Shelby County Commission: Some of the items up for consideration at today’s meeting. Full agenda here.

The Wharton Administration: Mayor A C Wharton is being criticised for his actions in replacing long-time library employees with friends. He is pushing Small Business Administration programs as a way to build businesses that create jobs.

Newman Community: A Catholic student group from Virginia Tech spent their Spring Break cleaning up Memphis.

Memphis City Council: A proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance comes up for a public comment period on Tuesday.

Memphis Police Department: Serious questions about communications and protocols after Bartlett police shoot and kill a man during a warrant service in North Memphis. An Associated Press report says the guns used in the Las Vegas and Pentagon shootings can be traced back to sales from the Memphis Police Department. City officials respond.

Memphis Youth Manifesto: This group is organising their first conference, a youth “Civic Empowerment Conference” for April 3.

Politics: Why did State Senator Mae Beavers change her mind about seeking re-election? More, from PostPolitics.

The TN Democratic Party’s Jackson Day dinner will feature keynote speaker Vice-President Joe Biden; or, maybe not. Secretary of State Tre Hargett says more than 10,000 dead voters have been removed from the voter rolls. The State Attorney General rules that the law banning campaign donations from corporations is likely unconstitutional.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam files his second video report from his “jobs tour”. Republican Zach Wamp talks about his “production agenda”. All the major gubernatorial candidates would essentially stick with Governor Phil Bredesen’s economic approach.

Legislation filed by US Congressman Steve Cohen would add another bankruptcy judgeship to Memphis courts. Fourth District Congressman Lincoln Davis is a potential “no” vote on health care reform.

The Senate approved legislation to charge for some rescues in State Parks. Mockery of State Rep. Joe Towns’ claim of an eBay market for unregulated breast milk. Bipartisan support for legislation that would freeze legislators’ per diem pay. Although the original “crack tax” law was ruled unconstitutional, the Assembly will try again this year. The Knoxville News-Sentinel looks at legislation coming up this week. More on the English-only driver’s license examination bill.

Arkansas: Fighting prescription drug abuse is a new statewide initiative. The “Choice Bus” is a real bus, part theater and part jail cell, meant to encourage students to stay in school.

Innova Fund II: They are defending their choice of a Knoxville company as their first investment in fast-growth startup ventures.

Millington: The City received a grant to improve Aycock Park.

Shelby County: The County weatherisation program, funded by Federal dollars, is apparently so successful they’re backed up for months.

Opera Memphis Long-time director Michael Ching is retiring to join his professor wife in Iowa. More in the Flyer.

Oakland: Mayoral candidates Scott Ferguson and Theresa Kelley participated in a forum last week. (via the Oakland News) The political environment is so poisonous now that threatening messages are being left.

In-Synk Strategic Huddle: Tactical Magic founder Trace Hallowell will speak on tactical branding this Thursday.

Lindenwood Christian Church: For Easter, they are offering a “Green Cocoon Room” for children with suppressed immune systems.

Mississippi: Efforts to increase taxation of Section 42 housing developers failed in the Legislature. The MS Emergency Management Agency is under investigation over $18 million in missing post-Katrina reconstruction funds. Up to 100 automated driver’s license renewal kiosks might be rolled out eventually. This year’s census will also have political fallout as district lines get redrawn.

Bartlett: The Bartlett Express profiles the Transformations Autism Treatment Center.

Norfolk Southern Railyard: The Fayette County project will sit right over the Memphis Aquifer and groundwater contamination will almost be a certainty.

West Tennessee: More on Cates Landing missing out on a $35 million Federal “TIGER” grant. (via the Dyersburg State Gazette)

Tennessee: Gordon Bonnyman Jr of the TN Justice Center says TennCare will be a big issue for the next governor. Record numbers of unemployed are also stressing out the Department of Labor & Workforce Development. The State education reform committee is already crafting a pilot teacher evaluation system. Governor Phil Bredesen made 43 appointments to 17 boards and commissions last week. The State Emergency Communications Board is working to roll out “next generation 911″ by 2011.

NEW! Main Street Journal: Mick Wright looks at the two major factions of the tea party movement in Shelby County.

School Menus: The school menus for Memphis City schools and Shelby County schools.

Memphis City Schools: The school board passed a budget that again includes disputed City funds. A part of the Gates Foundation involvement in City schools is the out-sourcing of recruiting and hiring new teachers to The New Teacher Project. More on the “Green School Program”, which is also teaching environmentalism. Has last week’s rape incident near East High School put a dead halt to the MCS effort for their own police force? Memphis police data shows crime in schools up by nearly one-third, though mostly a consequence of willingness to report.

County Mayor’s Race: County Commissioner Deidre Malone and Interim County Mayor Joe Ford cross swords over pensions and ethics. A look at what’s ahead this election season. A broader story on all the various mayoral candidates, from the Commercial Appeal.

Memphis Fire Department: Was the picture of Mayor A C Wharton alongside Osama Bin Laden and Adolph Hitler in response to a directive that the mayor’s picture be posted? Mayor Wharton calls the person responsible “demented”.

Cohen V. Herenton: Willie Herenton has released a statement of his positions on a variety of issues.
 

Auto Inspections: The City is considering exempting cars less than four years old from mandatory emissions testing.

The Regional Medical Center: They are reconsidering plans to spin off their clinics to private groups. More on the ruling by the Department of Health and Human Services that Medicaid money in Mississippi can be used to help fund The MED. Congressman Steve Cohen is also working with HHS for funding.

