Willie Herenton Returns! “Retired” not even two weeks, former mayor Willie Herenton went to the Election Commission and pulled a petition to run for mayor … again! Full text of Herenton’s statement after the news got out. It’s somehow Carol Chumney’s fault? Herenton is “highly pissed” says Sidney Chism, who has a theory on this latest move. Analysis from the Commercial Appeal.

The news reports: Business Journal, Fox13, WMC, Eyewitness News, WREG and again, the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal.

Stunned reactions: “more confusion”, Myron Lowery and again, also Fox13; “no comment”, A C Wharton; “tired, old political games”, Jerry Lawler; “Dear God … No“, Jackson Baker; “bizarre”, Bill Boyd; “save the city money”, Rev LaSimba Grey; “a god complex”, Fox13 Insiders, “Stunt?“, WREG. Plus, “man on the street” reactions from Fox13, WMC.

Candidate Charles Carpenter says his strategy “will not change”. How will the news affect the A C Wharton campaign? Mayor Pro-tem Myron Lowery will be on the Drake and Zeke show this morning to address the Herenton move.

A letter to Willie Herenton from local attorney Richard Fields so scandalous the Flyer won’t detail some of its charges.

UPDATED! The Cohen Town Hall Meeting: A very long, very detailed and partisan report by blogger Divers and Sundry (with links to other reports) and another blog report, this one via GLBT blog Grand Divisions. Photos from Left Wing Cracker.

The Memphis Watchdog, and Main Street Journal contributing writer, Joe Saino was at the town hall meeting and files his own report. The Flyer’s Jackson Baker provides another report from the town hall. Rep. Steve Cohen talks with Fox13 about the meeting.

Memphis’ Next Mayor: Candidate Charles Carpenter is profiled in the Tri-State Defender. WREG’s series of mayoral candidate profiles continues with City Councilwoman Wanda Halbert.

Crime: Some Shelby County Commissioners want Shelby County deputies working city streets, but both police chiefs are wary.

Memphis City Schools: Education activist Bob Compton says schools should be teaching Mandarin, Farsi and Arabic languages. Low-performing schools are allowing some students to transfer out.

Beale Street: Agents with the FBI and the IRS are now sniffing around the ongoing financial audit and lawsuit.

Financial: After a hefty purchase of shares by a John Paulson fund, Regions Financial shares saw a 9% rise in value.

DeSoto County: A Smithsonian exhibit on American migration and immigration has come to Southaven. Currently the longest-serving alderman in Olive Branch, George Collins is now in the MS Municipal League Hall of Fame. Also, OB’s Old Towne will have a gigantic garage sale later this month. The Tunica Airport is getting a new baggage handling system. The 7th Annual Tri-State Blues Festival is this Saturday at the DeSoto County Civic Center.

Business: Wal-Mart’s 2Q earnings were flat but acceptable; the Daily News has more. Monogram Foods Solutions will acquire American Foods Group. A new spinal vertebrae replacement system is being introduced by Medtronic. After an analyst downgrade, AutoZone shares dropped.

A professional profile of Bob Moore, of Vistage International, a networking and mentoring company, from the Daily News.

People in Business, from the CA.

Memphis in May: Next year’s honored nation — Tunisia — was announced as was a $200,000 loss from this year. Weather is blamed; commenters to the story blame the lame Beale Street Music Fest artist choices.

Community Centers: Cuts to the Memphis Parks Division budget meant cuts at community centers and that means shorter hours. Citizens are uhappy.

Tennessee: The TN Wildlife Resource Agency is proposing a sixty day duck hunting season, with one split, for 2009 - 2010. TWRA website here. An ACLU lawsuit against the Knox County school system over internet blocking software has been dismissed. We have the highest per-capita rate of Chapter 13 bankruptcies in the nation.

Survey Says: More companies are restoring pay cuts! Retail and food sales declined more than 8% in July. Also, the TN residential foreclosure rate ticked up in July; more in the Daily News. US air travel was down over 8% in May. Business inventories were down for the 10th straight month. Continuing the bad news, retail sales were one notch slower in July.

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!

Millington: When the motion to discuss an ordinance banning gun carry in the City’s parks never got a second, the issue was decided.

David Kernell: An Alaska Superior Court judge has ruled that former governor Sarah Palin was legally not prohibited from using private email accounts to conduct her business. (Memphian Kernell is accused of hacking one of those accounts. Background here.)

The Lowery Administration: The Flyer’s Jackson Baker details the rocky start for Lowery.

Shelby County: Tax revenues for the County were about 94% of the total of tax bills. sent out. The school system is considering advertising on County school busses.

