Shelby County: A County employee’s complaint has revealed that the County’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy is unconstitutional? Prisoners at the Shelby County Jail were briefly evacuated over the weekend … for a drill; Eyewitness News has more.

Beale Street Landing: Delays in starting work and other problems are leading the Riverfront Development Corporation to as the City for more money.

Second Amendment: From the Associated Press, a look at the last legislative sessions work on the State’s gun laws.

Politics: Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Gibbons has laid out his agenda for his administration. The Tennessee Newspaper Network releases its report on the personal finances of the Democratic candidates for governor. State Senator Jim Kyle has been taking advantage of tax laws on his per-diem expenses.

The assistant prosecutors who successfully investigated and prosecuted former State Senator John Ford have been honored.

The Flyer’s Jackson Baker on the swearing-in ceremony for new interim County mayor Joe Ford. Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, will be the keynote speaker at next year’s Republican Lincoln Day dinner.

Unemployment: Around 45,000 are out of work in the county.

National Broadband Plan: Officials from the FCC will be in town today for an open meeting soliciting thoughts and opinions about customer needs for broadband internet access. More from Eyewitness News.

Peppertree Apartments: The notorious apartment complex, a haven for drugs and crime, received $170,000 in Federal stimulus money that might have been misspent.

The MED: The search committee has narrowed the field of candidates to one: Dr Reginald Coopwood.

Vance Neighborhood Community Forum: A recent meeting identified a long list of problems and needs for the neighborhood near the FedEx Forum. More from Eyewitness News.

First United Methodist Church: They held their first worship service in their new facility, since the fire destroyed the old church a few years ago. More from Fox13, WMC, WREG, Eyewitness News.

Mississippi: The shift from landline telephones to cell phones is causing a cash crunch for the State’s 911 emergency system. A look at the folks responsible for the 15 straight months of missed revenue projections. The Jackson Enforcement Team’s Federal grant is running out.

From the Commercial Appeal, Mississippi Outdoors.

Willie Herenton: A case being argued before the US Supreme Court on “honest services” fraud may have implications for the investigation into the former mayor’s dealings, and even the conviction of former State Senator John Ford that sent him to prison. WREG wonders if he will be indicted.

Tennessee: Sixteen counties have been declared disaster areas from this Fall’s rains. Governor Phil Bredesen has formed a partnership with Battelle, to foster science and technology education programs across the state; more in the Commercial Appeal and WMC. A look at diabetes and obesity rates around the State.

Memphis International Airport: A look at the new garage and rental car areas, and the new concourse/lobby plans for next year.

Arkansas: The Public Service Commission will subdivide the 870 area code, requiring 10-digit dialing. The Lottery is launching a new “draw” game this week. Prolonged bad weather this year has cost state farmers an estimated $300 million.

Memphis City Schools: Students will start classes today at the new Colonial Middle School.

Hannukah: The Festival of Lights was this weekend.

Overton Square: There seems to be a stand-off between parties still on whether to move forward with Sooner Investment’s plans for redelopment.

Millington: Shelby County is helping the city school system to begin vaccinations with the H1N1 virus.

City of Memphis: The annual Christmas basket giveaway helped 500 families this weekend.
 

Memphis Animal Shelter: A July 2009 audit of the shelter details problems from earlier this year, but the end of the story introduces concerns about the credentials and reliability of Lucy Shaw, who is in charge of the current investigation. Also, fresh reports of animal abuse, regarding “aggressive” dogs.

Commercial Appeal: Today they launch their new digital-only supplement Going Green, intended to encourage readers to begin paying for online content.

H1N1 Virus: Shelby County schools are waiting for consent forms so they can begin vaccinations.

Gift-giving: The Flyer offers some local food items for your consideration.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: The search committee for a new chancellor will hold its first meeting Friday. More in the Commercial Appeal.

Heywood County Megasite: The Memphis News looks at the concept of megasites and the history of the West Tennessee site. An interview with Heywood County Mayor Franklin Davis on the impact of the megasite.

