Shelby County Government: Interim mayor Joe Ford gives hints of his upcoming budget. The County Commission will take the final vote on the strip club ordinance at this week’s meeting.

MLG&W: That “smart grid” technology that the utility wanted to roll out locally is a massive security problem that’s a threat to the whole grid.

Shelby County DA Bill Gibbons: He made it official on Friday — he’s dropped out of the governor’s race. Lack of funds was the reason the campaign “lost in the first sixty days”. Gibbons’ exit changes the role of Memphis and Shelby County in the race; more on the competition for Republican West Tennessee. More from the Examiner, the Flyer, the Nashville Scene, the Tennessean, Eyewitness News, WREG, the Daily News.

Tom Humphrey in the Knoxville News-Sentinel says Bill Haslam will benefit most. The press release, with many more comments.

Blogger Truman Bean calls Gibbons’ candidacy “uninspiring and .. forgettable”.

Memphis Police Department: Members of the Memphis Police Association are rallying around fired president and police officer J. D. Sewell.

Social Media: The Memphis News looks at the arrival of Twitter, Facebook, etc., and how the city is adapting and keeping up.

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital: A new law will allow the hospital to bring in foreign doctors to immediately start work, without needing TN residencies.

Eighth Congressional District: The Commercial Appeal looks at all the candidates.

Politics: Willie Herenton filed his petition to run in the Ninth Congressional District; more from WREG.

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey has appointed a Lottery Stabilization Task Force to monitor reserves and scholarships.

How much will health care reform end up costing TN?

TN Governor’s Race: Republican candidate Ron Ramsey says retiring House Majority Leader Jason Mumpower could have a role in his administration. Republican Bill Haslam says health care reform will cost the States and that money will have to come from somewhere. Speaking to workers at the Oak Ridge National Labs, Republican Zach Wamp compares the TN race to Florida’s gubernatorial race. Former gubernatorial candidate Van Hilleary is supporting Ron Ramsey.

Arkansas: A store in Stuttgart is the highest ticket sales location for the State Lottery. The City of West Memphis is paying to tear down blighted buildings. The state’s unemployment rate rises to 7.7% while personal income fell.

Memphis Fire Department: Firefighter Michael Garrison will be disciplined for bringing a weapon on City property.

Bartlett: The offices of Wickman Family Medical Care Center have been forfeited, with other assets of the owners.

Oakland: Closing arguments in mayor Richard Mullins’ trial. He is found guilty of all counts. More from WMC. He will remain on the ballot for Tuesday’s mayoral election.

DeSoto County: Horn Lake High School has opened a new Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps facility. The County school board has approved the final bids to complete the new County schools. Olive Branch police gave an open house for their new offices. The Gaming Commission has closed Boxcare Bingo (Fine Arts Institute of Mississippi) in Olive Branch. A look at the County’s free prescription drug discount card. A ruling on the application from Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital - Olive Branch could happen in weeks … or months. The County’s financial problems may not be as severe as some areas.

Tennessee: The e4TN online learning program will get Federal stimulus funds to help up to 60 school systems around the state. The TN State Employees Association believes it has a plan to save many of the State jobs being cut.

Porter-Leath: They have evolved over the years from an orphanage into a family support non-profit.

Google Fiber: More on Germantown’s entry into the contest.

Survey Says: The Bureau of Labor Statistics says TN unemployment has risen 88% in five years. Many other interesting statistics on Downtown.

NEW! Main Street Journal: Jonathan Devin takes us inside The Grove as Faith Baptist goes to camp.

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

Shelby County Races: The Commercial Appeal looks briefly at the Democratic primary candidates and Republican primary candidates for sheriff.

Downtown: Downtown living still mostly attracts single and retirees. Residential developers have spent $600 million on Downtown since 2000.

The Wharton Administration: Mayor A C Wharton teamed up with ServiceMaster to refute the “miserable” label the city obsesses over; more from WMC. Mayor Wharton says he’ll produce a balanced budget for next year; more from WREG. Are cuts to the police and/or fire departments coming? Why are labor unions being so cooperative with Wharton?

The Commercial Appeal continues to find questionable businesses practices in City business; more from WMC. Wharton said Sunday he’s searching for ways to increase African-American entrepreneurship. He is considering bringing back former employee Lorene Essex.

Charlie Vergos: Beloved restauranteur, founder of the Rendezvous and Downtown booster Charlie Vergos passed away Saturday. More from the Flyer, Fox13, Eyewitness News, WMC, WREG. Nick Vergos remembers his father.

