Tire Redemption Program: The County Commission votes to fund the program an additional $50,000 and the City Council is expected to, as well. The original program’s $100,000 went in three days, though only $55,000 went to actual tire redemptions. More form Fox13.

Tax Season: This year, thirty percent of callers to the IRS help line won’t be able to get through!

Gas Prices: We might be seeing $3.00/gallon for gasoline by the Spring.

Shelby County Commission: A report on the interview session for the nine candidates for the District 4 position. They also interviewed potential replacements for Rep. Larry Turner of State House District 85, including his widow, Johnnie Turner. Other actions taken.

Dr Randeep Mann: The Federal government returns indictments against him, his wife and others unnamed for the bombing attack against Dr Trent Pierce. (Copy of indictment at the link.) More from Fox13, Eyewitness News and again, WMC and WREG.

Memphis Police Department: Police recruit Gregory Marshall was terminated on suspicion of statutory rape and videotaping sex without consent. Eyewitness News, WMC and WREG also report.

Mississippi: The Legislature shoots dead Governor Haley Barbour’s proposal to merge the State’s historically black colleges, and it’s women’s college into another school. Declining tobacco sales are now translating into smaller tobacco settlement payments to the State. Governor Barbour has declared a weather emergency.

Business: International Paper is turning to biotech to grow more trees per acre. (via the BusinessTN) Christie Digital Systems will keep their newly purchased Luminetx VeinViewer operations in Memphis; more in the Commercial Appeal.

A business profile of netrezjobs.com, which rates job search sites, in the Commercial Appeal.
What to Do and People in Business, from the CA.

Social Expedition: A report from the monthly meeting of the social media savvy group, on the evolving future of using social media.

Legal: The University of Memphis doesn’t offer a night law school, though Nashville’s is a success. Glankler Brown’s Laurie Thornton has a short interview with the Daily News on receiving the third annual Frank J. Glankler Jr. Pro Bono Award.

MLG&W: At today’s board of directors meeting, a short agenda of items. In partnership with the City and County Mayors’ offices, they have been restoring service to many customers who were cut off for non-payment, ahead of the frigid temps. MIFA is teaming up with MLG&W to distribute heaters to the needy. More from Fox13, WMC and WREG. More on MLG&W restoring service in advance of the cold weather to those with non-payment cut-offs.

Arkansas: Governor Mike Beebe has declared a weather emergency.

Memphis International Airport: The Airport Authority unveiled its new Ground Transportation Center plans yesterday. Larger graphics of the new GTC from the Daily News. More reports in the Commercial Appeal.

Memphis Bioworks Foundation: They landed almost $3 million in Federal stimulus grants to provide “green” job training.

Employment: Ninety-one of the largest 100 metro areas lost jobs in 2009, including Memphis.

Overton Square: A public meeting has been set for Saturday, January 16, with the developers of the site, to show plans, elevations and proposed building materials. Other reports from Eyewitness News.

Memphis City Schools: City school bus drivers are threatening a strike over low pay and “unfair suspensions”. They are currently working without a contract.

Politics: Will he or won’t he? Harold Ford Jr weighs a Senate run, in New York State. Why he won’t. “Unlikely.” Too far to the right for New York? An NPR report. Some recent Ford background. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg would reportedly back him.

In the 8th Congressional race, Republican Steve Fincher is the prohibitive front runner now. He’s also raised $320,000. From the last election, Republican candidate John Farmer, has announced he’s in the race again. While in the 6th District, State Rep. Henry Fincher is the latest Democrat to decline a run; is 2010 redistricting a reason or the time and dollars needed?

In polling match-ups with four likely Republican challengers, Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln falls 8 to 12 points behind any of them.

Today is the last day of early voting for State House District 83.

