Preservation: A report from Eyewitness News on the informational meeting about preventing the demolition of the Union Avenue Methodist Church.

Memphis City Schools: The newly-formed Memphis City Schools Foundation has already raised or had committed $12.1 million as part of the Gates Foundation grant-matching. Seven City schools will have new principals when the next school year starts.

The Wharton Administration: The City’s contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson to collect delinquent taxes is under serious review. An amazing new technique for lowering government payrolls: reducing salaries for the highest-paid.

West Memphis Shootings: Jerry Kane’s widow, Donna Wray, is now claiming there was a conspiracy in the death of her husband and step-son. There are various fundraisers to help the families of Officers Brandon Paudert and Bill Evans. Discussions about “arming up” law enforcement to overpower criminals.

Economic Club of Memphis: The ambassador of Tunisia, Habib Mansour, returns to Memphis after Memphis in May to talk about strengthening commercial and cultural ties between us.

Memorial Day Weekend: The AAA AutoClub South is offering free rides and tows home over the weekend.

City of Memphis: Keeping public swimming pools clean is hard work.

Tennessee Waltz: FOX13’s Les Smith looks back on the fifth anniversary of the historic political bust. In a somewhat related story, FBI Special Agent My Harrison, also part of Tennessee Waltz, appeared on Fox13 to answer viewer questions; more on Harrison from Eyewitness News.

Hispanic Memphis: It has been learned that 26 people have been detained for deportation in the ICE raids this week. Google translation here. (via La Prensa Latina) A man was robbed in his home by two men wearing fake ICE uniforms, claiming they were the real thing.

Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center: The grand opening of the new hospital is barely three weeks away.

Christ Community Health Centers: The Commercial Appeal with a story on the documentary about CCHC airing tonight on WKNO.

Looney Ricks Kiss Architects: The bankrupted firm will transition to a new company, LRK Inc..

Business: While sales for Fred’s climbed in Q1, their profits slipped; more from the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal. The Memphis franchise of Parmasters is shutting down in a few days.

From the Commercial Appeal, What to Do and People in Business.

GTx: Bad news about the most recent clinical trials of their drug toremifene led to a serious stock slide.

Baptist Memorial Medical Group: They are opening a primary care office in Lakeland.

Tennessee: Sixteen Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers are visiting 16 counties designated for recovery assistance over the next few days. The surprise of Governor Phil Bredesen’s trip to China was … Vietnam.Groundbreaking yesterday for the lithium-ion battery plant for the new Nissan Leaf, in Smyrna.

Memphis Zombie Massacre: Join the shuffling, groaning, brain-eating hordes Friday evening, downtown. Get there early if you need help with getting made up. MySpace page here. TheoGeo’s Flickr pool of photos from MZM 2007 and more photos from FearlessVK.

Glankler, Brown: Attorney Hunter Humphreys has been named a Real Estate SuperLawyer by Corporate Counsel magazine.

DeSoto County: Pain and optimism as old schools close to make way for new schools opening in the Fall.

Real Estate: Chandler Reports has introduced a new 2010 Tax Kit that can help homeowners lower their tax bills. Barboro Flats on Main Street, will start pre-leasing.

MATA: The City Council voted down funding for the light rail proposal.

Janis Fullilove: She sits down with WMC’s Janice Broach to talks about her troubles.
 

Memorial Day Weekend: The Tennessee Highway Patrol will have more than 70 checkpoints set up.

MAIN STREET JOURNAL ONLINE: Long-time contributing Finances & Economics writer Chuck Bates, host of News & Views on the Information Radio Network, has his column, On The Money, available on the website. Read it here.

Regional Medical Center: Losing the Hospital Wing ownership does mean a $4.4 million writedown; more news at the link. And while the most desperate of financial problems are staved off for now, real long-term problems remain.

Memphis v. Nashville: The Nashville Area Metropolitian Planning Office unveiled their ambitious plan for mass and public transit in Middle Tennessee by 2035.

Downtown: A hearing on the Plush Club that might evict it from Beale Street has been delayed to next month; more from Eyewitness News.

Tim DiScenza: After announcing his retirement two days ago, yesterday it was announced the Tennessee Waltz prosecutor will become the the new chief disciplinary counsel of the State’s Court of the Judiciary. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Flood Recovery: Code inspectors are inspecting trailers in Frayser for health risks.

Politics: A study shows that five years into Obamacare, the State could add another 500,000 people to Medicaid rolls.

