Weekend Storms: Governor Phil Bredesen has declared 52 of the State’s 95 counties disaster areas; official press release. More on the declaration, from Eyewitness News and the Commercial Appeal. A list of State facilities that will be closed today. Elections in Davidson County (Nashville) will be delayed until May 18; the press release. The State House cancels most activities until Tuesday or later. Twenty-one confirmed dead in TN, KY and MS; 18 in Tennessee. Opryland will be closed “for months”. Shelby County EMA is out assessing the damage. Here’s the latest update from the Office of Emergency Preparedness. (As of last night.)

An amazing panorama photograph of the flooding in downtown Nashville. From the Nashville City Paper, slideshows of downtown Nashville and Franklin flooding. More Nashville damage from the Tennessean. Wolf River flooding has closed the greenway; more from WREG. US Representatives Marsha Blackburn and Steve Cohen tour the flood sites.

Want to help? Contact the Red Cross. Tennessee politicians release statements. U-Haul is offering 30 days free storage to West Tennesseans affected.

Flooding still poses a danger to small business. Pets are also among the affected. Storm cleanup in Raleigh-Frayser. Local banks are helping customers. Many tuned out the constant wail of tornado sirens Saturday. People are advised to keep records of repair expenses.

A massive roundup of news and photos is available in yesterday’s Main Street Journal post, including links to local photo galleries.

Millington Flooding: Because of flooding, the Navy has suspended promotions worldwide. Town is “struggling” but recovery begins. MLG&W will have to check out some areas before power is restored. Salvaging what they can, from WMC. Hundreds of families are still displaced. An auto dealer’s car lot is underwater. Looters are showing up, so be careful. Many had dropped their flood insurance.

Facebook page for Naval Support Activity Mid-South. Numbers to call for help. Millington’s official website.

Mary Winkler: WMC has an interview with the notorious widow.

Kadima Memphis Jewish High School: This year’s graduating class is both their first and last, unfortunately.

Beale Street Music Festival: No surprise, but attendance was down this year. Memphis in May president Jim Holt thinks the BSMF didn’t make money this year.

Business: Floratine Products Group will combine operations in one, new building. The recession is causing furniture stores to adapt or die out. The merger of United and Continental airlines may be good news for Memphis.

From the Commercial Appeal: People in Business, What to Do and Done Deals. Today’s Events in the Daily News.

Airline Industry: Baggage fees were a lucrative $2.7 billion revenue source.

FedEx: They are dropping their sponsorship of the Orange Bowl.

Arkansas: Four counties are being evaluated for disaster declarations. Then later, Governor Mike Beebe declares ten counties disaster areas.

West Tennessee: Elections are still on in Madison County. A roundup of storm news for Madison and Gibson Counties, from the Jackson Sun. State Senator Lowe Finney has flood relief information, and video of a flyover of the Jackson-area flooding. From the Dyersburg State Gazette, reports on the storm damage in Dyer County; road closures; and the declaration of a state of emergency; and school closures. Rising flood waters from the Forked Deer River. A report from Tipton County, via Eyewitness News; also a road collapse there. More on Tipton County roads from WMC and the Commercial Appeal.

Industrial Development Board: Expect to see more retention PILOTS in the future.

Leadership Memphis: They will honor graduates from their 2009-2010 program tonight.

Main Street Journal April 2010 Issue: Table of Contents is here. Publisher and Editor in Chief Jonathan Lindberg is encouraged when Memphis Pushes Back. The Shelby County Watchdog, and regular contributor here, Joe Saino discovers you’re being well over-taxed for The Three Hour Wait for vehicle inspection.

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

Shelby County Elections: Primary campaigns end today and voting is from 7AM to 7PM. You can get election, voting and results information from the Shelby County Election Commission. Will Democrats cross over to vote in Republican primaries? Eyewitness News profiles sheriff candidates Randy Wade and Bobby Simmons. How will storm woes affect turnout?

