Memphis City Schools: The Tri-State Defender publishes a call to unity from MCS Superintendent Dr Kriner Cash in the wake of the 2009 State Report Card. More on the plan to offer student email accounts. Sherwood Elementary got a donation of 70 computers from Hewlett-Packard; more in the Commercial Appeal. To qualify for the Gates Foundation $100 million grant, the school system needs to secure $20 million in local commitments.

Shelby County Interim Mayoral Selection: City Mayor A C Wharton flashes anger at candidate Joe Ford’s remarks. The next round of Commission voting is Tuesday, November 17.

City of Memphis: Free mulch if you come pick it up this Saturday.

Cyclocross: The championship is Sunday at Greenbelt Park on Mud Island.

Collierville: The local police are working with the Animal Shelter to learn to defuse an “angry or territorial dog” situation.

Millington: The Double B Boys’ Ranch home for troubled teenagers also works with families to restore harmony and respect. Local businessman Terry Roland is angry with the Board of Mayor and Alderman for not getting business input before passing a sign ordinance.

Politics: US Rep. Marsha Blackburn (8th District) says the “tea party” protest rallies are bringing out women and she “won’t condemn” them.
Even at age seven, US Rep. Steve Cohen loved an audience. US Senator Bob Corker held a town hall meeting in Greeneville on Wednesday without event; he also spoke in Kingsport on health care reform in the Senate. And, Cohen announced he will work to get Congressional support for the city’s aerotropolis initiative. US Rep. Jim Cooper (5th District) has a recommended reading list on health care reform. (Part of a larger Tennessean interview here, where he also touches on the Stupak Amendment and whether health care reform will pass.)

The TN State Republican Party letter to TN Right to Life has received enough media attention it doesn’t need to be sent now.

Republican candidate Brian Kelsey declines to debate Democrat Adrienne Pakis-Gillon in State Senate District 31 race.

MIFA They are hosting another roundtable discussion about their Emergency Services program this Tuesday.

Tennessee: The State Supreme Court has reinstated the conviction of Michael Casper for selling securities without registering with the State. Restructuring higher education is “not a focus” of Governor Phil Bredesen’s plans. Beginning in January 2010, the State is capping enrollment in CoverTN, its insurance program for those who can’t get Medicaid. More in the Daily News.

TVA will lower its fuel cost adjustment beginning in December, saving the average residential customer $3 to 6 monthly. The State’s “Better Bridges” program is beginning work on the first of some 200 projects.

Tennessee has 14,000 National Guardsmen, and yet has deployeed 18,000 overseas, meaning around a third are volunteering more than once. (via the NWTN Today.com)

H1N1 Virus: Area hospitals are taking extra precaustions for the regular flu virus, too.

Arkansas: Senator Blanche Lincoln will convene the Senate agriculture committee there to find ways to help the rural economy.

Salvation Army: They have just opened their first Adult Rehabilitation Services campus. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis: They donated $15,000 to Agape Child & Family Services’ Families in Transition.

Trumbull Laboratories: They have received College of American Pathologists accreditation.

Paraskevidekatriaphobia Yes, today is Friday the 13th. More from Wikipedia.

Memphis Police Department: A new program seeks to offer a “last chance” for rehabilitation for officers with drug and alcohol problems.

DeSoto County: The Mississippi Economic Council met yesterday in Southaven. Mississippi Outdoors, from the Commercial Appeal.

Northeast Shelby Republican Club Dinner: The four leading Republican candidates for governor — Bill Gibbons, Bill Haslam, Ron Ramsay and Zach Wamp — will attend the 2009 Pasta and Politics fundraiser on November 13. (PDF document) Website here.

Local Media: The Flyer is celebrating its 20th anniversary today, even though it was in February. Jackson Baker reflects. The State of New Hampshire is set to become the first to guarantee a line of credit for a newspaper.

Overton Square: A report from Memphis Heritage’s information meeting last night. Final project designs could happen by the Spring. More reaction from Midtowners.

Shelby County Schools: The new capital improvement plan will focus on renovation of existing schools and rezoning to move students around to balance attendance.

