Seventeen short months after former Apple retailer extraordinaire was tapped as CEO of J.C. Penney, Ron Johnson was fired in spectacular fashion for a 55 percent drop in stock and sales declines as high as 20 percent in a single quarter. This certainly wasn’t the legacy he intended to leave for this outdated brand struggling to connect with its “next generation” of customer.

2. Blank Joins WKNO-FM As News Director - Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Christopher Blank has joined WKNO-FM, the Mid-South affiliate of National Public Radio, as news director. Blank, who has produced feature stories for the station since 2011, will oversee local news production for “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”

3. Schools Payroll Systems to Remain Separate - Wednesday, June 19, 2013

A week after announcing a change in when Shelby County Schools teachers get paid in the schools merger that begins July 1, interim schools superintendent Dorsey Hopson changed course. The change keeps teachers from the two systems on different pay schedules for the first year of the merger.

4. Mortgage Activity Sees Small Increase - Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Mortgage activity was a bit lackluster in Shelby County last month compared to the same time in 2012, judging by the latest data.

Looking forward, though, bankers say the demand is there, the busy season for lenders is well underway and that the purchase mortgage business is at times far outpacing demand for refinances.

5. Sticking to Niche - Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Chris Clark got into the contracting and construction business in 1975, learning the trades as he worked on them. Ryan Anderson graduated from Auburn University in 2007 with a building science degree.

6. Old Dominion Could Bring 188 Jobs - Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. and Barnhart Crane and Rigging Co. are considering expanding in Memphis.

7. Sessions Held to Train Teachers on New Standards - Wednesday, June 19, 2013

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee education officials are training teachers from across the state on how to implement a new set of uniform benchmarks for math and reading.

Education Department spokeswoman Kelli Gauthier says more than 30,000 teachers have signed up to be trained on the common core state standards over the next six weeks. Training sessions began on Tuesday.

8. Schools Payroll Changed Back As Commission Okays Schools Budget - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

A week after announcing a change in when Shelby County Schools teachers get paid in the schools merger that begins July 1, interim schools superintendent Dorsey Hopson changed course. The change keeps teachers from the two systems on different pay schedules for the first year of the merger.

9. Supreme Court: 'Pay to Delay' Generic Drugs Can be Illegal - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court ruled Monday that deals between pharmaceutical corporations and their generic drug competitors, which government officials say keep cheaper forms of medicine off the market, can be sometimes be illegal and therefore challenged in court.

10. World Looks to Bernanke to Clarify Stimulus Plans - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Is the era of ultra-low interest rates nearing an end? That's the question – and the fear – Chairman Ben Bernanke will face this week when he takes questions after a Federal Reserve policy meeting.

11. Tennessee GOP Supermajority Struggles to Find Footing - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam began the year by dismissing what he called misguided predictions that the new Republican supermajority in state government would devolve into infighting.

12. Countywide School Board Plans to Meet Tuesday - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Countywide school board members meet Tuesday, June 18, for a work session agenda that includes a review of charter school applications and lease agreements with charter school operators Promise Academy and KIPP Academy.

13. Issues to Weigh for Fundraising Annual Goal - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

We were recently asked what we thought about setting a fundraising goal for fiscal year 2014 by simply adding 10 percent to the 2013 goal. Good question. And of course we had questions of our own. The first of which was “did the nonprofit meet its 2013 goal?” The answer – and the reasons why – will be important to take into consideration when setting a goal for 2014.

14. Homebuilder Confidence Soars - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

For the first time in seven years, most U.S. homebuilders are optimistic about home sales, a sign that construction could help drive stronger economic growth in coming months.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released Monday leaped to 52 this month from 44 in May. It was the largest monthly increase since 2002.

15. Educators Stress Consistency Amid Change - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Three educators who have led schools inside and outside the conventional public school system locally say consistency at the school level will be important in a school year that will see a lot of change.

16. Boyle Honors Past at 80th Anniversary Celebration - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

If it seems like the Boyle family has played a key role in Memphis since the city was founded, it’s because it has.

A Boyle family ancestor, John Overton, founded Memphis in 1819 along with James Winchester and Andrew Jackson. In the early 1900s, Edward Boyle developed Belvedere Boulevard, which remains one of the city’s most elegant arteries.

17. Fresh Start - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Years ago, after leaving the 9-to-5 of the corporate world, Cathy McKee decided she wanted to get more serious about cooking.

18. City Council Again Tackles Budget, Tax Rate - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Some Memphis City Council members say they are prepared for a long day Tuesday, June 18, at City Hall as they continue down the arduous path to a tax rate and budget for the coming fiscal year.

