Shelby County Elections: The Tri-State Defender offers their endorsements. And The Flyer’s Jackson Baker once more surveys the races. Fox13’s Les Smith bemoans the low turnout. Eyewitness News profiles Democratic sheriff’s candidate Reginald French. The Commercial Appeal profiles the County Commission District 2, Position 2 race between Henri Brooks and David W. Vinciarelli.

The Wharton Administration: The Commercial Appeal looks into the mayor’s new budget. Wharton is in Washington DC testifying on “predatory lending” and asks for “justice in lending”.

The Pyramid / Bass Pro Shops: City leaders were in Springfield yesterday to neet with BPS representatives. Loose ends remain.

Memphis City Council: A Council committee met last night to discuss the Capital Improvement Program budget.

Metro Charter Commission: Gerald Nicely, representing Nashville’s Metro government, is talking to the commission about their experiences.

Beale Street Music Festival: There’s now a smart-phone app for Memphis in May. Weather today will make the show touch-and-go.

Cohen v. Herenton: US Rep. Steve Cohen is touting his 100% rating from an environmental activist group.

Rat Patrol: City Councilman Jim Strickland and County Commissioner Mike Carpenter are trying to raise awareness of fighting the City’s rat problem. More from Eyewitness News, WMC.

Shelby County School Board: Sparks fly over the special funding district bill.

Michael Hooks Jr: The third part of their epic interview with Hooks, this part focused on jail time, release back into the world and life since.

Politics: How the disappearing “medical marijuana” bill got turned around in the Legislature. Who were the State Senators who voted against the “enhanced coverage assessment “?

The State Senate overwhelmingly passes the “English-only workplaces” bill. They also passed the “enhanced coverage assessment” to help with TennCare funding; the House will vote on it Monday. More on the assessment from the Knoxville News-Sentinel and WREG and the Commercial Appeal. Bills pass in both chambers requiring that once a voter is certified they cannot be purged due to technicalities on their registration; it now heads to the governor. The Senate passed a bill banning “vicious dog ownership” by convicted felons. The Senate passes a “gun carry in restaurants & bars” bill; reconciliation with the House version is next.

In the Eighth Congressional District race, Dr Ron Kirkland takes a shot at Stephen Fincher’s dedication to the Republican Party.

Mississippi: MSU is promoting and facilitating bike usage on campus. Governor Haley Barbour says he’ll use private funds coordinated with a non-profit Hurricane Katrina account to help with damage from last weekend’s tornados. The State is preparing for the arrival of the oil slick in the Gulf.

Wolf River Conservancy: They have bought the Hall-Franklin tract along the Ghost River.

Governor’s Race: With the three major Republican candidates coming to Memphis to earn his endorsement, Shelby County Attorney General Bill Gibbons is using the opportunity to press his crime concerns. But former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kim McMillan has endorsed Mike McWherter; the press release. (DOC format) Republican Zach Wamp has now released his tax returns, as has McWherter. A look at Republican Bill Haslam’s stance and accomplishments on education.

Dearick Stokes: Stokes won’t face any charges for his escape? His father and brother have been charged for helping him hide out.

Tennessee: Restaurants at eight State Parks will offer Mother’s Day lunch buffets. Today is “No Phone Zone Day” in the campaign against distracted driving.

Real Estate: Foreclosures in Memphis fell in Q1. The former Dixie Mart department store on Lamar gets another life.

Holly Springs: A “Main Street meet’n'greet” has shown public interest in the downtown-building program. The City is either finishing up or starting a number of new road projects. (stories via the South Reporter)

Tennessee: Calls to the youth crisis lines are up. Census-takers begin their door-to-door canvas on Saturday.

VOTE! Main Street Journal Sample Ballot: The Main Street Journal offers its endorsements for the May 4 Primary in Shelby County. Whether you agree or disagree, be sure to vote May 4. Your vote counts! Download here. (PDF document)

SNEAK PEEK: May’s Main Street Journal: Editor and publisher Jonathan Lindberg reminds us of our civic duty, On Voting.

BREAKING! David Kernell Guilty: Kernell has been found guilty on two of the counts against him: misdemeanor unauthorised computer access and felony obstruction of justice. He was acquitted on one charge. The other was declared mistrial: felony identity theft. The possible sentences he faces. More reports from the Flyer, WMC, Eyewitness News.

The jury has reached three verdicts, but is stuck on the fourth. Deliberations continued through yesterday afternoon and will resume today. The Associated Press reports. More from WREG.

The Main Street Journal’s archive of early reporting in the case.

