Shelby County Elections: The Bartlett Express has a county-POV report of Monday’s debate between Sheriff Mark Luttrell and Interim Mayor Joe Ford. The complete list of candidates, in several formats, via The Daily Docket.

Marina Cove Apartments: The City will spend about $1.7 million to acquire and demolish the property.

Midtown Overlay: WREG has a report looking at the new zoning regulations and design guidelines being proposed. CVS’ plan to build a pharmacy in place of the old Union Avenue United Methodist Church has hit a snag.

West Memphis Shootings: In response to the devastation wrought by the Kanes, Police Chief Bob Paudert wants AR-15s for his beat officers.

Fourth of July: There will be no fireworks over the Mississippi River this year.

Eighth Congressional Race: Independent-Tea Party candidate Donn Janes calls out the Gibson County Tea Party on its endorsement of Republican Stephen Fincher.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: Interim chancellor Steve Schwab has been recommended as the next chancellor. More from the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal.

Cohen v. Herenton: Is US Rep. Steve Cohen’s hard-line stance on debating opponent Willie Herenton backfiring on him? Cohen sided with environmentalists against an oil pipeline inside the continental United States.

Elvis Presley Enterprises: An investor has been found for CKx, Inc., the majority owners of EPE. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Real Estate: Along with other construction and real estate trends, architectural billings fell in May. Home sales fell off a cliff.

Arkansas: The Blue Ribbon Committee on Highway Finance will delay its final report until closer to the start of the next Legislative session. The State’s Crime Victims Reparations Board has paid out $275,000 to victims this year. Attorneys for Dr Randeep Mann, accused in the Trent carbombing case, want allegations of drug distribution kept out of court; more from Eyewitness News. Mexican nationals can now get better health care, thanks to Ventanilla de Salud. “Black and Unwanted” billboards are getting noticed.

West Tennessee: Former Dyer County sheriff Thomas Cribbs was arrested on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm; more from Fox13. FEMA director Craig Fugate continued his tour of the regional flood recovery with a visit to Dyer County. Election Commission officials have begun the process of verifying new voter registrations. (previous stories via the Dyersburg State Gazette) “Gathering momentum” at the Discovery Park of America.

Heat Wave: Shelby County is purchasing more air conditioners to give to the needy; more from Eyewitness News, the CA and Fox13. The brutal temperatures are taking a toll on our firefighters. Edward Hampton is buying and donating fans to the “Fans for Seniors” program, in hopes of serving as an example.

Medtronic: They are projecting healthy revenues and earnings per share but just below analyst expectations. More reports from the Daily News.

Business: Verso Paper is converting a Michigan mill to use renewable biomass for its energy needs. A former steel manufacturing mill in Arlington has been purchased by Gerdau Ameristeel. Brothers-in-law have bought 5 of the 11 CK’s Coffee Shops here in Memphis. Cracker Barrel plans to crank up its growth this year.

Today’s Events, from the Daily News. Achievements in Business and What to Do, from the Commercial Appeal.

Survey Says: The Peabody Hotel’s rooftop parties were ranked in the nations’ top ten. A McGraw-Hill Construction survey shows construction projects awarded in May were double the previous year — nearly all infrastructural. TN has been a “laggard” in attracting and spending Federal stimulus funds. FedEx and International Paper made a list of Best Place to Work in IT. The Business Roundtable says CEO plans for hiring are at a three year high!

Memphis International Airport: There will be celebrations today of the 15th anniversary of the first Memphis-Amsterdam non-stop flight.

Volunteer Mid-South: They held a Memphis Teen Volunteer Summer Fair to encourage teens to get involved and show ways to do it.

NEW! Main Street Journal: Senior writer and online editor Michael Roy Hollihan examines the “trust issue” with mayoral candidates Mark Luttrell and Joe Ford.

MATA Transit: Today is another Code Orange Ozone Alert day. Twenty-five cent fares.

Center City Commission: Outgoing president Jeff Sanford will make his final report to the CCC board today.

Memphis City Council: The Daily News Bill Dries on Monday’s City Council meeting.

Shelby County Schools: The SCS will use their share of “Race to the Top” funds for professional development of teachers.

DeSoto County: Residents in Hernando are petitioning to block annexation of the site for the new County jail. A blighted property in Eudora is a cause for concern; there is no fire hydrant nearby, either. Using food stamps at the farmers market? The Horn Lake offices of the American Contract Bridge League are about to open. Some DeSoto County towns are among the leaders of the Mississippi Municipal League.

