DeSoto County: County and municipal leaders are going to press the State’s Congressional delegation for additional Federal stimulus fund opportunities.

Memphis City Schools: State education commissioner Timothy Webb is warning school boards across the state to expect lower student achievement this year on TCAP. More on the new tests.

The Wharton Administration: Fox13 profiles the “City Hall fixer”, Robert Lipscomb, director of both the Memphis Housing Authority and Housing Community Development. A report from Mayor A C Wharton’s talk before the Rotary Club.

Stanford Financial Group: The receiver has filed to recover political donations.

Collierville: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen contracts to clean 37 milles of sewer system. (via the Collierville Independent)

Financial: More on the unprofitableness of a majority of TN banks. Financial Federal was honored by Wells Fargo as a “quality lender”.

Memphis Little League: Founder and president Kerry Cobb wants more kids aware of the opportunities and possibilities present when they excel in sports.

National Black MBA Association: They are hosting a workshop on Wednesday, Entrepreneurship: Why Some Fail and Some Succeed.

Black Business Association: They announced the winners of the 2010 Benny Awards.

Business: Moody’s has lowered its rating of Gibson Guitars debt. EnSafe secured a five-year contract with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Kroger has terminated its guard contract with SecurityPoint following an incident with a guard.

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

Looney Ricks Kiss: The architectural firm has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganisation. More in the Daily News.

Real Estate: New home sales in Memphis plummeted 43% in January!

Shelby Farms: Two projects are set to start work: a playground and a pedestrian bridge.
 

Oakland: Three candidates are qualified for the new mayoral election: William C. Mullins, Randolph Scott Ferguson and Theresa Leake Kelley. The new mayor’s salary will remain the same. An interview with Mayor Bill Mullins.

Embattled former schools director Myles Wilson, under a new agreement, would be re-instated until the end of the school year and will then resign. (all stories via the Oakland News)

Survey Says: TN is the number two state in the country in terms of credit card debt. Memphis is tops for fairly-priced car repair estimates; more from Eyewitness News; more from the CA.

Arkansas: The State is declining to pay defense attorney costs for accused Little Rock Army Recruiting Center shooter Abdulhakim Muhammad.

Boys and Girls Clubs of America: Leigh Taylor White, their newest board member, is interviewed by the Daily News.
 

NEW: Main Street Journal: Shelby County School Board President David Pickler warns of The Washington Agenda for Shelby County Schools.
 

Downtown: The Commercial Appeal thinks something mysterious is going on with the AT&T building on Court.

Streets: Fox13 reports on the narrow lanes on Poplar Avenue and the problems they cause.

Blight: After a Memphis police officer was stabbed there, the City is considering demolishing the abandoned Dunnavant Manor apartments.

Mississippi: A movement is surfacing at Ole Miss to make Star Wars cult character Admiral Ackbar the new school mascot. MS parents react to the proposed ban on paddling. North MS law enforcement departments held a summit to help coordinate efforts and, they react to plans for early release of criminals as a budget-cutting measure. The State Senate passed a bond bill to fund maintenance and repair of state-owned buildings. Governor Haley Barbour vetoed the legislation that restored some of his budget cuts; another veto override is planned. Even more funding for the new road to Toyota’s planned NE MS plant.

Politics: The Politico notes that business coach George Flinn show people how to use stimulus money for their businesses even as the Republican Congressional candidate for the Eighth District, George Flinn, is decrying Federal stimulus money. In a different story, Flinn responds to Democratic attacks.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kim McMillan doesn’t let her slack fundraising slow her down. Republican candidate Zach Wamp lays out his plans for job creation and education with the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.

Does TVA lobby the State legislature? They say “no but WTVF says “yes”. Fifty Memphians with the Citizen Safety Coalition lobbied in Nashville for tougher gun violence laws; more from WMC, WREG and again, and the Commercial Appeal. US Rep. Steve Cohen also deplores the “miserable” city ranking; more in the CA.

A bill to allow “drive-thru sales” of beer is stuck in a Senate committee. The bill to require DUI interlocks for drunk driving is moving through the House. Does TN really need an eighth official song?

Tennessee: The State’s immigration court, which is in Memphis, is backed up and behind by more than a year; more from Fox13. The mentally and physically disabled showed up at the Governor’s office on Wednesday to protest cuts to TennCare. More on the changes in the Medicaid program that may allow the State to save $121 million in TennCare cuts; more from the AP. The State’s District Attorneys will step up enforcment of child support and abuse/neglect laws against teen parents.

Harold Ford Jr: Ford has trouble connecting with the non-Wall Street, non-wealthy New Yorkers. He argues for a “better politics”. Stonewall Democrats interrupt and protest his speech to the group; long video from the night here, and another brutal report; and the Commercial Appeal. State Democratic party chair Jay Jacobs urges Ford to wait for another year, another office. Fox13’s Ernie Freeman looks at the “two faces” of Ford.

West Tennessee: The updated primary race list for Madison County.

Millington: Governor Phil Bredesen announced aeronautic grants for six TN airports, including Millington’s.

The Memphis Liberal: Hmmm… I think I know which local group is being referenced here.

Speak to Power: Some observations on blogging and the mainstream media. And then, thoughts on political blogging in Memphis.

Commercial Appeal: They oppose the move to abolish staggered City Council elections. The “miserable” comment by some magazine poll about Memphis still seems to get under some folks’ skin.

Because I Said So: Negotiating an etiquette for kids bringing portable games to adult parties. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Geoff Calkins: A personal story about the cop who was stabbed while on duty and the residency requirement. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Life is Awesome: After her big trip to New Zealand, she’s back in Memphis and she’s reached a big decision.

One Half Amazing! Using Google Analytics on your Facebook Fan Page to learn more about your fans.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: He recounts a story of how a panhandler was monitored and then busted on Beale Street. Thoughts on allowing people to dissent without punishing them.

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: More tales of the lunatic, passive-aggressive drivers on our roads.

The Intersection of Madness and Reality: He provides an update to the story of the Oakland bus fight video that’s become an underground YouTube sensation.

Fore Left! Pointing out the racial hypocrisy of Keith Olbermann.

Downtown Memphis Download: On live trivia gaming, dateless-Valentine’s Day parties and King cakes.

Doug Johnson at Work: Thoughts on the demise of Colonel Reb.

dminmem: The BoodaBox v. Littermaid debate is over.

Confessions of a West Tennessee Liberal: More arguments from the anti-panhandling / alcohol ordinances side.

John Branston: An idea on how to get past the “miserable” label some Memphians have adopted. (via the Flyer)

Air Traffic Mike’s: He reports from the City Council’s panhandling ordinance meeting.

artbutcher: An interview with artist Chandler Pritchett.

Barefoot in Memphis: Some lessons learned from a “new story”.

Bigger Than Your Head: It’s the wine of the week!

Blue Collar Republican: Oakland mayor Bill Mullins vents about his challenger (in the repeat election), Scott Ferguson.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: On mothers-in-law and boundaries and avoiding hatefulness.