Overton Square: Member of Memphis Heritage and others finally got a meeting with two representatives of a potential redeveloper for the site. Results were inconclusive.

“A Healthy Baby” Initiative: From the Tri-State Defender, a lengthy report on the major new outreach by Shelby County government.

Memphis City Council: Council members Wanda Halbert and Janis Fullilove accuse Mayor Willie Herenton of targeting black neighborhoods in his budget cutting.

Second Amendment: This week’s Flyer cover story is on local reaction to the just-passed gun carry in restaurants bill. Keep reading to get the more factual information towards the end. And WMC looks at local political reaction to the “guns in parks” law just passed.

Politics: US Rep. Steve Cohen says he and Rep. John Tanner have forwarded their recommendations for US Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee to the Obama administration. Governor Phil Bredesen will veto the gun carry in restaurants bill even though it was passed with more than enough votes to override his veto. More on this from Fox13 and the Commercial Appeal. Also, a bill making it illegal to shine a laser pointer at fire and medical emergency personnel is headed to the governor.

The State House passed a bill adding two members to the Election Commission, giving Republicans the majority. More from WMC. The Daily News on the Legislature’s bills to reject popular election of State-level judges, let the Governor make his own selection, and keep retention elections; more in the Commercial Appeal.

Bartlett: The Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center announces additions to its new season. Renovations have finally begun on the old Bartlett Branch Library building, which will house City government offices.

Real Estate: Sales of new homes have risen 7% this year, though from “rock bottom” lows.

Marina Cove Apartments: More on the Hickory Hill apartment complex takeover by the MPD OCU using nuisance laws.

Radio: Via Mediaverse, the most recent Arbitron ratings for Memphis radio. Urban rules the roost.

Millington: The City’s new budget for 2010 is still running short. No property tax increase is expected. The Civic Center will be closed four days a week for at least a year.

Public Pools: The City Council has reduced the cuts to the Parks budget, meaning public pools will remain open for eight weeks this year. More from WMC and the CA. However, State-run pools will close two days a week as the State cuts its budget.

Tennessee: Unemployment rose in 29 TN counties but fell in 59 in April! There was a rise in reported hate crimes in the state, including those of “unknown motivation”, to 515 in all categories; fuller story here.

Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce: From the Commercial Appeal, a report on County Mayor A C Wharton’s breakfast address where he talked about a brighter future and the increasingly strong, positive role the Chamber is playing.

Poor People’s Campaign: The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is relaunching the Rev Martin Luther King’s movement from 40 years ago, to spur renewed government action on poverty.

Arkansas: Governor Mike Beebe has ordered all State agencies to submit plans to improve energy efficiency.

South Main: The wall across from Central Station, painted bright red and lyrics from train-related songs, is drawing notice. And appreciation! It was a collaboration between the Center City Commission and UrbanArt, the property owners and more.

DeSoto County: In the Olive Branch mayor’s race, Sam Rikard is outraising his opponent, Dale “A.J.” Bradshaw, more than four-to-one! More financial disclosures for other races in the article.

On the Block: We ask local leaders about important issues of the day. This week: Do politicians from West Tennessee start with a location advantage or a location disadvantage in state-wide races?

Shelby County: Our unemployment rate is unchanged at 8.9%.

County Commission: The Memphis Flyer reports on the anti-gay discrimination ordinance committee vote. Jackson Baker reports on other Commission business. A discussion on setting the new property tax rate.

Beale Street: The Memphis News says that John Elkington is considering selling Performa Entertainment for a buck.
 
 

Delta Fair: This year’s event will take up the slack from the Mid-South Fair and present livestock competitions.

Memphis Redbirds: For the first time, the Foundation is in default of it’s thrice-annualy $1.625 million bond payment. The reserve fund was used to make it up.

Business: Overall sales for Fred’s fell, but income was up in Q1; more from the Daily News. Triton Systems, an ATM manufacturer, is laying off an unknown number of its Memphis employees; the Commercial Appeal has more.

People in Business, from the CA.

Newspapers: The top executives of America’s largest newspapers and news chains met yesterday in Chicago to discuss charging for access to online content. The EW Scripps chain, owners of the Commercial Appeal, were there. The theme was “Monetizing Content,” a phrase that Editor Chris Peck made famous locally.

Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering: A new executive director for the charter school has been chosen: Harold Wingood.
 

Shelby County Schools: Two high level administrative positions were cut, as part of budget reductions. Also, the board approved a policy change giving principals the ability to kick “rowdy” visitors off campus.

Mississippi: State budget negotiators appear to be moving apart now, and not nearing agreement. More on the impasse. More on other aspects of the State budget. The Environmental Protection Agency has sent nearly $20 million to the State for water system infrastructure improvements.

Consumer Services Agency: With help from Federal stimulus money, this County agency can help weatherise and improve energy efficiency for area homes.

Lambuth University: Nearly two weeks late, administrators say employees will be paid this week.

Banking: The Mortgage Bankers Association reports new foreclosures hit a record high in Q1/2009. Unsurprisingly, banks and credit card companies are raising fees; here’s advice on what to do. First Horizon National Corp. has been lauded for the “quality of its investor relations” by IR magazine. Mortgage delinquencies hit a record high in Q1/2009.

County Clerk’s Office: As the investigation of this office continues, three more employees have been fired. Two were involved in Councilwoman Barbara Swearengen-Ware’s alleged improprieties.

Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center: The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center is leading a grass-roots effort to undo some of the proposed solutions to problems at the center and institute new ideas. Also, accounting errors were responsible for some of the center’s missing money, but much more remains unaccounted.

Delta Air Lines: The company has reached a tentative agreement with its pilot unions over an early retirement offer.

Survey Says: According to Manpower, about one-third of potential employers are having trouble finding qualified candidates.

Left Wing Cracker: Linking alcoholism and homosexuality.

Mediaverse: Thoughts on criminal sentencing for disparate cases. Kudos to Eyewitness News for a story on open sewage in an apartment complex.

polar donkey: Wyatt Bunker, latent homosexual?

Lexie Carter: Beware of the “Credit Card Fair Fee Act” and what it might mean for you. (via the Tri-State Defender)

Cwabs! Thoughts on marriage, gay marriage and divorce.

joelarkins: Computer death abounds.

Commercial Appeal: Applauding the governor’s symbolic veto of the gun carry in restaurants bill as “courageous confrontation”.

Smart City Memphis: The alliance of white Southern Baptists and black ministers today over opposition to gay rights puzzles him; he also brings up un-observed Bible verses.

Annoyed in Memphis: Advice for men: wash your hands!

A View From the Middle: A retro-review of Casablanca.

a field guide to urban memphis: Is an accident waiting to happen at Central and McLean?

On the Beach: On goodbyes and Powerball, and a friend’s video.

Ask Myron: Music is like a friend who will pull you through. (via the Tri-State Defender)

Persian Pit Bull: She got her picture taken with Pat and Gina Neely! A great early evening deal at Fleming’s. Who knew her dogs were crazy for chocolate?

John Branston: He writes on the Appeals Court decision to free Shelby County schools from Federal oversight. (via the Flyer)

Pretty in Pink Megan: A couple of movies reviewed, and thoughts on Paris, and luggage!

Radio Sweethearts: Musings on NPR reporters’ names.

The Conservative Zone: More national taxes are coming. More erosion of our rights. And, the Laffer Curve explained.

The Gates of Memphis: He talks about four different events happening this weekend. Also, why the UDC matters.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: Planning for the Memphis blogger meetup continues; they have a date and a time, now they need a place.

vibinc: Celebrating the life of his grandmother, Martel Ross.