Gov. Bill Haslam on Monday vetoed a bill that would require images documenting animal abuse be turned over to law enforcement within 48 hours, saying his main concern is its constitutionality.

State Attorney General Bob Cooper last week said in a legal opinion that the measure would be “constitutionally suspect” because it could violate Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination and for placing burdens on news collection.

2. Haslam Vetoes ‘Ag Gag’ Bill - Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Gov. Bill Haslam on Monday vetoed a bill that would require images documenting animal abuse be turned over to law enforcement within 48 hours, saying his main concern is its constitutionality.

State Attorney General Bob Cooper last week said in a legal opinion that the measure would be “constitutionally suspect” because it could violate Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination and for placing burdens on news collection.

3. Mullany Resigns as ServiceMaster CEO - Saturday, April 13, 2013

Hank Mullany has resigned as CEO of The ServiceMaster Co. effective Friday, April 12.

Mullany’s resignation was announced Friday along with the appointment of John Krenicki Jr. as the Memphis-based company’s interim CEO.

4. Scooter Ads Face Scrutiny From Government, Doctors - Friday, March 29, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – TV ads show smiling seniors enjoying an "active" lifestyle on a motorized scooter, taking in the sights at the Grand Canyon, fishing on a pier and high-fiving their grandchildren at a baseball game.

5. ServiceMaster Posts Operating Loss in 2012 - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The ServiceMaster Co. reported an unaudited operating loss of $532.8 million in 2012 on operating revenue of $3.1 billion.

6. Bill Shielding Commenters Passes State Senate - Saturday, February 16, 2013

A measure to block courts from granting subpoenas for identities of anonymous commenters on news websites has passed the Senate.

The proposal sponsored by Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown was unanimously approved 32-0 on Wednesday. The companion bill was also scheduled to be heard Wednesday in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee.

7. Bill Shielding Commenters Passes State Senate - Thursday, February 14, 2013

A measure to block courts from granting subpoenas for identities of anonymous commenters on news websites has passed the Senate.

The proposal sponsored by Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown was unanimously approved 32-0 on Wednesday. The companion bill was also scheduled to be heard Wednesday in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee.

8. Wal-Mart to Join Arkansas Health Care Program - Friday, January 11, 2013

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Thursday it will add its Arkansas employees' insurance plan to a state effort aimed at lowering health care costs by changing the way private insurers and Medicaid pay for services, and it committed $670,000 to create a tracking system that would measure the initiative's success.

9. American Home Shield Names Marketing Officer - Monday, December 10, 2012

Philipp von Holtzendorff-Fehling has been named vice president and chief marketing officer of American Home Shield.

Von Holtzendorff-Fehling comes to the division of The ServiceMaster Co. after serving as chief marketing officer of The Dallas Morning News.

10. More Holiday Givebacks - Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Last week we shared some easy holiday givebacks with The Exchange Club Family Center, SRVS, Shield Inc. and Youth Villages. Keeping the spirit alive, this week let us share more ways you can celebrate the holidays while giving back, at the same time.

11. More Ideas for Holiday Givebacks - Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Last week we spotlighted The Exchange Club Family Center, which is an organization focused on helping families and breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect. Before we announce the topic for this week’s column, let us thank the hundreds of volunteers that came out on Saturday, Nov. 17, for the McKellar Lake Cleanup. More than 5,000 pounds of trash was removed from the area with 2,750 pounds being recycled. Now it is time to explore a few ways we can give back using holiday cards, honorariums and unwrapped toys.

12. Attorneys Revive Correspondence Requests in Schools Case - Tuesday, November 13, 2012

When attorneys for the Shelby County Commission made their final arguments on municipal school districts before Memphis federal court Judge Samuel “Hardy” Mays in September and October, they focused on the intent of legislators.

13. Crew Training International Names Woodward Director - Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Steve Woodward has joined Crew Training International as director of learning. In his new role, Woodward will manage CTI’s core learning centers, oversee professional development programs and develop metrics to measure and manage the most efficient learning systems.

14. High Court Begins New Term With Human Rights Case - Tuesday, October 02, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court opened its new term Monday with a high-stakes dispute between businesses and human rights groups over accountability for foreign atrocities.

The justices appeared ready to impose new limits on lawsuits brought in U.S. courts over human rights violations abroad.