Memphis Golf: A look at the public golf courses around the city and their costs.

Politics: US Congressman John Tanner (8th District) is defending his choice of “tele-town hall” meetings and says he’s talking to folks on both sides of the issue. A transcript of a debate between Republican US Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (7th District) and Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone.

Memphis City Council: At Tuesday’s committee meeting, updating the City’s non-discrimination policy is one of several issues on the agenda.

Religion & Medicine: The Daily News looks at the doctor-ministers in the community, like Dr Scott Morris of the Church Health Center and St John’s United Methodist Church and Dr Kenneth Robinson, who is the senior pastor at St Andrew African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Shelby County health officer.

Arlington: A look at the Music on the Square summer concert series now underway. A British rock tribute is scheduled for this Saturday.

Mississippi: The number of homeowners threatened with foreclosure fell by more than a third last month.

Crescent Club: They have just completed a three-year, half-million dollar renovation, and still kept the spectacular views!

Apple: Fear not Apple computing geeks, while the Saddle Creek store is closed for renovations until September 3, there is a temporary solution coming to Collierville.

Delta Air Lines: One of the largest unions with Northwest Airlines is seeking a mediation ruling that would let it stay in operation after the merger with Delta.

Memphis Theological Seminary: They are opening a new wedding and reception venue, the Joseph Newburger Mansion.

Arkansas: More on the charges against Betsey Wright, a former Clinto administration insider accused of smuggling contraband to death row prisoners, and more background on Wright’s death row activism. Entergy has announced it will drop residential electricity rates beginning September 1. The legislative oversight committee on the State lottery has cleared the way for some contracts to be signed.

West Memphis 3: Testifying in their new-trial hearing, an expert says there was no sexual assault.

Cordova: The Farmers Market at the Agricenter is noted for its fresh seafood availability now, thanks to Paradise Seafood.

“Cash for Clunkers”: The Federal auto stimulus program is having an unintended side effect: hurting charitable organisations that rely on auto donations to raise funds. Shortages of certain model cars is causing the Obama administration to allow “reservations” in the program; more in the Commercial Appeal.

The Antenna Club: The Flyer takes a fond look back at the city’s legendary punk rock club.

Downtown: Here’s a graphic that shows that Memphis isn’t the only city with a night-time population problem. The Land Use Control Board approved the 300-room hotel proposed by Royal Phoenix Development, near the FedEx Forum. The former Hughes Uptown club, closed for criminal and drug violations, will reopen Friday as Uptown Dinner Theater; more in the CA.

Radio Sweethearts: Best. 404 Page. Evah!

Commercial Appeal: With treatment like this, why do people still fly? Why is the Shelby County Commission is such a rush to fill former State Senator Paul Stanley’s seat?

Fredric Koeppel: A paean of sadness to the lost potential of the now-closed Power House gallery space. (via the Commercial Appeal)

John Branston: Who owns Beale Street? Thoughts on John Elkington. (via the Memphis Flyer)

Brittany Jackson: Thoughts on the first week back at school. (via the Tri-State Defender)

THE INTERSECTION OF MADNESS AND REALITY: Thoughts on gun carry at town hall meetings, with a white/black awareness thrown in.

(Lang Wiseman) Random Thoughts: The difference between capitalism and socialism, as seen from space.

The Chubby Vegetarian: You, too, can make a jackalope sandwich!

Secret Agent Mom: Her five most-hated songs.

Thaddeus Matthews: Questions about some expenditures at Memphis City Schools.

Love is a Movement: A rather deep post on eye color, skin color, segregation and “person”.

vicinc: County Commissioners representing some of the poorest in Memphis want a raise? Did news of the Fields letter have anything to do with Herenton’s mayoral decision?

Complacencies of the Peignoir: Savoring her perfect day.

Urf! Watching your kids make new friends at new schools, or not.

Vegan Crunk: I’m not sure, but I think she’s not quite correct here.

Author of Y’all’s Destruction: Thoughts on book design, keyed to his books.

Xspectre8: Lawful carry and media-political freakout.

MAKE IT HAPPEN: A heart-breaking missed rescue and some advice on pets.

The Tale of a Southern Belle: Her dermatologist is getting under her skin.

Blue Collar Republican: Black voters are helping Willie Herenton make a mockery of Memphis. Some more suggestions on possible mayoral candidates.

Wendi C. Thomas: On her personal blog, her “roots journey” begins with memories of chicken and some past places revisited (with pictures).

Doug Johnson at Work: Thoughts on schools busses and walking to school. Thoughts on that wacky mayoral race and the potential for damage.