The economic crunch hasn’t just snarled up media careers, financial institutions, and the future of the American automobile industry. It has put in jeopardy academic institutions as well. Responding on Friday to a rumor that Lambuth University of Jackson, Tennessee, was planning to close its doors, Alicia Miller, an information officer for the school, said, in effect, that reports of Lambuth’s death had been greatly exaggerated but confirmed that “some changes” would be made to deal with growing financial pressures …
Posted inNews
Wolf River Harbor: What’s That Smell?
The strange, smelly substance that darkened the Wolf River Harbor recently was apparently not an oil slick.
The unpleasant change in the harbor north of downtown was noticed by kayaker Elmore Holmes and others who use the waterway and the Mississippi River for recreation.
“Whatever happened happened a while before I noticed it,” Holmes said. “Basically, the water is just black at the north end of the harbor.”…
Posted inNews
Calling All Hotties
Just a reminder … We’re currently soliciting nominations for our annual Hotties issue, beginning now and running until mid- to late-January.
Nominating someone — or yourself, if you prefer — is easy.
Posted inPolitics, Politics Feature
Shelby Countians Among Applicants for High-Paying State Jobs
Several present or former Shelby Countians are among the applicants for three state constitutional offices who met the Friday deadline set by the Tennessee General Assembly’s Republican leadership. Since the GOP now owns a six-vote advantage over the Democrats in combined House and Senate membership, the ultimate selectees from the list are sure to prevail over the incumbent officials nominated by the Democrats.
Posted inPolitics, Politics Feature
Commissioner Mulroy Honored for Reform Efforts
Shelby County
Commissioner Steve Mulroy has been awarded one of three inaugural Democracy
Innovator Awards by FairVote, a national nonprofit election reform and voting
rights organization. Mulroy received the award in the Local Reform category for
“his effective advocacy of instant runoff voting,
which was supported this year by 71% of voters for future city elections in the
City of Memphis, and for his ground-breaking law review articles about
proportional voting systems and the Voting Rights Act.”
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Mississippi Claims Memphis Is Stealing Its Water
The State of Mississippi claims Memphis Light Gas & Water has stolen billions of gallons of water from it by siphoning from a subterranean reservoir under Desoto County and is appealing U.S. District Judge Glen Davidson’s earlier dismissal of its suit against the City of Memphis. “Mississippi doesn’t own this groundwater. They can say it 31 times, but that doesn’t make it so,” answered Leo Bearman, attorney for the city of Memphis. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans has the case, which was filed Wednesday.
Posted inSports, Sports Feature
Griz Blast Rockets
The Grizzlies overcame a dismal showing Saturday night in New Orleans to beat an injury-depleted Houston Rockets squad 109-97 at FedExForum tonight. The win moves the Grizzlies to an even 6-6 on the home floor this season. Check out Chris Herrington’s post-game report at Beyond the Arc.
Posted inPolitics, Politics Feature
There’s Life After Politics for Fred Thompson — on Mars
After Fred Thompson’s failed effort in the 2008 presidential primaries, political pundits might not have the former Tennssee senator to kick around any more. But drama critics will have another shot. Thompson, a University of Memphis graduate last seen as District Attorney Arthur Branch in Law and Order, has signed on to portray a chief of detectives on the ’70s-era ABC television program Life on Mars.
Posted inSports, Sports Feature
Griz Break Skid, Beat Clippers
Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo combined for 45 of the team’s 93 points as the Grizzlied ended a seven-game losing streak with a 93-81 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum last night. Chris Herrington breaks it down at Beyond the Arc.
Posted inPolitics, Politics Feature
Cohen Recipient of Humanitarian Award in Spain
The U.S. House Resolution formally apologizing for slavery that was sponsored earlier this year by U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-9th) has earned the congressman the D. Emilio Castrelar Work Recognition Award, presented in Madrid, Spain, by the Vida Foundation, which concerns itself with environmental protection and human rights issues.
Posted inSports, Sports Feature
Griz Host Clippers Tonight
After a 3-3 start, the Grizzlies have lost 10 of 11 games and seven in a row. They’ll try to stop the bleeding tonight when they host the 3-15 Los Angeles Clippers. Chris Herrington has a preview at Beyond the Arc.
Posted inNews
Get Your Holiday Shopping Done This Weekend
Eek! Only 20 shopping days left until Christmas! Hit up these local art sales and shopping expos and put some gifts under that tree.
Got a baby boomer mom or stereotypical gay man on the shopping list? Purchase a photo of Bob Mackie’s Cher doll standing in front of the Eiffel Tower tonight at the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. “The Cher Show” features Hugh Busby’s photographs of his Cher doll posing in front of tourist spots around the world and even a few in Memphis (think Cher in front of the Lorraine Motel). The show opens tonight from 6 to 9 p.m.
More after the jump…