Photo Credit: WMC
Digging In

 
Occupy Memphis has a list of nine demands–five of which as specific to Memphis. It’s unclear who the demands were presented to. Occupy Memphis website here and Facebook page here. Talks with citizens who opposed the closing of the Mason YMCA were abrupty cancelled when an “Occupy the Y” theme emerged.

The State Department of General Services has sent a bill to Occupy Nashville for two officers and cleanup during last month’s abortive attempt to displace them. Many more details at the Daily News.

Southaven Mayor Greg Davis: Despite turning in $53,000 of receipts, he still owes State auditors $117,000. He’s now waiting to hear from auditors. More from the Desoto Times Tribune.

Memphis City Schools: The State Education Commission has identified 85 under-performing schools State-wide, and 68 are in Memphis. (List of schools at link.) They may be taken into the Acheivement School District.

More Memphis parents are opting out of immunisations. Parents at Graceland Elementary School heard the MCS plan for its closure.

University of Memphis Athletics: Former football coach Larry Porter was fired two years into a five year contract this weekend and will recieve at least two million dollars for leaving. His assistants will also get paid for early departure. Previous coach Tommy West is still being repaid. The Daily Helmsman reports the situation.

The University has hired a search firm already to find Porter’s replacement–Eastman and Beaudine Management Consultants; Commercial Appeal and the Daily News. Fan group Save Memphis Tiger Football hopes to have a voice in the program’s future direction. Steelers coach Randy Fichtner is being mentioned as one possibility. “Leadership roles” may need addressing first.

Crime: One stretch of Germantown Parkway is a magnet for bank robberies and the MPD is using billboards to fight back.

Tomeka Hart: Her primary challenge against Democrat US Congressman Steven Cohen is finally underway.

Unified Shelby County School Board: The whole board will receive “team building” training. The board will need direction on policies before deciding on the sale of school buildings.

Memphis Animal Shelter: Two weeks after the release of a report from the Rotary Club, Mayor A C Wharton hasn’t taken any action at the Shelter.

Politics: More reports on the reduction of HOPE scholarships for future students. The ACLU-TN has launched an educational campaign to inform people of their internet “rights”. The Economic and Community Development Department is publishing draft guidelines on the next INCITE program phase.

Memphis in the Media: The latest issue of Delta Air Lines’ SKY magazine has a special feature on Memphis. More from WREG and the Commercial Appeal.

Local Media: The Nielsen November ratings are in.

Internet Exclusive: Why Shelby County Needs Districts: County Commissioner Steve Mulroy explains his single-member district proposal for the County Commission redistricting–why it’s better and more responsive to community needs.

Internet Exclusive: Europe’s “Greece” Fire: Our financial contributor, Chuck Bates, looks at the Greek meltdown, what it will do to Europe and what it might mean to America.
 

Shelby County Government: Despite huge debt looming over the County, Mayor Mark Luttrell will give County employees bonuses.

Winter Worries: Who pays to fix the heater in rental units?

311: The “government and non-emergency services hotline” may come to Memphis next year. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Mid-South Food Bank: Thanks to donations from local hunters and the Plough Foundation, “tens of thousands of pounds” of venison will be available.

Snow: Overnight and early morning were snow events but it was all gone by mid-day. And it was too late to set any records. But heavy snows in non-Shelby County West Tennessee meant extra work for TDOT workers.

Norman Benjamin: The former MPD officer, embroiled in a soap opera mess, has been cleared to stand trial. His defense attorney, Leslie Ballin, professed surprise.
 

Arkansas: Despite the cessation of “fracking” in the State, which was blamed for a rash of small earthquakes, a small one happened on Tuesday. More from WMC. The Labor Department says the Cargill Meat Solutions, near Springfield, discriminates.

Business: Cyber Monday shopping hit an all time peak of $1.25 billion. Memphis’s net loss because of The Great Recession is estimated at 703 jobs, according to the Business Journal.

From the Business Journal, we meet People on the Move; the Daily News reports Today’s Events and Memphis Newsmakers; in the Commercial Appeal, it’s People in Business and What to Do.

Terminix: The company is hosting job fairs to fill 90 “inside sales jobs”.

Bartlett: Promotions and transfers for the police department.

Vance Avenue Collaborative: A repurposed MATA bus is being used to service neighborhoods classed as “food deserts”. The project will depend, at least initially, on private donations.

Grizzlies: The Flyer looks into the proposed deal the players’ union and the owners may sign.

DeSoto County: Are County bridges safe? A list of holiday parade schedules. Repulbican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will make some campaign stops.

Internet Exclusive: Mississippi Tea Party activist Ed “Doc” Holliday supports the Republican presidential candidacy of Herman Cain and says he brings “Rock Splitting Politics” to the race.
 

Commercial Appeal: Happy surprise at the level of cooperation between the two-soon-to-be-one school systems. Do what must be done to serve the post-combat needs of our military men and women.

Mary Wilder: The City must pony up the funds to build a detention basin under the Overton Square parking garage. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Guerrilla Sales & Marketing: Thoughts on the demise of Black Friday. (via the Daily News)

readmorewritemorethinkmorebemore: Thoughts on the internet as a material thing, an object in its own right.

sarah fortune: She giving away three sets of the What To Expect When You’re Expecting books to her readers!

Smart City Memphis: The Unified school board shouldn’t have rejected all the charter school applications.

The Soundcheck and the Fury: A short selection from his novel, The Long Gone Daddies, which is back in print.

The Intersection of Madness and Reality: The War on Sex and the collateral damage it does to kids. Thoughts on “illegal immigrants” (italic intentional).

Joe Spake’s Daily Buzz: The rest of the day’s news, from all sorts of eclectic places.

Weeden Arts Watch: The “alphabet series” continues with “D is for Design”, about the importance of art and intentionality in urban settings.

Yeah, and another thing… Today’s mood and life coaching from the Standard Life Coach.

Walls of the City: ‘Tis the season and the Soldiers’ Angels could use your help.

vibinc: This is, indeed, the time for being thankful.

Vegan Crunk: Maybe you can use the Vegan Holiday Kitchen this year? Biance also recently celebrated her “veganaversary”.

Time Flies: There was some snow last night. That’s a long trip for a Christmas tree.

This Classical Life: A prayer for the First Sunday in Advent. Some recommended Christmas and Advent music and some recipes, too.

theology & geometry: Her own family’s first Thanksgiving.

The Daddler and Me: Not everyone had a happy Thanksgiving.

short + rose: Honey-nut scones. Memphis problems with its history and its density.