Bartlett: Municipal Judge Freeman Marr is taking some time off this month to allow candidates for the Second Division judgeship to run a courtroom to evaluate themselves and their suitability.

DeSoto County: Four Hernando aldermen earned certification with Mississippi Municipal League’s Certified Municipal Official program. Opposition to the plan for a new hospital in Olive Branch is described as normal. County government is trying to shift down the costs of new roads. More Christmas activities. Walls will have its first-ever holiday parade later this year. The Southaven police are increasing patrols for holiday security. Be careful, purse snatchers are targeting elderly women in Olive Branch.

Business: Adams & Reese LLP have added two new offices in Florida. True Temper Sports have completed their financial restructuring. The sale of Luminetx to Christie Digital Systems has been approved by the shareholders. nexAir has moved its Atlanta office and consolidated. GTx cut 46 jobs.

A short business profile of the Holiday Inn — University of Memphis, from the Daily News; a bit more. and a professional profile of Karen Shea of Shea Wealth Management. And from the Commercial Appeal, a business profile of Second to Nunn, a graphic design firm..

From the Commercial Appeal, Done Deals; What to Do for Sunday and Monday, People in Business for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

FedEx: Last week, the US House and Senate both voted extensions of current labor laws, keeping organised labor at bay until next year.

Real Estate: Mid-South shopping malls are “pushing back” against their 2009 property tax appraisals. Mortgage activity in Shelby County as up for November.

(Lang Wiseman) Random Thoughts: Some online coupon codes, if you need ‘em. And a custom Christmas-elves themed JibJab video that … well, you’ll just have to see for yourself.

Midtown Stomp: He and his wife had their eighth anniversary dinner at Chez Phillipe. Of course, with the incredible dinner there was much wine and champagne.

ForkBombr: Will new tablets kill the netbook?

Adventures in Merriness: Three projects she’s been working on while in Memphis. Observations about the post-college choices to be made.

Ashley La Rouge: “I am also hard to talk to, and I know it.” She’s looking for book blog recommendations.

Barefoot in Memphis: A rather eclectic update with fusebox malfunctioning.

bitter/books: A visit to the Salvation Army on Kirby-Whitten Road, on the endless tour of thrift stores, where-in he is overwhelmed.

Born-Again Hippies: A marvelous tale of Gene “Bat Masterson” Barry, Sputnik Monroe, a bongo folk jam, and the “pop in the nose” that didn’t happen.

Commontaries: Don’t tell Russell Wiseman about this. A tale of two adulterers.

Confessions of a West Tennessee Liberal: Notice of a “Jobs Not Jails” protest tomorrow, over the Downtown homeless situation.

Dining With Monkeys: She takes the kids, and some friends, to … Dan McGuinness Pub? But, there are kids’ meals, so….

A View From the Middle: Memphis has some dope MCs.

16 Balls in the Air: An early misunderstanding about work and money from the kids. The Limabain turns ten.

Commercial Appeal: Urging for further prosecutions against Bruce Tuck. Mayor Wharton is right to consider other approaches to collecting delinquent taxes. Federal action is called for to assure intervention and help for the mentally ill, especially with insurance. Worries about Americans “flirting” with radical Islamist terrorism. Thoughts on education reform in Memphis.

Wendi C. Thomas: She surveys the type and extent of help available for unisured mentally ill Memphians. Some resources. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Otis L. Sanford: He joins the pile-on on Arlington mayor Russell Wiseman, keeping the controversy alive and the web-hits coming a few days more. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Mary MacMakin, the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis and the “web of caring”. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Steve Basar: A look at next year’s Greenway and Greenline projects and what it will mean for the city’s image. (via the Commercial Appeal)

James Overstreet: Recovery from the Great Recession will not be easy, especially in TN. (via the Commercial Appeal)

The Memphis News: The State should look well beyond the current recessions with the Heywood County megasite and committ to its success.

Chattanooga Times Free Press: The State needs to raise a lot more money and so an income tax will do that.