Memphis Police Department: Beginning this Fall, the name of every child not in attendance at city schools will be forwarded to the Real Time Crime Center. The US Supreme Court’s decision in Ricci v DeStefano (New Haven firefighters) means that the local police lieutenants’ and majors’ cases (which alleged similar discrimination, and were tied to Ricci) may get a favorable settlement now.

Single-Source Public School Funding: Some members of the Shelby County school board don’t like the City’s decision. School board president David Pickler is calling it “no benefit”. More.

Unemployment: The city’s unemployment rate for May was 9.7%. MOre from the Commercial Appeal.

David Kernell: The son of TN Rep. Mike Kernell, accused of hacking the email account of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin when she was running for Vice-President, is now asking his case be thrown out, claiming the government is “making a felony of a misdemeanor.” The Commercial Appeal runs the Knoxville story.

Politics: Here is the list of laws that went into effect yesterday. If you are texting and driving, you’re breaking the law! Former TN Republican Party chair Robin Smith is in the running for the US Third District seat. Bernie Ellis, the activist who claims he was intimidated by Secretary of State Tre Hargett is considering filing a lawsuit.

Governor Phil Bredesen has signed the bill merging the TN Ethics Commission and the Registry of Election Finance. And he also signed the charter school expansion bill!

The second Harold Ford Sr fundraiser for US Rep. Steve Cohen draws a lot of local movers and shakers. More reports from WREG. And the gubernatorial candidates are all rushing to announce their quarterly fundraising totals.

Second Amendment: Nashville restauranteur Randy Rayburn is filing for a temporary restraining order against the new “gun carry in restaurants” bill.

Theatre Memphis: Two designers — André Bruce Ward, Resident Costume Designer, and Christopher McCullom, Resident Set Designer — received national honors last week.

Medtronic: In a patent suit settlement, they now have to pay $179 million.

Shelby County Juvenile Court: Four new magistrates sworn in and the collections office is closed. The Commerical Appeal also reports. Also, the Shelby County Child Support Services office is moving out to Hickory Hills; more at WREG.

Arkansas: Inaction by the board overseeing the State’s prison system is drawing questions and criticism.

Youth Villages: They were honored by the White House yesterday as an top innovative non-profit.

Germantown Baptist Church: Pastor Dr Harold T. “Hal” Kitchings Jr has announced his resignation. A congregational clash over new styles of worship played a role.

Banking: An analyst with Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed its BBB+ rating for First Horizon National (parent of First Tennessee Bank). L. Nash Allen Jr is retiring as CFO from BancorpSouth. Regions Financial Corp. says it has no plan to sell Regions Morgan Keegan.

The Horizon: Two lawsuits have been filed now from people wanting out of their contracts with the foreclosed Downtown condominium project.

Mississippi: The legislature passed another cigarette tax increase, on the lower end of the expected range. The State budget is nearing the midnight deadline and is still unfinished. Medicaid funding is still unresolved. Late news: the Medicaid budget has passed; more from the CA.

NEW! Main Street Journal : On the Block: Today –Which office holds more power, the 9th U.S. Congressional District or Memphis Mayor?. Mid-South leaders respond.

4th of July: A listing of events in the Mid-South celebrating Independence Day. Some Downtown events. And another list from WREG. The Bartlett event.

In a related story, many cities are cutting back on fireworks displays, due to tight budgets.

Shrinking City: Population loss causes Memphis to fall in national rankings to number 19 in the list of American cities.

DeSoto County: Not everyone is happy with the proposed new County jail site. American Fireworks in Southaven is the only fireworks stand in DeSoto, thanks to a grandfathering. People are mixing in trash with storm debris and its slowing down cleanup.

Beale Street: John Elkington, of Performa Entertainment, is aggressively moving against gun carry in the entertainment district. All guns found will be confiscated.

