Memphis City Schools: Students of the newly-formed Oakhaven High School debate team already qualify for international competition! A Bartlett student gains national attention for innovative student election.

University of Memphis: Flu shots for students available at the Student Health Center. Widow of Hardin-Sysco businessman donates $2 million to student honors program. More from WMC, Daily News, Commercial Appeal.

In a related story: bad economy doesn’t deter students from college.

New mascot, Tom III, to be introduced this Saturday.

Christmas: Experts say, warn children if they should expect fewer presents this year. Target, despite earnings losses, plans aggressive discounting this season.

MISSISSIPPI: Roger Wicker will retake his oath of office in January. Citizens for Community Values is helping former prostitutes, including many coming from Southaven, into new lives.

Shelby County: Is your home a former meth lab? You’d be surprised. An ad hoc group of civic leaders, bankers and politicians are moving fast on tackling local foreclosures.

Shelby County Commission: They vote ‘yes’ to the Bass Pro Shops deal, 9 to 3. More from Eyewitness News, Fox13, WREG, Daily News, Commercial Appeal.

Tennessee Small Business Development Center: Stands ready to help in these tough times.

Vintage Homes LLC: Partners with Next Solutions to survive and prosper in the down economy.

Longleaf Partners: Fund managers surprised at their mutual fund investors’ loyalty.

Foreclosure: Both Winchester Oaks and Graceland Manor apartment complexes are now in forclosure, expected to be sold in December.

PIPE: Education reform advocates see long-term financial security coming into possibility.

Millington: Developer of Barret Oaks senior care facility warns of devil’s option if his plans are thwarted.

Great American Smokeout: Coming Thursday!

Medtronic: Acquired a California bone cement delivery technology company. More from the Daily News, and some additional company news.

FedEx: Will delay opening its China hub until mid-2009. More from the Daily News.

BUSINESS: US Post Office to raise rates. Servicemaster reports revenues up in 3Q. Enterprise Rent-A-Car plans new facility on Appling Road.

People in business, from the CA.

Banking: First Horizon gets an $866 million capital injection from the Federal government. In a related story, Bancorp South won’t take any bailout funds. More from Eyewitness News. SunTrust accepts $3.5 billion from capital program. News on three more local banks and what they plan with the bailout program.

Memphis City Council: A report on the Council potentially relaxing residency requirements for Memphis police. Another WMC report on the discussionat a public crime forum; more from Eyewitness News.

An agreement on the Fairgrounds is expected at Tuesday’s meeting. Also expected, discussion on amending the MLG&W budget to provide $2.5 million in customer bill assistance.

Life Harvest: A Collierville-based food pantry is gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday.

TENNESSEE: Governor Bredesen doesn’t rule out layoffs as a budget-cutting measure. Won’t cut education, though.

Operation Christmas Child: Community ’shoe box gift’ program taking off! A related story, from WREG, got new shoes for a poor student, and more besides. More also from the Commercial Appeal.

Prison Puppies Achieving Worthy Service: County prison program that helps make dogs in local animal shelters more adoptable.

DeSoto County: Board of Aldermen formally requests audit of fellow Supervisor. Also approves discount drug plan for citizens. And requests funding from State for Health and Wellness Center.

Olive Branch Police Department requesting public comment on their adherence to policy and procedure as part of recertification process.

POLITICS: City hiring of former State Senator John Ford’s former girlfriend, with Mayor Herenton involvement, is causing a media fuss: WMC. More from blogger Thaddeus Matthews.

More associates of Mayor Herenton called to testify. This time, Elvin Moon, already being investigated. More from the CA.

Candidates in Collierville municipal elections agree: it was clean.

Shelby County Election Commission finally certifies all election results!

Commercial Appeal: Opining on the mayor’s grand jury woes.

Pretty in Pink Megan: Birthday pics and a color swatch?

Life In & Around Memphis: A surprise in his aquatic training.

Too Lazy to Fail: An update on his cat. A review of the Mother3 game. And, he refuses a door search at Wal-Mart.

Author of Y’all’s Destruction: A deeer collision.

Commontaries: Thoughts on McCain, post election.

Rustmeister: Thoughts on the Tennessee Titans.

A Right Perspective: Remembering the dark days of being a conservative Republican approaching the Democratic General Assembly.

Gilmore Girl Goes Memphis: For her triathlon training, she has a number.

Fore Left!: Is Obama President Pander already? And A.C. shreds William Ayers’ sudden media appearance, post election.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: She’s sick. Philosophising on faults and metaphors. Welcome to her morning routine.

a field guide to urban memphis: With charts and numbers, an unsettling and sobering look at Memphis student performance.

Brain Release Valve: From now on he only speaks The New Truth.

Complacencies of the Peignoir: A terrible family fight that ends roughly, then pictures from a party.

Ashley la Rouge: Saying goodbye — to a job and to new friends.