Challenger Willie Herenton Responds: He calls the Obama endorsement “desperate”. More from Fox13. But what effect will the president’s endorsement have?

Tea Party: Mark Herr, of the Mid-South Tea Party, reacts to NAACP claims of “racist elements” in the movement.

Mississippi: Wesley College, in Central MS, is closing its doors.

Green Memphis: In a city with such a verdant canopy, tree maintenance and removal is always something to be aware of.

Memphis City Schools: A National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention, involving US Justice Department officials, MCS administrators and government officials, was closed to the media; Eyewitness News and the Commercial Appeal were also booted. Mayor A C Wharton sides with the City Council in getting the system to release attendance figures. “Government watchdog” (and regular Main Street Journal contributor) Joe Saino labels MCS transparency and cooperation a “minus 2″. More Memphis students received National Merit Scholarships.

Governor’s Race: Thanks to C-SPAN, the complete video of Monday’s governor’s debate at Belmont University. A roundup of debate stories from around the state. Republicans Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey had a followup debate Tuesday morning.

American Future Fund have an ad accusing Republican Bill Haslam’s family company, Pilot Oil, of price-gouging. (Video at link) Are they “secretive, out-of-towners”?

Zach Wamp has a new campaign ad out, on illegal immigration. Wamp picks up two more endorsements. Ron Ramsey’s campaign has $1.3 million on hand. Haslam’s campaign spent $3.5 million in the last quarter. A campaign finance snapshot, and the Knoxville News-Sentinel’s Tom Humphrey looks at the state of gubernatorial finances. Did Ron Ramsey contradict himself on nanny-state government? All three Republicans have seized on illegal immigration as a campaign issues. The fight for the undecideds.

Christian Brothers University: They enhance their green efforts by joining the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

University of Memphis: The US House Judiciary Committee will hold a field briefing Monday on “Home Foreclosures in Memphis”.

Opus Medical Management: They are changing their name to Reggie White Medical Enterprises in honor of the football great.

Collierville: Is the Tuesday Farmers Market too hard to find in its current location?
 

Metro Charter Commission: They have added two more public presentations to next week — including Collierville.

Financial: Germantown-based Shoemaker Financial has acquired Indiana’s The Healy Group.

Eighth Congressional District Race: Republican candidate Dr George Flinn is attacking fellow Republican Dr Ron Kirkland now. More on the Kirkland ads attacking Flinn’s urban radio programming.

Previously Posted: More on the new juvenile arrest and release policy for local police.

Kids-N-Technology Camp: This non-profit Summer program teaches kids about math, engineering and technology.

Real Estate: The lessons learned from the 2010 Vesta Designer Home Showcase. Bankrupt developer David Miller got more bad news this month. Average home prices in Memphis rose almost 4% in May, versus last year.

NEW! Main Street Journal Online: Senior writer Michael Roy Hollihan sits down with County Commission District 5 candidate Dr Rolando Toyos and introduces him to voters in The Swing Seat.

Shelby County Commission: After the third and final reading, the $4.02 tax rate was upheld.

General Services Division: As investigations into the City division continue, more employees are retiring in its wake. More from WMC, WREG and the Commercial Appeal.

Hickory Ridge Mall: It’s a slow road to recovery.

Arkansas: In the trial of Dr Randeep Mann, the wife of carbombing victim Dr Trent Pierce testified; much fuller report from WMC, WREG. The State Republican Party is considering a suit against State constitutional officers who violated State-vehicle use rules. Has there been too much rain for farmers?

Pyramid-Pinch District: The Bass Pro Shops deal isn’t actually completed yet! The area around the Pyramid is now being called The Gateway.

The Wharton Administration: Mayor A C Wharton defends high City salaries and even claims some should be higher. Robert Lipscomb works two jobs… by design.

Stella Marris: Neighbors’ worries continue to mount as “renovations” continue.

DeSoto County: The Mississippi Development Authority-Energy Division talked with County officials about helping communities switch to alternative fuels. The Mississippi Technology Alliance helps small startups get off the ground. The Public Service Commission is trying to find and fill gaps in cell service.

Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital: Their Women’s and Children’s Pavilion is the first in the Southeast to win Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification.

National Civil Rights Museum: The recipients of this year’s Freedom Awards have been announced. More from Eyewitness News, WMC and the Commercial Appeal.

Business: Dennen Steel will build a manufacturing plant in Iuka, MS. Cummins could lay off up to 100 by September; more in the Commercial Appeal. A 3Q dividend was declared by International Paper. Living Social is a national chain of websites offering steep discounts to locals.

A business profile of All Smiles and Wellness dental clinics, in the Commercial Appeal.

Today’s Events and Memphis Newsmakers in the Daily News, and in the Commercial Appeal, What to Do.

Free-luncheon seminars can be fine, the Better Business Bureau warns, if there’s no hard sell.

Tennessee: Governor Phil Bredesen announced 135 appointments to State boards and commissions. State tax revenues were still below forecasts, but by less than before! It’s the third month of “growth”.

West Tennessee: Another debate on Monday night, as a host of County-office candidates spoke at a forum for Madison County. The Dyer County Commission approved two tax breaks for victims of May’s floods. Also, help for flood victims in Dyer County is still available. (previous two stories via the Dyersburg State Gazette) Troy Community Involvement Days is this weekend. Weekend rains were “worth a million” to farmers. (previous two stories via the NWTN Today.com)

Survey Says: The state was highly ranked in economic development by Area Development magazine. The State’s press release. Americans’ credit scores have hit a new low. CEO confidence held for a second quarter. The number of minority-owned businesses is growing.

Weeden Arts Watch: The business side of art is never easy.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Introducing you to Markley’s Law.

My Path is Wide Open: Observations on an airplane flight.

I Love Memphis: Four places to find Memphis coupons.

Lean Left: Bloggers and journalists.

Mediaverse: Thoughts on the daily paper’s new Inside Scoop.

Downtown Memphis Blog: An anti-Herenton rant.

The Seaberry Experience: One of the few Memphis podcasters (that I’m aware of), his fifth ‘cast is up.

Confessions of a West Tennessee Liberal: The Issues First campaign, about keeping issues and not personalities first in the elections, meets tonight.

3: She makes a difficult decision that has her nervous, to say the least.

Speak to Power: Steve says it’s hard being a student and a working adult simultaneously. Herenton on debates is too little, too late.

Lori Turner: Viral marketing is as sneaky and effective as its name. (via the Daily News)

Jim Willson: If you worry about what your kids are being taught, you should homeschool them. (via the Desoto Times Tribune)

Jackson Sun: Tennessee’s laws on dam safety, regulation and inspection need rewriting.

John Branston: What do John Calipari, LeBron James and Willie Herenton have to teach us? (via the Flyer)

Commercial Appeal: Recommendations in the five judgeship races.