Memphis Budget Aftermath: Raising the sales tax might send even more Memphians to do their shopping in DeSoto County. How will a sales tax increase affect the suburban schools funding issue? The present budget resolution leaves Memphis mayor Wharton nervous.

Municipal School Districts: Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz appeared at a Bartlett meeting to warn the citizens about new school districts and higher-than-announced taxes. Will it mean double the taxes for the suburbs?

“Check Engine” Light Controversy: Anyone who fails auto inspection because of the dreaded “check engine” light may get a one year grace period to get the problem fixed.

Islam in the Mid-South: An anti-Islamic group is recruiting members through Craigslist.

Civil War Sequicentennial: A number of commemorative events this week as the Battle of Memphis (a naval battle fought in the Mississippi River on June 7, 1862) is remembered. Military details and a short narrative. Fox13 reports on the battle’s commemoration.

Transition Planning Commission: They are nearing the debut of their plan for the Unified Shelby school district and last night they discussed how operations will work.

MLG&W: City of Memphis finance director Roland McElrath is leaving to take a position as a controller for the public utility. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Tennessee: Shelby County’s teens fail in nearly every measure of unwanted behaviors, leading the State in STDs, school problems and teen pregnancy, according to the Kids Count report. The MADD license plate is in trouble because it’s not selling enough to meet the minimum quota. Saturday means free, no-license fishing across the State!

Downtown Farmers Market: This Saturday is a peach of a day at the DFM. A vendor demo from Jim Tanner of Bonnie Blue Farm about cheeses. And a trio of singers to entertain you. If you pay for purchases with plastic, ask about the improved token program.

Governor Bill Haslam: He says his efforts to increase funding for pre-K programs and simultaneously to create school vouchers shouldn’t be seen as a single deal. Another ceremonial signing of a domestic violence bill in Bartlett, along with a bill toughening punishments for felons who use guns.

Mississippi: Tax revenues are up but maybe not enough for next year’s budget.

First Lady Michelle Obama: She will be in Memphis later this month for a fundraiser for her husband’s re-election campaign.

Politics: The Flyer’s Jackson Baker looks at the “race” to possibly unseat US Senator Bob Corker.

University of Memphis: They have a long interview with outgoing athletic director, R. C. Johnson.

Metropolitan Planning Organization: They are soliciting public opinion on I-269 preparatory to writing up a report due in October.

Raleigh Springs Mall: There are plans to revive the mall, a former community anchor, but are the current owners up to the task?

Arkansas: Recent rains have greatly boosted the crop of cotton in the NE part of the state. Forrest City schools are considering allowing corporal punishment. Hughes’ controversial police chief, Willie Frazier, was the former chief in Jericho, a notorious traffic ticket trap.

NEW! INTERNET EXCLUSIVE! All Is Not Lost–Democrats Matter! Tennessee Democratic Minority Leader and State Representative Craig Fitzhugh takes exception to media portrayals of Tennessee Democrats.

NEW INTERNET EXCLUSIVE! The Mayor of Collierville, Stan Joyner, writes an open letter to the people of Colliverville, supporting the creation of a school district for his town, calling it a “transformational” decision.

Shelby County Schools: There will be the annual meeting this Saturday about Title 1 programs and resources to help parents.

Shelby County Commission: Commissioner Sidney Chism is angry with Memphis politicians for taking unwarranted credit for many County initiatives.

Overton Square: The I Love Memphis blog takes you on a guided tour of the changes about to come.

Education Reform: Lt Gov Ron Ramsey expects the Legislature to apporve a limited school voucher bill next year.

FedEx St Jude Classic: At least for the first days of the tournament, it will be perfect weather. The Commercial Appeal’s tournament notebook. Jeff Maggert and John Merrick are tied for the lead on Day One. Fox13’s Darrell Greene was in the ProAm Tournament.

DeSoto County: County school registration will be available online starting next month. Olive Branch will use local funds, matched by a Federal grant, to take care of erosion along Goodman Road.

City Pools: Yesterday and today are the time to make sure you have your City pool ID cards.

NAACP: As the local branch nears 100 years of service, they are undertaking to rebrand the organisation.

Economic Development Growth Engine: The County is considering taking over EDGE since the City seems to not be interested in funding it.

Business: Although the nation is seeing a mild recovery in manufacturing jobs, Memphis lost 100 jobs in the last year. How many paying airline customers does it take to cover the cost of a flight?

People on the Move, covered by the Business Journal. Today’s Event and Inked, from the Daily News.

Verso Paper: After a terrible fire at its Minnesota mill, the company will idle the plant to make repairs.

Delta Air Lines: Delta Air Lines is lowering fares in response to Southwest, in Atlanta. Congressman Steve Cohen testified on Memphis’ behalf about the situation at Memphis International, to Attorney General Eric Holder. He had tough questions for Holder. The Flyer has the video. More from Fox13.

Medical Devices: Overwhelming Republican votes, with some support from Democrats, led the US House to repeal a tax on medical device makers, which was intended to pay for part of Obamacare.

Graceland: Elvis’ home celebrates 30 years as a national shrine. It has a unique vision.

First Horizon National: In a nationwide ranking, they are now the 42nd largest bank in the country.

Real Estate: Four pieces of land in Colllierville and Cordova, with some desirable buidlings on them, have gone into default. They are owned by affiliates of New York-based Nightingale Properties. Also, the Lincoln at Wolfchase Apartments, in Cordova, were bought by the Archon Group. Area home sales jumped by 25%.

R. Allen Stanford: Federal prosecutors are urging the maximum sentence for the “international fraud” he masterminded.

The Changing Newsroom: Twitter and the practice of journalism in the new environment.

I Face Me: She catches up on her reading and movie watching list. Of course, July 15 can’t arrive soon enough.

I Love Memphis: Ten things to do in Memphis this Summer. It took her a while to find the Hollywood Pizza Shack, but she’s glad she did.

JNSZD: The Summer of Frozen Treats is underway….

matters of merrymaking: Hand grenades and New Orleans. Plus more fun in NoLa.

vibinc: He has questions about the transparency and trustworthiness of the Election Commission.

Mediaverse: He finds a great national news story about a local “student-athlete” who was mistreated by the system at the University of Memphis. Thoughts on the Wells Fargo settlement.

Smart City Memphis: Can a cash-strapped city like Memphis afford PILOTs? How can we afford nice things, like quality, 21st century schools? Concerns about changes to the Unified Development Code.

sharp stick in the eye: Shedding the post-baby weight, once and for all.

Pretty in Pink Megan: Dressy with denim.

Ramblings of the Mad Cow: Your moment of cute: Babies eating lemon for the first time. The very definition of irony.

Joe Spake’s Daily Buzz: The rest of the day’s news, from all sorts of eclectic places. He compares his experiences with Google+ and Facebook; you might be surprised.

Howell Marketing Strategies: They have a number of questions to ask the Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority about Delta, Pinnacle and more.

Memphasis: The band in Heaven just got a little bit better in recent weeks. (via the Daily News)

FUNdraising: They introduce readers to the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training. (via the Daily News)

Commercial Appeal: Depending on saviors to get us out of our messes. Agreeing at last to something they should have always supported.

Dr Timothy Moore: He agrees with New York mayor Bloomberg’s ban on the sale of large soft drinks, (via the Tri-State Defender)

John Branston: People who expect a national search for a new Unified school superintendent to produce an amazing candidate are set for disappointment. Why a sales tax increase just might survive. (via the Flyer)

Memphis Flyer: Race is the inseperable and unsolvable element of school consolidation.