Bartlett: Alderman Jack Young expects the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to approve “gun carry” in local public parks.

Mud Island: At the first of two public meetings, Looney Ricks Kiss presented three proposals to remake the island. The second public meeting is today.

Gangs: A former local gang member has made a documentary for parents on gangs and gang culture called Toe Tag. Also, an interview with someone who appeared in the film, Mr X.

MLG&W: The board of directors meet today.

Elbert Jefferson: Eyewitness News looks at the documents turned over to the District Attorney’s office during the investigation into payments to former mayor Willie Herenton’s attorney. The Daily News looks at some of the inconsistencies in the whole saga.

Partners in Public Education: Due to a lack of funding, they are closing their doors. The Memphis City Schools Foundation will supplant it. More from the Daily News.

Business: The Red Rooster restaurant has closed. NuCO2 will open a new refurbishing plant in Memphis.

A business profile of the Deal, Cooper & Holton law firm, from the Daily News. A business profile of nexAir, which sells industrial gasses, from the Commercial Appeal.

People in business, from the Commercial Appeal.

Project Safe Neighborhoods: This is a collaboration between local and Federal police and district attorneys to crack down on felons who still have firearms. More on the story from the Commercial Appeal.

West Tennessee: In Union City, the Hnedak Bobo Group has been selected to develop the master plan for Discovery Park.

Blight: The City is going to clean up along several major streets in the city. Also, in the Westwood area, tree trash has been piling up for weeks.

Brooks Museum of Art: The Masterpieces of European Painting from Museo de Arte de Ponce exhibit is the largester ever undertaken by the Brooks. It runs through January 10.

Tennessee: The Robert Woods Johnson Foundation says that, without health care reform, the number of uninsured would rise to 1.3 million. A group of State and Federal agencies are looking to coordinate on a Strategic Safety Plan to reduce highway fatalities by 10%. Residents of Haywood County want some questions answered about the just-approved megasite. Why do “Amber Alert” signs on the interstate convey so little information?

Survey Says: Adults under 29 don’t trust financial institutions. The US economy shrank less than expected, though it still contracted, in the second quarter.

Financial: First Tennessee Bank is selling its equity division, FTN Equity Capital Markets Corporation. Commercial bankruptcies were up in Q2/2009. Still, nearly 1 million foreclosures are in process.

Arkansas: The Mid-South Community College in West Memphis is getting a Federal grant to open a biodiesel technology education center. An audit of Helena - West Helena’s finances shows $140,000 in improper payments and missing receipts; much longer story from Eyewitness News. Sales of lottery tickets on the second day match the first. The state’s chapter of ACORN is laying off 4 of its 7 workers.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra: A grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will allow an orchestra member-led concert series.

Millington: A short report on the proposed plans for redesigning Old Town. And the organisers of the Goat Days Festival are already planning for next year. (both stories via the Millington Star) More on efforts to repair dilapidated conditions at Millington Central High School. County commissioners and State representatives are now involved; further report from the Commercial Appeal.

Unemployment: Lauderdale County has the highest jobless rate in the state; Dyer County rate doubles over 2008. (via the Dyersburg State Gazette) In a related Business Journal story, Memphis was ranked 43rd for income growth since 1983. And, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 99 of 100 metro areas lost jobs over the past year. Good news: job losses are slowing down.

NEW & UPDATED! Single Source School Funding: County Commissioner Mike Ritz has released his single-source funding proposal, ahead of the October 7 vote on the subject. Here’s the proposal itself (DOC format) and a summary of funding levels and the property tax changes required (DOC format).

Commissioner Mike Carpenter’s counter-proposal’s press release and the proposal itself. (DOC document)

H1N1 Virus: Doctors talk about their experiences with the swine flu virus. The vaccine is due to start distribution in a few days. A WREG story on a potential new case.

Cohen v. Herenton: The two major announced candidates for the Ninth US Congressional district, US Rep. Steven Cohen and former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton will meet in a debate set for July 11. The Commercial Appeal also reports.

