Unemployment: After a one-month pause, Tennessee’s unemployment rate to 10.9% in December. November’s rate was revised downward from 10.3 to 10.2%. More from the Commercial Appeal, the Daily News, WMC.

Shelby County Mayor: Harold Byrd announced yesterday he will not run for Shelby County mayor this year. Here is the press release. More from the Commercial Appeal, the Daily News, Fox13.

Stimulus Abuse? Nashville TV station WSMV found Federal stimulus funds being spent on a Memphis laundromat and a Memphis radio show producer.

Staff Sgt Daniel Merriweather: His body was returned home to Memphis yesterday for his funeral today. Rest in honor, soldier. More details from WREG.

Skatelife Memphis: More on City Councilwoman Wanda Halbert’s blocking of the new skate park. More on the skate park plan. An earlier report, from WMC.

Tennessee: A third solar business, Confluence Solar, has come to East Tennessee. Further reports from the Business Journal, the Tennessean, Fox13. More evidence of voter corruption around the state. The TN Wildlife Resources Agency has opened their Watchable Wildlife website. The UT Board of Trustees set an October 21 deadline to choose a new UT president. Five counties are designated “primary natural disaster areas” due to heavy rains since September.

Politics: The Tri-State Defender reports on Willie Herenton’s speech on MLK Day.

State Senator Ophelia Ford completely missed the special legislative session, due to illness.

Another Republican, Jack Bailey of Franklin, has entered the primary race to run against the US 4th District’s Lincoln Davis. Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Wamp has opened campaign offices in Memphis, Nashville and Chattanooga; more from the Tennessean’s In Session blog.

Ousted former State Senator Rosalind Kurita will have her case heard against the State Primary Board of the Tennessee Democratic Party, which set aside a primary result to appoint someone else to the position she won. And more on the lawsuit filed by Jay Reynolds, who alleges that he was fired from the Secretary of State’s office in “political retribution”.

Reacting to Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling striking down McCain-Feingold, Republican State House member Glen Casada filed legislation to overturn TN’s similar laws on corporate contributions.

US Rep. Steve Cohen talks with the Flyer about medical marijuana. And Jackson Baker has the week’s political roundup.

DeSoto County: The County School District is taking action to prepare for future budget cuts. Governor Haley Barbour lauded the County School District. County Supervisors backed a State Department of Transportation proclamation of intent on I-269 in eastern DeSoto. They also offered a homeowner, Steve Fogelsong, $3000 to help with storm drainage problems on his property. Hernando will study their sedimentation control ordinance. Hernando aldermen approved curbside recycling. A roundup of infrastructure projects approved at recent municipal meetings.

Arkansas: The AR Children’s Hospital was ranked among the nation’s best workplaces. More on revised estimates from the State Lottery.

Real Estate: Memphis home prices declined in November. Crye-Leike Realtors are opening a new commercial division in Cookeville. Smith & Nephew have completed the purchase of the $14 million Goodlett Farms property. More on the planned renovation of Target’s Colonial store.

Harold Ford Jr: He makes a pitch that he’s an independent Democrat. As he begins his listening tour, Ford also thinks health care reform should be “scaled back”; more on the listening tour. NY Democrats and the SEIU are trying to tie some Bank of America issues to him.

Mid-South Peace and Justice Center: They would like to import an idea from Daytona Beach, Florida, to help the homeless in Memphis.

Germantown: Membership guides for the Germantown Chamber of Commerce have been mailed. (via the Shelby Sun Times)

NEW! Main Street Journal: Commissioner Mike Ritz looks at The MED and offers some ideas on what to do.
 

Memphis City Council: They seem close to voting Tuesday to give funds to the City schools system. More from Fox13.

Metro Charter Commission: Members presented their lists of top concerns about the process and results.

Mayor A C Wharton: In Washington for the US Conference of Mayors, he spoke with various Justice Department officials about the City’s mortgage lending lawsuit.

Collierville: The outgoing town planner blames falling numbers of new construction on antiquated building codes.

Haiti: Smith & Nephew is sending $2 million in supplies to the relief effort; the CA also reports, and the Daily News. And the Medtronic Foundation is pledging $1 million. More on COGIC’s relief efforts. WMC and four local radio stations will have a telethon to raise relief funds for Haiti.

Memphis Fire Department: They recognised the accomplishments of 14 of their own Thursday night.

Memphis History: Four city architects have written a book highlighting “local buildings that matter” built between 1940 and 1980, and honoring their designers.

Millington: Mayor Richard Hodges is already working on the City’s 2010-2011 budget because he expects even harder choices to have to be made.

Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation: They are acquiring the NEA Clinic and forming NEA Baptist Health System in Jonesboro, AR. More in the Commercial Appeal, the Daily News.

Business: Cartus Corporation acquired Memphis-based Primacy Relocation. Wall Street Analyst raises Dollar General to a “buy” rating. Back Yard Burgers is retooling its online and social media presence. Clark Beverage is ramping up marketing of their “anti-energy drink”, Drank.

A professional profile of Pat Brown of T. Clifton Art Gallery, from the Daily News.

People in Business and What to Do, from the Commercial Appeal.

Airlines: New baggage handling fees will generate millions for the airlines.

Memphsi City Schools: Students at six City schools get a voice in deciding their school menus.

Mississippi: A State Senate committee approves changes that allow State employees to be more easily fired, as a budget measure. The state’s colleges and universities are also facing staff and budget cuts. The House kills legislation allowing “excessive gambling” as a grounds for divorce; more from WREG. Legislators (and law enforcement) want to make products with pseudoephedrine prescription only.

Financial: Renasant Corporation saw incresed net income year over year for the 4Q while BancorpSouth failed to meet analysts’ expectations.

The University of Memphis: The Holiday Inn at the university has been nationally ranked. A new web policy aimed at standardising department websites is now in effect. While other construction projects are on time, the University Center is behind. The Memphis Music Magnet project aims to revitalise the Soulsville area.

Just Beepers: Business owner John Bradshaw was found guilty of two criminal charges and sentenced to six years.

Bartlett: With earthquakes, it’s not a question of “if” but “when” around here. (via the Bartlett Express)

National Endowment for the Arts: Chairman Rocco Landesman is on a listening tour of the country and stopped in Memphis recently.

West Tennessee: Dyersburg mayor John Holden reported on City progress in cleaning up blight. (via the Dyersburg State Gazette) A second contract is now awaiting ratification between the Teamsters and Union City’s Goodyear Tire & Rubber.

Previously Posted: More on the “second chance” Drug Market Intervention program for low-level, first time drug offenders.

Survey Says: Law firm Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz has been ranked 77th in Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” rankings. FedEx came in 91st; more from the Commercial Appeal. Even as the number of jobs shrinks, worker productivity is rising.

Wendi C. Thomas: On her personal blog, she relates some seriously unfortunate dating experiences. Just how much does she love her daddy? This much.

The Tale of a Southern Belle: An email etiquette lesson for the lazy.

Thoroughly Modern Medusa: The heartbreak and drama and poop of potty training. And an update.

theology & geometry: Is it “forced sex” or is it “rape”? Words matter. Hey, she helped make a comic!

Friends for Our Riverfront: How to get a vibrant Riverfront for a lot less. How much will the Beale Street Landing cost us?

Commercial Appeal: Kudos to the Memphis Tigers for tying a record. Chastising interim County mayor Joe Ford for appearing to break a promise.

Warner Davis: When people ask “Where is God?” after a tragedy, it’s just a matter of looking at the rescue efforts. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Jimmie Smith: A young man’s reaction to the recent Men’s Forum. (via the Tri-State Defender)

Ask Myron: Remembering Teddy Pendergrass. (via the Tri-State Defender)

The Rant: Security theater and the shameless exploitation of the attempted Christmas bombing are the bigger problems. (via the Flyer)

John Branston: The politics of skate parks. Also, the Memphis City Schools’ problems with accurate enrollment numbers is going to create problems in funding discussions. (via the Flyer)

Douglas Gillon: Concerns about “purity” damage the Shelby County Democratic Party. (via the Flyer)

Flyer: Props to Governor Bredesen on his statesman-like handling of higher education reform.

moremittenz: She has another rant, this time on the right to technology.

Persian Pit Bull: Better late than never, as she recounts their August stop on the Memphis BBQ tour, this time to the Blues City Cafe.

Pretty in Pink Megan: She’s branching out and starting an informal outfit blog.

Sassy Molassy: The winter doldrums are hitting her hard.

Thaddeus Matthews: He thinks Joe Ford will “most likely” be our next elected County mayor.

Just A Girl in the World: Just how long should a girl wait before friending someone on Facebook?

Adventures in Merriness: Want to improve your life? Try blogging!

Bless the Printing Press: Memphis is a drivin’ town.

Bring me penguin dust: Her fiance is hot and trim and she’s… going to get there one day.

Essays for Nobody: The blogging equivalent of a very slow lob

The Ominous Comma: God doesn’t judge or damn, he assigns.

The Intersection of Madness and Reality: Thoughts on African-American award shows nominations and what they say about self-image. Guest blogger Eddie Blue Eyes writes on the evolving conservative approach to Rev Martin Luther King.