Our Next Mayor: City Councilwoman Wanda Halbert made it official today — she is a candidate for mayor. More from the Daily News, Fox13, WMC, WREG and the Commercial Appeal. Confusion in the ranks of the candidates.

Changes in City Hall: Former WMC anchor Donna Davis is now the “city spokeswoman” for Mayor Lowery. The Daily News sums up the past few days’ controversy over the City Attorney’s office. Mayor Pro-Tem Lowery meets with Police Director Larry Godwin to discuss crime. More on his new staff and advisers from WMC; also WREG.

Shelby County Commission: A new storm water fee will now be assessed monthly. Other business. They also selected Kevin Reed for the new domestic violence judicial commissioner slot.

Brian Tiegland: The family of the Eyewitness News weatherman is suing for malpractice and wrongful death Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, its Germantown hospital and several doctors over his 2008 death. More, also from the Daily News, and Fox13, WMC, Eyewitness News and the Commercial Appeal.

Politics: As the (not so) new Republican majority makes adjustments around the state, county election commissions are one battlefront. More on the “unspendable campaign funds” being raised by candidates for governor.

State Senator Jim Kyle is expected to announce his candidacy for governor on August 11, in Memphis.

“Cash for Clunkers”: Buy soon, as the government is now talking about closing the program by Friday. Mid-South auto dealerships are enjoying the boost in sales.

Youth Villages: They are planning to merge with a similar Georgia-based organisation, Inner Harbour. The Commercial Appeal has more.

Fairgrounds: An alternative proposal for redevelopment, emphasising parks and greenspace, is being advanced as the big Henry Turley-backed plan has stalled.

LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center: They are teaming up with FedEx on an extended care facility for patients, called FedExFamilyHouse.

Memphis Area Legal Services: Despite a recent donation they are, as always, cash-strapped, under-staffed and in need of your help.

Mississippi: The state’s Republican Party is going out campaigning to revive efforts for a Voter ID bill.

Survey Says: Small business owners are showing more confidence in the economy. Construction spending rose, slightly but unexpectedly, in June; more in the Daily News. The manufacturing sector is still declining, but at a lower rate; the Daily News has more.

NEW! Main Street Journal July Issue: The controversial feature article: Progress & Preservation: Can Memphis afford to look the same? by Michael Roy Hollihan. Also, publisher Jonathan Lindberg looks at Cohen & Herenton, Part 1. Table of Contents for July.

National Night Out: The annual crime awareness event is tonight. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Starry Nights: A big, multimedia announcement as the much-loved family holiday extravaganza returns to Shelby Farms.

House of Ink Tattoo Shop: If you donate a backpack filled with school supplies, they’ll give you a free tattoo! Offer is today through Thursday. Their MySpace page.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference: On Monday, they announced a series of non-violent protests at various locations around the country, in support of black causes. The Commercial Appeal focuses on a statement of the SCLC being “in unity”.

DeSoto County: The neighborhood heavily hit by last week’s tornado will likely not get State or Federal aid. Olive Branch is pulling out of an agreement with the County to repair the roof at the B. J. Chain Library. The DeSoto County National Night Out effort appears to have been a bust. The County school system was able to save almost one million dollars in energy costs during the last school year.

Arkansas: A program to give good students a free computer has run into the recession and money problems. Three cities, including West Memphis, are vying to get the next KIP college prep school; more from WMC.

Business: Wright Medical Group lowered its 2009 earnings outlook as profits were down; a different take from the Commercial Appeal. Luminetx has resolved a legal dispute with AccuVein by licensing their patents; more in the Daily News. Tunica casinos are stressing responsible gambling. MGM Mirage has posted deep 2Q losses.

People in Business, from the CA.

Wal-Mart: Two union-backed groups pressing for better pay and work rules for employees have merged.

Real Estate: The open house is still a mainstay of the real estate biz. The Gardens of Germantown Alzheimer’s care facility has gotten funding and should start construction soon.

Nursing: A wage-fixing lawsuit by Memphis nurses against area hospitals may benefit by the class-action status of another, related lawsuit.

Memphis and Shelby County Health Department: They will be holding a back-to-school health fair this Saturday.

TVA: The public utility is announcing a $167 million loss for the fiscal 3Q.

Law: Three Memphis law firms and a flock of lawyers have been honored by the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Financial: An analyst has downgraded to “Neutral” the stocks of Regions Financial.

St Jude Classic: The Memphis PGA Tour event could now have a sponsor in Cellular South.

The Conservative Zone: Mark is in the new home, safe and happy, if tired and he recounts the tale.

Scribblescrawl: Some photos from the Commercial Appeal’s printing press room. More printing press photos (with a link to Flickr for even more) and some “goodbye” dinner photos.

(Lang Wiseman) Random Thoughts: He begins a new series on the perceived problems with health care.

Pretty in Pink Megan: The online yard sale continues, and some road warrior tales.

My Memphis Attorney: He’s been eating out a lot this week and gives you some impressions.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: Help Paul help a friend.

Gilmour Girl Goes Memphis: A report from a road bike race in Arlington, in the rain.

Haaaaave You Read My Blog? Lots of thank yous for the wedding help.

Joy’s Life and Times: She also has a report from the Summer Sizzler bike race.

Notes from Memphis: An update on the Bagpipe Busker who travelled through Memphis and Bartlett last month.

moremittenz: On picking sides after a breakup. Psyching up for marathon training.

Commercial Appeal: Good luck to Mississippi’s Graduation Task Force. Thoughts on the number of gubernatorial candidates who are piling up large amounts of “unspendable” campaign donations.

Eskapadez: Wedding pictures!

Fertile Ground: The extended driving vacation continues at Shoshone National Park, rest stop games (with video) and family karaoke.

Cwabs! The KISS Army Fan Expo is coming to Jonesboro!

Commontaries: He has an intriguing theory on City Attorney Elbert Jefferson’s motives.

Bigger Than Your Head: Frederic writes up an organic wine suitable for vegans!

Brain Release Valve: He re-imagines a new origin story for Wonder Woman that is dark and gritty and … disturbing. Pretty revisionist idea, but it also comes with a mild language alert.

artbutcher: Dwayne is back from vacation and you get a poem.

Lean Left: A Democrat’s view of the Obama-care protests. Problems with PayPal and eBay.

From the Rainbows: How to really know your teenager. Tornadoes and packing.

Smart City Memphis: A great post on the pivot point Memphis is balanced on right now, as Herenton leaves and Lowery takes up his short stint.

Thaddeus Matthews: He really lays into Myron Lowery over the Elbert Jefferson affair.

The Lone Libertarian: The Communist Appeal.