Lorenzen Wright Murder: Still no public answers in his murder investigation.

Memphis Animal Services: They are backlogged with hundreds of unanswered calls.

Metro Charter: Deep-pocketed Rebuild Government is now airing a pro-charter weekly radio program. The language on the November ballot will use the word “consolidation”.

Memphis City Schools: The Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, a charter school, is “going green” both in its menu and biodegradable serving supplies.

Wifflestock: This tournament at Zinnie’s East is also a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House.

Politics: US Rep. Marsha Blackburn is on a business trip to Shanghai, China. Since Blackburn won’t debate her Democratic opponent, Greg Rabidoux, he’s taking his campaign to the state’s media!

A Covington attorney and former TN Democratic Party chair, J Houston Gordon, is accusing Eighth Congressional District Republican candidate Stephen Fincher of hiding debts and assets from campaign disclosure. Lots of press releases exchanged. Fincher and his Democratic opponent Roy Herron will debate in October; no word of participation by independent challenger Donn Janes.

Was Harold Ford Jr’s latest book his final good-bye to Tennessee? More from Tom Humphrey in the Knoxville News-Sentinel. The TN Republican Party says it has strong leads in State House races in Republican districts; more from the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

“Restoring Honor” Rally: A cursory report from the Commercial Appeal on Memphis participants. A more critical report from Eyewitness News’ Joyce Peterson.

Mississippi: Kior Inc will receive $76 million in financial incentives to build three biomass/fuel plants. The Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth is considering some relocation and expansion of services. An alderman from Ripley, Lonnie Smith, has been charged with murder; more from WREG. Governor Haley Barbour is now turning to the EPA to block a Choctaw Indian casino. Memories of the 1990’s Congressional and State redistricting plans are a factor in the 2010 effort.

Mississippi Outdoors - the hunting, fishing and wildlife news — from the Commercial Appeal.

Memphis Theater Awards: The Playhouse on the Square production of Hairspray took home 5 Ostranders this year.

Governor’s Race: Democratic candidate Mike McWherter toured The MED last week. He also spoke to Shelby County Democrats. McWherter says Republican Bill Haslam’s leadership PAC is just a way to buy off the Legislature. Former president Bill Clinton will be in Nashville next month to campaign for McWherter. A look at the upcoming student-run candidate town hall meeting.

Hispanic Memphis: An annual fundraiser by Radio Ambiente (WGSF, AM 1030) helped raise money for St Jude Children’s Hospital this weekend.

Jason’s Deli: They have released a statement on the credit card thefts. Problems are surfacing at other locations now.

Financial: The chief economist for Regions Bank, Bob Allsbrook, warns that high unemployment is going to be persistent.

Hollywood Cemetery: The grass is badly overgrown and the owners can’t be found.

West Tennessee: A rulling on dissolving the desegregation case for Jackson-Madison County schools might come this week. Lambuth University has received commitments of funding to keep the school open.

Rhodes College: A look at various car rental programs and other transportation options, at State colleges and universities.

Hurricane Katrina: Five years later, many evacuees are still living in Memphis. One evacuee shares her story. Fox13 looks back. A Memphis doctor remembers his escape from New Orleans. More on Katrina and the evacuees, from Eyewitness News, WMC.

DeSoto County: The State Legislature has approved the County’s plan to open any site to use as the new County Jail; more from the Desoto Times Tribune. Training for the County’s new technology interns for public schools is underway. The last of the County’s new schools, DeSoto Central Primary School, will open in October. Thanks to Rhonda French, various munipal Fire Departments are learning CPR and oxeygen mask usage for pets! Open house at the Hernando West subdivision also meant a chance to look inside the 1909 Banks Mansion. Copper thieves in Olive Branch. Hernando will host the Water Tower 10K in October.

Main Street Journal Soapbox Dinner: Come out for this informative and entertaining evening (DOC format) cosponsored by the League of Women Voters, with a host of Memphis’ most interesting, powerful and connected people! Register now for the September 7th event by emailing us. Tickets are going fast!

School Menus: The school menus for Memphis City schools and Shelby County schools.

The Wharton Administration: And now, Fire Department vehicles were purchased without emergency radios. City “public records coordinator” Bridgett Handy-Clay was “dis-appointed” Friday, following a personal filing of a Freedom of Information Act request; more on the story from Fox13. After a two-year move, hiring will be returned to the Memphis Police Department, from the City’s Human Resources. The mayor’s views on aggressive panhandling.

City School Funding: The City Council and Mayor A C Wharton are tossing off ideas to pay for the court-ordered $57.4 million for City Schools. The City budget is re-opened for discussions. “No sacred cows,” says Councilmember. Mayor Wharton wants to hold another “virtual town hall meeting” with City workers. More from WMC, and again, WREG.

Memphis Police Department: Former police officer Clayton Hickey, arrested in Olive Branch wilthbeer and an under-aged girl, had a history of suspensions and trouble.

