UPDATED ALERT! Shelby County Commission: The Shelby County tax rate will likely be set around $4.04, but it could be set around $3.92 with no loss to the budget! Read this Excel spreadsheet (XLS document) and see for yourself. NEW! Commissioner Mike Carpenter responds to the chart.

The Commission will take up the “prevailing wage” law next week, where it’s likely to pass.

Second Amendment: The State House bill regarding gun carry in parks that’s on the Governor’s desk is, according to reports, being recalled. The House will remove language governing City and County parks, but leave in language on State and National parks. Still more background and reporting. More from Fox13 and the Commercial Appeal.

The House also approved a bill allowing dogs in restaurants, unless signs are posted. There was much hilarity in the floor debate. And, Tennessee’s gun legislation has even made the notice of Britain’s The Economist, though there are factual inaccuracies.

911: From WREG, a break-in call to the Shelby County 911 Emergency Center results in a one hundred minute wait to talk with someone! Officials blame software.

Beale Street: No “urban club” for the former Pat O’Briens’s, says judge.

Politics: The Flyer’s Jackson Baker looks back on and summarises the State Legislative session so far. Governor Phil Bredesen has called the Republican alternative budget plan “stupid.”

The State House has passed by a large margin Governor Phil Bredesen’s compromise amended energy bill. The House and Senate versions must now be reconciled. They also passed the unified residential building code requirement for all counties, but with an opt-out.

GLBTQ Discrimination: Following passage of the “non-merit discrimination” resolution last week by the County Commission, a study finds GLBTQ discrimination. The story also reports that efforts are still continuing to pass an enhanced ordinance.

MSARC: Memphis isn’t the only city having trouble staffing its sexual assault centers. Most are happy with the move of the MSARC to the County Health Department, but some questions remain. The County Commissioners question the mayors’ plan.

Teach For America: They have received a $1.4 million gift from the Medtronic Foundation to recruit teachers with science and math backgrounds. You can read more in the Daily News.

Adams & Reese: They have been named for the sixth year running to the distinguished Am Law 200 list.

Northwest Airlines: If you still have a WorldPerks card you’d better move fast in using it.

Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce: At a recent Leadership Luncheon, Fred Jones, founder of the Southern Heritage Classic and hopeful promoter of a 2009 Fair on the Fairgrounds, called consolidation and race relations the two most important topics confronting the city.

Tennessee: A TennCare provider is settling with the State for $1.3 million in pharmaceutial overbilling.

University of Memphis: The Center for Multimedia Arts in the FedEx Institute of Technology produces ads and public service spots for a wide range of Memphis groups and organisations. The “We are One!” expo is this afternoon, in the Rose Theater, to be followed by a concert; it is to showcase local and state libraries.

Downtown: Developer Phil Woodard has applied for a loan from the Center City Commission to renovate a building. Many reasons for the slowdown of new construction in apartments and condos.

Overton Square: A look at the passage of an resolution that won’t allow demolition on the Square without City Council approval.

Arkansas: The new lottery director is already shopping for office space.

The Digital Switchover: Did your television not work this morning? Did you prepare for the DTV switch? Federal help here. More from Eyewitness News. The Commercial Appeal says it went smoothly?

Wolf River: The Wolf River Environmental Restoration Projectwill receive the 2009 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award today. More from the Commercial Appeal.

On the Block: We ask local leaders about important issues of the day. This week: Do politicians from West Tennessee start with a location advantage or a location disadvantage in state-wide races?

Mayor Willie Herenton: He has filed papers for a Congressional run against US Representative Steve Cohen. The Flyer’s Jackson Baker looks at the impact on the Herenton campaign of Harold Ford Sr’s announcement of two fundraising events for Cohen. More on Ford Sr, from WMC. But, Fox13’s Les Smith reports Cohen is saying, “Wait a minute.” More on Herenton’s filing from Fox13 here, and Eyewitness News, WREG, WMC, the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal.

Peabody Hotel: They have filed suit against the Reverend Al Sharpton and the National Action Network for $88,000, arising from their NAN’s national convention in 2008.

Ad Hoc School Funding Committee: The plan to request the City and County to create taxing authorities for each school system has died. It’s “Plan B’ now.

Banking: Mortgage rates rose to their highest level in seven months.

Bartlett: It hasn’t been a secret, but now it’s official: Mayor A. Keith McDonald will seek a third term.
 
