Memphis City Council: A strange, tense moment between Councilmembers Shea Flinn and Joe Brown. More on the contentions from WMC and the Commercial Appeal.

In other Council news, they approved $50,000 for the tire redemption fund.

Plaza AzTeka: A project to revitalise the old K-Mart store on Winchester has gone bust and the vendors want their money back from Pastor Nehemiah Kennedy and Second Chance Ministries.

Harold Ford Jr: Memphis’ former US Representative really is in the running for CEO and chief executive of the MPAA. He would become Hollywood’s chief lobbyist in Washington.

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Yesterday was National Make a Difference Day and St Jude held story time for the kids, with a special author-reader.

MPACT: Tonight is their annual membership meeting at their office on South Main.

Politics: The forces in the State House behind the “state sovereignty” movement met this week and issued an open letter to other states; the Commercial Appeal has more. State Republican Party chairman Chris Devaney says it will be tough for House Speaker Kent Williams to get back into the party.

US Rep. Marsha Blackburn spoke out Tuesday against Net neutrality. The Cook Political Report has now moved Rep. John Tanner’s Eighth District from “likely Democrat” to “lean Democrat” thanks to progressive Democratic efforts to defeat him in his primary.

Will a Justice Department ruling about North Carolina have an effect on the Ninth Congressional District race between Rep. Steve Cohen and former mayor Willie Herenton? At least four potential candidates have pulled petitions for the State House District 83 seat that was formerly Brian Kelsey’s.

Downtown: The Center City Development Corporation will get its first test of their commercial office grant program at today’s meeting of the CCC.

Industrial Development Board: They are also meeting today.

Shelby County School Board: A candidate, Ken Hoover, seems ready to oppose board member David Pickler for his District 5 seat.

Comcast: They plan to offer cable television shows to subscribers of their internet service by the end of the year, as a video on demand service.

Mississippi: 60,000 doses of injectable swine flu vaccine have arrived in the state. Entergy is granting $500,000 to Jackson State University for a new engineering lab.

Collierville: The Collierville Community Fund awarded $10,000 to six organisations.

Real Estate: US housing starts are up slightly in September.

West Tennessee: The Dyersburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen has voted to go forward with Phase III of the Downtown Revitalisation Plan. An interlocal agreement means a new E-911 board will be built in Dyersburg. (both stories via the Dyersburg State Gazette) Federal funds filtered through the State Department of Transportation will fund some “high visibility law enforcement campaigns” in Obion County. (via NW TN Today)

MLG&W: TVA will drop their electric rates another 1.5% as a fuel surcharge adjustment, translating into fifty cents to two dollars in residential savings.

H1N1 Virus: Nine clinics across the county are now offering the vaccine to kids for free. Memphis schools superintendent Dr Kriner Cash outlines the MCS plan on giving out vaccines. More from Eyewitness News, WREG, the Daily News. Memphis businesses are doing their best to prepare for the flu season. The schedule for free flu shots for children.

Memphis City Schools: The system is spending $1.4 million to smooth out communications and information flow to teachers in preparation for contract talks and, hopefully, dealing with a Gates Foundation grant.

County Commission: They are very close to finalising a $58 million deal for City and County school construction.

Henry Buehler: Supporters of Buehler’s efforts to take over 140 properties for redevelopment protested outside County Commissioner Henri Brooks’ home yesterday. But, records show Buehler took in hundreds of thousands in City money all the while still not paying old taxes. The County Commission is expected to take up Buehler’s request today; here is their agenda. (via the Daily News)

FedEx Ground: Three states plan to sue over what they call “misclassification” of 1000 drivers as independent contractors. More from Fox13, WMC and the Commercial Appeal.

Business: Wright Medical Group is moving distribution and support in Europe. Mueller Industries reports almost $19 million in 3Q income.

A business profile of the Madison Hotel, from the Daily News. And, a professional profile of Spence Wilson, of Kemmons Wilson Inc., from the CA.

People in business, from the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal. Also, What To Do.

Arkansas: The Fire Chief for the City of Marion wants neighboring communities to contribute to the upkeep of the department. Thanks to flooding, 20 counties have been declared disaster areas.