15. ServiceMaster Q2 Revenue Drops Slightly - Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Memphis-based The ServiceMaster Co. saw a half a percentage point drop in its operating revenue for the second quarter compared to a year ago – a flattening of its revenue attributed in part to a continuing shift in the strategy of its TruGreen lawn care division.

16. ServiceMaster Q2 Revenue Drops Slightly - Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Memphis-based The ServiceMaster Co. saw a half a percentage point drop in its operating revenue for the second quarter compared to a year ago – a flattening of its revenue attributed in part to a continuing shift in the strategy of its TruGreen lawn care division.

17. Gov't Stepping Up Fight Against Health Care Fraud - Friday, July 27, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration is upping the ante in the fight against health care fraud, joining forces with private insurers and state investigators on a scale not previously seen in an attempt to stanch tens of billions of dollars in losses.

18. Corps Begins Work Along Mississippi River - Wednesday, July 11, 2012

VICKSBURG, Miss. (AP) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Mat Sinking Unit was leaving Vicksburg Tuesday to begin laying articulated concrete mattress squares that will protect submerged riverbanks in more than 30areas along the Mississippi River.

19. WellPoint Buying Amerigroup for About $4.46B - Tuesday, July 10, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Health insurer WellPoint Inc. will raise its stake in a market poised for substantial growth with its $4.46 billion acquisition of Medicaid coverage provider Amerigroup Corp.

20. Congress Passes Student Loans, Highway Jobs Bill - Monday, July 02, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Finding rare political accommodation on the cusp of a holiday recess, Congress passed legislation Friday designed to salvage 2.8 million jobs and shield students from a sharp increase in loan interest rates.

21. Saint Francis-Bartlett Names Clark CEO - Thursday, June 14, 2012

Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett, part of Tenet Healthcare Corp., has appointed Jeremy Clark as its new CEO.

22. Health Insurer WellPoint to Buy 1-800 Contacts - Tuesday, June 05, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – WellPoint Inc. plans to buy contact lens retailer 1-800-Contacts Inc. in a deal that would give the insurer its first direct-to-consumer business outside selling individual health coverage.

23. Obama Targets Diploma Mills That Market to Vets - Monday, April 30, 2012

FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) – The Obama administration wants to trademark the term "GI Bill" in an effort to shield veterans and military families from being swindled or misled by schools that target their federal education benefits.

24. Choice Of Entity: Choose Wisely - Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The “choice of entity” discussion is unavoidable for start-up companies. In the spirit of the lifecycle of a business, it is one of the more prudent and pertinent discussions to have with your tax adviser. While sometimes an afterthought, this is a crucial matter and a misstep can prove costly.

25. Pratt Joins Counterpart As Account Manager - Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Lisa Pratt has been named senior account manager at Counterpart Communication Design, where she will manage campaigns for several clients from concept to execution. She previously worked at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

26. Hernando's Mayor Cited as National Good Example - Wednesday, April 04, 2012

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Hernando, Miss., Mayor Chip Johnson says listening to voters is a big part of the reason he's now being held up as a national model for creating healthier cities and counties.

27. Insurers Speed Health Care Overhaul Preparations - Monday, March 26, 2012

The nation's big insurers are spending millions to carry out President Barack Obama's health care overhaul even though there's a chance the wide-reaching law won't survive Supreme Court scrutiny.

It's not that health insurers want to bet big that the court will uphold the Affordable Care Act. It's that they can't afford not to. It will take at least several months and lots of resources for insurers to prepare to implement key elements of the law, which includes a controversial requirement that most Americans have health insurance by 2014.

28. ‘Positive Message’ - Tuesday, March 13, 2012

The most recent figures from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development show a falling jobless rate for the Memphis metro area.

New, more current figures will be out later this month that show the area’s latest unemployment picture. But in the meantime, the Memphis area has played host to one job fair after another in recent days, while across the state there have been more than 20 such fairs in the past 15 months.

29. ServiceMaster to Fill 100 IT Positions - Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The ServiceMaster Co. plans to hire 100 new IT workers for positions ranging from technical support to management.

30. Growing Field - Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The days of buying a home appliance warranty and waiting for the appliance to break down are changing.