Local Media: A battle of talk show hosts as Thaddeus Matthews takes aim at the talker who took his slot, Ben Ferguson. Matthews has a lot to say on his blog.

Collierville: A contract has been let for the widening of Houston Levee Road. (via the Collierville Independent)

Metro Charter Commission: More on the move away from a civil service model.

Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum: They are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year.

Politics: Two people with differeing opinions on the “gun carry in restaurants/bars” bill. Possible complications of the “English-only drivers license” bill. A bill that would ensure deputy sheriffs can run for office is headed for passage; more from the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Three major forces are headed for collision in the State budget process. Dr Ron Kirkland, running in the Republican primary in the Eighth Congressional District, responds to critics of his stance on DADT.

Harold Ford Sr’s lobbying firm received $20,000 from Goldman Sachs in Q4/2009. The Flyer’s Jackson Baker has a report from the Shelby County Democratic Party’s Kennedy Day dinner.

Tennessee: Pediatric psychological crisis calls have risen in the State. A new State website offers caseload information on TN judges.

Bartlett: A look at the Crime Suppression Unit. (via the Bartlett Express)
 
 

Mississippi: Cleanup begins for affected areas. State tax collections fell short again in April.

Germantown: A report on the 21st annual Chamber of Commerce Business Expo held last week. (via the Shelby Sun Times) Drop in City revenues forces cuts to staffing to balance next year’s budget.

Oakland: Chris Patterson has been approved as the new City Attorney. (via the Oakland News)

DeSoto County: Next year’s school budget will be $17 million smaller; more in the Commercial Appeal. Olive Branch residents were surprised by the sudden waters. One possible jail location is struck from the list and a final decision is postponed. County residents tell Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organisation they want to preserve open spaces. The County was spared nearly all of the weekend storms’ fury.

Real Estate: A building across the street from 201 Poplar could become retail and office space. Mid-America Apartment Communities is going to repurchase some preferred stock. Declining risk index may be sign of recovering housing market.

Survey Says: Gasoline is averaging $2.76/gallon across the state. Consumer spending rose faster than income in March! A National Restaurant Association index is showing signs of a dining turnaround. Tennessee is rated number three for business.

I Love Memphis: Since mud is an inevitable with the Beale Street Music Festival, some folks learn to embrace it.

From the Rainbows: Smart enough to stay home during and after the storms.

Doug Johnson at Work: It’s a Downtown parking idea so crazy it just might work!

Cute Stew: Because she needed it, she started her Monday with some happy!

Lori Turner: How to avoid marketing “misfires”. (via the Daily News)

Joe Royer: Memphis risks losing a lot of people if it doesn’t get greener and more progressive. (via the Flyer)

Commercial Appeal: Those who can afford it should pay for City services. After the storm, analysing what can be done to minimise the damage from future record storms.

Chick Chat: Bashing misguided men. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Notes from Memphis: A delicious looking lamb couscous.

MemphisShelbyInform: Joe points out some of the hidden taxes you’re paying.

The Suggs: Someone had a play date!

Memphis Outsider: Yes, Midtown Video is permanently closed.

Midtown Stomp: A weekend dinner with friends and some Washington state wines.

One Half Amazing: In one quick chart, the difference between Marketing, PR, Advertising and Branding .

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: He went driving through rural West Tennessee and North Mississippi during the flooding.

Smart City Memphis: Looking to other City Councils and Commissions for an idea of the proper size. Reconsidering the civil service. Thoughts on how to view a glass partially filled with water.

Pretty in Pink Megan: She and her husband just celebrated their one year anniversary, so she offers some bridal dress advice.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: His lovely Downtown gets trashed up with Beale Street Music Fest “idiots”.

theology & gemoetry: Somehow, she only managed to shoot white people. Storms and leaks and crazy work.

The Soundcheck and the Fury: He was REJECTED BY THE NORMAL SCHOOL, whatever that means….

The MakeShift Revolution: This week’s mother of invention is Jenni from Memphis.

The Chockley Blogs: Meet the newest member of the family — Gidget.