Bartlett: In finally approving the 2011 budget, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen froze their pay and changed the raises for full-time City employees.

Tennessee: After five years, the University of Tennessee reached its one-billion dollar fundraising goal. More on the “green jobs” survey.

TVA: They have restarted the Generation Partners program after a short moratorium.

Memphis Police Association: Former president, Tommy Turner, has pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds. The Commercial Appeal has more.
 

Memphis Police Department: A recent Supreme Court action may have paved the way for a resolution to the discrimination case of 40 lieutenant hopefuls.

Politics: Governor Phil Bredesen calls Republican efforts against illegal immigration “chest-thumping”. A report from a panel on political civility hosted by first lady Andrea Conte.

Bredesen signs the “English in the workplace” bill.

Well Fargo Lawsuit: A profile from the Daily News of attorney Webb Brewer, of Brewer and Barlow, who are representing the City of Memphis in the “predatory lending” lawsuit.

Peabody Hotel Group: They will be soon be opening a $450 million expansion of The Peabody Orlando.

Orange Mound Outreach Ministries: Their “I Love Orange Mound” summer cleanup program is slowly having an effect. More from Eyewitness News.

Metro Charter Commission: A special joint City Council - County Commission meeting this afternoon will hear a progress report and findings from the commission. You can follow the hearing live on the web. County Commissioner Mike Carpenter is likely to post constant updates via Twitter. (@mikecarpenter1)

Governor’s Race: Governor Phil Bredesen yesterday endorsed Democrat Mike McWherter; more from the Tennessean. The chairman of the TN Democratic Party, Chip Forrester, claims this is an important development for McWherter. Chris Devaney, chairman of the State’s Republican Party, responds. Radio talk show host Steve Gill calls it “the kiss of death”. McWherter says his campaign is where he wants it to be.

Republican Ron Ramsey is claiming endorsements by various Tea Party groups. Ramsey also talks about keeping his roles as Lieutenant Governor and candidate separate. (via the Kingsport Times News) Dr Arthur Laffer, of the “Laffer Curve” and the Reagan administration, has endorsed Bill Haslam; more from In Session.

Previously Posted: More on the Memphis Coalition for Advanced Networking (MCAN), a research/communications initiative. More on the redesigned Memphis Area Association of Realtors website. More on the construction of the new chemical engineering building at Austin Peay State University.

Bellevue Baptist Church: More on the softball team dropped from the church league. WMC reports (with video of his sermon).

Persian Pit Bull: That’s where she’s been.

No Rococo: She took her son to the June Rock-N-Romp, and took lots of photos.

My Path is Wide Open: She’s trying detox tea.

Scribblescrawl: The Brooks Museum is zombie friendly. Who knew?

Meredith Jubilee and Madeline Jane: Meredith is already a savvy, skeptical consumer.

I Love Memphis: A more forgiving review of Memphis Beat. The next round of the BBQ challenge is Germantown Commissary v. Captain John’s.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: His thoughts on Memphis Beat.

Shaun Fossett: Ten reasons he’ll never go near Facebook again.

The Intersection of Madness and Reality: Jesus, women, church and Tyler Perry.

The Conservative Zone: A personal story of the difference between a hand up and a handout.

The Chubby Vegetarian: Some “hard fought tips” on making muffins and a recipe for blueberry muffins.

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: I won’t even try to summarise this rant, though it’s really mild by Steve’s standards.

Smart City Memphis: In praise of the UDC and some zoning codes. When do women get their turn? Promoting bicycling.

The Seaberry Experience: It’s a little late, but it’s the weekend wrapup.

Then’s The Rules: Breaking it off, to then learn that he was a good guy.

Wendi C. Thomas: She argues for “parental responsibility”, and beating parents instead of paddling students, but has no plan. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Because I Said So: Finding rites of passage for kids in the modern, technological world. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Commercial Appeal: Dealing with blight. The oil must flow, but with the usual caveats.

Ray and Dana Brandon: Individual investing can be dangerous. (via the Daily News)

Tennessean: Opposition to a mosque in Rutherford County is “outright intolerance”.

Rev Dan Rosemergy Don’t let extremists define a religion. (via the Tennessean)

Carlton M. Lewis: Discipline, structure and a longterm commitment will help troubled youth turn their lives around. (via the Tennessean)

Writing’s for the Birds: The making of a bridezilla.

Weeden Arts Watch: Momentum in public art in Memphis.

Vegan Crunk: It’s Summer and time for corn and … bbq tempeh? And, locally made soy.