Grizzlies: A provision in the Bredesen budget would assess a per-player $2500/game “privilege tax” for up to three games for NHL and NBA teams playing in TN. The NFL and MLB are exempted. More from WREG.

City of Memphis: Little noticed at Tuesday’s City Council meeting was a resolution requiring a Council OK on any demolition in Overton Square; the Daily News also covered this. The Council will also cut its budget but keep staff raises. The unemployment rate for the city, for April, was steady at 9%; more, again, in the Daily News.

County Court Clerk’s Office Investigation: Patricia Reid, who was fired as part of the on-going investigation, is accusing supervisor Charles Nichols, who retired when accusations came his way, of directing staff to “take care of” City Councilwoman Barbara Swearengen-Ware.

MSARC: Continuing fallout from the City Council meeting earlier this week, as reporters like Fox13’s Les Smith go back into the record for who said what when. A report from the Council meeting, before any decision was made. And, a Council committee votes to cut all agency funding, effectively handing the agency over to the County to run; more from Eyewitness News, WREG and again, the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal. From WREG, the Mayor’s full remarks from the meeting. More community and citizen advocates for MSARC are speaking out.

Politics: The State is apparently $100 million below forecasts in tax collection for May.

The State House passed a bill exempting collectors of Jack Daniel’s bottles (for example) from alcoholic beverage laws. Another bill, to align State limits on selenium in public water with proposed EPA guidelines, failed.

The State Senate approved a bill (28 - 0) restricting the use of red-light cameras by municipalities on Federal highways. It now goes to the governor. They also passed the “cap and trade” resolution that keeps the State out of any Federal plans for controlling greenhouse gasses.

DeSoto County: County officials are warned to prepare for Interstate 269 corridor, or they will have sprawl instead. The Board of Supervisors approved a bond issue to build new roads and make jail improvements. Plans for a new fire station in Horn Lake are approved.

Mississippi: The US Equal Opportunity Commission has ordererd the Department of Public Safety to make changes, alleging systemic and systematic discrimination against African-Americans in hiring, promotion, assignments, etc. Even with four weeks left, legislators are already warning of a possible shutdown of State government as budget talks continue to stall. More on that from the CA.

Downtown: The building which once housed the Tri-State Defender now serves Creole-style food as Beignet Cafe. Just how often do they get fires at the Texas de Brazil?

University of Memphis: The Ciba Foundation has donated $250,000 to establish a Scholars Fund in chemistry.

Trucking: Industry reps have their eye on new EPA mandates that kick in January 1 next year.

Summer Jobs: Thousands of teens are beginning their temporary City jobs. In a related story, dozens turned out for possible jobs as sales agents and managers with Liberty National Life Insurance Company. And economic experts are warning people to be cautious about the labor market’s rebound this year.

Goodwill: They have opened a new Attended Donation Center.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference: They continue to build support for their planned “Poor People’s Campaign”, scheduled for Jackson (MS) on the 20th.

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?

St Jude Classic: Four local auto dealerswill provide courtesy cars during the golf tournament this year.

Mid-South Terrorism: The terrorist who shot military recruiters in Little Rock, Abdulhakim Muhammad, was planning to head to Memphis; other stories from WREG. More on the terrorist’s Memphis connections from WMC, WREG. The funeral has been set for the soldier who was killed in the attack.

Shelby County Commission: More on the struggle to determine the new County property tax rate.

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz: The Daily News takes a look at the various diversity initiatives and pipeline programs the firm is building up.

Good Morning Memphis: Pizza Dude! Also, information on a free, customised retirement analysis. The COMEC Treasure Hunt is this Sunday at the Pink Palace.

FedEx: The company is selling a new Houston facility to American Realty Capital Trust. The company is warning it expects $1.2 billion in noncash charges when year-end results are announced later this month.

Business: Sales at Fred’s slipped 6% in May. Valero Energy expects a Q2 loss and plans a stock offering; more on Valero’s easing tensions with the State. Active Implants managed to raise $10 million in their stock offering.

A professional profile of J. Vincent Perryman, attorney, from the Daily News.

People in Business, from the CA.

Memphis StartUp Weekend 2: The new business development event got five new ideas off the ground and rolling.

Crime: More on the FBI report released Tuesday about violent crime and murders. Tips from Eyewitness News on how to avoid “phishing” scams.

Banking: As interest rates rose last week, mortgage applications plunged. Citizen National Bank is opening a second branch office in DeSoto County.

Tennessee: The Department of Human Services is increasing inspections and surveillance of daycare vans this Summer. The State’s Dept. of Tranportation chief, Gerald Nicely, believes the Obama administration is ready to get serious bout high-speed rail, like a Memphis - Little Rock line.

The Big Switch: A reminder that the switchover to digital broadcast television is next week, June 12. There is plenty of help for those who need it.

MLG&W: The board of directors meeting is today.

Survey Says: The state’s Real GDP grew last year at nearly one-third the rate of 2007. Payroll firm ADP reports companies cut over 500,000 jobs last month; but, 16% fewer firms announced planned layoffs in May.

Skatelife Memphis: Some very dedicated and civic-minded people are trying to bring a skatepark to Memphis.
 

Taking Back Our Neighborhoods: WMC looks at the recently renovated Boys and Girls Club center in Berclair.

Weeden Arts Watch: The UrbanArts Commission is now on Twitter.

Persian Pit Bull: Even dogs like Starbuck.

Fertile Ground: Fun things to do for free this Summer!

Urf! His kid is going to be very dangerous when he gets older.

The Chockley Blogs: Serving ideas for radishes and snow peas. Separately, that is.

Smart City Memphis: You tell me. Does SCM misunderstand and mischaracterise what the “gun carry in establishments that serve alcohol” bill does and why it was brought forward? It seems so.

Squeaky Wheels Seeks Grease: Adventures in Wal-Mart.

Wendi C. Thomas: She is proud of her Jamaican heritage. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Because I Said So: Being a mom of boys and refereeing Memphis roller derby aren’t all that different! (via the Commercial Appeal)

String of Theories: A recipe for sausage-stuffed manicotti.

The Lynnster Zone: She’s back from a self-imposed hiatus with not-good news.

MemphisConnect: A bunch of suggestions for keeping your kids engaged this Summer.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: There’s a benefit fundraiser for the Downtown Farmers Market this weekend. And some information on the Zero to Sixty fundraiser for The MED.

Secret Agent Mom: After months of stress and misfortune, she’s decided her attitude will change.

(Lang Wiseman) Random Thoughts: Some observations on Mayor Herenton playing the race card.

Doug Johnson: Ahhh… that new job smell.

Commercial Appeal: Cautious acceptance of the new Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance. Herenton’s bizarre outburst to the City Council earlier this week is yet another racial wedge.

16 Balls in the Air: Someone has his family budget priorities right.

MAKE IT HAPPEN: Swim practice insight.

Lean Left: Murder is always wrong and some murders wronger than others. Thoughts on Harlan Ellison’s behaviors. No discrimination seen here.

a field guide to urban memphis: If you are concerned about what fishes and seafoods you eat, this handy guide might help.

moremittenz: Zombie sparrows and other soap opera endings.