The president and CEO of American Home Shield says the business is changing to become more about the kind of preventative maintenance that businesses have relied on for some time to avoid unplanned work stoppages. And homeowners want 24-hour access as well as options that might include not having a home warranty but include the ability to get home repair service.

31. ServiceMaster to Hire 6,700 for Peak Season - Monday, February 06, 2012

The ServiceMaster Co. plans to hire 6,700 new and seasonal field employees across the country in anticipation of the Memphis-based service provider’s peak season.

32. Ex-Wright Exec Sues - Monday, January 16, 2012

Frank Bono, former senior vice president and chief technology officer for Wright Medical Technology Inc., has filed complaint in Shelby County Chancery Court against his former employer seeking damages and injunctive relief for breach of contract, retaliatory discharge, defamation and violations of the Tennessee Public Protection Act.

33. Haslam Touts Grant Transparency, Closes Records - Thursday, January 12, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam is touting his proposal for more grants for companies investing in Tennessee as fostering transparency in the state's economic development program. But the Republican has also filed a bill to shield information used to make grant decisions from public view.

34. GOP Blocks Obama Nominee to Head Financial Agency - Friday, December 09, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – The battle over the future of a new financial watchdog office escalated Thursday with Senate Republicans blocking confirmation of the man President Barack Obama named to head the office and Obama countering by holding out the possibility of appointing the nominee when Congress is on recess.

35. ServiceMaster’s Q3 Revenues Up 1.3 Pct. - Friday, November 18, 2011

Hank Mullany has a pretty basic mission statement and set of guiding principles for The ServiceMaster Co., the Memphis-based home- and commercial-services company he took the helm of earlier this year as CEO.

36. ServiceMaster’s Q3 Revenues Up 1.3 Pct. - Thursday, November 17, 2011

Hank Mullany has a pretty basic mission statement and set of guiding principles for The ServiceMaster Co., the Memphis-based home- and commercial-services company he took the helm of earlier this year as CEO.

37. ServiceMaster, Other Cos. Support Habitat Mission - Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis has a busy couple of weeks ahead as it closes its books on the fall building season.

Tuesday, Oct. 25, marked the dedication of The ServiceMaster Co. home at 3477 E. Oak Side Drive in Trinity Park, the first all-green neighborhood being developed by Memphis Habitat. The will be the Memphis-based home and commercial services company’s fifth sponsorship home with the nonprofit.

38. Express Scripts Turns Down Walgreen Tricare Offer - Tuesday, October 18, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Walgreen Co. said Monday it is offering to continue filling prescriptions for military members, retirees, and their families under a new deal with Express Scripts Inc., but the pharmacy benefits manager said the offer was not good enough.

39. Mullany Outlines Goals For ServiceMaster Brands - Thursday, October 13, 2011

The president and CEO of The ServiceMaster Co. is pushing the Memphis-based home and commercial services company into new areas with digital technology.

40. Brucker Joins McManus Reilly As Investment, Insurance Adviser - Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Edward Brucker III has joined McManus Reilly Financial Foresight as investment and insurance adviser.

Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.

Education: Master of business administration from University of Phoenix

41. IMF: World Economy Enters 'Dangerous New Phase' - Wednesday, September 21, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – The world economy has entered a "dangerous new phase," according to the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund. As a result, the international lending organization has sharply downgraded its economic outlook for the United States and Europe through the end of next year.

42. Unusual Coalition Boosts Health Overhaul - Thursday, September 15, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Betting that President Barack Obama's health care overhaul withstands lawsuits and a Republican repeal drive, an unusual alliance of industry, health care and consumer groups Wednesday launched a campaign to lay the groundwork for signing up uninsured Americans.

43. IBM Putting Watson to Work in Health Insurance - Tuesday, September 13, 2011

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) – Enough with the fun and games. Watson is going to work.

IBM's supercomputer system, best known for trouncing the world's best "Jeopardy!" players on TV, is being tapped by one of the nation's largest health insurers to help diagnose medical problems and authorize treatments.

44. Google's Patent Play: $12.5B for Motorola Mobility - Tuesday, August 16, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Google Inc.'s $12.5 billion deal to buy cellphone maker Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. is aimed at giving the Internet search leader more legal firepower as it battles Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. to gain the upper hand in the increasingly important mobile computing market.

