Memphis City Council: They are meeting today.

Memphis City Schools: Two coaches at Raleigh-Egypt High School are suspended with pay following an “altercation”. More from WMC, WREG. Also, WREG looks at the nutrition in a school lunch.

“Food Deserts”: A County program is helping grocers open markets in under-served neighborhoods.

Shelby County Commission: Picking a successor for retiring Judge Ann Pugh is likely a partisan affair.

Community Foundation of Greater Memphis: Their two main philanthropic funds had spectacular rates of return, which is good news for local agencies.

Flooding: FEMA assistance in the first week totalled $28 million. Forty-two counties are now qualified for Federal disaster relief. About 18,000 statewide have applied for disaster relief. Which State offices are closed for today. The Federal Housing Administration has put a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures in the flood disaster areas. Dozens of dogs and cats are waiting to be reclaimed by flood-displaced families.

You are reminded to verify the license of home contractors before starting work. Potholed, water-logged roads are also a danger.

The Obion and Mississippi Rivers are in slow decline. One-third of Millington was flood-damaged. Business owners are slowly trying to come back. Back to business in Dyersburg.

More White House representatives are in Memphis and Millington, touring the damage. Reports from Eyewitness News and again, WREG and the Commercial Appeal.

DeSoto County: The City of Horn Lake is looking toward grant money to help low-income residents buy a home. A look at Hernando’s curbside recycling program after one month. (both stories via the DeSoto Times Tribune) Regional officials are hoping the International Trade Corridor study will provide a planning path for the area into 2040.

Local Media: E. W. Scripps, parent company of the Commercial Appeal, posted almost $900,000 in Q1 losses, which was less than a year ago. Newspaper revenues continue to drop. The Daily News was awarded for their website, and reporter Andy Meek won the Malcolm Law award.

Business: Sitel is closing operations in Memphis; more in the Commercial Appeal. More on the Rum Boogie and its importance to Beale Street. Wright Medical Group is renovating a building in Arlington.

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

Beware of fraudulent travel agents.

Airlines: Pinnacle Airlines Corporation’s two subsidiaries reported differing, mixed results. A simple rule change has suddenly made the unionisation of airline and railroad workers much easier, prompting a threat of lawsuit.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra: Music Director Mei-Ann Chen was awarded a League of American Orchestras Grant as an Outstanding Woman Conductor.

Tennessee: The State Supreme Court has extended its filing deadline due to the flooding.

Main Street Journal: Jonathan Devin tries to wrap his head around the gender-swapped production of Julius Caesar from the Tennessee Shakespeare Company.

The Wharton Administration: Mayor A C Wharton announces some administrative moves. The City canceled its contract with About Town Tire and Trucking.

County Mayoral Race: Republican Mark Luttrell and Democrat Joe Ford face off today in their first debate; more in the CA. Gale Jones Carson, co-chairman of the Democratic Party campaign, urged Democrats to “hold your nose” and support the party’s nominees!

Bartlett: Difficulty in obtaining right of ways from owners along Appling Road has led to condemnation procedures to get the land.

Hickory Ridge Mall: One side-effect of the re-opening of the neighborhood anchor is the return of mall walkers.

Cooper Young Development Corporation: Executive Director Sutton Mora Hayes is resigning for a state-level policy organisation.

Politics: Republicans present a budget plan that relies on cutting one-time bonuses, rather than more tax increases. Still more on the NRA rep speaking to the House Republican Caucus just before a vote on the “gun carry in restaurants” bill.

The bill to prevent municipalities from setting traffic ticket quotas has gone to the governor. So does the bill to require DUI interlocks for more drunk driving convicts. The bill to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote passes the Senate; the CA also reports. The Senate also passed a bill allowing drivers license exams to be given in one of four languages.

Downtown: The Center City Revenue Finance Corporation meets today.

Governor’s Race: Now that the legislative session is ending, Lt Gov and State Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey is preparing to raise funds. Republican Bill Haslam has a new ad, stressing civility and issues; the Nashville City Paper calls it “begging for mercy”. When he was Knoxville’s mayor, Haslam pushed a property tax increase which he must now live down. Democrat Mike McWherter has logged thousands of miles across the state, so why is his profile so low? Three of the four major gubernatorial candidates appeared at a Nashville forum.

Arkansas: Nine counties have been filed for disaster relief by Governor Mike Beebe. An agreement between the Attorney General and Entergy will mean both higher rates and lower bills for most consumers.

Real Estate: Signs the local condo market is beginning to turn around.

Survey Says: Gas prices statewide are up 7 cents/gallon in the past two weeks.

Banking: Hard banking times are driving banks to ramp up customer attractions. Magna Bank’s Kirk Bailey says to expect bank consolidations in the near future.

Mississippi: State Representative Scott Bounds (of Philadelphia) has switched parties to become a Republican. Police departments across the state are having trouble finding physically-fit candidates.

Secret Agent Mom: She decides to get back in shape and shares her experience.

sharp stick in the eye: A whole lot of before pics of the new home.

Smart City Memphis: A full-on, no-holds-barred, screed against the NRA and State legislators. Arguing, via a guest poster, what the Bible says.

Lori Turner: Don’t be afraid to let your company’s personality shine through. (via the Daily News)

Richard Grant: Government interference in the law of supply and demand. (via the Tennessean)

Bill Theobald: Sorting out what’s important in the state’s “worst-ever natural disaster”. (via the Tennessean)

Richard Locker: Good thing Lt Gov Ron Ramsey didn’t “give the boot” to these money-laden Washintonians! (via the Commercial Appeal)

Commercial Appeal: The exceptional generosity of Wylodine Taylor Patton. They argue for stricter separation between City employees and their contractors.

Chick Chat: In a very trying time, her church helped her carry the load. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: Five ways to tell if your guy is lying, and a lot of extra tips.

The Intersection of Madness and Reality: Meet Walter Fitzpatrick, great American? Look closely at his photo.

Vegan Crunk: Three generations on a Mother’s Day picnic.

Thoroughly Modern Medusa: Let her tell you how much she loves her job.

theology & geometry: Reason #24 why so many regular bloggers burn out. And (sometime) Solution #17: redesigning your blog! And getting Mom into Century 21.

The Seaberry Experience: Graduations, Mixers, and Mourning: the weekend wrap-up.

The Morgans: The most amazing Mother’s Day present, a day late.

moodyredhead: She’s reactivating her blog. And here’s the first new post, on First Amendment rights.