Negotiations over the State’s budget appear to be stuck over a one-time $500 stipend as opposed to a general raise. Closed-door meetings may signal a deal is near. The Democratic plan would set aside $20 million for flood aid.

The “super speeder” bill that was dead has been revived in the Senate! More in the CA.

Governor Phil Bredesen expects a veto override on the “gun carry in restaurants” bill.

Eighth Congressional District Race: The campaign ad for Republican Stephen Fincher looks just a tad too generic; more from Nashville Post Politics and the Jackson Sun. The Jackson Sun also wraps up their series of candidate questionnaires with Republican Randy Smith and two independents: Mark Rawles and Donn Janes.

Mississippi: Some state Democrats are challenging a Circuit Court consent decree, claiming it changes State election law. Unemployment was down in April: 10.7%. Health insurance costs for State employees will go up on January 1. Harrah’s in Tunica has donated a new van to their local Meals on Wheels program; more in the Commercial Appeal. Several groups are working to raise funds to bring the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall to Corinth.

Governor’s Race: The Daily News’ Bill Dries has analysis from Tuesday’s WKNO gubernatorial forum; more stories and links. And the Flyer’s Jackson Baker has a short report. The gubernatorial debate from last weekend’s Tea Party Coalition convention is now available online. Republican Zach Wamp has picked up a number of important endorsements here in Shelby County. He’s also gotten a “thumbs up” from US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. And Wamp seems to have called opponent Bill Haslam a “sissy wannabe”. The next gubernatorial debate is set for July at Belmont University and will feature Democrat Mike McWherter sitting in with the Republicans.

Collierville: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a study of raised medians on Highway 72.

Financial: Three research analysts with Morgan Keegan were recognised in a survey of the Best of the Street by the Wall Street Journal.

TV Pitch People: Fox13 has a pair of pieces about some famous local pitchpeople: Bob Berkheimer, the Royal Furniture girl, the “Lemme kill yer weeds” guy and more!

Fayette County: Oakland has accepted an offer from the County to split the costs of a flood study of Northwoods Estates. Richard Jewell has been approved as the town’s new chief of police. Four Southwest TN colleges may be collaborating to bring a campus to the County. (via the Oakland News)

Arkansas: A deal has been reached between Entergy Arkansas and the Public Service Commission for a base rate increase. An advocacy group says up to two-thirds of the state’s kids are eligible for the ARKids First program, but aren’t enrolled; more from WREG. The Marion Animal Shelter may have to euthanise dozens of animals because of massive overcrowding conditions. US Senator Blanche Lincoln says she won’t debate primary rival Bill Halter.

I’ll be the one in heels: Advice for Lindsay, one drunk to another.

FIX MEMPHIS: Not sure what a handicat is, but it sure looks like fun.

Gotta Be Gritty: Ah, here you go. Almost an explanation of what a handicat is. And it still sounds like fun.

Fertile Ground: Stacey’s fantasy to-do list. Project Green Fork’s Spring Supper was a sushi bonanza.

Ray and Dana Brandon: As the economy, and your income, rebound it’s wise to splurge with caution.

Commercial Appeal: A thank you and farewell to Tim DiScenza. Thoughts on “right-sizing” City government.

Wendi C. Thomas She tells the story of the Holocaust Torah and its sad end in Memphis. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Because I Said So: In their family, the end of school means the end of structured living. (via the Commercial Appeal)

i think? Your funny graphic of the day: Expectations versus reality.

theology & geometry: Hassles with the post office.

Cute Stew: Who says women can’t play with dolls?

Cwabs! He’s moving to Nashville and needs a home for some cats.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Your factoid of the day: did more people go target shooting or bowling last year?

MemphisConnect: Some photographs taken along the Wolf River Trail at Shelby Farms. The two-day Memphis Hates You Festival is this weekend. (It’s OK, it’s an underground music festival.)

Memphis Mathews: Not-quite-baby-anymore pictures.

Memphis Cobblestones: Parsing the City Council’s decision to fund the Beale Street Landing. And Mike’s remarks to the City Council.

Just A Girl in the World: On babies and thank you notes and bedtime reading.

The Conservative Zone: Calling out the Commercial Appeal’s editorialists. And he’s still geeking out over his iPad.

The Chubby Vegetarian: A version of the old Squash Blossom’s cashew noodle salad.

The Gates of Memphis: Saving the Union Avenue United Methodist Chursh.

The MakeShift Revolution: Another fantasy to-do list.

Air Traffic Mike’s: It’s the return of Splitty the Maul!

16 Balls in the Air: “There is nothing quite like a baby.”