45. Health Plan Rules: What Counts as an Emergency? - Thursday, August 11, 2011

When is an emergency not an emergency? In health care, that can be a costly distinction.

Emergency rooms are designed to live up to their names by treating life-threatening or serious medical problems. But they often handle much more than that, sometimes at great cost to patients.

46. Blues Insurers Make Move to Expand Into Medicaid - Wednesday, August 10, 2011

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Two of the nation's largest not-for-profit health insurers said Tuesday that a new joint venture will provide an opportunity for Blues insurers nationwide to expand into Medicaid coverage just as states are seeking ways to save money in the program and the ranks of Medicaid enrollees is poised to grow.

47. All Tennessee BlueCross Stored Data Now Secure - Friday, July 29, 2011

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee says it has secured all its stored electronic records and there is no indication any customer information on computer hard drives stolen in October 2009 has been misused.

48. Drug Prices to Plummet in Wave of Expiring Patents - Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The cost of prescription medicines used by millions of people every day is about to plummet.

The next 14 months will bring generic versions of seven of the world's 20 best-selling drugs, including the top two: cholesterol fighter Lipitor and blood thinner Plavix.

49. House Tries to Shackle New Consumer Agency - Friday, July 22, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – As the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau officially opened its doors Thursday, the House was considering legislation that would restrict its power.

Republican sponsors of the bill say they are simply trying to promote transparency and accountability in the agency that was created a year ago as part of President Barack Obama's overhaul of the rules governing financial markets.

50. GOP Backs Food Industry - Thursday, July 07, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Republicans are siding with food companies resisting the Obama administration’s efforts to pressure them to stop advertising junk food for children.

Some food companies say the government is going too far with guidelines proposed earlier this year by several government agencies. The voluntary guidelines would attempt to shield children from ads for sugary and fatty foods – think colorful characters on cereal boxes – on television, in stores and on the Internet. Companies would be urged to market foods to children ages 2 through 17 only if they contain specific healthy ingredients and are low in fats, sugars and sodium.

51. AP Exclusive: Fuzzy Math in Health Law Formula - Friday, July 01, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Another unintended consequence of President Barack Obama's health care law has emerged: Older adults of the same age and income with similar medical histories could pay widely different amounts for private health insurance due to a quirk of the complex legislation.

52. MAA Continues Acquisition Spurt - Monday, June 27, 2011

Memphis-based MAA, formerly known as Mid-America Apartment Communities, has acquired Tattersall at Tapestry Park, a 279-unit upscale apartment community located in the Southeast sub-market of Jacksonville, Fla.

53. Europe Debt Crisis Shadows Fed Meeting on Economy - Tuesday, June 21, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – If the U.S. economic slowdown weren't enough to deal with, the Federal Reserve this week must consider a new threat: a resurgent European debt crisis that could imperil the global economy.

54. Cellphone Cancer Warning Falls Lightly on US Ears - Tuesday, June 07, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – News last week that an arm of the World Health Organization said cellphones might raise the risk of brain cancer has been greeted by Americans mostly with a shrug of the shoulder – one that's pinning a cellphone to the ear.

55. Accredo Parent Company Loses $3B Contract to CVS - Monday, May 30, 2011

Medco Health Solutions Inc. said that after this year, it will lose a contract that brought it about $3 billion in annual revenue.

56. Q1 Growth ‘Modest’ at ServiceMaster - Friday, May 27, 2011

Months after Memphis-based The ServiceMaster Co. sold off its TruGreen LandCare subsidiary, the new ServiceMaster CEO said TruGreen lawn services has to improve its performance for investors and for clients of the lawn maintenance service.

57. ServiceMaster Reports Modest Q1 Growth - Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The ServiceMaster Co. reported increased first quarter 2011 revenues of $615 million, up 5.9 percent from the first quarter of 2010.

58. Collective Bargaining Bill Passes Tenn. Senate - Wednesday, May 04, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A proposal to repeal Tennessee teachers' collective bargaining rights passed the Senate 18-14 on Monday after a measure failed that would allow school boards to maintain them if they choose.

59. Collective Bargaining Bill Affects Teacher Morale - Friday, April 29, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal to repeal Tennessee teachers' collective bargaining rights has hurt their morale and is making others reconsider the teaching profession, the lobbyist for the Tennessee Education Association said Thursday.

