Business Tax Amnesty: The Department of Revenue says “tens of thousands” of businesses that are delinquent on their State business taxes can register and pay three years’ back taxes, and have penalties waived if they act quickly.

Second Amendment: A poll by the State’s hospitality trade group, which opposes “guns in restaurants”, finds two-thirds of public also opposes it.

Wells Fargo Lawsuit: The City and County are filing a Federal lawsuit against them for ““unlawful, irresponsible, unfair, deceptive and discriminatory mortgage lending practices”. More from WREG.

Myron Lowery’s New Year’s Prayer Breakfast: Fox13 reports on the annual, bipartisan tradition.

Bartlett: Mayor Keith McDonald is not sold on using red light traffic cameras as revenue enhancers for his community. A related story about the State of Arizona considering removing their RLTCs. And, a reminder that RLTC tickets are no longer waived in Memphis. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen will be interviewing candidates for the open judgeship in the Municipal Court tonight and tomorrow.

Shelby County Schools: The Commercial Appeal interviews Superintendent John Aitken.

Politics: A call to accurately count minorities and especially African-Americans in the 2010 census. With the new year, come a lot of new laws for the State. Governor Phil Bredesen talks with the Daily News about his final year in office and, also, the Knoxville News-Sentinel talks with former governor Don Sundquist. US Rep. Steve Cohen gives the 2009 Democrat-controlled session of Congress an “A” and also talks about health care reform and his race against Willie Herenton later this year.

Interest in the State House District 83 special election is overshadowed by the holidays. A report from the funeral service for former Lt Gov. John Wilder, who passed away on Friday. More encomia from the Flyer. Reports on the funeral from Fox13, WMC, Eyewitness News, WREG.

Dr Ron Kirkland, a Jackson physician, has officially declared as a candidate for retiring US Rep. John Tanner’s 8th District seat; more in the Jackson Sun. Charlotte Bergmann, of Memphis, is seriously considering a run as a Republican in the 9th Congressional District.

Shep Wilbun: Confusion over the purpose of a private event for Wilbun leads to questions on Election Commission ethics.
 
 

DeSoto County: “Cautious optimism’ from municipalities over a tax revenue upturn in 2010. The Civic Center set two records in 2009, and looks set for a good 2010.

Memphis Men’s Forum: They will hold a meeting this Saturday to generate grass-root solutions to the socio-economic problems of African-American men in Memphis.

Financial: The Germantown Independent Bank building wins a cash prize from the Memphis Regional Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. A Daily News interview and profile with Sam Goff, of Evolve Bank and Trust. A Morgan Stanley analyst expects mortgage rates to “jump” in 2010.

Memphis Roller Derby: Thanks to ongoing renovations at the Fairgrounds, they’ve lost their home and need to find a new facility.

Arkansas: The toy gun sale law sparked by the death of DeAunta Farrow went into effect this year; more from WREG. The strange case of the City of Turrell grows weirder as the City Council insists they never approved or funded a Police Department and, if a budget isn’t passed, it may cease to exist! Some towns famed as “speed traps” have been denied patrols on State highways.

Visible School: They have agreed to purchase the C&I Bank Building, once the home of the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: They received a $1.3 million grant for a study of “health disparities” in Memphis and Shelby County.

Residency Requirements: The older, more restrictive policy went back into effect on January 1st.

Germantown: A report on the “liaison assignments” of the Boardof Mayor and Aldermen.

Memphis Police Department: A non-profit agency, Vest’N P.D.P., will provide an enhanced protection vest to honored K-9 officer Gunner. Domestic homicides dropped more than fifty percent in 2009!

City of Memphis: The City is preparing a list of projects to submit to the Federal government for up to $27.7 million in stimulus bonds.

Memphis Animal Shelter: Another dog ready for adoption was killed at the shelter. Pressure from local and national animal activists is being felt at the shelter and may have influenced an adoption that didn’t follow shelter procedures.

2010: Predictions on what lies ahead for Memphis, from the Memphis News. The Memphis Flyer publishes their Annual Manual, which also includes a calendar of events and comic predictions for 2010. A review of the new TN laws going into effect with the new year.

Fox13 looks back at 2009 in four parts: One, two, three and four.

Teton Trek: The newest exhibit at the Memphis Zoo has driven up attendance this past Fall.