Emerging 200: This free Small Business Administration program, designed to help inner city entrepreneurs, is coming back to Memphis beginning in April.

Business: ServiceMaster is considered a leader in developing “green” vehicles. President Obama’s National Export Initiative could have significant impact on Memphis business. Big River Engineering & Manufacturing’s new Downtown facility is also LEED Silver certified. Shares of TN-based Cracker Barrel have almost doubled in the past year. American Esoteric Laboratories is seeking to consolidate and expand its Memphis operation. About 80 TN companies have been approved to bid on construction contracts at the Hemlock Semiconductor Group plant.

A business profile of Main Street Dental, from the Daily News.

Liquor licenses are frequently a sticking point for new restaurants, says Fredric Koeppel in the Daily News.

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

Smith & Nephew: They are offering a new product, Trigen Sureshot Distal Targeting System, which limits radiation exposure for surgeons who use it.

Traffic Club of Memphis: Speaking at an event last week, Bill Arrington of the Transportation Security Administration’s Office of Highway and Motor Carrier said more people need to get involved and speak up on unusual or unfamiliar things they see.

Prince Mongo: Robert “Prince Mongo” Hodges is frightening the retirees in a community near Daytona Beach.

The Fairgrounds: Where things now stand and what’s next.

Coffee Party: The group setting itself up as a pro-government alternative to the tea party movement had a meeting Saturday and this appears to be the only report.

Moving Companies: Be sure your moving company is bonded and insured, to protect your possessions and yourself. Check with the Better Business Bureau.

Financial: Morgan Keegan is working with Farmer Mac to offer products for agricultural real estate loans. Bankers are expecting a stable economy but sweeping regulatory changes later this year. Renasant Bank would rather be nimble than big.

Survey Says: According to The Daily Beast, Memphis is America’s fifteenth craziest city! (Number one in stress and high on eccentricity, but low on drinking?) Frederick W. Smith is the world’s 556th richest man; more from the Business Journal.

DeSoto County: Signs of a turnaround in residential home sales. Accreditation team identifies “parental involvemnt” as a key concern of County school parents. There are concerns that shortening the school year could shortchange students. It will be June before there is public action on the Certificate of Need for a possible Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare hospital in Olive Branch. The Horn Lake Chamber of Commerce finally held its first luncheon! (previous three stories via the DeSoto Times Tribune) The DeSoto County Greenways project would like to see an environmental and nature center next. The rest stop on I-55 at the Hernando exit is being closed for renovations. Southaven considers a ban on the roadside sale of animals.

I Love Memphis: The Breakfast Brackets challenge continues with Bardog v. Miss Polly’s.

From the Rainbow: Vivian’s sock secret.

Life is Awesome: The blogging break is over.

Memphis City Watch: An interesting observation on who is in charge of appointments in Memphis and Shelby County.

Persian Pit Bull: The BBQ Review team went to Central BBQ on Summer and they brought back reviews and pictures!

Commercial Appeal: Tunica is diversifying. Hopeful financial and political signs at The MED. Another “Wild West” editorial against guns in restaurants. When it comes to government, there is no such thing as TMI. Accusing DeSoto County Sheriff Mark Rasco of political opportunism and point-scoring.

Geoff Calkins: Remembering Ted Cutshaw Jr’s life for him, because he can’t. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Chris Peck: He takes his paper’s music reviewer to task over his Eric Clapton review. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Otis L. Sanford: Racist comments about President Obama will always be worse than anything said against President Bush. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Chas. Sisk: All of the major candidates for governor would stay with Governor Bredesen’s economic approach. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Wendi C. Thomas: Another plug for Common Ground, a group she founded. (via the Commercial Appeal) From her personal blog: Dodging a “what you wish for” relationship bullet; dealing with caring for her father;

Jackson Sun: Schools can help us increase our religious literacy.

Bill Theobald: A quick guide to this week’s health care debate in Congress. (via the Tennessean)

Dwight Lewis: Confusing passionate expression of opinion and civil debate on issues. (via the Tennessean)

North Mississippi Commenter: The firm that licenses the Colenel Reb figure for Ole Miss is withdrawing it from merchandising. Some interesting links. Meet Mildred Quarles, civil rights worker.

Former Mean Girl Seeks Same: If you read nothing else today, you must read this post, about a daughter’s love for her father and her growing realisation of his value and importance.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: Photos from the weekend’s River City Brewers Festival.

The Chockley Blogs: A fashion diva in the making. And her fabulous birthday party.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: A painfully clear look into relations with the in-laws. And then she’s comes to some decisions.

Smart City Memphis: Why parks matter.

Memphis Outsider: Who says there’s nothing to do in Memphis?

Whitebread of Patrol: Your amusing cat video of the day.

What is a Carbunkle Trumpet? Thoughts on food bloggers, inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.

theology & geometry: She recommends a couple of TV shows on Hulu: Spaced and Archer.

The Intersection of Madness and Reality: Some very finely defined observations on African-Americans, and perceptions of race and belonging.

Dining With Monkeys: It’s off to the Kwik Check on Madison for some Korean bi bim bop and a gyro! Ah, diversity.

Can’t Stop: A list of endurance running podcasts for you.

Memphis News: Political turmoil is not necessarily a bad thing.

Urf! Kids are so gullible.