HEAT: The official heat-wave death toll has risen again to 6. More on the latest deaths from WMC, Eyewitness News, Commercial Appeal. Health experts continue to warn against not taking the heat seriously.

Victorian Village: The City is seeking private management firms to take over operations of two homes there: Mallory-Neely and the Magevny.

Trash: The new pickup schedules are not going over well in East Memphis.

Business: The Memphis biotech industry isn’t getting much national notice. A business profile of Memphis music label, Mr. Del’s Dedicated Music Group.

People in business, from the Daily News. Also, People in Business, from the CA.

The Downtown Bagpiper: An article on the Scotsman seen playing his bagpipes on a “busker’s tour” of the US. (via the Bartlett Express) Here is the original Mephistanista blog post, with video.

Stanford Financial Group: The judge has revoked bail for R. Allen Stanford, keeping him in a Texas jail. The Commercial Appeal has more.

Collierville: Mayor Stan Joyner’s daughter-in-law, Melissa Joyner, has been indicted in Mississippi on a charge of embezzlement. More in this story.

Oakland: If the city goes ahead with a “municipal / regional” planning commission, it will mean the end of comprehensive planning for Fayette County. Mayor Bill Mullins releases a statement on the recent flooding. (via the Oakland News)

Tennessee: The Center for Public Integrity ranks the state an “F” in government disclosure. More on Governor Phil Bredesen’s trade trip to Japan and China. In a reverse of the trend, farmers are expected to plant more cotton next year; however, nationally cotton is at its lowest acreage in decades. Twenty-three health centers around the state will share in $16.7 million in Federal stimulus monies.

MLG&W: More on the City’s settlement with former utility president Joseph Lee. Not everyone on the City Council is happy about it; more on the dispute. The utility has released a report grading itself on its response to the June wind storms.

Collierville: A report from the Collierville Independent on the city’s new 2010 budget.

Survey Says: Consumer confidence fell sharply in June. Restaurant operators report a solid year of declining sales, through May. Nationally, home prices have dropped 18% last April.

Bigger Than Your Head: Yay, it’s wine of the week!

Xspectre8: He talks about lost work ethics and crappy customer service in a two-part rant: part the first and the addendum.

Thaddeus Matthews: Mayor A C Wharton will be appearing on his show this Thursday. Can Myron Lowery be mayor and council at the same time and is he being a bit too eager to be mayor? Thoughts on Rev. Whalum’s run for mayor.

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: I don’t think he took this survey very seriously at all.

(Lang Wiseman) Random Thoughts: Not letting perfectionism paralyse you.

Doug Johnson at Work: On not saying too much on social networking sites and thoughts on Senator Smalley.

Sassy Molassy: An update on the Florida vacation.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: Pictures from a tube-top wedding.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: A old farmer’s long list of advice. Go read it!

Geoff Calkins: Running down the usual Commercial Appeal laundry list of all that Mayor Herenton’s done wrong. X

Confessions of a West Tennessee Liberal: Remember, politicians are not your friends, no matter how excited you are.

Fertile Ground: Some books for kids, thanks to the State government. Also, getting to meet the founder of Rock’n'Romp. Doing the tourist thing on Beale Street on Saturday … with kids.

Gilmour Girl Goes Memphis: You know it’s serious when you build your own bike.

Haaaaave You Read My Blog? News of a couple of inexpensive shows coming up this month at the Snowden Grove Amphitheater.

I’ll be the one in heels: A midnight mission to make deviled eggs for her son.

Joy’s Life and Times: A long and lovingly detailed post on being a beginner all over again when coming back to a sport.

Commercial Appeal: How you can help three young people further their professional musical educations. Stoking anger about the salaries and benefits of the Herenton administration, but not mentioning the City Council’s role.

55-40 Memphis: Nice early retirement, if you can get it.

artbutcher: He’s part of a group exhibition at Power House, running through this month.

Life as I know it from Memphis: A first time visit to the Pink Palace.