Northeast Shelby Republican Club Dinner: The four leading Republican candidates for governor — Bill Gibbons, Bill Haslam, Ron Ramsay and Zach Wamp — will attend the 2009 Pasta and Politics fundraiser on November 13. (PDF document) Website here.

The New Wharton Administration: The Tri-State Defender looks at his election. The Flyer’s Jackson Baker calls Wharton the “new unifier”.

Commercial Appeal: They publish a story refuting claims that newspaper readership is declining. (Read that Editor & Publisher story here.) See also The Scarborough Reports website and their specific data for Memphis not linked in the CA story.

In other Commercial Appeal news, opinion and editorial page editor Otis Sanford has been named president of the Associated Press Managing Editors.

Halloween: A Cordova father is claiming to have found razor blades in a bag of candy bought at a Wal-Mart. Note: they were found in the bag, not the candy. From WREG, a Halloween event map. (Also, check out the blogs below for more events.)

Memphis Animal Shelter: Mayor A C Wharton has appointed a task force to study the situation and make recommendations. More from WMC, WREG. Also from WREG, some of the complaints about the shelter.

Second Amendment: The Commercial Appeal returns to Bartlett and the Board of Mayor and Alderman’s not passing a ban on gun carry in parks.

Politics: Shep Wilburn talks about his run for Juvenile Court Clerk.

Knoxville’s Frank Cagle wonders if the time and mood are right for a third party candidate? If you would like to read the US House health care reform bill, it’s online here; all 1990 pages. Drew Johnson is stepping down as the president of the Tennessee Center for Policy Research; more in the Tennessean.

If all the Republicans hoping to move from the State House to the State Senate succeed, does that help House Speaker Kent Williams keep his position? Even with this month’s work session on wine laws, the Legislature may still not change anything soon.

Tennessee’s Democratic US Representatives are very, very Democratic! The Nashville Scene has a long, in-depth look at US Representative Jim Cooper’s (5th District) involvement in health care issues in Congress. US Rep. Steve Cohen is introducing bills in Congress calling for studies of racial disparities in law enforcement.

COGIC Convocation: The Tri-State Defender sets the stage for next week’s 102nd Convocation.
 
 
 

Rain, Rain, Go Away: City workers are cleaning storm drains and curbs to help minimise flash flooding.

Shelby County: The County penion fund is still off its all-time peak, but has recovered most of its lost value and seems sound.

Workforce Investment Network: After years and years of financial problems, the State is threatening a take-over. This outfit was also tied to this Summer’s scandal with the Summer Youth Employment Program.

UT Health Science Center: They received a $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes for Health to study nicotine addiction.

Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts: Their centennial exposition is coming up next weekend! Website here.

Survey Says: Two-thirds of chief financial officers don’t plan to step up eco-friendly programs any time soon.

Shelby County Drug Court: They received a $900,000 Federal grant to help people with mental illness and drug problems.

H1N1 Virus: Many members of Congress are skipping the swine flu vaccine. A health Department update, from the Tri-State Defender, on the swine flu vaccine. More doses of the swine flu vaccine have arrived at the Health Department. The number of cases in Shelby County seems to be waning now, but it’s not over!

Willie Herenton Investigation: City Council attorney Allan Wade faced the press after his grand jury appearance yesterday. Former City Attorney Elbert Jefferson was less loquacious; a pre-appearance report.More on Jefferson, from Fox13, WREG. Four witnesses testified Thursday. The Commercial Appeal only mentions three attorneys.

Memphis City Schools: A 2nd grade student at Kate Bond Elementary was disciplined for bringing a gun to school. More from WMC, WREG and the Commercial Appeal.

DeSoto County: Boxcare Bingo in Olive Branch will not get its license renewed by the Gaming Commission; more from WMC. The Southaven Towne Center is showing early signs of bouncing back from the Great Recession.

The MED: More on the vote to close the emergency room along with other cost-cutting measures.

