Montage Credit: CNN, CBS and Main Street Journal
Freedom

 
The West Memphis Three–Damian Echols, Jessie Misskelly and Jason Baldwin–may be released today, following a special court hearing that was called by Circuit Court Judge David Laser. Only two of the men may be released. All were discharged from the “supermax” prison and will be transferred to Craighead County this morning. It is believed they will plead to lesser charges; beyond that, all is speculation and guesswork. It may be related to their new trials, which were scheduled for December, and the weakness of the prosecution’s case. They have served 18 years in prison for the murder of three boys.

The father of one victim, Steve Branch, broke the gag order to speak out. More on the release from the Flyer, WMC, Fox13. ABC24. And more on public reaction from WREG. Victim’s parents reactions.

Timeline from WREG. And a photo gallery from WREG. Story archives from WREG.

City-County School Consolidation: The Flyer’s Jackson Baker All parties meet with Judge Samuel May today, and he seems to be keeping the process moving along. explains why the Unified Shelby School Board is likely to remain a 7-member board, at least for a while.

Bass Pro Shop: The final commission vote was 12-0 (with Kemp Conrad recusing himself).

Shelby County Commission: Commissioner James Harvey is adamantly opposed to selling the County’s interest in the convention center, for financial reasons.

Memphis Farmers Market: Changes and limits to the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, snafus and miscommunication were behind the foul-up in the notorious July 23 incident.

Arlington: They join the list of County municipalities hiring a consultant to decide whether to create their own school district.

Memphis Animal Shelter: More on the City’s request for an independent study of the shelter by the Humane Society of America; more. The prosecution of former employees Ernest Alexander, shelter director, administrative supervisor Tina Quattlebaum and veterinarian Angela Middleton, turned over 17 boxes of documentation to their defense attorneys; no trial date is set yet.

Eduardo Marmolejo: The teenager accused of the murder of Memphis Junion Academy prinicipal Suzette York is having difficulties, since his parent don’t speak English.

MLG&W: They finally selected Cigna for their largest employee healthcare plan, over three rivals who complained about the selection process.

Governor Bill Haslam: He hopes for a “national solution” to internet taxation within “two years”.

Politics: How public attention made the Department of Safety work to speed up the lines at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

US Representative Stephen Fincher: He describes his first trip to Israel this week as “emotional … and educational” and he got to meet high-level Israeli officials.

Mississippi: While the absentee voter rate is rising across the State, Quitman County’s 29% is raising questions. Oxford will soon have 10 surveillance cameras monitoring the Square.

Bartlett: Most of the customers who had their water service cut off for delinquent payment have now paid up.

Magna Bank: They join the short but growing list of local institutions on the Department of Treasury’s Small Business Lending Fund, with an $18.35 million grant. Background on the Fund here.

Real Estate: Contra national trends, Memphis homes are selling fast and at higher prices.

NEW! INTERNET EXCLUSIVE: We present a special summary excerpt from Judge Samuel Mays’ ruling on the school consolidation case, a quick read that gets you up-to-date on the issues and challeges remaining.

Internet Exclusive: On The Money: Debt Deals, Tax Steals and Class Warfare: Our finanacial contributor Chuck Bates explains the debt ceiling debate and the deal that was made last week.

Unemployment: The state’s unemployment rate remains steady at 9.8%, due to a shrinkage in the numbers of folks actively looking for work. More from the Daily News, the Commercial Appeal, ABC24.

General Sessions Court Clerk: Suspended clerk, Otis Jackson, was arraigned Thursday on charges of official misconduct. He did not attend the hearing. A special judge was requested and granted.

Madison Avenue Bike Lanes: City Councilman Janis Fullilove calls bike lanes “a disaster waiting to happen”. Sixty-five business owners are opposed to adding the lanes.

Crime: The City’s murder rate is rising–77 this year versus 58 last year.

Germantown: A compromise has been worked out in the flag flap. She will be raising her new flag on Monday. Pre-compromise stories from WMC.

University of Memphis: A program to increase first-generation college student grad rates, First Scholars, is being funded by the Suder Foundation.

DeSoto County: The Freedom From Religion Foundation–an anti-religion activist group–is demanding the County stop all prayers before school and athletic events. A report from this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting. After two years, one Hernando neighborhood finally gets help.

American Cruise Lines: A second riverboat will be plying the Mississippi River–Queen of the Mississippi.

Memphis International Airport: The effects of the service reduction by Delta Air Lines are already being felt. A “collapsible concrete surface” will be added to the West Runway, because Shelby Drive is getting to close.

Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority: The are examining the role of our two general avaiation airports–General DeWitt Spain Airport in Frayser and Charles W. Baker Airport near Millington.

Business: From the Daily News, Today’s Events and Inked. The Business Journal gives the nod to People on the Move. The Commercial Appeal rounds up What to Do and People in Business.

Valero Energy: One of the refineries that caught fire, that’s been closed since August 5, which is also causing shortages due to lost refinery capacity, will be restarted soon. The closings forced the company to lower production schedules. This may help raise the price of gas. The other will be restarted sometime in September.

Arkansas: Governor Mike Beebe says he is not running for any other offices when his term expires. The death toll in the state from the heat stands at nine.

TVA: The board voted to install $600 million in air pollution scrubbers, ensuring future operation.

Covington: Former councilwoman Minnie Bommer has requested the Justice Department look into racial discrimination in hiring for the police and fire departments.

Internet Exclusive: Bloomberg’s Money: What Does It Mean For Memphis? New contributor Craig Harper tells us what to expect with Mayor Bloomberg’s grant to Memphis for fighting “juvenile handgun violence”.

Internet Exclusive: China – Capitalism in a One Party System: State Representative Mark White returned from a trip to China with observations on how can you keep a one-party state happy when the young have tasted democracy?

New Tri-State Defender: Why they will endorse candidates in municipal races in this election.

Lucy Shaw: “Housecleaning” your mind for a better life. (via the Tri-State Defender)

Dr Timothy Moore: Put down that saltshaker. (via the Tri-State Defender)

Commercial Appeal: They welcome community policing. The “so-called” right to bear arms?

Memphasis: Coal, ice and Coca-Cola. (via the Daily News)

FUNdraising: When fundraising, don’t forget the phone, your “door opener”. (via the Daily News)

Les Edwards: He’s a booster of the Madison Avenue bike lanes and he explains why. (via the Flyer)

John Branston: The future of Memphis is … the Downtown or bust? (via the Flyer)