Election Aftermath: Losing candidates Minerva Johnican and Regina Morrison Newman, along with the Shelby County Democratic Party, are now awaiting certified election results before proceeding with a challenge. Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons has asked the TBI to investigate the problems with early voting rolls; more from Eyewitness News, WMC and the Commercial Appeal. The DA’s press release.

Metro Charter Commission: They approved their final draft of the new consolidation charter, 14 to 1. Millington Mayor Richard Hodges declined. It was then filed with the clerks’ offices of the City and County. An overview of what the new charter would accomplish. The Commercial Appeal also reports. You can read the final draft here. (PDF document) Charter commission website.

Memphis City Council: The Unified Development Code was passed on its final reading; more from the Commercial Appeal. But with amendments. (PDF document) Councilman Shea Flinn introduced a new animal control ordinance; more from Eyewitness News and the Commercial Appeal. The Bass Pro Shops / Pyramid deal was approved.

The gay discrimination ordinance, prohibiting discrimination by the City and its vendors, was approved but Councilwoman Janis Fullilove added compromise language exempting churches. After a lot of acrimony, an effort to make the new ordinance match existing County non-discrimination language was rebuffed. More from WREG and the Commercial Appeal.

Shelby County Schools: A former Arlington High School employee is being investigated over embezzlement charges. No details being released. More in the Commercial Appeal.

John Ford: More on the possible lessening of his sentence. More from WREG.
 

DeSoto County: County food pantries and banks are being used up. A special election has been schedule for Olive Branch’s open Board of Aldermen seat. A public hearing has been scheduled for Southaven’s budget. The Regional Utility Authority is proposing a sewer rate hike. Preserving an icon of Hernando’s past: the Banks Home. (previous stories via the Desoto Times Tribune) US Rep. Travis Childers will unveil a “five point education platform” this afternoon. This Saturday in Hernando is the Back-to-School Bike Safety Fair.

Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis: Their new Joint and Spine Center has undergone an upgrade from the previous Neurological Orthopedic Specialty Unit.

Arkansas: Jurors in the trial of Dr Randeep Mann asked the judge five questions. Hamis Alshareqi is being charged with witness tampering in Dr Mann’s case. Per-capita incomes shrank in six of the state’s metro areas. As of the first of the month, smoking was banned completely on all college and university campuses.

Governor’s Race: A Rasmussen Reports poll shows Republican Bill Haslam with a large, double-digit lead over Democrat Mike McWherter. Is someone testing the waters of an independent run for governor? Republican Bill Haslam says he’ll cut some of the managment in State government. A report from Haslam’s visit to Memphis on Monday, with special mention of Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: With a Federal grant, they will establish “a long-term commitment to recruit and retain minority students and faculty” via the new Minority Center for Excellence. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Politics: Tax revenue collections were up in July, though sales taxes are still below projections. Are the National Education Association and the Tennessee Education Association conspiring to take over the TN Republican Party? An anti-Marsha Blackburn site in support of Seventh District Democratic candidate Greg Rabidoux. Knoxville State Representative Harry Brooks has announced he’ll run for Speaker of the House in the next session. Lloyd Daugherty, founder of the Tennessee Conservative Union, is in serious condition after a heart attack.

Elvis Week: It started yesterday. Many fans tour the Elvis Presley Trauma Center at The MED.
 
 
 

New County Mayor Mark Luttrell: He has named his transition team. His Chief Administrative Officer will be Harvey Kennedy.

Memphis 911: Is the system being overwhelmed by calls? More from WMC.

Lorenzen Wright Murder: His ex-wife, Sherra Wright, told police he left the house (just before his disappearance) with “a box of drugs” and an unknown amount of money. The Commercial Appeal also reports. What was in the search warrant police executed at Sherra’s home?

US Representative Steve Cohen: He says to not blame white Democrats for the stunning loss the Shelby County Democratic Party suffered last week. He also visited the Oval Office for the very first time, to attend the signing of his SPEECH bill by President Obama.

His Republican challenger for the Ninth Congressional District seat, Charlotte Bergmann, appeared on WREG’s Live at 9 program.

Blight: Some citizens are complaining about tall grass.

The Murderous Heat: Two more heat-related deaths confirmed but no details released. The total is now fifteen. More from WREG and the Commercial Appeal. The Health Department’s official statement. And now a possible sixteenth victim?

Collierville: The Town Courthouse project should be finished by the end of the month.

Jay Uiberall: The Hardin County sheriff ruled that his death was not foul play.

MLG&W: For the next five weeks, the utility will lower the amount owed to qualify for their deferred payment plan.

SurveyMemphis: “Mixed feelings” about the local economy in the July report on local business attitudes.

Business: Collierville’s Tri-State Restaurants are the new owners of 12 Checkers units in Memphis, plans expansion. Terminix purchased Antimite Termite and Pest Control of California and Arizona; more in the Daily News.

A professional profile of Ryan Swanson, owner of Ryan Patrick Salon, in the Daily News. A business profile of NUB Clothing Company, makers of “hip hop” clothes, in the Commercial Appeal.

In the Commercial Appeal, What to Do, People in Business and Done Deals. From the Daily News, Today’s Events.

Pinnacle Airlines: A rather precarious incentive package and deal has been put together to move Pinnacle’s Memphis HQ to One Commerce Square downtown. Mayor A C Wharton made his pitch for money to the City Council. More from Eyewitness News and Commercial Appeal.

Passanger counts are down for the month of July and for the year to date. More reporting from the Daily News.

Lester Street Murders: A defense effort to have the child survivors of the mass killings interviewed before trial was denied. More from WMC, WREG and the Commercial Appeal.

Germantown: A report from the Germantown News on the Lorenzen Wright 911 call. Citizens in the Poplar Grove neighborhood are petitioning to have their streets made public.

Rhodes Coillege: They have been named to The Princeton Review’s “Best Colleges” guide for 2011.

Mississippi: A new Federal bill will send $250 million to the State’s public schools and Medicaid. A College Board task force will recommend a one-third cut in energy costs for 8 State colleges and universities. The State flag may cause problems with the SEC this year; longer version of the story. The State is expanding its drivers license kiosks; more from the CA.

Can’t Stop: Tips on running in brutal heat.

Cafe Kel: The first day of school, but with a difference this year.

Evilblog: The head pops up and looks around quickly before dropping back down.

Just A Girl in the World: She’s back from the BlogHer convention.

Lang Wiseman: Random Thoughts: With the elections over, it’s back to blogging.

Left Wing Cracker: One of his readers takes exception to his analysis of the Democratic losses last week.

Memphis Lagniappe: Football and Elvis Death Week.

David Hampton: Ole Miss athletics sure isn’t Mayberry. (via the Desoto Times Tribune)

Matthew Writt: Turns out, you can unsubscribe from the Yellow Pages. (via the Flyer)

Commercial Appeal: The Election Commission was right to call for an outside investigation. They appear to suggest finding a way to delay the November 2 vote on consolidation.

Randy Hutchinson: Don’t think your young children can’t also be identity theft victims. (via the Commercial Appeal)