Memphis City Schools: The system announced they are planning to lay off 70 people. This coincides with the end of the fiscal year and the number of probable Level 1 and Level 2 teacher dismissals previously mentioned. Booker T. Washington High School graduate, Christopher Dean, who became a local celebrity during President Barack Obama’s visit last year to Memphis, got a college boost when Obama wrote a letter of recommendation to Lane College. And the two students who set off Drano “bombs” at Craigmont High School were charged with “charged with aggravated assault, felony reckless endangerment and felony possession of a prohibited weapon”.

Shelby County Commission: Is Commissioner Brent Taylor holding out to be the ninth, “super-majority” vote in redistricting? The redistricting plan passed its second reading at the meeting. Commissioners approved a $1.2 billion County budget last night, a million dollars more than last year and still balanced. More from the Commercial Appeal. County commissioners are sure that the City of Memphis’ auto inspection scheme will fail.

West Tennessee: The police chief of Friendship, Bill Garrett, is recovering from being shot after intervening in an armed robbery. And Timothy Minner, “a former deputy and correctional officer in Tipton County” is in custody after shooting at a Madison County deputy.

Unified Shelby County School Board: Things are heating up between District Five candidates David Pickler and Kim Worth. The Boston Consulting Group says the unified district can expect a $130 million shortfall in revenues.

Education Reform: Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman says the review of the new teacher evaluation system won’t have many surprises.

Mississippi Highway Killer: Alleged shooter James Willie was given a $1.50 million total dollar bond yesterday for one of two murders. More from WMC, ABC24 and WREG. Police have an eyewitness now and have officially ruled out that he was posing as a police officer during the shootings. Willie’s father speaks out.

Tennessee: Vanderbilt University and their controversial “non-discrimination by campus organisations” are beginning to face a reaction from athletic recruiters and fundraisers.

Business: The Commercial Appeal notes the People in Business. In the Daily News, it’s Today’s Events. And, from the Business Journal, you learn about People on the Move.

Delta Air Lines: Of 23 major airlines, they rated dead last for how they “redeem frequent-flier rewards miles”, for the second year in a row. An interview with Tom Jones, who has started a Facebook page, Delta Does Memphis, to protest high airfares.

Dalphis America: This local company was closed by investors just months after coming out of bankrupty.

Scrap Metal: Thieves are costing local business, even churches, thousands of dollars in stolen metal, later sold for scrap.

DeSoto County: The State will, now that the investigation of Mayor Greg Davis is winding up, release an $850,000 grant for Southaven’s bike and walking trails expansion. WREG followed mayor Davis on a business trip to Las Vegas. He is on a business trip with two Southaven alderman. Olive Branch police will get a $194,000 Federal grant for SWAT equipment and training. Residents of OB are waiting for the Methodist Healthcare’s Olive Branch Hospital to open next year. The new “no frills” County Jail is getting rave reviews. Dates have been set for the County Schools’ Extended School Year.

Internet Exclusive! Southpaw: The Tale of Two Covers: Columnist Andria K. Brown notes two very different magazine covers and the articles they represent. One, she thinks, is much more important than the other.

Exclusive: Conservatives Cannot Afford To Be Silent and Republicans Cannot Afford To Let Them is the message in this month’s column from our political/financial contributor Chuck Bates. It’s do or die.

Exclusive: Where’s Carol? If you read Otis Sanford’s Sunday CA column, a regular Main Street Journal reader will know they’ve seen Sanford’s points before….

Code Orange Ozone Alert: Hot, stagnant air triggered Code Orange alerts for the City, which also caused MATA to offer riders twenty-five cent fares.

Checkpoints: In a coordinated effort, County sheriff’s deputies and Memphis police will man drunk driving checkpoints, two of them, funded by Federal monies.

Millington: Turnout was light for the first public meeting about forming a municipal school district.

West Memphis Tragedy: It’s been two years since Jerry Kane and his son unleashed the worst police shooting in the town’s history.

Downtown: The Riverfront Development Corporation will soon take bids for Phase 4B, a number of amenties for the Beale Street Landing, including the famous “guitar picks”.

Mississippi: A massive riot broke out in the Adams County Correctional Facility in Natchez, involving hundreds of illegal immigrants; the riot was started by gangs. Did State Representative Andy Gipson, two weeks ago, actually call for death for gays, or was he being metaphorical?

Survey Says: According to Bicycling magazine, we are the “most improved” city for biking. A majority of Tennesseans are not in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). In a related story, health care costs rose faster than inflation. And, our dental health is among the worst in the nation!

2012 Presidential Race: A poll from Vanderbilt University showing that President Barack Obama is tied with Republican Mitt Romney in TN is so flawed even liberals don’t agree with it.

Politics: TN Republicans are touting the tax cuts they passed in the recent session. A study by the Sunlight Foundation finds Congressman Stephen Fincher as the most well-spoken member of the TN delegation. Former State Senator Paul Stanley speaks with Politico about the scandal that stopped his political career.

Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest: Are high-profile team sponsorships, similar to auto racing, coming to the BBQ Fest? Is the best BBQ no longer a Memphis thing? Fox13’s Smoke on the Water reports for Friday and Saturday.

Gasoline: Prices have fallen six cents in the past two weeks. The local average is $3.39/gallon. (via MemphisGasPrices.com) That makes it the cheapest gas in the country; more.

Nashville: The Beacon Center of Tennessee believes the tax increase isn’t necessary and they have the numbers to prove it. Their press release and a link to their policy brief. Dillard’s is closing their Middle Tennessee distribution center. Governor Bill Haslam has signed legislation that puts the State in charge of the Tennessee State Fair.

Real Estate: Three local real estate agents have been disciplined by the TN Real Estate Commission. The Daily News’ Real Estate Recap.

Arkansas: A report on the State’s “lackluster” primaries.

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

Giving Back: The focus this week is on the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Foundation and National Cancer Survivors Day. (via the Daily News)

John Branston: A pair of concert experiences over the weekend prompt him to ask about the impact of free concerts. (via the Flyer)

The Insiders: Ben Ferguson and the Rev Kenneth Whalum Jr discuss the issues of the day. (via Fox 13)

Commercial Appeal: It’s always a “tight budget year” for Memphis–you’d think they’d learn and adjust. A celebrity has been lying about her age!

a belle, a bean, & and chicago dog: Musing on her daughter’s first year in school and the adjustments she’s had to make.

Benito’s Wine Reviews: He takes exception to this Fredric Koeppel blog post about America developing a wine culture.

Commontaries: Thoughts on black women and size. And his opinion on President Barack Obama’s statement on gay marriage.

dminmem: He’s still dealing with the death of his father and all the travel that entails.

I’ll be the one in heels: Her son has done the unexpected and she must deal with it.

Joe Larkins: He quit blogging but has been drawn back. Blame Facebook.