City of Memphis: The FBI is investigating two auto-repair contracts from the previous administration. Some Memphians are experiencing delays in getting new garbage cans.

Poplar Avenue: While MLG&W does utility work, the far-righthand lanes near Yates will be closed intermittently, until about May 7.

ATRunner: A new Memphis-to-Nashville rural bus service will have its grand opening on April 28 at Central Station.

Farmers Markets: This year has seen an explosion in markets around the Mid-South.

Memphis City Schools: The New Teacher Project has hundreds of applicants who will try to turn around City schools in two years. The first graduating class of Southwind High School hopes First Lady Michelle Obama will speak at commencement. Frederick Curry, principal of East High School, has been suspended pending an investigation; more from Fox13, WMC, WREG.

Politics: Pastor J. L. Armstrong of the Christian United Baptist Church in Frayser preached from the pulpit Sunday to the tea party movment, “in firm support” of the Affordable Care Act.

Legislation making its way through the Assembly would establish a veteran’s medal program for the State. The bill to amend red light traffic camera laws would largely gut the financial motive?

The leaders of the Tea Party Express have released a list of Democrats they consider targets. Both former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Governor Phil Bredesen believe the “Health Care Freedom” Acts will fail.

Governor’s Race: For Demcrat Mike McWherter, his father’s name will only carry him so far. At a stop last week, Republican Bill Haslam talked workforce development. Haslam also quietly released a new campaign TV ad.Fellow Republican Zach Wamp appeared on Steve Gill’s radio show to talk about Ron Ramsey’s “dirty tricks”. A report on Bill Haslam’s Tax Day campaign stop in Memphis. All the candidates talk about Governor Phil Bredesen’s tax plan.

One Million Mentors: Author Michael Baisden was in Memphis to recruit mentors for youth. Official website here.

Arkansas: The Legislature has delayed implementing new, stricter day care standards because of the costs of compliance. Arkansas unemployment rose to 7.8%. The Board of Trustees for the University of AR system voted to increase tuition next Fall.

Eighth Congressional District Race: Republican candidate Stephen Fincher is now claiming five straw poll wins. Dr Ron Kirkland is beginning his “Ask Dr Ron” tour. From the Center for Responsive Politics, a breakdown of campaign cash among all the candidates.

Russwood Park: It was fifty years ago yesterday that fire destroyed this venerable baseball field.

Mississippi: Governor Haley Barbour is privately considering a run for president. Lawmakers say they’ve reached a budget deal. The state’s unemployment rate remains at 11.5%. A school district in Walthall County has been ordered to stop racially segregating student transfers. Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann is promising to check into non-profit groups.

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

Beer Board: How a simple but questionable application by The Daq has turned into a “political minefield” for a number of elected and appointed officials.

Financial: A smaller-than-expected quarterly loss for First Horizon; more from theBusiness Journal, the Daily News. The Bank of Bartlett is expecting a small Q1 profit.

Orphanos Foundation: This Christian non-profit, founded by Wayne Sneed, tries to help orphaned children in developing countries.

Stanford Financial Group: Why did it take years for regulators to act?

Beale Street: Apparently, the City won’t try for a settlement and the case against Performa Entertainment is headed to court.

Habitat for Hope: This retreat for families of children with serious illness is expanding with the help of volunteers.

InMotion Orthopaedic Research Center: Incoming executive director Larry Foster is working closely with his predecessor, and founder, to keep the company at the same high level.

BREAKING! 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)

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

Shelby County Races: The Commercial Appeal profiles the County Commission race between Terry Roland and George Chism. There is a shortage of Republican poll watchers in Shelby County. The Memphis News has a special section of stories on County races: Democratic mayoral primary; Sheriff’s race; County Commission; County Clerk; Criminal Court Clerk; Probate Court Clerk.

More and more people are beginning to ask why the taxpaying public is paying for private party primaries.

Census 2010: If you didn’t send in your census form, prepare for a visit from them! The census also means more money for children.

Memphis Police Department: A jury reconvenes today to continue deliberations in the trial of former officer Bridges McRae. Further reports from Fox13, Eyewitness News. Fox13’s Les Smith talks about videotape evidence in jury trials. The Bartlett Police Department investigation into the shooting of Malcolm Shaw has cleared the officer involved, Patrick Cici; more from WMC.

Terminated police officer J. D. Sewell, also the president of the Memphis Police Association, has been reinstated by the City’s Administrative office and will be suspended instead. And more on the from Eyewitness News, WREG.

Memphis Charter Commission: Julie Ellis, the commission’s chairman, claims a County Commissioner is trying to “undermine” their work.

Rev Dr Benjamin L. Hooks: Arrangements have been announced for his visitation and funeral; more from Fox13, Eyewitness News, WMC. At his old church, Greater Middle Baptist Church, a deep remembrance; more on his former congregation from Eyewitness News; WMC.

Cohen v. Herenton: Former mayor Willie Herenton has debuted a new campaign website.

