Bass Pro Shops: They have signed a twenty-year lease for the Pyramid, with seven five-year extensions. The City Council will vote on it later this month. Will the Bass Pro deal revitalise the Pinch District? More from WREG, WMC, Eyewitness News, Fox13, Memphis Business Journal, the Daily News.

Sheriff Mark Luttrell: The County mayoral candidate is setting the record straight on what he said at the Latino Memphis debate.

Arkansas: The Corrections Board will cut back on maintenance and bonuses to keep a new prison facility open.

Memphis City Schools: The chief of MCS Security, Gerald Darling, says new security programs are coming this Fall.

Fourth of July: How to help your pets deal with fireworks this weekend. A reminder that the Tennessee Highway Patrol will be out patrolling. Highway construction will be suspended.

Local Media: Jackson Sun political reporter and blogger Nicholas Beadle is leaving the paper at the end of the month. More on WMC’s Kontji Anthony and her quest for her own show.

DeSoto County: Controlling kudzu. Hernando was named the state’s healthiest city. Southaven’s pink trash cans are sure a media hit.

Business: International Paper is buying a number of Asian box manufacturing plants; more from the Business Journal.

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

Delta Air Lines: They expect to go along with whatever decision the Air Transport Association makes on the new National Mediation Board, labor-friendly, union organising rules.

Small Business Chamber: Working with Talk Shop, they gave a presentation on how to successfully market your business in just three minutes.

West Tennessee: FedEx has acknowledged dumping jet fuel over north Shelby County; more from WREG.

Crime: Neighborhood watch groups are trying to fight crime in Hickory Hills.

Lakeland: Eight more cats found dead in house fire, bringing total to 22. But seven survived thanks to Shelby County Fire Department pet oxygen masks. More from WREG.

County Mayoral Debate: The Main Street Journal, the Tri-State Defender and WMC will co-host a debate between Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell, the Republican, and Interim County Mayor Joe Ford, the Democrat, on Thursday, July 8, 7PM, at the studios of WMC.

Main Street Journal Online Exclusive: Memphis City Councilwoman Wanda Halbert points out the inequalities of the concessions being demanded by current consolidation plans.

The Wharton Administration: The City is hiring a “bikeway/pedestrian coordinator”. Job description here. “Chaos” at Fleet Services department of Division of General Service and an unknown amount of money missing; more from WMC. Mayor Wharton promises an “overhaul”.

Memphis Urban League: A press conference yesterday on the release of the National Urban League’s report State of Black America, which has despairing news. Executive summary here. More from WMC, Eyewitness News, Fox13.

Blight: Attorney Steve Barlow is fighting blight with his “Medical Center Problem Property Removal” progam, using the Neighborhood Protection Act.

Eighth Congressional District Race: Could Republican Stephen Fincher getting rated as a top “Young Gun” by the National Republican Congressiona Committee have anything to do with this?

Tennessee: A review of the new laws going into effect today. The State is trying to “recruit” retirees into moving here.

Real Estate: Sales of foreclosed residential properties dropped very sharply in 1Q/2010.

Forest Hill Cemeteries: A retrial has been set for Mark Singer after his mistrial earlier this year.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: They are preparing to buy and then flatten the old Scottish Rite Masons’ building on Union Avenue.

Politics: The Flyer’s Jackson Baker rehashes some previously reported news. It’s not very likely the TN Department of Education will be sunsetted next year.

Millington: WMC reports on the ground-breaking for the new Millington Central High School.

Governor’s Race: The Chattanooga Times Free Press has encouraging words for Republican candidate Zach Wamp. Wamp calls Republican Bill Haslam an idle scion of a wealthy family. The NRA endorses Republican Lt Gov Ron Ramsey.

Mississippi: A review of the new laws going into effect starting today. Brutal budget cutting means the State will have a $50-60 million surplus this year. A telemarketer gets fined $15,000! A stadium expansion is being considered for Mississippi State University.

Survey Says: The State is making “measurable gains” in education but poverty is still a problem. The metro area has lost 6% of its construction workforce.

Financial: Activitiy rose as mortgage rates continue their fall. Bill Nigh, CEO and president of Trust One Bank, is going to The Bank of Nashville; more. First Horizon releases their opinion on Federal financial reform.

Commercial Appeal: Good luck, General David Petraeus. Kudos to Sharp Manufacturing for contributing green.

Herb Hilliard: The government has its hands in many pies and for the funding recipients it’s good. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Wendi C. Thomas: Trying to raise the college attainment rate by just one percent. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Because I Said So: Becoming a movie-going family. (via the Commercial Appeal)

The Intersection of Madness and Reality: The racist history of gun control and its modern use.

The Chubby Vegetarian: A short video on how to cut a mango.

The Soundcheck and the Fury: Writers understand.

Vegan Crunk: Checking out the vegetarian dishes at Bangkok Alley.

The Conservative Zone: Your redneck haiku of the day.

No Rococo: Sophorn and family go berry picking at Jones Orchard. Homemade Summer ice cream is the best of all!

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: More on the “aggressive flower peddlers” downtown. Bardog Tavern will be open for the World Cup match Saturday.

Speak To Power: Harold Ford Jr on his brief Senate run and his political future. Thoughts on County-issued ID cards for illegal immigrants.

Just A Girl in the World: Meetup #2 at the Poplar Lounge was not quite a success.

I’ll be the one in heels: The endless drama that is life with teenagers.

Bigger Than Your Head: Two great wines for your consideration.

Barefoot in Memphis: Something called “Not Yet 30 Nights”.

55-40 Memphis: Question of the day.

16 Balls in the Air: This Summer, the baintrain worships at the First Church of Fireworks.

Bonsai Cafe: Summer haiku, from Geoline. Here’s a sample: Willow leaf ficus / summer is too hot for clothes / need bigger fig leaf.

Brain Release Valve: A story idea I don’t think I’ve ever seen.

Buck Daddy’s Blog: An interesting way to remember things you want to buy another time.

Dining With Monkeys: The family goes on a taco spree at Taco Borolas. I Love Memphis also loved it.

Gilmour Girl Goes Memphis: Three best friends on a “wild” weekend. If you define wild as “lots of bike riding”. Damie tells her part of the weekend story.

Jen-sized: When whackadoodles start making bizarro calls on your cell.