Memphis City Schools: The system has now laid off 320 workers as part of budget cuts. About 4200 educators from around the state are taking part in the Tennessee Diploma Project.

Consulting Services Group: This story in Forbes magazine, along with reporting from the Memphis Flyer, is bringing critical questions and calls for deeper investigation into local company that also advises around Shelby County.

Business: A Goldman Sachs analyst has upgraded his outlook for CB Richard Ellis Group to “neutral”.

A business profile of Jeff Ross and Showhomes-West Tennessee, a home-selling management service, from the Daily News.

FedEx: They opened their new Greensboro, NC, hub yesterday, but with significantly reduced personnel than forecast. More from Fox13 and the CA.

Good Morning Memphis: Better posture for a better back. Summer means outdoors and that means poison ivy. A report on the MCS summer programs. Commissioner Steve Mulroy appeared on the show, before the Commission vote to talk about the anti-gay discrimination vote. Information on the Angel Food Ministries.

LeBonheur Children’s Hospital: They have opened their new clinic serving rape victims under 13, part of the MSARC agreement. More from WMC, WREG, and the Commercial Appeal.

Crime: As many as 25,000 prisoners annually are traveling on their own recognisance between facilities, by bus. Workers at a restaurant in West Memphis found several “molotov cocktail” type bombs; no other information is known yet.

One Commerce Square: The building was auctioned off Monday and bought by Park National Bank. More in the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal.

Arkansas: State Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has again rejected a proposed ballot measure requiring union ballots be secret. A new workplace training program for teachers is intended to give them knowledge of employer workplace needs.

Banking: SunTrust Banks hopes to raise about $1.4 billion through a stock offering.

Health: A survey from Men’s Health magazine that ranks Memphis the lowest for skin cancers. There are some questions on methodology, though.

Germantown: The city has received an investment rating of “AAA” from both Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s.

Education: Seven colleges and universities around the state will split $200,000 in engineering grants.

Millington: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen keeps the property tax rate at $1.23.

DeSoto County: It is Election Day for many cities today. Fifteen additional emergency warning sirens to be added over the Summer.

Tennessee: Some police departments in eastern TN are having difficulty purchasing ammunition due to nationwide shortages.

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?

Memphis City Council: Is a 53 cent property tax hike on the horizon? The MSARC issue is one of today’s agenda items for the Council. In related-ish news, this year’s summer jobs program will hire 3000 youngsters.

Elvis Week: The 2009 Tupelo Elvis Presley Festival starts today and runs through Saturday night.

MATA: Monday was the first day of the new 25 cent fare for “ozone alert” days program. If the Shelby County Health Department declares an “orange ozone alert” for the next day, then fares are dropped to a quarter! This also applies to MATAplus, the trolley. And seniors with ID can ride free. MATA website.

Beale Street: More on the planned re-opening of Pat O’Brien’s as an “urban demographic” nightclub operated by a promoter with a checkered past on Beale.

Politics: Governor Phil Bredesen’s interview with Newsweek, where he talks about his “gun carry” veto. Bredesen says a veto override “won’t surprise” him. State Rep. Curry Todd has sharp words for the governor over the veto; the CA has more. He did sign the bill giving home school diplomas equal weight to public school diplomas. Lt. Governor and Speaker of the Senate Ron Ramsey made a great spectacle of entering the governor’s race and Republican primary Monday morning … really, really early Monday morning.

Nashville’s City Paper on how Democrats stopped the State charter school bill. More on the 1400 jobs the State will plans to cut to balance the budget. The State plans to extend jobless benefits but it will come at a long-term cost.

The State House voted to increase the business tax and the base amount taxed, to replenish the unemployemnt fund.

From the Nashville Post, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Gibbons’ position on gun carry, which is different than the other candidates. A look at wrestling promoter Corey Maclin’s run for the County Clerk office.

The State Senate has passed a bill extending the TN Ethics Commission another two years.

Urban Child Institute: A new study from them says one-quarter of children in County live in poverty and most of those are in Memphis itself.

Mississippi: State tax collections once again fell short of forecasts. The State’s Public Safety Commissioner Steve Simpson says budget cuts won’t affect the numbers of troopers on patrol. Governor Haley Barbour is considering a special session just for the budget. Beginning July 1, the State’s domestic violence laws will change.

Millington: City has approved contracts that mean millions in road work. (via the Millington Star)

Small Business Administration: They will provide government backed loans to car dealerships for inventory.

Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce: The have redesigned and launched a new website. It’s here. More in the Commercial Appeal.

Survey Says: More than half of companies have cut or frozen employee pay. The average price of gas in the state is $2.34/gallon. The manufacturing index dropped less than expected in May. According to the US Commerce Department, people are spending less and saving more right now.

Midtown Stomp: This wine actually makes him squeal!

polar donkey: Praise for Commissioner Mike Carpenter.

Long Tall Animals: A report from a Memorial Day trip to New Orleans and some Very Big Happy News.

MemphisConnect: Nominate an artist for a segment on ArtsMemphis TV.

Mick Wright: A photo report from the weekend’s ballgame. Also, see if you get the joke.

Downtown Memphis Blog: Birthday plans and, controversial thoughts on the anti-gay discrimination ordinance.

Eskapadez: She needs to raise some money for a series of July trips, and you can help!

Lean Left: Christians and conservatives are terrorists.

Annoyed in Memphis: Thoughts on murder, Christianity, abortion and more.

Ashley la Rouge: Anticipation and nerves on the verge of the Big Move.

Cwabs! Corn Pops on a stick! And, a detailed breakdown on Sunday’s Project.

Wendi C. Thomas: She’s proud of the County Commission’s vote on the anti-discrimination resolution. (via the Commercial Appeal)

vibinc: More on government-sponsored “public option” healthcare.

Reginald Milton: A serious misstep by Memphis’ GLBT community?

Notes from Memphis: She’s vacationing in Barcelona, but has time for a pair reports, here and here. Tapas are mentioned.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: “Dear Gay People.” And, weekend cigar blogging.

Secret Agent Mom: Oooooh, the failed business audit finally came.

Running With Dice: A quick report from the Italian Festival, and, a narrative report from their Labyrinth Lord game.

Smart City Memphis: The vote on the anti-gay ordinance is a seminal point in Memphis history/

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: She talks about a very personal illness and how she’s coping. Also, again, if it weren’t for bad luck she’d have no luck at all, it seems.

The Horn of Plenty: A simple but work-intensive recipe for linguine with shrimp and sspicy, creamy tomato sauce.

The Conservative Zone: It’s the end of the world as Mark agrees with Pravda.

Commercial Appeal: Kudos to MCS Superintendent Kriner Cash for initiating a survey and review of system properties and leases. Legislature’s Democrats should reconsider their opposition to charter schools.