Downtown: As expected, work began yesterday on the elevated pedestrian bridge connecting the Humphreys School of Law and Confederate Park; more from WMC. An update on the Poplar & Cleveland redevelopment project that never happened. New Uptown development seeks to bring in mixed-use business.

The MED Foundation: The Daily News talks with executive director Tammie Ritchey.

Commercial Appeal: The Newspaper Guild of Memphis will vote on the final contract offer from the paper next weekend.

MATA: Expecting further cuts in funding from the City, they will again reduce routes in August and institute new fares.

DeSoto County: One neighborhood in Southaven faces a rash of auto burglaries. The site study committee for the new County jail says it will consider many sites, beyond just the ones approved the the State Attorney General. Information on the observance of the National Day of Prayer in Hernando.

Metro Charter Commission: Suggestion they’ll recommend no civil service in the new metro government is angering a lot of City and County workers.

Shelby County Sheriff: Two deputies who got into a fight over politics have been relieved of duty.

Volunteer Mid-South: They honored 21 people at their Spirit of Giving Awards.

Arkansas: For the first time, Dr Trent Pierce is talking about the car-bombing that nearly took his life, via WMC.

AFSCME Local 1733: New union president Warren Cole promises to fight further privatisation of City jobs.

Memphis Farmers Market: Rain or shine, this Saturday is their fifth anniversary. Many activities planned.

The Trolley Stop Market on Madison is another “year ’round” farmers market.

Marketing Fast Forward: Sponsored by Lipscomb & Pitt, this free workshop — part of a professional development course — focused on branding and loyalty.

Business: Hilton Hotels has announced six new locations for their Home2 Suites brand. Revenues were up, but profits down, for International Paper; more from the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal. Medtronic agrees to buy ATS Medical; more in the CA.

The Black Chamber of Commerce is opening a Memphis chapter. Management hiring is rising, but not so much in Memphis.

A business profile of Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson, in the Commercial Appeal.

Today’s Events, from the Daily News. And from the CA, What to Do and People in Business.

Valero: A fire broke out at their Memphis refinery yesterday. One worker was injured. More reports from Fox13, WMC, WREG and the Commercial Appeal and again.

FedEx: Congress has again delayed the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization law, this time until July 3.

Mid-South Angel Network: This partnership between Innova Memphis and the Memphis Bioworks Foundation seeks to help others co-invest in promising start-ups.

Memphis Business Group on Health: Their annual awards luncheon recognised local hospitals for “best odds of survival” for high-risk surgery.

Financial: Shareholders of BancorpSouth voted against annual board elections. Morgan Keegan has been granted an administrative hearing on charges of fraud and misleading investors; more in the Commercial Appeal.

Jen-sized: Some sharp criticism of the Memphis in May / Beale Street Music Fest organisers.

Former Mean Girl Seeks Same: “Life handed Dearick Stokes lemons, eggs, a pie crust, eagle brand milk, a preheated oven and sugar; and you know what he made with it? A puddle of yellow gloop on the sidewalk.” Today’s must read.

Can’t Stop: Team McGraw at the Country Music Marathon.

North Mississippi Commentor: How to make a “modified” scofflaw and homemade grenadine.

One-Half Amazing: He’s seriously soliciting your opinions on what to do with his website.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: I don’t think this is going to end well.

The Seaberry Experience: One of the more interesting weekends I’ve read about. He also shares his first stand-up experience!

The Intersection of Madness and Reality: Thoughts on Sandra Bullock’s real life The Blind Side.

Smart City Memphis: What does it mean for kids to be “ready for school”? Part two of yesterday’s post on city branding.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Best. Endorsement. Ever.

The Soundcheck and the Fury: He finds a Jim Dickinson quote on Memphis. The difference between music and newspapers.

theology & geometry: Cat blogging. The magical golden mushroom.

Thoroughly Modern Medusa: Homemade pop tarts.

Vegan Crunk: She tries some Kungaloosh iced teas.

Commercial Appeal: In the face of devastating forecasts, still some rah-rah for the Beale Street Music Festival. Both listen to and ignore the voters in picking a DeSoto County jail site?

Reginald Tate: The State Senator talks about two bills in the Legislature focusing on crime. (via the Tri-State Defender)

Brittany Jackson: As her senior year winds down, she talks about the experience. (via the Tri-State Defender)

Maia Ajanaku- Locke: Thoughts on the power of words. (via the Tri-State Defender)

Dan Conaway: Racial reconciliation begins man to man. (via the Daily News)

Persian Pit Bull: The agony of defeat in the Wine Race.

Bring me penguin dust: How not to fart in public.