The Cohen Town Hall Meeting: The Memphis Watchdog, and Main Street Journal contributing writer, Joe Saino was at the town hall meeting and files his own report.

Shelby County Commission: They vote to fill the vacant seat left by the resignation of State Senator Paul Stanley. More from WMC. Governor Phil Bredesen will need to OK the date chosen by the Shelby County Election Commission, and the combining of the two special elections. More from the Commercial Appeal. In other Commission news, some of them want to give themselves and the next County mayor a raise.

Memphis City Schools: More parents are complaining about sex offenders living near school bus stops under the changed bus routes. The system wants to work with the Shelby County Commission to obtain over $41 million in very low interest, Federally-backed bonds to fund some projects.

Millington: The Shelby County Clerk’s office, closed during the bribery investigation, is now re-opened.

DeSoto County: The County school system is preparing for swine flu, just in case. A look at the Olive Branch police department under new chief Don Gammage. Methodist LeBonheur Health Care will file a Certificate of Need, starting the process of opening a hospital in Olive Branch.

In related Mississippi news, the Tate County Fair is open! Also, MS Highway Patrol will be out in force August 21 to September 7.

Memphis City Council: They are expected to take up a discussion about crime in the city in their next meeting.

Neighborhood Preservation Act: Steve Barlow, the lawyer in the first use of the new law to force property owners to clean up, has filed the second case, on a property in the Downtown Medical District.

Business: Norfolk Southern plans an intermodal railyard facility in Greencastle, PA. A State incentive from Florida will help Buckeye Technologies restart its Foley Energy Project; more from the Daily News. In Union City, union employees are appealing to President Barack Obama to help stop Chinese tire imports, to increase production at the Goodyear plant there. International Paper got good acceptance to buy back over one-half billion dollars in notes. Macy’s has boosted its 2Q profit outlook.

A professional interview with Kim Koratsky, editor of the Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs LLP blog, from the Daily News.

People in Business, from the CA.

Delta Air Lines: They plan to start a domestic hub at LaGuardia Airport in NYC. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Greenline: Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton signed the paperwork yesterday to make the transfer of the old CSX rail right of way official.

Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts Program: A change to legal practice on client funds held in accounts is producing charitable benefits.

Oakland: The trial of former police chief Robert Tisdale on charges of filing false reports over the “death” of a police dog was postponed again. (via the Oakland News)

“Continuing the Conversation”: A recent interactive discussion on productively using new social media, led by Amy Howell of Howell Marketing Strategies, was so successful that a follow-on event is now planned.

Peabody Hotel Suicide: One of the few reports on the jump-suicide at the Peabody Downtown, with an emphasis on local news’ reporting (or lack thereof) of the incident.

American Institute of Medical Sales: In Bartlett, they turn out top quality salesmen who can stand the rigors of the field of orthopedic sales.

SoFo: More on the luxury hotel slated to go up on the Linden and Fourth property near the FedEx Forum called South of the Forum or “SoFo”.

University of Memphis: A really, really positive spin to the controversial dining fee the school is assessing against all first and second year students.

Survey Says: According to Fidelity Investments, 401(k) contributions are rising. Mass layoff events in TN in the 2Q were up again. And, TN drivers are spending 6% of income of gasoline. A recent CB Richard Ellis report shows the Memphis market for multifamily housing is stable.

NEW! Main Street Journal August Issue: Now celebrating our fourth year as Memphis’ premier newsmagazine. The Table of Contents for the August issue is now online for you to peruse.

Jeff Sanford, Center City Commission: Sanford’s address to the Commission’s annual luncheon two weeks ago caused a buzz. But it’s been hard to find more than excerpts, until now. Thanks to the CCC, the Main Street Journal is proud to present the full text of his address!

Beale Street Lawsuit: Lots of charges and counter-charges over the missing (or not missing) funds found in the audit. The judge in the case has sealed the documents. More on WREG and the Commercial Appeal.

Memphis’ Next Mayor: Thirteen people have now pulled applications to become the city’s next mayor.

Unemployment: Unemployment in Memphis is, as of July, 11.6%, higher than the state or national numbers.

Arkansas: Current members of the West Memphis City Council are defending former Councilwoman Helen Harris over charges of reckless behavior and endangering a police officer. They accuse the WM Police Department of lying. More from Eyewitness News, WREG.