60. Collective Bargaining Bill Headed to Full State Senate - Friday, April 22, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal to replace Tennessee teachers' collective bargaining rights with a policy manual is "insulting to teachers" and could create chaos, said the lobbyist for the Tennessee Education Association.

61. State Senate Sponsor Withdraws 'Academic Freedom' Bill - Friday, April 22, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Senate sponsor of a bill to shield teachers from discipline for criticizing scientific theories has taken the proposal off notice for the year.

Republican Sen. Bo Watson of Hixson told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that he will wait until next year to push the bill that opponents have characterized as an attack on teaching about areas like evolution or climate change.

62. Haslam Meets With House GOP; No Bargaining Talk - Wednesday, April 13, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam met with Republicans in the state House on Monday, but said they didn't discuss a measure that would curb Tennessee teachers' collective bargaining rights.

63. New Solicitor General Named in Tennessee - Monday, April 11, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Bill Young has been named the new solicitor general for Tennessee.

Attorney General Bob Cooper said in a news release on Thursday that Young's background in both the private and government sectors makes him an exceptional fit for the job. Young previously worked in the attorney general's office for eight years and most recently served as the senior vice president and general counsel of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee.

64. Senate Sends Teacher Bargaining Bill to Committee - Friday, April 08, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – The sponsor of a bill to strip teachers of their collective bargaining rights has moved the measure back to the Senate Education Committee.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Jack Johnson of Franklin cleared the same panel in February on a 6-3 party line vote, but had not received a full Senate vote as the House has advanced a version that would stop short of eliminating union negotiations altogether.

65. New Tenn. Ed Chief Quiet on Teacher Bargaining Rights - Thursday, April 07, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Newly sworn Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman is staying on the sidelines of a contentious proposal to curb teachers’ collective bargaining rights in Tennessee.

66. Haslam Gives Oath of Office to New Education Chief - Wednesday, April 06, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has sworn in Kevin Huffman as his education commissioner.

67. Bernanke Says Bank Overhaul Will Help Small Banks - Thursday, March 24, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told a group of executives from smaller banks Wednesday that the financial overhaul will level the playing field for them with the industry's giants.

68. SPIN METER: Industry Jobs Studies are Imprecise - Tuesday, March 01, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Industry officials say with confidence that 7.3 million jobs will disappear if the Obama administration goes through with tighter rules to reduce smog. The industry-sponsored researcher who came up with that number isn't so sure.

69. ServiceMaster Names Mullany New CEO - Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Hank Mullany, former executive vice president of Walmart U.S. and president of Walmart’s northern business, will become the new CEO of Memphis-based The ServiceMaster Co. at the end of March.

70. Health Insurers Adjust to Once-Scary Reform Rule - Wednesday, February 09, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – A new health care overhaul mandate that once stirred fear among insurers is proving to be challenging – but not too challenging – as it makes its debut in 2011.

71. ServiceMaster To Hire 3K Nationally - Wednesday, January 26, 2011

ServiceMaster Co. executives have plans to hire more than 3,000 people nationally by June.

The Memphis-based network of company owned and franchise locations is hiring for its peak season at the various field operations across the country as well as customer call centers.

72. New Tax Law Packed With Obscure Business Tax Cuts - Tuesday, December 28, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – The massive new tax bill signed into law by President Barack Obama is filled with all kinds of holiday stocking stuffers for businesses: tax breaks for producing TV shows, grants for putting up windmills, rum subsidies for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

73. What It Means: 10-Year Treasury Bond Increase - Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Bonds Away

Recently, one of the most significant market moves in history took place. The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond increased from 2.33 percent to a recent top of 3.57 percent. While the absolute change may seem small, this amounts to a 53 percent increase in yield. Moves of that magnitude have profound impacts on investor returns. Zero coupon bonds offer the most elasticity to changes in interest rates. As a consequence of the recent spike in long-term interest rates, the ZROZ ETF declined 24 percent. Who says you can’t lose money in bonds? With rates still far below their historical norms, we can expect more, although less dramatic, increases in interest rates. The first question that comes to mind is “why”? The second question is “what to do about it”?

