The Memphis Mayoral Race: More on a possible “People’s Convention” to winnow the black, Democratic field of candidates.

The City Council on Tuesday accepted the mayor’s resignation and declared a vacancy, clearing the way for the Election Commission to set an election date. More, from WMC, Eyewitness News, WREG, the Commercial Appeal, and the Daily News blog.

Memphis City Council: They voted to opt out of “gun carry” in public parks; more from Eyewitness News, the Commercial Appeal. A dispute over numbers led the Council to put off, again, approving the budget for the Memphis City Schools; more on WMC, Eyewitness News, WREG and the Commercial Appeal.

They also voted to delay any payment of Joseph Lee’s legal bills until after a court case is heard. And, they also approved a range of waivers for the auto inspection policy.

MLG&W: A new J.D. Power Residential Utility Customer Satisfaction survey shows the utility climbed to 117th place, from dead-last 121st. More in the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal.

National Night Out: The , anti-crime awareness event is coming up on August 4. (GIF image)

The MED: Huge financial shortages are chronic and threatening the Regional Medical Center’s financial stability.

WEVL: The 21st Annual Blues on the Bluff is this Saturday, at the National Ornamental Metal Museumhttp://rsvpswhatsgoingon.blogspot.com/2009/07/wevls-21st-annual-blues-on-bluff-july.html. WEVL website.

Financial: The SEC and the Alabama Securities Commission have filed suit against Morgan Keegan, alleging fraud in their auction rate securities sales. More in the Daily News, and the Commercial Appeal. More on the angry investors. Regions Financial Corp. reports a $244 million loss in the second quarter; more in the Daily News, the CA.

Fayette County: More on the Norfolk Southern intermodal rail yard. It will have an enormous impact on the local logistics industry.

Stanford Financial Group: The Department of Justice is trying to stop a civil case against R. Allen Stanford.

FedEx: The company is making a substantial investment in hybrid-electric vehicles to add to their delivery fleet.

Business: Memphis-based Imperial Guard and Detective Services is expanding into Charolotte, NC. Bringing in 440 jobs to Jackson, TN, Carlisle Tire & Wheel; more from WMC. Mueller Industries has recovered from last quarter’s loss; more in the Daily News. Schering-Plough’s consumer health care sales were down 5%; also in the CA.

People in business, from the Daily News. And, People in Business from the CA.

Previously Posted: More on Democratic support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Gibbons; also, the Daily News. More on the increase in the Federal minimum wage, beginning July 24.

Main Street Journal: On the Block: Today –Outside the usual suspects of politicians, who would you like to see run for Memphis Mayor?. Mid-South leaders respond.

Shelby County Clerk’s Office: Four employees in the office have pleaded guilty in Federal court. One of the supervisors being investigated, Paula Hanson, has pleaded guilty to accepting cash payments. Further reporting from Eyewitness News and the Commercial Appeal.

Politics: Gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam has named Mark Cate as his campaign manager. Shelby County Election Commissioner Bill Giannini is standing firm in opposing or delaying implementation of the Voter Confidence Act. US Rep. Steve Cohen asked hard questions of auto industry representatives this week.

NPR looks at the Ninth Congressional District race. And in the Seventh Congressional District race, Greg Rabidoux, a Democratic challenger to Republican Marsha Blackburn, is going to Washington DC for support.

National Baptist Convention: More on the effects of this year’s convention coming to Memphis.

Trash: The waste pickup problems continue and are mounting. Fox13 catches part of the problem. Video report from WREG.

Delta Air Lines: The airline is instituting a $5 surcharge for baggage checked at the airport.

Memphis Police Department: They are touting an overall crime rate drop of 10 percent. Managing the city’s nightclubs and bars, to prevent them from becoming drug dens, is hard work.