University of Memphis: The school has to contend with an additional $26 million in cuts to its budget for this year. (via the Daily Helmsman)

Land Use Control Board: They unanimously vote down the Fairview subdivision proposal. They also tightened a zoning regulation concerning adult entertainment businesses.

Business: The CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer, is coming to Nashville in January. Retail stores expect a rough holiday season this year. Wal-Mart posted a 3% rise in profits in the 3Q. Majestic Star Casino, which operates the Fitz Hotel and Casino, has been declared in default. Meridian Bioscience reports record sales.

A business profile of Soul Fish restaurant as it expands to Germantown, from the Daily News. A business profile of Hernando’s The Quaker Store, from the Commerical Appeal.

People in Business and What to Do, from the Commercial Appeal.

FedEx: Their FedEx Trade Networks is boosting its presence in Asia and opening an office in Europe.

Veterans Administration Hospital: An interview with Dr James L. Robinson III, the new director in the Tri-State Defender.

Real Estate: Mortgage rates set a five week low. Foreclosures increased by 14% in October. The former Bennigan’s / River City Bar & Grill site will become a Sonic. The Triad Centre III office complex is the first LEED-certified office building in Memphis.

COGIC: One last farewell, maybe for good, to the Memphis-based Convocation.

West Tennessee: The Dyersburg Salvation Army and Matthew 25:40 have undertaken a holiday food drive. (via the Dyersburg State Gazette)

Metro Charter Commission: More from the Daily News’ Bill Dries on their first meeting.

Downtown: More on the sale of the River Tower condos. The City’s revitalisation plan is now moving to the New Chicago area. Prosperity International, the company assoicated with the Ericson Group’s plan for the Pyramid has lost a deal in Boston.

Oakland: The Fayette County Director of Schools is suggesting bus drivers be issued cell phones. (via the Oakland News)

MemphisConnect: Information on the Orpheum’s Family Series. Want to get up close with Mayor A C Wharton? Here’s how.

Notes from Memphis: Thanksgiving Day restaurant schedules and a couple of cautionary tales.

The Conservative Zone: Thoughts on red light traffic cameras.

Memphis City Watch: A report on the South Memphis Revitalization Action Plan.

Smart City Memphis: Thoughts on poverty and education. Recognising that the energy of an artistic culture is its equivalent of small businesses.

theology & geometry: Just wait a little more … she’s now in the new house.

VVixen: Two heinous, infamous murders inspire bad dreams.

Mediaverse: Thoughts on the Flyer’s 20th. Questions about the Commercial Appeal’s coverage of the Warren Apartments bust.

Commercial Appeal: Kudos to Deidra Stone as she becomes the Today show’s kid reporter. Finding yet another reason to make guns scary and worth regulating tightly.

George E. Hardin: The internet allows many extremist views — conservative and liberal — to thrive. (via the Tri-State Defender)

John Branston: He compares The MED to private, non-profit hospitals. (via the Flyer)

Kenneth Neill: The publisher reflects on twenty years of the Flyer and muses some on the future. (via the Flyer)

Gilmour Girl Goes Memphis: At last, a sound medical reason to drink chocolate milk.

I Love Memphis: A trio of Memphis Queens. Lunch at Pearl’s Oyster House.

Downtown Memphis Blog: Dinner at Circa’s.

Joy’s Life and Times: Her running pace is slowed down, but her confidence is slowly rebuilding.

Doug Johnson at Work: He has a question about shoe etiquette and wants your opinion!

Dining With Monkeys: A mixed experience (though the food was good) at the Mellow Mushroom in Chattanooga.

Cliff Heegel, PhD: He’s joined the Give an Hour network, providing free counseling services to returning troops or their families!

Bring me penguin dust: On one hand, she loves her boyfriend; on the other hand, ewwwwwww!

Brain Release Valve: He’s not dead yet! A very cool pic from Mars. If you are considering buying a used Xbox360 this holiday, read this first.

Alphapatriot: Thoughts on Republican chances in 2010.

I’ll be the one in heels: She’s travelling for work and she’s in New York taking pictures.

Jen-sized: November.

Urf! How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat yer meat?

sharp stick in the eye: Are you ready for 7 days of pie?

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Because, Rusty, it’s not about the fans, it’s about the deals and profits.