Arkansas: On the first day of flu shots around the State, almost 28,000 doses were given out. Mass flu shot clinics are planned for every county next week. The State Supreme Court has upheld their lethal injection law.

Crime: Seniors in Orange Mound are concerned about crime and State Rep. G. A. Hardaway proposes free phone service so they can report crimes.

Union Avenue United Methodist Church: Victim of a drastically declining membership, the church building is for sale, which could drastically alter that streetcorner.

Business: Goodyear Tire & Rubber saw a doubling of profits in 3Q. (via NWTN Today.com) 3Q net sales for Wright Medical Group rose nicely; more from the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal. Majestic Star Casino, the parent company of Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica had a default rememdy placed against it for nearly $400 million in debt. CB Richard Ellis’ earnings fell by 69% in 3Q.

A business profile of Accredo specialty pharmacies, from the Commerical Appeal.

People in business and What To Do, also from the CA.

Tennessee: The State Department of Education is trying to soften the blow of a national report saying we are well below NAEP standards. In related news, a new study shows the gains from pre-K education efforts disappear by the second grade. Two Memphis residents, Karen Thomas and Sasha Beard, have been separately charged with TennCare fraud.

Financial: The Bank of Bartlett has agreed to a turn-around plan contract with the Federal Reserve of St Louis; more from the Daily News.

Stella Marris: Steve Cooper’s first restaurant venture, which many fear will morph into a strip club, had a private opening last night.

Mississippi: The State Supreme Court is inquiring after nine death row cases that are no longer proceeding.

Real Estate: The industrial vacancy rate locally rose to almost 15%. How the County land bank, where Harold Buehler got his properties recently, works.

The Stanford Group: The lawyer in charge of recovering money hopes to return $1.5 billion, of an estimated $7 billion, back to investors.

Higher Education: Memphis area colleges and universities are slated to receive million in Federal stimulus funds and they have plans to spend it.

sharp stick in the eye: More on their trip to Boston, this time focusing on the local flora!

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Thoughts on open carry.

Pretty in Pink Megan: Gettin’ ready for Halloween. Need some portraiture? She has a recommendation.

Persian Pit Bull: Cool! Their new house has an outhouse! Regarding the two dogs shot by the police, some darned good advice most folks seem to be overlooking.

Notes from Memphis: Tokyo Milk perfume and a retraction.

MemphisConnect: From Buck, a pretty big list of kid-friendly events for Halloween.

Memphis City Watch: Could a property tax rebate not unlike a TIF help turn Memphis properties around?

The Chubby Vegetarian: An incredibly simple baked eggplant parmesan.

The Flying Bloghouse: When work involves collaboration with a fun person and it’s fun already, then it’s double-fun!

theology & geometry: Like coils of spring steel in your neck.

Urf! He wanted the kids to get outside to play and then…. When sickness is not unwelcome.

I Love Memphis: A short interview with Elizabeth Lemmonds, of the Leadership Academy and MemphisConnect.

Just A Girl in the World: A funny, wacky, conversational post about modern dating.

I’ll be the one in heels: That household staple: laundry.

Cwabs! Turning infant formula into goodwill.

The Tale of a Southern Belle: Deal-wrangling on eBay.

Bigger Than Your Head: Farewell to Gourmet, and some simple recipes.

Commercial Appeal: Defending a Congressional earmark. The problems at The MED call for Federal support and maybe even health care reform.

Zach McMillan: Is Mayor Wharton benefitting simply by showing up? (via the Eye on City Hall)

Linda S. Wallace: True diversity and inclusion require us to work outside our comfort zones. (via the Tri-State Defender)

George E. Hardin: If you want to build better communities you have to get involved. (With bonus Dorothy Parker quote!) (via the Tri-State Defender)

John Branston: The Food Network is the new ESPN. (via the Flyer)

The Flyer: Health care reform is almost here. (via the Flyer)

Rich Holden: Changing voting machines to comply with the Voter Confidence Act would cost millions the County doesn’t have. (via the Flyer)