Tennessee: The Department of Human Services collected more money this year than last year and passed it on to families; the Daily News also reports. More on the effort to toughen repeat offender laws and incarceration, and preventing bonding out. Three-fourths of restaurants surveyed (that responded) by the Tennessee Hospitality Association have said they’ll opt out of “gun carry” on their premises; the THA officially opposed the legislation.

One Commerce Square: The ownership group is bringing in two architectural firms — Looney Ricks Kiss and Taber Grinder & Taber — to lead the redevelopment and completion of the half-empty office project.

DeSoto County: Interest-free, Federal stimulus backed loans will enable the County schools to issue $10 million in bonds. Over one-half million dollars will go to the Sheriff’s Dept. for new technology. The Olive Branch police promote from within and Mark Kimbell is selected as assistant police chief. The County schools 2010 budget will be funded in part by money carried over from this past year. The city of Southaven will begin accepting plastic as part of its recycling program.

Mid-South Charity Air Show 2009: This year’s event is cancelled, due to the untimely departure of two key organisers, Dan Ventre and Tracey Williams. It is expected to return in 2010. Official website here. Charities stand to suffer.

Wolf River Boulevard: After forty years, the massive road project is nearing completion, with a lat, two-mile stretch due to start work soon.

Digital Broadcast Television: Unsurprisingly, the Big Switchover didn’t go as well as planned and many folks still can’t get good digital reception. This story offers some assistance.

Xspectre8: Weird problems with his Glock pistols and a justification for carrying two backup magazines. Preparing for the EMP disaster scenario, as opposed to the Zombie Apocalypse.

The Tale of a Southern Belle: Morning person vs not morning person and a gratuitous Pretty in Pink reference.

Wendi C. Thomas: From her personal blog, she uses the arrest of Professor Henry Louis Gates as a jumping off point for observations on racism and racists, online commenting and Memphis. Also, prepping for a 5K run/walk.

Doug Johnson at Work: Thoughts on this past Monday in history — July 20, 1969. He got caught speeding and thereby comes an amusing and sadly informative tale.

The Chockley Blogs: A mouthwatering photo-post on wine and cheese and other delicious foods….

My Memphis Attorney: He’s been to Atlanta, and when he returned he dined at Flight, which sounds pretty cool.

Ramblings of a River City Resident: The plans to move to Jackson, MS, seem to have firmed up; this post details what’s to come.

Pretty in Pink Megan: Whoa. Which one is Cameron Diaz and which is Megan?

Radio Sweethearts: This recap of On the Media is a video post. Sorry, but it must be said: She is so cute!

THE INTERSECTION OF MADNESS AND REALITY: Some very snarky and cynical thoughts on the bizarre arrest of Professor Henry Louis Gates at his home.

Scribblescrawl: Some exciting and nerve-wracking job news.

Reginald Milton’s A Fresh Look: Although this post on a possible People’s Convention for the Shelby County Democratic Party is a week old, the comments section is still going strong!

Egotistical Whining: The pain.

Dining With Monkeys: An unusual experience, dining on the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico simultaneously, at the Gulf Port Grill on Mud Island! But not a pleasant one….

Commercial Appeal: A welcome to the National Baptist Convention. They appear to endorse the optical scan voting machines and Secretary of State Tre Hargett changing his mind.

Crime in Memphis, TN: John’s thoughts on repeat criminal offenders and some hints of more media stories to come.

Brain Release Valve: Thoguhts on amateur scientists and that big honkin’ hole in Jupiter.

Ramblings of the Mad Cow: Seems like they’re running late, but her tomatoes are finally coming in.

16 Balls in the Air: From an article she had published, observations from life in a boys’ house.

Notes from Memphis: For a yet-to-open “gastropub”, South of Beale seems to have the “marketing buzz” thing pretty well figured out.

LeftWing Cracker: He argues against a “people’s convention” amongst Democrats.

Gilmour Girl Goes Memphis: Should she enjoy the honor or face humiliating competition?

Lean Left: Hollywood producers are racist?