Shelby County Elections: Law enforcement unions are backing or endorsing Joe Ford for County mayor and Randy Wade for Sheriff.

Memphis City Schools: School board member Kenneth Whalum wants more action taken about the 9000 K-5 students who are expelled in a year. A report on the first Practitioners Summit for teachers, of the academic year.

Memphis International Riverfront Regatta: The second annual event is going on this weekend.

Shelby County Commission: More on the one percent pay raise for sheriff’s deputies they approved.

Stand for Children: From La Prensa Latina, a short profile of an organisation that represents the children of illegal immigrants, especially in education and school issues. (Bilingual article)

Politics: Why the wide disparity of approval between Democrats Governor Phil Bredesen and President Barack Obama among Tennesseans? Governor Bredesen ends his term with high personal popularity.

More Mason-Dixon polling: a strong majority of Tennesseans want higher standards in schools, even if it costs more. A hefty majority oppose gun carry in establishments that serve alcohol. An equal majority also support bringing Arizona-style immigration law to the state.

Republican Eighth Congressional District candidate Stephen Fincher is having a Washington DC fundraiser, but he won’t be there! Fincher’s personal wealth is again an issue. Lone Democrat, State Senator Roy Herron, wants voters to know he’s pro-gun. A round-up of press releases from the Jackson Sun’s Nicholas Beadle. A report from the final Republican forum before the election.

Mississippi River: A barge collision on the river (near the Tipton and Lauderdale County line) released toxic chemicals that closed traffic to other ships. Three were injured. More from WREG and the Commercial Appeal. Traffic was reopened late last night.

Raleigh Springs Mall: A rash of burglaries inside the mall while it’s closed.

Arkansas: Some 3000 non-profit agencies and organisations stand to lose their tax-exempt status; more in the Commercial Appeal. The mayors of Jennette and Turrell continue to be in hot water. Teenaged boys are arrested in West Memphis for possession of “fake guns”; more from WREG. More on the new bridge across the Mississippi River in southeast AR. State Park lodging and campsite fees are going up.

Millington: The Driving Testing Center was burglarised Monday night; more from WMC.

Governor’s Race: Republican Ron Ramsey is coming under fire for a pointed but ambiguous remark on Islam. More criticism. The usual pundits are weighing in. Ramsey is claiming momentum in Middle TN. Republican Bill Haslam chides his Republican opponents for their attacks. Early voting patterns predict good news for Republicans, but which candidate? Republican Zach Wamp has released a list of supporters in the pro-Second Amendment and hunting communities. He also thinks extended unemployment benefits are a disincentive to returning to work.

Democrat Mike McWherter gets asked a zinger at a public event.

Germantown: A unique concept in care for patients with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, The Gardens at Germantown is scheduled to open in October.

MLG&W: The utlity is working to “critter-proof” its sub-stations, following a pair of incidents.

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz: The company has changed its policies to encourage its attornies to do more pro bono work.

DeSoto County: Ordinances against pit bulls are becoming popular; more from WREG. This weekend is the Mississippi sales tax holiday. (stories via the Desoto Times Tribune) Clarksdale police chief Gregory Hoskins speaks out about his arrest and trial, and eventual clearing. Hernando is working hard to keep their “healthiest” designation. Owners are working hard, with the bank, to forestall foreclosure of the Hernando Hills Country Club.

West Tennessee: Is the town of Gallaway experiencing a crime wave? The Soldiers and Families Assistance Center at Fort Campbell was opened this week.

Main Street Journal Online: Senior writer Michael Roy Hollihan sits down with County Commission District 5 candidate Dr Rolando Toyos and introduces him to voters in The Swing Seat.

NEW! Main Street Journal July Article: The Redbird Connection Our Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Lindberg pens a paean to a summer’s night of baseball.

Cohen v. Herenton: The Flyer’s Jackson Baker looks at the latest developments in the race. He also explains primary voting for you.

Germantown Baptist Church: Dr. Charles A. Fowler was a surprise find during the search for a new senior minister.

Metro Charter Commission: They have voted to do away with runoff elections, via instant runoff voting. More on the decision for a 25-member council. And a similar report from John Branston in the Flyer.

Memphis Police Department: They are concerned about the long-term consequences of a rise in juvenile gun arrests.

Shelby County School District: Fox13 looks at the surprising demographic diversity.

Tennessee: The TN Civil Liberties Union has asked the FBI for documents relating to possible racial and ethnic profiling. A new contract for State Parks means no private labeled bottled water for fund-raising. Aligning local and Federal standards in education. Seat belt use is up in the state.

Youth Villages: They have put out an urgent call for foster parents.

Shelby County Penal Farm: A new County program aims to train inmates for work and reduce recidivism.

Heat Wave: Two middle-aged men are the latest confirmed victims of the Summer heat; more from WMC, WREG. More mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus in Shelby County.

Stop Lights: At least one incident where drivers report green lights in both directions, causing a serious crash.

Business: First profits in nearly two years for Valero Energy.

Today’s Events and Memphis Newsmakers, from the Daily News. People in Business and What to Do, from the Commercial Appeal.

Regions Financial - Morgan Keegan: A second quarter net loss of $335 million for them, relating to the asset management investigations. More reporting from the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal.

Real Estate: The Preserve at Southwinds was sold back to the lender at auction. The local apartment occupancy rate continues to rise.

Mississippi: Executive Director of MS Department of Transportation Larry “Butch” Brown will apprear in court on his public intoxication charge. The Nissan plant in Canton has met its employment requirements and so will keep its State incentives. Emergency unemployment compensation has been extended for some. The state was ranked dead last for “child well-being”. The “Equal Justice Initiative” has uncovered evidence of racial discrimination in jury selection. The State will not be a finalist for the Federal government’s $3.4 billion in education money.

Liberty Bowl: A progress report on the work being done.

Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation: They have contracted a Memphis architectural firm as the lead designer for the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo, MS.

Survey Says: Construction contracts were up slightly in June. Bad news for back-to-school shopping as consumer confidence falls? Modern Healthcare magazine ranked Baptist Memorial Health Care among the nation’s 10 largest non-Catholic religious hospital systems. Homewood Suites and Hilton Garden Inns were each ranked number one in the 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Survey.

Midtown Stomp: Bringing far-flung blogging friends together, over wine and dinner.

Panacea: It’s a long time between her posts these days, but when they come they offer obscure, sensual rewards.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: How the Internet has changed photo-tourism.

Pretty in Pink Megan: Help her help a friend with an outfit choice.

Lean Left: Being an agnostic in a Bible-believing land.

sharp stick in the eye: Things to be thankful for, with tongue in cheek.

Listwork: She’s a little judgmental about modern art.

The Chubby Vegetarian: Substituting strong-flavored tomato for the “B” in BLT.

Smart City Memphis: I’m guessing they don’t like David Pickler.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Something Memphis ranks high in: safe arena food!

theology & geometry: She’s a snorer and wants some suggestions about what to do.

Boys in the ‘Hood: The joys of a lake house.

Lori Turner: Marketing effectively to Generation X. (via the Daily News)

Edward M. Neal: Hiring family is a tricky thing to do. (via the Daily News)

Commercial Appeal: Good bye, Tony Hayward. Using government and taxes to buy pretty views?

Linda O’Neal: Improvements in child well-being are good but more can be done about infant mortality. (via the Tennessean)

Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge: The higher ranking in child well-being should be celebrated. (via the Tennessean)

Xspectre8: He planned for disaster and was ready when it came.