Tennessee: We have the highest average after-tax purchasing power of all fifty states. Business Facilities magazine has named Tennessee their 2009 State of the Year, for new jobs and capital investment; more in the Business Journal. The State Review Board will meet later this month to vote on seven possible sites to nominate to the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Governor Phil Bredesen already wavering on some of his education reform package? He’s appealing to business leaders for help. He discusses some of his budget-cutting priorities and strategies, which will not include early inmate release. Here’s the tentative schedule for the Legislature’s special session on education reform, starting on Monday. More on teacher evaluations reform from the Daily News.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam talks with the Knoxville News-Sentinel’s Tom Humphrey.

Millington: The Millington Star offers its Year in Review, Part One for 2009.

Ice, Snow and Cold: Extreme cold is now becoming the focal worry for Shelby County. Applying “salt brine” to the roads to keep down freezing. MCS is preparing to close schools. County government erected an enclosed, heated tent to provide a warm area for the homeless; WREG also has this. Shoppers slam the grocery stores. Safe driving tips.

West Tennessee: Dyer County Election Commission Chairman Joe Enoch, who is also the president of the Tennessee Association of County Election Officials, hopes to get the Legislature to delay implementing the Voter Confidence Act. (via the Dyersburg State Gazette)

DeSoto County: Road crews are getting ready for the snow. The County changed the residential building code to require thicker drywall for garages and carports. The Board of Supervisors are curious just how much land the County owns. Olive Branch police can now take your crime tips via texting. More on the 2010 US Census jobs coming up.

Survey Says: News both good and bad from the holiday retail shopping sector. And driven by retail sales, the service sector is beginning to show some hope.

Pulled Before the Push: Sarah’s (really beautiful) simply rainbow salad. One of her abstract watercolors. This is interesting: she’s using YouTube to read to you from Helen Keller’s biography and sharing pictures of her daily journal!

Reginald Milton’s A Fresh Look: Mayor A C Wharton’s forum on jobs gets a decidely mixed review.

Memphis Lagniappe: The Jersey Shore Pub Crawl is this Saturday. Stock up on spray-on tan, y’all.

Not High Maintenance, Just High Mileage: Dana catches us up on what she’s doing and then discoveres she’s been someone’s — a stranger! — inspiration!

Commercial Appeal: A call for voters in the District 83 special election. EPA “clean air” approval will have economic benefits for Memphis.

Wendi C. Thomas: Instead of New Year’s resolutions, advice for you. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Because I Said So: Why kids can’t trash talk their Dad. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Geoff Calkins: Memphis freaks out when snow threatens. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Sassy Molassy: Momma loves her Calvin.

Shane of Memphis: When your partner discovers your blog. “Apathy is a stinky cologne….”

Thoroughly Modern Medusa: Lots of silly prop pictures from New Year’s Eve. She really loves her new Contax 645 camera. Perfect food for cold weather: matzoh ball soup!

Joy’s Life and Times: Experiences with winter workouts, with bonus treadmill burns!

I’ll be the one in heels: Are you watching This Emotional Life on PBS? Kalisa thinks you should be.

Doug Johnson at Work: Thoughts on cold, snow, weathergasms and Joe Larkins.

artbutcher: I have almost no idea what he’s talking about in that post, but it’s a fun read!

Dining With Monkeys: A special “dining with a friend” edition where they all travel to Elliott’s downtown.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: The “State of the Downtown” speech is next Tuesday at the South Main Association meeting. The most frustrating poker hand ever. A potpourri of randomness.

Can’t Stop: Ringing in 2010 with hard work and consistency.

Bring me penguin dust: Her 100th post and, suddenly, her wedding becomes more real.

a field guide to urban memphis: In her 500th post, she takes a somewhat unique view on Overton Square.

Just A Girl in the World: She made it back from her London vacation with many tales to tell.

Left Wing Cracker: Information on services for Lauren Hesse, who passed away this week.

MAKE IT HAPPEN: Recommitting to her marathon training and loving it.

Oval Soul Journey: Life is good and she’s met a guy.