Memphis City Council: In non-mayoral business, they passed a ban on texting while driving and now MPD can issue tickets.

Shelby County Election Commission: They have forwarded a list to the District Attorney General’s Office listing 37 people who voted illegally in 2008!

Mayor Herenton’s Resignation: Mayor Willie Herenton verbally states he’s retiring on July 30 and the City Council passes a resolution saying it recognises the vacancy. More on the resolution from the Daily News, Fox13, WMC, WREG and Eyewitness News. Lots of argument in the discussion.The Commercial Appeal is “blogging” the mayoral action here. But will he really retire?

Lots of reactions! From Fox13’s Insiders. From City Council Chairman and soon-come Mayor pro-tem Myron Lowery. From City Councilman Shea Flinn. From the public, via Fox13.

One group of politicians, religious leaders and community activists are asking Mayor Willie Herenton to stay on. More on them from Fox13 and again; WMC.

The Shelby County Election Commission is awaiting word, so they can start the machinery of a special election.

Jerry “The King” Lawler is “definitely leaning toward running” for Mayor. WREG also reports. And Memphis School Board member Sharon Webb has entered the fray. (Eleventh item down the page.)

Downtown: The foreclosed Horizon building has been bought by Capital One. More in the Daily News; the Business Journal.

Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce: Their major roads committee is a public/private group that helps set priorities for road projects in the area.

Sober House Ministries: Larry Hunter, the head, needs a carpenter to help him fix up a donated RV to get a “meals on wheels” program started. A pastor needs a … carpenter. See if you can help.

Business: People in business, from the Daily News.

Memphis International Airport: A new ad and marketing campaign is helping to defray costs at the airport even as it touts the city. Also, in a related story, national airline traffic fell in June, signalling a bad Q2 for many airlines. Delta Air Lines is one of those affected.

Tennessee: A plethora of maps showing broadband service and connectivity around the state, via Connected Tennessee. Does the TN Highway Patrol have a quota for speeding tickets? Most of TN’s Congressional cohort has joined together to ask President Obama to make an emergency disaster declaration for five counties in the state. More on extended unemployment benefits for qualifying people.

Germantown: A proposed retirement housing project along Poplar was turned down in a vote by the Planning Commission.

Main Street Journal July Issue: You can peruse the Table of Contents for our July issue, which will be hitting mailboxes and newsstands later this week. Watch for articles to be posted here throughout the month.

Shelby County Pension Fund: The County Commission heard disturbing news that it may have to triple contributions to the reitrement pension fund to keep it fully covered. The County’s relationship with Consulting Services Group, who advise on pension fund management, (see elsewhere on this page) was also discussed.

Private Lawyers on the Public Dime: WREG want to know why the City is paying an average $2 million a year to private attorneys for City work. More here, with documentation.

Memphis Police Department: At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, they clashed over a local preference hiring policy. They will soon be issuing tickets for texting while driving, after all.

Politics: Secretary of State Tre Hargett is still pushing to delay the Voter Confidence Act, saying the State can’t meet the deadline; more in the Flyer. Rural counties are saying they can’t meet the requirements of the act. The Nashville lawsuit attempting to overturn the new “gun carry in restaurants that serve alcohol” law has been delayed until Monday.

Arts Build Communities: This group is accepting applications for arts and cultural grants to benefit the community.

Millington: The city’s new fire chief is Bartlett’s old one.

DeSoto County: Don Gammage was appointed yesterday as Olive Branch’s police chief. A look at various newly elected and re-elected officials across the County.

Consulting Services Group: The firm that advises on pension assets for Shelby County has reportedly been told by the Securities and Exchange Commission to expect litigation. It is already facing other investigations.

Arkansas: The State is due to received almost $15 million in Federal disaster aid … for the January ice storms? Governor Mike Beebe’s first paycheck of the new fiscal year will have his raise withheld. The “Celebration of the Razorback” is coming up later this month.

Collierville: The University of Memphis is teaching some college courses to home-schooled high school students at their Collierville campus.

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center: Two new buidling projects are hoped to increase interdisciplinary cooperation and scholastic collaboration.

Survey Says: More than half of parents surveyed didn’t believe they could save enough to pay for their children’s college. According to TriNet Group, small business employee morale is rising. Challenger, Gray and Christmas says it’s a tough job market for teens. Consumer loan delinquencies have risen to an all-time high in Q1.

Mississippi: Governor Haley Barbour has appointed two to the State Board of Education. He has also set the budget session for the Public Service Commission for Friday.

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: Most of you worked right through this today.

Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease: Problems with the NRA’s marketing department. From the mouths of children, and other parts, too. Why she’ll be cutting back on the blogging.

sloganeerist: Some less intimidating names for mountain trails.

Scribblescrawl: Going over to the photographic dark side with Photoshop. Keys.

(Lang Wiseman) Random Thoughts: He rounds up some local bloggers’ thoughts on the mayoral race. A Christian rapper? Another funny video made with his kids.

Commercial Appeal: Please keep Judge Sotomayor’s gender and ethnicity out of the confirmation discussion. Conflating local crime with gun carry by folks with State-issued permits.

One Half Amazing! A short, interesting, web-oriented reading list.

Only in Memphis: As he says, at least this candidate would make some things more fun.

Pretty in Pink Megan: A recap of a friend’s wedding with a whole lot of photos.

Radio Sweethearts: Big in Germany and not getting the joke.

Ramblings of a River City Resident: She loves her some Republicans! It’s official, they’re moving.

Doug Johnson at Work: A potpourri post of thoughts. Rod Serling should be introducing Memphis politics.

Complacencies of the Peignoir: Her daddy made her construction paper hats.

Commontaries: Sharon Webb is now running for mayor. Thoughts on the religious leaders who want Herenton to stay.

Commercial Real Estate in Memphis and the Galaxy: Some impressions from yesterday’s City Council meeting. Yet another mayoral candidate. Herenton and Lowery as “bigger desk” competitors?

Bigger Than Your Head: Wow, he’s off to Germany for research on wine! And a first report — on some dinner wines.

55-40 Memphis: Is one of these things like another?

The Tale of a Southern Belle: She is out househunting, and has some thoughts on Michael Jackson’s farewell.

From the Rainbows: Gratitude for dear friends, and maybe customer service, too.

Gilmour Girl Goes Memphis: A fitting session for a bike.

LeftWing Cracker: A profoundly simple suggestion that, of course, would never be taken.

Notes from Memphis: The historical marker tour continues, and she has some Downtown news.