“Let’s just be ready to spend the night,” said council member Harold Collins last week. He commented as council-mediated discussions between the administration of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and municipal union leaders on possible cuts in employee benefits got nowhere quickly and ended after less than an hour.

19. Cupboard Restaurant Launches Online Store - Monday, June 17, 2013

You can now have the Cupboard Restaurant’s cookbook delivered to your home.

The Cupboard, at 1400 Union Ave., has launched an online store to sell Charles Cavallo’s cookbook and other items.

20. Self-Tucker Focused on Designs to Inspire - Saturday, June 15, 2013

Self-Tucker Architects wants to lift the aspirations of the community through great architecture and design.

The firm is currently involved with a variety of high-profile projects across the area, including the National Civil Rights Museum and the new ground transportation center at Memphis International Airport, and past work includes the Stax Museum, Stax Music Academy and the FedExForum.

21. Bedrock Eats and Sweets Offers Healthy Choices - Monday, June 17, 2013

A new healthy eating outlet has launched in Memphis that aims to provide pre-made, healthy whole-food meals and food mixed with a dose of convenience.

Bedrock Eats and Sweets is the product of YoLo’s Taylor Berger and Brandi Marter, partners in the venture, and the goal is to provide people with an alternative to something like a McDonald’s run because they’re hungry and because it’s convenient.

22. Garbage Services Weighs Collection Overhaul - Monday, June 17, 2013

As City Hall roils in a tempestuous budget season, discussions about changing how the city collects garbage for its citizens have been making progress.

Sanitation services are part of the city’s operating budget, but they are not funded through the city’s general fund, the largest pot of revenue the city of Memphis has. They are funded with the monthly $25.05 solid waste fee paid by citizens.

23. Steve Mulroy’s Donation Creates Second Largest Chain - Saturday, June 15, 2013

About a month ago, Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy donated a kidney to a stranger. That donation has created the second-largest kidney swap chain in history, according to the National Kidney Registry.

24. US Budget Deficit Widens $139 Billion in May - Saturday, June 15, 2013

The government reported Wednesday that the U.S. budget deficit widened in May by $139 billion. But the annual deficit stayed on track to finish below $1 trillion for the first time since 2008.

Steady economic growth and higher tax rates have boosted the government’s tax revenue. At the same time, government spending has barely increased.

25. Birthrights - Saturday, June 15, 2013

As Deidra Stephens Clark’s due date approached, she made a straightforward birth plan that included a vaginal birth, an epidural for pain relief and her desire to breastfeed immediately after birth.

26. Strategic Science - Saturday, June 15, 2013

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Memphis high school students guided Frisbee-flinging robots around a large room at Medtronic Spine’s headquarters. The robots were built to compete in FIRST Robotics – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – an international high school robotics competition designed to inspire and expose young people to careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

27. New U of M Engineering Dean Targets Growth - Saturday, June 15, 2013

Dr. Richard Sweigard, who took the helm on June 1 as the new dean of the Herff College of Engineering at the University of Memphis, believes strongly in the importance and value of engineering education.

28. Engineers Surviving by Shifting to Market Needs - Saturday, June 15, 2013

Engineering firms are still dealing with an up-and-down economy, one that seems to fly high at times and another that slows almost to a halt.

“We’re a long way from where we were when the recession hit and I don’t know if we’ll ever get back there,” said Scott Barry, president of SSR Ellers Inc. “It’s not back to where it was before the economic crash. It seems like we’re bouncing around the bottom.”

29. Coverage May be Unaffordable for Low-Wage Workers - Friday, June 14, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – It's called the Affordable Care Act, but President Barack Obama's health care law may turn out to be unaffordable for many low-wage workers, including employees at big chain restaurants, retail stores and hotels.

30. Airlines' On-Time Performance Falls, US Says - Friday, June 14, 2013

The nation's airlines struggled to stay on schedule in April, with nearly one in four flights arriving late, according to new government figures.

The airlines blamed furloughs of federal air traffic controllers and bad weather. A nationwide computer outage at American Airlines added to the slowdown.

31. Unpaid Internships in Jeopardy After Court Ruling - Friday, June 14, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Unpaid internships have long been a path of opportunity for students and recent grads looking to get a foot in the door in the entertainment, publishing and other prominent industries, even if it takes a generous subsidy from Mom and Dad.

32. Hollins Move Latest In New Grizz Plan - Friday, June 14, 2013

Lionel Hollins repeatedly said more than he should have. So it is only fitting that the end of Hollins’ tenure as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies was marked by deafening silence from franchise CEO Jason Levien and then, finally, a press release saying the franchise was going to “move in a different direction.”