Shelby County Interim Mayor Joe Ford: He’s packing up, readying to leave office.

Memphis Islamic Center: While they await the completion of their new 31-acre mosque they are praying at the nearby Heartsong Church in Cordova.

Tennessee: The State has finally closed the accounting books… on fiscal 2008/09. Vanderbilt University is caught up in the ban on stem-cell research. Thanks to education reform, parents will finally get an objective idea of their kids’ teacher’s performance. Like it or not, some college students will get advisers.

Bartlett: The Commercial Appeal profiles long-shot mayoral candidate Phil Agnew.

Memphis Zoning: The battle over the CVS pharmacy is only the latest front in a changing city.

Shelby County Government: Starting today, you can do most vehicle registrations online. The County Commission is considering non-partisan primaries. More on the threats that County Commissioner Mike Carpenter is receiving for his effort to reform County employees benefits.

World Kosher Barbeque Championship: The 22nd annual competition drew thousands and attracted 42 teams to compete.

Business: The American Trucking Association is fighting to change and defend the industry. There’s a growing trade and business relationship between America and India. Roebuck Auctions is denying reports from Florida that they are moving their HQ to Destin. Keeping your business going through natural disaster. The Memphis News looks at how multi-generational businesses maintain their success. Mapco Express has extended its food and general merchandise agreement with Core-Mark.

Why did Davidson County’s unemployment rate increase when the other counties in the Nashville MSA saw decreases?

A business profile of Christian Westphal and Cooper Skateboards, fledgling business, in the Commercial Appeal. And in the Daily News, a business profile of Bella Vita, a home design and decoration store.

From the Commercial Appeal, People in Business for Saturday, Sunday and Monday; What to Do for Saturday and Sunday; Property Transfers. And, in the Daily News, Today’s Events.

Grow Your Business Expo: Coming September 10, it will include two free seminars on social media and business.

Tom Lee Park: A new fence, part of Beale Street Landing construction, is blocking access to the park for walkers and runners.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: A case coming before the US Supreme Court could affect them, too.

Real Estate: Memphis-area home builders are cutting back creatively to make homes they can sell. And others are just “muddling through”. Memphis real estate broker Cheretica Mitchell was arrested twice in 24 hours for theft of property.

Survey Says: Southerners are more likely to chat on their cell phones. GreenBusiness Works has ranked Buckeye Technologies among the top 20 on corporate sustainability policies and practices.

United Way of the Mid-South: The rise of “directed giving” will impact the agency’s donations fairly significantly.

Jan Knight: Thoughts on cursing in children and teens. (via the Desoto Times Tribune)

Small Business Advocate: If your business doesn’t know what apps are, learn fast! (via the Commercial Appeal)

Commercial Appeal: Science too important to stop. Zoning first or questions answered? Another failed government promise. Marina Cove redevelopment plan should help Hickory Hill. More support for government programs for kids.

Otis L. Sanford: Surprise! He supports the new metro charter. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Chris Peck: Thomas Schmitt’s departure is a blow to the city. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Richard Duszak: An obesity “epidemic?? (via the Commercial Appeal)

Wendi C. Thomas: Glenn Beck needs to be “put in his place”. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Michael Kelley: The story of the “kneel-in” and arrests at the Overton Park Shell. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Tom Pease: Why does local government require residency for its employees, but shops for supplies anywhere else? (via the Daily News)

Susan Drake: What does your business’ new employee orientation say about you? (via the Daily News)

Memphis News: Everyone needs to read the new, proposed charter.

John Branston: Now that local money’s involved in a dispute, the actual enrollment at Memphis City Schools is suddenly important. It hasn’t been a good month for Memphis. (via the Flyer)

India Fest 2010: A couple of bloggers went and posted reports, Vegan Crunk, Notes from Memphis.

Blue Collar Republican: Are Glenn Beck and his “Restoring Hope” rally just a 21st century KKK?

Writing’s For the Birds: Welcome to pre-married life.

Whitebread on Patrol: Thoughts on finding the right holster.

Wendi C. Thomas - I Opine: Stuff she’s been holding back from her blog readers.

Weeden Arts Watch: UrbanArt had some visitors from several different countries last week. The back story of that extremely cool pedestrian bridge downtown and its lighting! (Photos here, from Notes from Memphis.)

Thoroughly Modern Medusa: She wants a do-over on last Friday.

Them’s The Rules: A brave post as she details the breakup, and the feelings, with The Candidate.

Scribblescrawl: Her first days in the new job. And a neat piece of luck.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: All plans change when steak is involved!

Meredith Jubilee and Madeline Jane: That’s one quick-thinking, if sneaky, kid there.

Just A Girl in the World: She explains the Old Lady Equilibrium.

Getting Over My Ex in 30 Dates of Less: Guest blogger Dr Jan talks abut recognising and dealing with the red flags in a relationship.

Doug Johnson at Work: He gets his rant on about President Obama’s critics, tea partiers, Rush, Glenn, Sean and more!