Photo Credit: ABC/24
Day of Decision

 
The Southaven Board of Aldermen is expected to ask Mayor Greg Davis to resign at a specially called meeting today. Davis is embroiled in an ever-widening investigation from Mississippi State auditors into expenses and receipts he attempted to wrongfully claim. The Board does not have the power to remove him, he must leave. The Board has previously repealed the resolution Davis is accused of abusing. More from WMC, the DJournal.com, WREG.

Millington: Mayor Richard Hodges appeared in court on Thursday, on charges of accepting gambling bribes, to ask for more time for his defense team to prepare. He vows to fight the charges. The Board of Aldermen will soon consider a replacement.

Memphis City Council: Recovering stolen gold from gold sellers who receive it is the aim of Councilman Harold Collins. Jesse Turner Field, a ballfield in South Memphis, might be renovated by Tri-State Youth Baseball Academy, to deter youth crime.

Bloomberg Philanthropy: The Memphis mayor’s Innovation Delivery Team, being funded by a a Michael Bloomberg foundation, is tying itself into other charitable and Federally-funded efforts.

City Councilman Bill Morrison: The Daily News has a “standout profile” of Morrison about his time on the Council.

Governor Bill Haslam: He unveiled a crime-fighting plan yesterday, some of which will require action from the General Assembly. You can read the plan here. (PDF document) More from the Nashville City Paper.

Nashville: Fares for Metro busses will increase by 10 cents for basic rides today. Link to Nashville MTA.

Politics: Fourth District Congressman Scott DesJarlais is facing a personalised but politically cliched attack ad from the DCCC. The point men for the Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich presidential campaigns, Lt Gov Ron Ramsey and State Rep. Tony Shipley respectively, are “disappointed” by their candidates’ performances in Iowa. The State Department of Education will cut a total of 43 positions.

Voter ID Reform: Since the start of the fiscal year, July 1, the State of Tennessee has issued 9500 IDs.

State Redistricting: The Associated Press looks at the role of racism and race in the just-released plans. Republican State senators are reportedly behind the holdup in releasing the redistricting plan for Congressional seats. Links to the Senate and House district plans, supporting documents and more.

Collierville: More on the failed plan to build a gas station/convenience store.

Cooper-Young: The Memphis Police will move a mobile Blue CRUSH camera into the neighborhood in response to a shooting there. More from WMC.

Norman Benjamin: He has waived his rights and asked for a criminal trial. He next goes to court on January 10. More charges have been filed. More from WMC.

Real Estate: Parkway Properties is selling most of its properties in Memphis (among other cities), with the notable exception of the Morgan Keegan tower.
 
 
 
 
 

2012 Republican Primary: Our Tea Party contributor Ed “Doc” Holliday looks at the Republican presidential candidacy of Newt Gingrich and wonders if his past baggage can–or should–be overcome in tea party eyes.

The Main Street Journal Gets Social: We’re instituting some new ways for you to let your friends know about Memphis news in the MSJ. Look at the bottom of the left-hand column for sharing tools. And don’t forget the social media tools we offer in the right-side widget. We’ve also got a new Facebook page. (Will require Facebook login.) Share the news, with the Main Street Journal!

Shelby County: How much do the various government and quasi-government agencies pay for unfunded retiree health care benefits (on taxpayer money)? The Land Use Control Board will be asked to rename part of Linden Avenue to Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, the first Memphis street to bear his name.

MLK Holiday: In keeping with the holiday’s theme, there are a number of service-oriented events and seminars planned.

Occupy Chattanooga: New County rules prohibiting overnight setup and requiring a permit will likely face a court challenge.

Redbirds: The Cardinals Caravan is coming to Memphis on Sunday, January 15. Some of your favorite former and future Cardinals will be there. A limited edition World Series t-shirt will be available that day. The Redbirds Facebook page.

MLG&W: The utility’s board may involve itself in the termination of employee Belinda McIntyre, who is being supported by the IBEW union.

Union Mission: More on the shelter’s planned expansion. Some of their neighbors oppose the expansion. More from ABC24, WMC.

Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE): The Flyer has a short Q&A with new president Reid Dulberger.

FedEx: The company has agreed to pay civil fines in a case of illegally shipping banned technology that violated Export Administration Regulations.

Smith & Nephew: They will partner with a Texas-based firm, Essex Woodlands, in developing their Biologics and Clinical Therapies Division.

Fred’s: Sales in stores open for than a year were down almost a half-percent for December, instead of the expected increase.

DeSoto County: Spring registration is today for students at Northwest Mississippi Community College. The Friday Bulletin Board, from the Commercial Appeal. County Supervisors will travel to Washington DC about the Environmental Protection Agency’s air pollution decision to lump the county in with Shelby County, TN, and Crittenden County, AR.

Knoxville: The Metro Pulse interviews new Knoxville mayor Madeline Rogero about her “clean sweep” plans. A “rabbit hole” opens now as the judge in the case of former, disgraced and disbarred judge Richard Baumgartner refuses to stipulate his TBI investigatory file be admitted without examination. The Knox County Commission may be forced to sell the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Mississippi: Most of the State’s elected leaders were sworn in Thursday, with the exception of incoming Governor Phil Bryant. He will be inaugurated on Tuesday. More on this from Fox13. The Desoto Times Tribune reports on the new Legislature.

Bernal Smith II: He recognises and honors the men of character and leadership who molded him. (via the Tri-State Defender)

vibinc: Thoughts on State redistricting. And TN Democratic politics.

I’ll be the one in heels: What she wants to do in the future. Thoughts on getting I can’t take care of myself old.

I Love Memphis: It’s another Memphis food bracket! This time: hot wings. Listen to and download (Free!) the latest Reigning Sound EP.

Gotta Be Gritty: Finally, bike polo comes to Mississippi.

I Face Me: Are you interested in a chapter-a-week book club? The Thursday Daily Five and Hump Day.

Floating, Floating, and Floating With Travilis: A short book review of 1Q84. People who won’t survive the apocalypse.

East Memphis Mom: They recommend preschooler activities, seasonal consignment sales and local autism resources.

Doug Johnson at Work: Starting off 2012 with politics and football with family.

Cliff Heegel PHD: Why he does what he does.

Dining With Monkeys: Team Oster goes bowling and dining at Billy Hardwick All-Star Lanes.

Coffee and Play Dates: Getting back to blogging.

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

Commercial Appeal: Southaven mayor Greg Davis should step down before he’s asked to resign. Yes, Memphis is Tree City.

Knoxville News-Sentinel: Replacing blighted commercial and industrial property with residential infill developments is a cost-effective effort.

Frank Cagle: The Knoxville charter needs to be cleaned up before the next election, or problem. (via the Knoxville Metro Pulse)

Rikki Hall: Looking forward to new Knoxville mayor Madeline Rogero’s administration. (via the Knoxville Metro Pulse)

Bill Minor: Equating the new Mississippi voter ID requirement with a poll tax. (via the Desoto Times Tribune)

Memphasis: The key to memorability is being “memorable”. (via the Daily News)

FUNdraising: For non-profits, 2012 is the year of promise. (via the Daily News)

John Branston: The economics of bowl games. (via the Flyer)

Stephen C. Bush: “Justice for all” is tough if you’re poor. (via the Flyer)

Flyer: The tax increase that never was.

Mike Green: Five economic predictions for Urban Innovators. (via the Tri-State Defender)