33. Spotlight on Redbirds as Only Game in Town - Friday, June 14, 2013

A year ago at this time, the Memphis Redbirds were in the midst of a season so bad they were already almost 20 games out of first place. It was, as infielder Ryan Jackson recalled, a “grind.”

34. ACEC Role Lets Matheny Advocate for Engineers - Friday, June 14, 2013

Harvey Matheny, associate with the Memphis office of Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. and current president of the Memphis chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Tennessee, has seen plenty of changes in the local engineering market over the past several years.

35. Lifeblood Works to Ensure Summer Blood Supply - Friday, June 14, 2013

Growing up, David Wiemar can remember his father answering the phone in the middle of the night to go donate blood at the local children’s hospital in Birmingham, Ala. He’s continued that tradition and also shared it with his son, Charles Wiemar.

36. MAA: Merger Means Modest Job Growth - Friday, June 14, 2013

MAA expects modest job growth in Memphis from its merger with Colonial Properties Trust and believes its current headquarters can absorb any new employees that may arrive.

“We think there will be some job growth here I suspect by putting the combined corporate headquarters for the new company here but I would expect most of that would be lower-level management or clerical in nature,” said Eric Bolton, MAA CEO.

37. City’s Latest Dishcrawl Comes Downtown - Friday, June 14, 2013

Memphians have proven to be hungry for the dish crawl concept – a way for foodies to explore multiple restaurants in one night.

Founded in 2010 by Tracey Lee of San Jose, Calif., Dishcrawl quickly spread nationwide to cities like New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, Montreal and Toronto. The initiative launched in Memphis earlier this year, with the first Memphis Dishcrawl in February in Cooper-Young selling out right away, necessitating the addition of a second night, which sold out too.

38. Inspiration, Not Imitation - Friday, June 14, 2013

The superintendent of the Albemarle County, Va., school system told a group of educators in Memphis this week she is concerned U.S. schools are too based on an outdated 20th century industrial model.

39. Council Faces Pressure in Financial Crisis - Friday, June 14, 2013

The Memphis City Council is caught between hints of a state takeover of city finances and the possibility of a lawsuit by most, if not all, of the city’s municipal labor unions in a fiscal crisis that is also evolving into a significant labor dispute.

40. Boehner Says He Will Support Farm Bill - Thursday, June 13, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Speaker John Boehner says he will vote for a wide-ranging farm bill headed to the House floor this month, a major boost for the five year, half-trillion dollar legislation that stalled in the House last year.

41. Small Businesses are Hiring Again, But Cautiously - Thursday, June 13, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – Nina Vaca is interviewing job applicants at her staffing company again after putting hiring on hold at the end of last year.

Vaca expects to hire more than 50 people for her firm, Pinnacle Technical Resources, by the end of 2013. Demand is soaring for the high-tech temporary workers it places at large corporations. The reason for her caution: Months of uncertainty about federal taxes and budget cuts has disappeared.

42. US Budget Deficit Widens $139 Billion in May - Thursday, June 13, 2013

The government reported Wednesday that the U.S. budget deficit widened in May by $139 billion. But the annual deficit stayed on track to finish below $1 trillion for the first time since 2008.

Steady economic growth and higher tax rates have boosted the government’s tax revenue. At the same time, government spending has barely increased.

43. Events - Thursday, June 13, 2013

The Daily News will present Literatini, benefiting Literacy Mid-South, Thursday, June 13, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Booksellers at Laurelwood, 387 Perkins Road Extended. The event will include martinis and food, an auction, live music and a wine pull. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 per couple. Visit literacymidsouth.org.

44. He Said, She Said, Part 2 - Thursday, June 13, 2013

Finishing what I started last week. More “humorous” quotes. Which I came up with for use in a “new” puzzle-game. And which the editors rejected. That I ultimately came up with 30 deemed acceptable now seems miraculous.

45. Learn From Insurance Investments - Thursday, June 13, 2013

Ray’s Take Insurance companies typically keep a relatively small amount of money in cash in order to pay claims, including a reserve to respond quickly to catastrophes. The rest of their funds they invest for the long term, focusing on options like corporate bonds and real estate holdings.

46. Cates Wears Multiple Hats as Litigator, Prosecutor - Thursday, June 13, 2013

Taylor Cates, attorney with Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC, describes himself as “an adequate rhythm guitar player.”

47. Residency Program Targets School Administrators - Thursday, June 13, 2013

The growing crop of teacher residency programs in Shelby County is being followed by residency programs for school system administrators and leaders outside the classroom.