 

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital: The hospital’s fundraising arm, ALSAC, has named a new CEO in Richard C. Shadyac Jr. The Daily News has more.

DeSoto County: The Southaven Farmers Market opens Monday.

Red Cross: A local employee has been accused of embezzlement and an investigation has been called for.

Good Morning Memphis: The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life begins this evening at 6PM. You can drop three sizes with “Body Magic.” This weekend, head to the Memphis Zoo for the Father’s Day Zoo Snooze. Legal tips and advice on foreclosures. And, tips on investing in tax-free municipal bonds!

Delta Air Lines: They are going to further cut capacity and may also reduce employees. The Commercial Appeal has more.

Business: A new GTx drug product is meeting its clinical trial goals; more in the Daily News. The law firm of Bass, Berry & Sims has laid off 32 employees; more in the Daily News. A shareholder lawsuit has been filed in Arkansas against Dillard’s. Sherman-Williams will close its Olive Branch plant. Bed, Bath & Beyond is opening a store in Southaven.

People in Business, from the CA.

Anthony Siracusa: He’s about to embark on a round-the-world bike trip, to learn more about how other cities relate to bicycling and help educate Southerners.

Millington: More on the call by Mayor Richard Hodges for citizen volunteerism in cleaning up some trouble spots around the city. The city’s new “storm water chief”, Rhonda O’Dell, is working to education citizens on watching their water environment.

Mississippi: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has scheduled a meeting with the Public Safety Department later this month to discuss claims of discrimination by black troopers. The State’s Medicaid program has been erroneously paying premiums on 9300 people no longer on the program! Clarksdale’s Bill Luckett is amassing the funds for a run for governor in 2011.

Real Estate: Three long-time Memphis realtors have teamed up to open a residential realty office in Harbor Town Square.

Kroger Recall: The chain is recalling its own brand of two pound bags of fully-cooked buffalo wings.

Collierville: An ordinace to create a 30 day deadline for Board of Zoning Appeals appeals is about to become law.

Survey Says: Businesses cut their inventories by 1.1% in April. Retail sales for May climbed .5%. The news on the jobless front is mixed but mostly bad. Americans lost 2.6% of their net worth in Q1 2009, about $1.3 trillion!

Xspectre8: Thoughts on private security guards and a link to a (semi)serious article on zombie neuro-biology!

vibinc: More thoughts on the “public option” in national health care. State Democrats are gearing up with training workshops for the 2010 elections.

theology & geometry: She’s off to Bonnaroo!

The Chockley Blogs: A visit to the spooky ol’ Marine Hospital downtown.

Thaddeus Matthews: Some cogent and historically informed thoughts on the Cohen - Herenton matchup, and Harold Ford Sr. Some further thoughts, but the graphic might not be work safe.

String of Theories: An ooky picture of a fractured ankle.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: Adventures with birds and nephews. And a life update.

(Lang Wiseman) Random Thoughts: Fifteen cool time management applications. Also, a blog dialogue with an East Tennessee blogger on judicial selection.

Pretty in Pink Megan: Preppy fashions.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: Thoughts on cover charges in bars.

Doug Johnson: He’s excited that Herenton is running for Congress.

Commercial Appeal: US Rep. Steve Cohen’s recent NBA remarks were a “flagrant foul.” They chastise Councilman Joe Brown for some lunk-headed remarks.

The Conservative Zone: Mark wants to counter the “gun-free dining” websites of LeftWing Cracker and Wendi Thomas, so he needs your help.

My Memphis Attorney: A report from MPACT’s Civic Engagement 101 panel discussion.

Meredith Jubilee and Madeline Jane: Top Five Signs you may have a big sister.

MemphisConnect: Some biking tips.

John Branston: Comparing the design intents and intended customers of the Memphis and Nashville riverfronts. (via the Flyer)

Long Tall Animals: Some really sweet reflections on her first wedding anniversary. Debating their coming child’s name.

LeftWing Cracker: A reminder that Sidney Chism’s Picnic is this Saturday. Thoughts on the Cohen - Herenton matchup.

I’ll be the one in heels: A creepy, crazy East Shelby County driver.

Brain Release Valve: The weird and fascinating tale of Tom Waits and Chester Cheetah.

Author of Y’all’s Destruction: Mr. Conspiracy asks the questions most folks don’t think to ask; and another question.