Betsey Wright, once a high-ranking Clinton administration figure, is now facing 51 felony counts. The State Democratic Party is mourning the anniversary of the murder of former chairman, Bill Gwatney.

Politics: Senator Bob Corker sat down with some of the editorial board of the Commercial Appeal for a live interview that was streamed over the internet. WREG has an excellent video report, with long audience clips, from Corker’s Oakland appearance. More on Corker’s town halls from the Daily News.

The Flyer’s Jackson Baker brings a report from State Senator Jim Kyle’s announcement of his gubernatorial run and blogger LeftWing Cracker has the photos. Nashville’s Scene reminds political watchers that Democratic gubernatorial hopeful, State Senator Jim Kyle’s Shelby County co-chair is none other than Bill Morris, whose past conflicts with Kyle’s ethics message. Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Wamp kicked off his “Vision 20/20″ state tour.

Is a reconciliation in the works? House Speaker Kent Williams meets with TN Republican Party chairman Chris Devaney. The Registry of Election Finance took actions this week, assessing fines on certain disclosure failures.

US Rep. Jim Cooper (5th Dist.) backs out of a Nashville town hall meeting on rumors of protesters; http://blogs.tennessean.com/politics/2009/protesters-plan-to-rally-at-first-day-of-school-despite-coopers-absence/. Fourth Dist. US Rep. Lincoln Davis, however, announces a string of town hall meetings. People in Union City are hoping 8th Dist. Congressman John Tanner will come to town hall meetings there. (via NW TN Today) Fox13 interviewed 7th District Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn on health care reform. An Associated Press story on Congressional Representatives ducking public meetings.

If you plan to vote in the special election in October, you need to register to vote by September 15.

Memphis Police Department: As part of their “community policing” efforts, they gave away air conditioners to elderly in New Chicago. More in the Commercial Appeal.

Redbirds: It’s now official, what was widely known already, that Global Spectrum is now the managing firm for the team.

Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs: Thirteen lawyers from the firm has been named to the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers in America.

Previously Posted: More on EmergeMemphis’ $500,000 stimulus funds application. More on Collierville’s not-banning gun carry in city parks and greentrails. (via the Collierville Independent) More on the Olive Branch Police Department making use of Facebook and Twitter.

Riverfront Cobblestones: The Flyer’s Mary Cashiola has a report from Tuesday’s presentation and public forum about plans for the cobblestones.

The Tale of a Southern Belle: She went to St Louis to see Pete Yorn and do touristy things.

AlphaPatriot: Thoughts on the Obama posters floating around the web.

Wendi C. Thomas: From her personal blog, she talks about the reasons for starting her “roots” journey.

Steve’s Nude Memphis Blog: An amusing elephant tale.

Commercial Appeal: The Clinton family finds the spotlight, always. Not quite applauding Senator Bob Corker for holding town hall and public meetings that are calm and civil.

The Conservative Zone: Thoughts on rationing and health care reform.

Smart City Memphis: Thoughts on taxes and Shelby County schools.

Notes from Memphis: Here you go: Elvis overload.

Pretty in Pink Megan: She finds an old picture of herself and shares the story.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: News of an upcoming cigar event. Also, thoughts on Beale Street banning gun carry.

Scribblescrawl: The Memphis Market and sea scallops?

Mick Wright: He’s encouraged by the direction of the local Republican Party and urges everyone to get involved.

Commontaries: Noting the differences between Steve Cohen and Bob Corker.

Cwabs! Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes….

Bigger Than Your Head: Before the wines, a discussion about yogurt.

Brain Release Valve: Bringing the Bible into the health care debate. Is Facebook planning to move into Twitter’s territory?

at home she feels like a tourist: Reappearing from hiatus with a deeply thoughtful post on theories of democracy and the actual, crazy practice we see.

16 Balls in the Air: The “16 Balls” blogger is sucked in by her own advertisers and … buys balls.

Egotistical Whining: No thank-you to backbreaking labor.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: Some notes from the South Main Association meeting, and a lot of random Downtown news.

Haaaaave You Read My Blog? Three quick movie reviews.

Jen-sized: On reaching the “oldies point”.

Jerm’s Baby Blog: Daddy is falling in love.