Memphis City Schools: An internal audit has uncovered questionable spending in the Office of Coordinated Health. Teachers and staff at Chimneyrock Elementary School elect to stay with the County when it shifts to City control.

Mississippi: A new public records law has gone to Governor Haley Barbour for his signature. Dozens of north MS airports will share in $8.6 million in Federal improvement grants. Attorney General Jim Hood is still evaluating Federal health care reform legislation before deciding on a court challenge. The Legislature finally recessed until late April. Teachers may face an unpaid furlough. A bill to help create charter and “new start” schools is on the governor’s desk.

Mississippi Outdoors — the hunting, fishing and wildlife news — from the Commercial Appeal.

Business: Ike’s in Memphis will close down on April 23; more from Fox13. Ingram Micro may move from Millington to DeSoto County. U-Haul is expanding its Mendenhall operation to open a showroom directly onto the street.

A business profile of Southern Spoon, makers of HogWine BBQ sauce, from the Daily News. And from the Commercial Appeal, a business profile of Bluff City Refrigeration.

From the Commercial Appeal: What to Do for Saturday, Sunday and Monday: People in Business for Saturday, Sunday and Monday; Coming this week in business.

From the Small Business Advocate, common mistakes in searching for investor capital.

Real Estate: The foreclosed urban retail shopping project planned for Poplar and Cleveland may not be dead. More on the razed Anderton’s property owned by Crye-Leike Realty. Churches are defying the conventional wisdom on the new construction slowdown.

Spring Creek Ranch: After being caught up in the Stanford Financial mess, they are rebuilding their name.

West Tennessee: Officials from the National Main Street Center and Tennessee Main Street Program were in Martin to begin downtown revitalisation work. (via the NWTN Today) Mississippi River Corridor Tennessee had agency meetings in Dyersburg recently. The holdup on re-authorisation of the TN Wildlife Resources Agency is a “time-out” warning to the agency. (both stories via the Dyersburg State-Gazette)

Agriculture: The Federal deal to recompense black farmers for Ag Dept. discrimination, may fall apart. (second item)

University of Memphis: A bizarre accident in a campus parking garage. The annual Why Do You Hate Me? week starts today! The Off-Campus Housing Information Fair drew hundreds of students seeking cheap housing.

Independent Bank: The Daily News profiles the locally-owned bank, which is succeeding where other banks struggle. An interview with co-founder Susan Stephenson.

Memphis Zoo: One of our polar bears is on its way back home to Denver.

From the Rainbows: Getting ready for the Big Move and the “healing touch” for horses.

Former Mean Girl Seeks Same: The job search is not going well.

Fertile Ground: Stacey takes the kids to WKNO and hilarity erupts!

Joe Spake’s Weblog: He talks about being interviewed by and featured in the Daily News.

Student: Revisited: A trip across Mississippi and Alabama.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: A plug for Mark’s Menus and The City Taste group on Facebook. And pictures of his meal from Flight.

theology & geometry: On bird feeder wars, plant-crazed cats and babies that might be.

what would you ax it? Dave’s long talked-about book sale is finally coming about beginning this weekend. Egg/bacon sandwich of the gods and a new roommate.

What’s Going on Back There? Walt and Adam perform Star Wars: Episode III in their back yard.

MemphisShelbyInform: Joe gets some employee salary information from the City and the Sheriff’s offices and discovers some discrepancies.

Mediaverse: He has thoughts on print journalists and Twitter.

MAKE IT HAPPEN: Updates on the shower and the wedding, and on her latest race.

Jen Simmons: Twitter isn’t for everyone, just for any business that wants an edge. (via the Memphis News)

Commercial Appeal: A thank you to air ambulance crews. MCS’ threat to cripple charter schools isn’t bad, just bad PR? Rare unvarnished anger at supporters of the Health Freedom Act. Celebrating financial rewards for teachers who produce positive results. Divorce custody cases shouldn’t be squeezed into a legal cookie cutter mold.

The Gadfly: He argues Democrats are feral cats and Republicans are sheep. (via the Flyer)

Gregg Morton: The president of AT&T-TN supports the National Broadband Plan. (via the Jackson Sun)

Jackson Sun: A recession is no time for new cable taxes. (via the Jackson Sun)

Tennessean: The “English-only” bills in the Legislature risk the state’s economy and diversity. They also support the National Broadband Plan.

Otis L. Sanford: Fact-checking Councilman Joe Brown’s memories. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Chris Peck: Keeping the King of Rock relevant. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Lee Harris: Arguing for switching to a bike-topia. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Wendi C. Thomas: The Energy Doctor shows her she’s a bad housekeeper. (via the Commercial Appeal)