74. Events - Friday, December 03, 2010

The Center City Commission Diversity Committee will meet Friday at 2 p.m. at 114 N. Main St.

The Greater Memphis Chamber will host a conversation with Duncan Williams, president of Duncan-Williams Inc., as part of its speaker series Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Racquet Club of Memphis, 5111 Sanderlin Ave. Cost is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers. For reservations, contact Ericka Milford by Friday at 543-3518 or emilford@memphischamber.com.

75. Protective SHIELD - Thursday, December 02, 2010

The foreclosure crisis’ debilitating effect on the housing market is changing the meaning of the word homeless.

SHIELD Inc. – Sharing, Helping, Involving and Encouraging the Lives of the Disadvantaged – is a nonprofit that helps low-income, disabled and homeless individuals and families under the age of 62 obtain affordable permanent housing.

76. Memphis Habitat Participates in Contest - Thursday, November 18, 2010

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis is one of 15 Habitat affiliates in the United States taking part in the American Home Shield Challenge for Change.

The AHS Challenge for Change is an online voting contest that will award $10,000, $15,000 and $25,000 donations to three Habitat affiliates receiving the most online votes.

77. Reichling Settles Into Corps of Engineers Post - Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Col. Vernie Reichling grew up in a military family, but it wasn’t until he spent a week with his uncle, a colonel in the U.S. Army, at Fort Bragg, N.C., one summer during junior high that Reichling felt his true calling to join up.

78. BlueCross BlueShield Subsidiary Lays Off Workers - Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Twenty-two Memphis employees have lost their jobs as part of a work force reduction by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee to save costs on its subsidiary that contracts with TennCare.

The Memphis personnel worked for the Volunteer State Health Plan.

79. China Says Fed Bond Move May Hurt Other Countries - Monday, November 08, 2010

BEIJING (AP) – China's central bank chief said Friday that the Federal Reserve's move to inject money into the U.S. economy is understandable because of its slow recovery but still might hurt the rest of the world.

80. Health Insurers Help GOP After Dalliance With Dems - Monday, October 25, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) — Health insurers flirted with Democrats, supported them with money and got what they wanted: a federal mandate that most Americans carry health care coverage. Now they're backing Republicans, hoping a GOP Congress will mean friendlier regulations.

81. Park Progression - Friday, September 17, 2010

The Shelby Farms Park Conservancy is gearing up to debut two new major park enhancements by the end of the year, with more on tap for early 2011 and beyond.

82. ServiceMaster CEO Retires - Friday, September 10, 2010

The CEO of ServiceMaster, who led the company during the relocation of its corporate headquarters from Illinois to Memphis, is stepping down.

J. Patrick Spainhour, who has served as chief executive officer of The ServiceMaster Co. since 2006, is retiring from the company at the end of the year. A search for his successor will start immediately.

83. Grubb & Ellis’ deWitt Appointed To MAAR Commercial Council - Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Greg deWitt of Grubb & Ellis Co. has been appointed to the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council. He will take over one of the council’s director seats next year before becoming the council’s vice president in 2012.

84. Health Insurers Win Concession on Kids' Coverage - Thursday, July 29, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – The health insurance industry has won a concession from the Obama administration on insurance coverage for children.

The Health and Human Services Department said Wednesday that insurers can set limited sign-up periods for a new kind of guaranteed coverage that is available to children regardless of medical problems.

85. Some Insurers Stop Writing New Coverage for Kids - Monday, July 26, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) — Some major health insurance companies have stopped issuing certain types of policies for children, an unintended consequence of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law, state officials said Friday.

86. Southaven Harley-Davidson Mixes Bikes, Tourism - Wednesday, June 09, 2010

The new headquarters for Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson is the logical passage point for motorcyclists to exit Interstate 55 for a ride down the Blues Highway into the Mississippi Delta. With that in mind, owner Lisa Wade is teaming up with tourism officials to market the opportunity.