Interim County Mayor Joe Ford: Beginning tomorrow, Ford will conduct a twice-weekly Coffee and Conversation Tour of the county.

Millington: The history-aware renovation and expansion of the Transmission Doctors building is good news for revitalisation of the downtown’s business district. A new City-backed prescription discount plan will be offered to all citizens.

Business: SurgiVision has filed a application for an IPO.

A business profile of Groomingdale’s, from the Commercial Appeal and other on Advanced Processing & Imaging.
People in Business, from the CA, for Sunday and Monday. And the Small Business Advocate makes some predictions for 2010.

Delta Air Lines: It’s official! Their merger with Northwest Airlines was given final approval by the FAA and the two are now one.

Crichton College: They have been sold to SignificantPsychology LLC for $5.3 million, keeping the school open.

FedEx: They have filed a $28 million building permit but are staying mum on what for.

New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church: They celebrated their 140th year this past weekend!
 

Mississippi: Governor Haley Barbour’s 2010 legislative agenda is focused on the budget. A tax on soda pop is being proposed; more from WREG. The Public Service Commission wants the EPA to monitor and evaluate reserve funds held by power associations. State lawmaker Mark Baker wants greater spending authority for school districts over their “16th section” lands. A directive to begin laying off County prosecutors may shut down some offices.

Survey Says: Memphis is ranked #12 most difficult city to find a job. Before a new mayoral election can be scheduled, the Board of Elections is still awaiting the final written order from Chancellor Martha Brasfield. Memphis is tied for 53rd most literate city in the US, but Tennessee is the fifth most religious state. This is old but, Memphis is one of the top ten most dangerous cities for pedestrians.

Fayette County: The Board of Education rejected a motion to reinstate ousted school director Myles Wilson. (both stories via the Oakland News)

Tennessee: State’s tax revenues overall were down 5.7% for 3Q 2009. Governor Phil Bredesen has declared January “Radon Action Month”. The Department of Health and Human Services issued two sets of regulations that will affect the state’s health care providers.

Musings, Nits, and Praises: Jason shares some of his favorite songs of 2009.

Oval Soul Journey: Standing on the edge of 2010, and then into the new year.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: Sunday dim sum at Bangkok Alley! He has guest bloggers now? Here they are.

Reginald Milton’s A Fresh Look: Honest words for the new year, from Wanda Halbert.

Tennessee Conservative: Mick’s first book of the year.

ForkBombr: The end of the year is, sadly, the end of his blog.

Doug Johnson: Some goodbyes. And another post on a similar theme.

Dining With Monkeys: An unimpressive visit to Woodlands Indian restaurant on Hacks Cross.

Cwabs! Randall lost 100 pounds this year! Amazing.

Complacencies of the Peignoir: Seeing in the new year with good friends.

Bring me penguin dust: Can you guess what went wrong with her avocado salsa? Her life among the accident-prone.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: She gives us a year in review. And what a year.

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: Some Twitter wisdom. (Possibly NSFW.)

artbutcher: Dwayne’s hard work is finally recognised!

Blue Collar Republican: The bizarre case of the Memphis Christmas terrorist. And, it’s a true, if poorly reported, story!

Commercial Appeal: The Liberty Bowl is a “warm, fuzzy” for Memphis. Partisan politics, Shep Wilbun and the Shelby County Election Commission. Lauding the city’s medical community. The Memphis Animal Shelter needs a “culture change”. Now that the government has been giving out bailouts, there’s “no turning back”.

They ask three local experts to identify ways to break the cycle of crime in Memphis: Dr Patricia M. Speck on childhood violence; Sheriff Mark Luttrell on fighting crime, and Steven Hornsby on “restorative justice”.

Otis L. Sanford: His dyspeptic take on the Aughts. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Chris Peck: Ten New Year’s resolutions for Memphis. (via the Commercial Appeal)

James Overstreet: The bears and the bulls disagree on 2010’s economy. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Memphis News: Predictions for 2010.

Danny Tennial: Six Memphis women answer, “Why do you believe in God?” (via the Tri-State Defender)

Ask Myron: He looks back at 2009. (via the Tri-State Defender)

Brittany Jackson: What are your New Year’s resolutions? (via the Tri-State Defender)

George E. Hardin: On the cusp of the new year, looking backward and ahead. (via the Tri-State Defender)