DeSoto County: Olive Branch aldermen and mayor plan resolution aimed to show local support of hospital to State. The filing period for municipal offices is open and it’s busy.

The Board of Supervisors elects Tommy Lewis their president. They also approve a study of the cost of drainage repairs.

Personal Fitness: Using podcasts to help reinforce your New Year’s resolutions.

BUSINESS: The Tennessee Hotel and Lodging Association has purchased the assets of the Tennessee Restaurant Association, mostly as cost-saving move and to converge interests. Bad news for Memphis and TN, as consumers cut back sharply on tourism and travel. GTx and UT reach agreement over drug therapy income; also, they are seeking FDA approval for a new drug.

Medtronic begins test of new arterial stent.

People in Business, for Monday, from the CA.

Education Realty Trust: The REIT, which focuses on student housing nationwide, has secured over $320 million in lines of credit and credit extensions, but cut dividends. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Bankruptcy: Huge bankruptcy overhaul passed by Congress in 2005 will be sorely tested this year, says David Kennedy, chief bankruptcy judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s West Tennessee Division.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center: They have received three grants totalling $1.1 million from the US Department of Health and Human Services for research and new equipment.

MISSISSIPPI: Toyota will make payments to the state against its debt service and to North MS school districts. More from WMC, the CA.

Local Television: According to Mediaverse: Memphis, WMC is freezing employee wages, effective 2009.

TN Department of Revenue: Will be offering a business tax workshop to assist businesses this Thursday.

MLG&W: When bad weather hits, the Command Center swings into action!

Mayor Willie Herenton: The Commercial Appeal runs a new series looking at the mayor, his personal and career highs and lows. Today: Chapter 6, public perception of the mayor, via the media, changes.

Other chapters: the sex scandal; his first mayoral triumph; and the long years of mixed mayoral success; the Yalanda McFadgon flap.

Series homepage is here, with links to all chapters, including those not yet published.

The Inauguration: Many Memphians and Mid-Southerners are travelling to Washington for president-elect Obama’s inauguration. Three generations travel as one. Two unlikely friends from Mississippi. Local schools may allow students to watch the inauguration live during school. Turning the inauguration trip into a career networking move.

Property Reappraisals: With the down economy and the flagging real estate market and foreclosures, many homeowners are still worrying what their property tax bills will be this year.

TENNESSEE: The Deputy Governor,Stuart Brunson, is resigning later this month. Related story from WMC. High school students will produce some highway work zone safety ads.

Memphis Police Department: Director Larry Godwin has legislation he’s pushing to keep criminals behind bars longer.

Memphis Area Association of Realtors: A CA profile of Brian Pitre, winner of their YouTube ‘Your Memphis: Take One’ video contest.

Millington: Board of Aldermen give final approval to Barret Oaks project.

Oakland: Extended mayoral election challenge is costing the city tens of thousands.

University of Tennessee: Charging more for class hours may be one solution to budget woes.

Thornhill Estates: The developers of his Millington project are going full steam ahead, even in this economy. In a semi-related story, work on University Place — a Hope VI development on Lamar — is also proceeding apace.

Memphis City Council: An executive session discussion is expected today on the mortgage lenders lawsuit. They will also discuss this year’s expected budget gap.

Shelby County Commission: Commissioner Steven Mulroy wants the County to go after an estimated $2.5 million in ‘lost’ tax revenue from online travel booking companies. In a related story, County school superintendent Bobby Webb is taking an extended medical leave.

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: Steve’s polls are closed and the results are in.

Thaddeus Matthews: He writes on a preacher asking a lot of money from a poor congregation; and asks how many would be happy if Bill Gibbons left Memphis for Nashville.

The Gates of Memphis: Only one big success in Memphis in 2008, and the two failure narratives of Memphis, plus a way around them.

The Soundcheck & the Fury: A top ten list of Americana music.

theology & geometry: She’s also doing the Project 365 thing; some poetry; going to Washington for the inaugural.

Commercial Appeal: Mourning the loss of two local judges; with Frist out, the TN governor’s race will hopefully produce some good debate on issues.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: A New Year’s message.

I Am Not My Hair: Modern day family life?

Urf! Becoming a stay at home dad and my computer ate my homework.

Running With Dice: Thoughts on photography and Project 365.

Loudersoft: Getting ready for SXSW 2009.

Mediaverse: Memphis: Further thoughts on Bill Gibbons’ campaign points.

LeftWing Cracker: He, too, opines on Gibbons’ gubernatorial run and he’s ‘fitty’ now.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: a New Year’s recap and updates from Friday, Sunday and Monday!