87. Gear Signs On at Pickler Advisors - Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Hometown: Memphis. I am a native of California, but have lived here so long I consider myself a Memphian.
Family: Michael - 18
Favorite quote: “Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.” Demosthenes
Activities you enjoy outside of work: My favorite hobby is needlepoint. Also, I come from a large family and we are very close and spend a lot of time together.
What drew you to Pickler Wealth Advisors? David Pickler and I have worked in the same line of business for many years and when I heard about the opportunity to join his team, I jumped at the chance. David always puts the clients first and strongly believes in a commitment to the community.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishments? I have the chance to change lives for the better each and every day – especially during the times of market turbulence over the last few years. The chance to work with a team that provides advice and counsel for so many confusing areas in so many peoples’ lives is deeply rewarding.
What do you most enjoy about your work? I truly enjoy getting to know our clients. Pickler Wealth Advisors offers an environment that lets clients feel at ease.

88. BlueCross BlueShield Gives $1.7 Million to UT - Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The University of Tennessee Research Foundation has received a $1.7 million grant from the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation to expand the Blues Project in Shelby and Hamilton counties.

89. Vanguard Health Plans to Buy Mich. Hospital System - Monday, March 22, 2010

DETROIT (AP) - Detroit Medical Center officials said Friday that plans for the nonprofit hospital system to be purchased by the privately held Vanguard Health Systems Inc. will allow it to maintain its commitment to charitable care and boost investment in its future.

90. Regulator Faults Wall Street Banks on Derivatives - Friday, March 12, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) - Wall Street banks are seeking exemptions to proposed new financial derivatives rules that could shield more than half the trades that should be subject to disclosure, a federal regulator said Thursday.

91. HHS Warns of Double-Digit Spike in Health Premiums - Friday, February 19, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) - Consumers are facing budget-busting increases in medical insurance premiums, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday, releasing a report the Obama administration hopes will tap public outrage and help revive its stalled health care overhaul.

92. Events - Monday, January 04, 2010

Shield Inc. will host a community job forum today at 1:30 p.m. at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave., Room C. The purpose of the job forum is to discuss ideas and methods for creating jobs in Memphis. Information from the forum will be compiled into a report and submitted to the White House for President Obama to review.

93. Forum Set to Discuss Community Job Creation - Thursday, December 31, 2009

Shield Inc. will host a Community Job Forum Monday at 1:30 p.m. in Room C at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library at 3030 Poplar Ave.

94. Industrial Megasites Fraught With Unknowns, Political Maneuvering - Monday, December 14, 2009

When cities and states compete for economic plums, the advantages seem to be weighted heavily in favor of businesses looking to build new plants.

Nothing bolsters a local or even regional economy like a new manufacturing plant or factory. That remains true even in this age of bioindustry, intellectual property and tech corridors. At least for now, the jobs created by those sectors don’t pay as many people or as well as good old-fashioned manufacturing jobs.

95. Historic EPA Finding: Greenhouse Gases Harm Humans - Tuesday, December 08, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration took a major step Monday toward imposing the first federal limits on climate-changing pollution from cars, power plants and factories, declaring there was compelling scientific evidence that global warming from manmade greenhouse gases endangers Americans' health.

96. MED Task Force Members Appointed - Thursday, December 03, 2009

Shelby County Interim Mayor Joyce Avery and County Commissioner Joe Ford, who will become county mayor Dec. 10, have appointed a task force to brainstorm short- and long-term solutions to the revenue crisis at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis.

97. Earnings Reports to Give Picture of Job Market - Tuesday, October 27, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - Wall Street may be roaring again and manufacturers see a bright future selling their wares in Asia. But for many Americans, it's still a downturn until the jobs come back.

This week, earnings from several companies with deep ties to corporate payrolls, consumer demand and the labor market will show whether employers are hiring, firing or holding off on filling vacancies.

98. Physician Data Stolen From BlueCross BlueShield - Friday, October 16, 2009

Personal information including tax identification numbers and, in some cases, Social Security numbers, for every doctor and medical association in the county that does business with BlueCross BlueShield Association could be breached following the theft of a laptop computer.

99. Physician Data Stolen From BlueCross BlueShield - Thursday, October 15, 2009

Personal information including tax identification numbers and, in some cases, Social Security numbers, for every doctor and medical association in the county that does business with BlueCross BlueShield Association could be breached following the theft of a laptop computer.

100. Tennessee BlueCross BlueShield Hard Drives Stolen - Wednesday, October 07, 2009

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has discovered that 68 computer hard drives have been stolen from an office building in suburban Chattanooga, but a spokeswoman says the state's largest health insurer does not know if private patient data is stored on them.