Make A Difference Day: Got to Bass Pro Shops and you can send a Thanksgiving “thank you” card to an American soldier somewhere in the world. US Army Freedom Team Salute website and Make A Difference Day website.

DeSoto County: A land transfer ceremony is today for the start of the DeSoto County Greenway. Southaven has approved their redistricting plan. Also, the City’s Davis Public Library will host a workshop for people seeking jobs, training or help with benefits. The County’s Board of Supervisors approved improvements toone of 17 public parks in Horn Lake. The Hernando Board of Mayor and Aldermen has tabled a rezoning request for Ivy Hills. Olive Branch approves a study of their gas, sewer and water rates.

Crime: The “hot ZIP codes” for home burglaries around the area, via Eyewitness News. Good news, too, as car thefts are at their lowest level in twenty years.

Financial: Regions Financial reported a $437 million net loss in 3Q.

University of Memphis: The Graduate School Recruitment Fair is coming up November 2. It is open to the public.

Lambuth University: The financially-troubled school has selected Dr Bill Seymour as their new president.

Tennessee: The State Funding Board is promulgating new rules and regulations to cover Cities and Counties issuing or participating in “exotic” financial transactions. The State Comptroller also produced a report of thefts, shortages and missing items in all Counties for the past fiscal year; Shelby doesn’t appear. (PDF document) CoverTN, the State’s subsidised insurance plan, is keeping premiums the same and adding benefits.

Survey Says: The National Retail Federation says Christmas shopping season will be slow this recession year. The airline industry is still seeing declining passenger revenues. But, a bad sign as home building permits fell sharply in September.

Delta Air Lines: They have released a new and expanded international flight schedule, the first since the merger with Northwest.

Bartlett: Bartlett’s Municipal Court has a 60% non-appearance rate they are trying to address.

Persian Pit Bull: A pleasant experience at Shot Nurse.

Radio Sweethearts: The media genius of Falcon Henne.

Ramblings of the Mad Cow: OK, is this enough to get you to enlist?

vibinc: Steve was nominated for Mayor Wharton’s Metro Charter Commission and then, well… then things got weird.

Whitebread on Patrol: Two weeks and counting.

What is a Carbunkle Trumpet? A fond, picture-filled goodbye to a friend.

John Branston: Herman Morris should be questioned on government transparency before he’s approved as City Attorney. (via the Flyer)

Ashley Barbee: The importance of early childhood development. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Commercial Appeal: This editorial points right at the heart of a massive story the daily could investigate, if they chose to. Looking at the tragedy of the two children caught in a home fire and noting that child neglect laws weren’t adhered to?

Memphis Mike’s: Keeping the woes of your life in perspective.

Left Wing Cracker: A rant on why we are failing.

Sassy Molassy: Thoughts on her 37th birthday!

MemphisConnect: Edward Gorey, Halloween and the Germantown Community Theatre. Your quote of the day, which is about Memphis and by a Memphian!

Jen-sized: Yesterday, your Humble MSJ Online Editor said something dumb and inappropriate; he gets taken to the woodshed for it. Also, what language misuses bug you?

Just A Girl in the World: Parents, let’s be careful with those baby names, OK?

Alive in the World: A personal story of an ex-boyfriend and leaving Memphis.

I Love Memphis: A positive review of Memphis - The Musical.

55-40 Memphis: Thoughts on journalism and the daily paper. Dinosaurs, but not that kind.

One Half Amazing: More on Powerpoint Karaoke and how you can join in.

Complacencies of the Peignoir: Living her life but not really in it at the moment.

Divers and Sundry: Want some Italian horror movie recommendations for your Halloween?

Urf! Are today’s Tom Sawyers too whiny? Sassy Molassy’s better half wishes her a happy birthday.

Student: Revisited: Meet the interrobang.

Blue Collar Republican: Austin is impressed by Obama. Really!

Doug Johnson at Work: Thoughts on parenting and media life.

Eskapadez: She has a new blog home to match her new physical home.

Haaaaave You Read My Blog: More thoughts on bad parenting, in this case the two women who left their toddlers alone and a house fire broke out.

(Lang Wiseman) Random Thoughts: Some thoughts on financial illiteracy. Anger over the mom whose two kids died alone in a house fire.