Memphis City Schools: New rules preventing flunking of pre-K through 3rd grade students, allow only one flunk for 4th through 8th grade students and remove “A - F” grading in elementary schools went into effect this year. More on the change from WMC. Angry parents react.

The Daily News looks at the newly-opened financial floodgates for the school system. Whitehaven High School is the first city school to teach Arabic.

In a related story, a bill to push the start of school back to Labor Day will be reintroduced to the Legislature next year.

School Menus: Memphis City schools here and Shelby County schools here.

Liberty Bowl: An announcement is expected today on beer sales at Tigers games.

Shelby County Commission: Thanks to twittering Commissioner Mike Carpenter, the legality of using Twitter and Facebook under State “open meeting” laws will be considered.

Beale Street: Memphis Watchdog and Main Street Journal contributor Joe Saino has uncovered documents showing that the City of Memphis has known about non-payment issues for 15 years.

Politics: It’s now official as Governor Phil Bredesen signs off on special Mayoral / State Senate seat election for October 15; more from Fox13, the Flyer. State Rep. G. A. Hardaway’s Saturday town hall meeting on health care reform drew a cooler, calmer crowd. More on the meeting from Fox13, WMC, Eyewitness News.

Consolidation: The renewed push on consolidation by Mayors Lowery and Wharton is still pretty much dead on arrival for the other suburban mayors. Memphis blogger Brad Watkins wonders if this report, from the Brookings Institution, Memphis: A City of Choice, has something to do with the renewed push? More on the report here and here.

Mississippi: In the second year of more rigorous school testing, students are showing only modest gains. North Mississippi Rural Legal Services has to cut back staff and restructure. Prosecutors are using the State’s habitual felony offender law to lock up criminals for much longer terms.

Mississippi Outdoors — the hunting, fishing and wildlife news — from the Commercial Appeal.

Stella Marris: Still more on the Steve Cooper-owned restaurant some fear is a stealth strip club.

Kroger: The chain grocer is recalling its in-store brand of “Super Kids” bread.

Millington: Advocates for an indoor BMX track say it would bring in $2 milllion annually.

Germantown: From the moment it re-opens, the City’s Great Hall is going to be losing a lot of money.

Arkansas: The President Pro-tem of the State Senate, Democrat Bob Johnson has announced he will consider a run against US Senate incumbent Blanche Lincoln, also a Democrat. The Arkansas Policy Foundation rated 9 of the state’s school systems with an “F”.

Lambuth University: The TN Higher Education Commission hopes the school can retain its independent status.

Rhodes College: While overall enrollment has levelled off, the diversity of the student population continues to increase.

Memphis’ Next Mayor: A C Wharton announces six campaign co-chairs; more from Fox13, the Flyer, the Eye on City Hall blog. A list of candidates who have filed, so far. Two women claim they were ejected from the New Olivet Baptist Church, where Rev. Kenneth Whalum Jr — a candidate for mayor — was preaching because of their sexual orientation.

The Lowery Administration: CAO Jack Sammons talks about the Cadillac Escalades that former mayor Willie Herenton leased.

West Memphis: Police Chief Bob Paudert is cutting back on police presence in the parts of town represented by the City Council members who have disparaged the WMPD.

Memphis Area Association of Realtors: The Commercial Council named its officers for 2010.

Bartlett: The Animal Shelter was forced to euthanise 40 cats, all infected with feline infectious peritonitis. A little more from WMC.

MATA: The Memphis News looks in-depth into the City bus program, its plans and funding, and its problems.
 

“Cash for Clunkers”: Today is the program’s last day! More from Fox13, WMC, Eyewitness News.

Business: Mixed reactions on state sales tax holidays. A report from this year’s Tupelo Furniture Market.

A business profile of ad agency The Brand Squad, from the Commercial Appeal. A business profile of Ben’s Tree Service, being carried on by his parents after his death, from the Daily News. Another business profile of Calming Influence Massage and Bodywork Salon, from the CA. And one more business profile, also from the CA, of Discount Motors Inc.

People in business, from the Commercial Appeal, for Sunday and Monday.

Done Deals, from Sunday’s Commercial Appeal.

The Small Business Advocate reminds businesses, all business, that whatever you sell is a COMMODITY.

Tennessee: The Department of of Environment and Conservation levelled its largest pollution fine ever against Stabilit in Moscow. State Attorney General Robert Cooper Jr supports the creation of a Federal agency to regulate home loans and credit cards. The number of mass layoff events went back up in July.

Lakeland: The two Commission seats to be voted on in September only have one candidate each.

Real Estate: No, Crye-Leike is not leaving its Midtown location. National home sales jumped 7.2% in July; more from the Business Journal. Commercial real estate, however, declined in the same period.

DeSoto County: This year’s Hernando Fall Festival will have some changes. Officials in Columbus are considering Sunday liquor sales. An audit of the County Sheriff’s evidence room shows some missing prescription drugs. The Delta Technical College in Horn Lake has moved into a new building. A financial audit shows the city of Southaven has a healthy reserve fund.

Survey Says: Tennessee is among the best states for retiress, tax-wise.

LeftWing Cracker: Thoughts on the mayoral race.

Lean Left: One really, really, really long fisking of a libertarian’s post about government. Kevin notes all government’s swellness.

Memphis News: MATA needs drastic changes, including its own revenue stream for funding, to begin to attract “choice” riders.

Commercial Appeal: Cautious welcome for a new Mississippi civil rights education program. Increased government subsidies for mass transit like busses is a good idea. The massive costs and responsibilities of health care reform shouldn’t be passed to the states. Goodbye to “clunker” program. Kudos to Superintendent Kriner Cash for getting Memphis into the running for the Gates Foundation grant.

Angie Drobnic Holan: A look at some of the controversial and unclear parts of the health care reform debate. (via the Commercial Appeal / St. Petersburg Times)

Otis L. Sanford: Reminding us how expensive Willie Herenton is. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Wendi C. Thomas: All the t-shirts a dream can handle. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Chris Peck: Mayor Pro-tem Myron Lowery has brought a culture change to City Hall. (via the Commercial Appeal)

joelarkins: A shoutout to former Memphian Jamey Tucker and a clever story he did.

(Lang Wiseman) Random Thoughts: Musings on Coach Cal’s role in the Rose scandal.

Haaaaave You Read My Blog? A quick review of Inglourious Basterds.

I’ll be the one in heels: Tim Gunn wants her to succeed. Also, extensive “historical documentation” of a big backyard project on a Saturday morning.

Fertile Ground: A trip to Overton Park releases the nature boys.

Jen-sized: Don’t say those dread words: “My kid’s got a fundraiser.” Not getting the Twilight rage, so she’s going to give it a try.

Egotistical Whining: Sometimes, it’s the story behind the story.

artbutcher: Dwayne has a list of the best movies released before the 50s and immediately draws a debate!

BEEB: When it’s not your child’s birthday.

Blue Collar Republican: Bll Gibbosn and Jim Kyle agree on this subject.

Commontaries: Thoughts on Thaddeus Matthews’ radio show and some of the political guests. Support for consolidation.

Cwabs! Well, this is bad news. Sorry, man.

Divers and Sundry: A report from the UTHSC health care reform meeting.

Doug Johnson: Thoughts on the Tigers / Rose scandal. An important milestone is looming in the weight loss program.