Mid-South Fair: Very few news stories this year, compared to previous years…. WMC. From the Commercial Appeal, a story on the Budweiser Clydesdales at the Mid-South Fair.

City of Memphis: The administration is reviewing pay rates for temporary City employees. The City Council will delay until after the mayoral election a vote on raising taxes to fund schools.

Rotary Foundation: The local Rotary is accepting applications for its foreign group study program for professionals. This year’s country is South Korea.

Politics: State Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester is accusing Lt Governor Ron Ramsey of “obstruction” in fighting the Voter Confidence Act of 2008. Praise for Rep. John Deberry’s diversity training for State employees from attendees.

US Rep. Marsha Blackburn responded sharply to scurrilous charges by fellow Congressman Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) that Republicans want people to “die quickly”.

Downtown: The Center City Commission is considering banning sales of single beers downtown! They hope to control rowdy behavior … outside of Beale Street.

Friends for Life: They and Habitat for Humanity are receiving grants totalling $600,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati.

Strip Clubs: As expected, the US District Court has upheld the County’s tough strip club regulation. Another case in the US Appeals Court is still pending.

The Visible School: Fox13 looks at the school for Christian music worship.

University of Memphis: Class textbook rentals are slow to catch on in Memphis. More on the partnership with Southwest Tennessee Community College for dual enrollment and ease of credit transfer; more in the Business Journal and the Commercial Appeal. Doing psychological research with a Wii. (above stories via the Daily Helmsman) The College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Chapter will honor five alumni tonight.

DeSoto County: On the Budweiser Clydesdales at the Mid-South Fair. Improvements to the County’s Ross Road wastewater treatment plant helps them prepare for future growth.

Previously Posted: More on the residential anger over a State DMV station. More on Regina Morrison Newman’s adjustment to being the new Country Trustee.

artbutcher: The Broad Avenue Arts Walk is this Friday!

Commontaries: Thoughts on Elbert Jefferson.

Complacencies of the Peignoir: Student - teacher discussions in the internet age.

diary of a southern domestic diva: Catching up and which guy to date?

Bigger Than Your Head: How many times a week does the truck drop off boxes and cases of wine at your house?

Fertile Ground: A visit to West Memphis and the other side of the bridge.

Haaaaave You Read My Blog? Is it 1994 again? Health care is being debated. Bill Clinton is talking vast right-wing conspiracies. And Pearl Jam has a Number One album.

Jen-sized: Oooooh… that must’ve hurt.

Joy’s Life and Times: As she prepares for her Hawaiian ironman event, she prepares, both psychologically and physically.

Persian Pit Bull: Tailgatin’ with the Vols. Dining out (with family and friends) in Knoxville.

Pretty in Pink Megan: The 46 stages of Twitter.

Weeden Arts Watch: A talk by Steve Powers on working with graffitists to turn them into city-transformative artists.

The Chockley Blogs: Turning a Farmers Market tuna (yes!) into a spicy dinner treat.

Left Wing Cracker: Candidate A C Wharton answered some questions he asked back in August.

Lean Left: It’s not for everyone, but they liked Zombieland.

Radio Sweethearts: Fear of technology and reporting a story.

Commercial Appeal: Sometimes, city leaders must overrule the voters on some issues. It’s a good time for City Attorney Elbert Jefferson to move on.

Because I Said So: How to keep up with the flood of artwork your kids will generate. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Wendi C. Thomas: She talks about a film on lesbian exclusion. (via the Commercial Appeal)

The Tale of a Southern Belle: They close on their new home in two weeks! It’s her blogiversary, too, and if you act fast you can win her giveaway.

Thaddeus Matthews: The attorney slated to replace Ricky Wilkins at City Hall is Van Turner, the chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party. Thaddeus wonders if something is up….

student: revisited: The flu, getting published and Teen Girl Squad!

String of Theories: A positive review of Pizze Stone restaurant.