Moore Road.

The Commercial Appeal: The daily redefines its circulation and reports an increase. By the traditional measure, they are still declining. Also, nationally, newspapers continue their circulation declines, some by perilous amounts.

Politics: What Nashville legislators spend their time on. Jackson Baker provides overview and background on the (possible) Herenton - Cohen clash. Chattanooga State Senator Andy Berke has declined runs for state governor and Congress.

State Senator Beverly Marrero has introduced a bill authorising medical marijuana. (Note: story includes a tour of the National Institute of Marijuana Project at Ole Miss.) The bill banning texting and driving is now headed to the Governor for a signature; more from the Commercial Appeal. A bill adding liability for defamation for political campaigns passes the House, 89 - 3. The House also unanimously dismissed a complaint on residency against Rep. Donna Rowland. A conference committee to match up House and Senate bills on handgun carry in establishments serving alcohol may be called this week. More on the handgun permit databse closure bill advancing in the Legislature.

Goat! The Collierville family trying to keep two pet goats got approval yesterday.

Memphis Sexual Assault and Resource Center: Teen victim of sexual assault has to wait 36 hours before being tested. No one involved with the City is answering why.

Dr Randeep Mann: Prosecutors claim a six day delay in indictment doesn’t violate ’speedy trial’ requirement. More from WMC. Also, note the catchy names for the doctor, like ‘Dr Ammo’.

Fayette County: The County Budget Committee is recommending to the County Commission they go to a four year property re-appraisal cycle. The Oakland Police Chief, Keith Hogwood, has withdrawn his recommendation of traffic red-light cameras. A photo-report from the Somerville tea party tax protest, which drew hundreds. (via the Oakland News)

Memphis in May: Gearing up as opening day approaches.

Survey Says: According to the US Census Bureau, people with a college degree earn, on average, $26,000 more. Discover Small Business Watch says small business optimism is at its highest level in 14 months!

Wolf River Conservancy: Ghost River Brewing is donating a portion of proceeds to the non-profit.

Alliance for Non-Profit Excellence: Attendance registration for this Friday’s conference on surviving the down economy tells the real story.

GTx: Company releases a study that shows that one-quarter of men treated for prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy suffered bone problems.

DeSoto County: School system claims hundreds of thousands in savings from computer-controlled thermostatic programs. More from WMC. A County-offered prescription plan that seems to be working well. State National Guard plans to build an armory in Southaven. Forty year old billboard, badly neglected, is now a hot topic in Hernando.

Running With Dice: The problem is sometimes called metagaming.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Taking apart a Commercial Appeal editorial against guns.

The Conservative Zone: Mark tears into the DHS report on right-wing extremism.

The Adventures of Clara: In which she plays dress-up.

Smart City Memphis: Arguing to put city school funding back on the County. Is this party invitation a joke or not?

On the Beach: Some random weekend thoughts and the emptiness of Sunday night when you don’t have a job waiting on Monday morning.

Notes from Memphis: The complete band listing, a weather forecast and some parking advice for Memphis in May. Also, a photo-report from this weekend’s downtown Wine Race.

My Memphis Attorney: He’s had a tasty week.

Midtown Stomp: Raves for the Chubby Vegetarian’s cooking class at Whole Foods.

Mediaverse: It’s sweeps time for local television news. Also, where are the Mexican drug cartels?

MAKE IT HAPPEN: Ripped off by a lemonaid stand.

Commercial Appeal: The Memphis International Airport is an important part of any economic plans for the city. Even though they seem to keep finding more and more, the Police Department is working hard to root out corrupt cops.

joelarkins: Some thoughts on local news, stock ownership and volunteering.

Left Wing Cracker: Finding the good news in the split at the top of the Tennessee Democratic Party.

Cathryn Stout: Snag a swanky purse for an incredible price and help out the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis at the same time! (via the Commercial Appeal)

Lean Left: Some lengthy thoughts on federalism, unionisation and taxation.

Gilmour Girl Goes Memphis: Lots of links for the running / marathon trainer! A race report from Nashville.

Cwabs! Problems with Tumblr leads to reblogging and retweeting losses that hinder cross-blog discussion. (Read the post for the translation.)

Crime in Memphis: Local news outlets are mis-reporting the story about Memphis being #2 in crime.

Buck’s Blog: He’s now run his first 5K. And, thoughts on blogging and transparency!

Brain Release Valve: Your high-tech thought for the day.

Bigger Than Your Head: The oenophile turns his attentions to chocolate.