Scams: A woman claiming to work for MIFA is ripping off people trying to pay MLG&W bills; more from WREG

Memphis Bioworks: Their next Business Association Luncheon is Thursday, on “Insightful Discussion on Bioscience Technology”.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: They will be holding various events in observance of National Minority Health Month this Friday and next week.

Tennessee: The State is hiring the unemployed to deal with lines at unemployment and assistance offices. The new chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority is Dennis Bottorff. WREG discovers the State’s sex offender registry doesn’t record aliases.

Huey’s: A massive celebration on Sunday as the Memphis restaurant and institution turns 40. Remember that a portion of proceeds in the month of April also benefit the Church Health Center!

Business: The latest SurveyMemphis on economic views is trending positive. Some local entrepreneurs are defying the recession. Eight TN companies made the Fortune 500 list for 2010.

From the Commercial Appeal, a business profile of Keepsakes by Melony.

From the Commercial Appeal: What to Do for Sunday and Monday; People in Business for Saturday and Sunday; Coming this Week in business. And from the Daily News, Today’s Events.

Memphis and Shelby County International Airport: The Iceland volcano is having effects on air traffic as far away as Memphs. The airport will be a “key player” in 2011 China summit.

In a somewhat related story, Pinnacle Airlines ground employees rejected an early agreement.

DeSoto County: Dozens of volunteersr came out for Horn Lake’s Great American Cleanup Day. Also in Hernando, retail and housing construction is up. The Regional Utility Authority will get an update this week on the Johnson Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility. Lee’s Summit Park in Hernando is playing host to the United Way’s kid’s “Wonder Trail”. School officials worry that 50 jobs could be lost if the budget isn’t settled soon.

A report on campaign fundraising in Mississippi’s First District. Some Republican candidates appeared at the tea party event in Hernando last week.

Notes from Memphis: A New York style pizzeria is coming to The Pinch, and she shares a slew of photos from around downtown. And more photos, from the Africa in April and Crawfish Festivals.

Reginald Milton’s A Fresh Look: A candidate for local office talks about the perils of taking positions.

Tom Pease: Good business leadership means personalised training for your employees. (via the Daily News)

Gail Kerr: State Democrats could sabotage Republican primaries but likely won’t. (via the Tennessean)

Commercial Appeal: Kirk Whalum and and the Soulsville Foundation is “reason to be optimistic”. More faith in NASA than in private, start-up space companies? The paper recommends Deidre Malone for the Democratic primary. In the Sheriff’s race primaries, they recommend Democrat Randy Wade and Republican Bill Oldham.

Otis L. Sanford: Slavery was the root cause of the Civil War. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Chris Peck: For a change, he talks about a real newsroom experience! (via the Commercial Appeal)

Michael Kelley: Preservationists as interpreters of “the pulse of the community” versus developing the next generation of that community from the present built environment. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Wendi C. Thomas: Haiti earthquake victims still need our help. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Sid Salter: In the discussion of Confederate History Month, governor Haley Barbour had a valid point about “gotcha” politics. (via the DeSoto Times Tribune)

Jan Knight: Looking for and averting school bullying. (via the DeSoto Times Tribune)

Steve Maroney: Democrat Roy Herron has a problem in the Eighth District — the voters. (via the Jackson Sun)

David H. Lillard: The State Treasurer talks about the Criminal Injuries Compensation program. (via the Jackson Sun)

Memphis Cobblestones: OK, this comparison may be a bit much.

Memphis Daily News Blog: It’s a good week for The MED. Men in heels marching for the women they love.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: He has pictures from the Rajun Cajun fest. For only $100,000, you could live Downtown! And pictures from the Hot Wing Fest! And then Thursday’s Block Party and the Peabody Rooftop Party. Man, he’s turning into Memphis RSVP.

Lemonslush: Hunters should respect or acknowledge the life the take.

Lang Wiseman’s Random Thoughts: Turning t-shirts into a keepsake quilt. A quick naval/political joke for you.

Egotistical Whining: Thoughts on the “work of performing femininity”.

16 Balls in the Air: One hard and fast rule of raising four boys.

Barefoot in Memphis: A childhood picture leads to thoughts about favorite shirts.

Bigger Than Your Head: The tale of Mary Sue, the pizza-flinging dog.

Cwabs! How he came to be the bottom half of a hamburger bun at a Redbirds game. With embarrassing photo!

Dining With Monkeys: She and the boys go back to Sekisui Midtown for a follow-up review.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: He revives weekend cigar blogging!

Smart City Memphis: Some of the issues in the County school board race. “It’s not about telling our story different, but having a different story to tell.”

The Chockley Blogs: Last week in review, mostly about the kids.

The English Major Bookstore: A couple of book reviews and drop by her blog and leave a comment, why dontcha?

The Intersection of Madness and Reality: Guest blogger thoughts on slavery, heritage and the neo-Confederates of today.