But raising a crop of those further up the management chain isn’t the same as recruiting a crop of new classroom teachers says John Troy, of the group Education Pioneers.

48. The Beat Goes On - Thursday, June 13, 2013

Rosalyn Jeans slowly tapped out the syllables in her first name as she beat the drum in front of her simultaneously with each syllable.

49. Google Asks to Publish More US Government Information - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Google is asking the Obama administration for permission to disclose more details about the U.S. government's demands for emails and other information that people transmit online.

50. Storm Snaps Power Poles Near Some Tunica Casinos - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Power is back on in Tunica after a Sunday storm blew down power poles along Casino Strip Resort Boulevard.

Nearly 30 poles snapped along the thoroughfare, WATN-TV reports.

Three of the county’s nine casinos lost power and operated for a time on generators. Some homes also lost power.

51. Commissioner’s Donation Creates Second Largest Chain - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

About a month ago, Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy donated a kidney to a stranger. That donation has created the second-largest kidney swap chain in history, according to the National Kidney Registry.

52. Events - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Kiwanis Club of Memphis will meet Wednesday, June 12, from noon to 1 p.m. at The University Club of Memphis, 1346 Central Ave. U.S. District Judge John Fowlkes will speak. Cost is $18 for nonmembers.

53. Doing Right is Good Marketing - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Here is a short list of rapid cultural changes: Consumer and business databases. Cable. TIVO and DVR. The Internet. Search engines. Satellite radio. Podcasts. Social networks. Blogs. Mobile. The iPhone. Thousands more innovations in beta today.

54. Convert Web Traffic to Sales - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Every brand needs a Web presence to survive in the digital age, but how do you know that Web investment is actually performing?

The answer begins by shifting your focus from simply generating more traffic to generating more traffic that converts to actual business. Traffic that doesn’t convert has little value.

55. Neal Joins Madison Line Records as Chief Operating Officer - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Antonio Neal has joined Madison Line Records, the record label affiliated with Visible Music College, as chief operating officer. Neal – a four-time Gospel Music Association Dove Award winner who has also been nominated for a Grammy Award and four Stellar Gospel Music Awards – will oversee marketing, publishing and day-to-day operations at the label.

56. Overton Park Playground Comes With Risk - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The new playground near Rainbow Lake in Overton Park features something not seen on modern playgrounds in awhile – a metal merry-go-round or roundabout.

The playground, parts of which are still being built, got a good test Saturday, June 8, during what the Overton Park Conservancy billed as a “day of merrymaking.” It was a test of the playground, the renovation around Rainbow Lake and the one-year anniversary of the opening of the nearby Overton Bark dog park.

57. Baptist Integrates Cancer Care With Center - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp. broke ground Monday, June 10, on an $84.8 million Cancer Center near the Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis campus that is slated to open mid-2015.

58. Morris to Lead Main to Main Project - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Downtown Memphis Commission President Paul Morris will become the new project director for the Main Street to Main Street revitalization project that includes a Harahan Bridge boardwalk.

59. Hollins Move Latest in New Grizz Plan - Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Lionel Hollins repeatedly said more than he should have. So it is only fitting that the end of Hollins’ tenure as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies was marked by deafening silence from franchise CEO Jason Levien and then, finally, a press release saying the franchise was going to “move in a different direction.”

60. Morris to Lead Main to Main Project - Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Downtown Memphis Commission president Paul Morris will become the new project director for the Main Street to Main Street revitalization project that includes a Harahan Bridge boardwalk.

61. Room for Improvement? - Tuesday, June 11, 2013

So it’s time to locate new office space for the changing needs of your business. That may mean adding more space to accommodate growth, downsizing to support a reduction in employees or even rightsizing – as many companies are these days – to reduce space per employee and cut operating expenses.

62. Chism Pushing for Younger Democratic Contenders - Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Candidates in the 2014 elections for Shelby County Commission emerged at Commissioner Sidney Chism’s political picnic over the weekend.

63. Luttrell: School Finances Will Continue to Change - Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell won an important Shelby County Commission vote last week when the commission approved the $4.38 county property tax rate he recommended.

64. Helping Hands - Tuesday, June 11, 2013

The Westin Memphis Beale Street Hotel is hosting a bash this week organizers are calling “Memphis to Moore,” an event that will raise money for the rebuilding effort in an Oklahoma community devastated last month by a mile-wide tornado.

65. Shelby County Home Sales Climb 15 Percent - Tuesday, June 11, 2013

May home sales jumped 15 percent from the same month last year, while the average sales price increased 9 percent.

Shelby County netted 1,457 home sales in May, up from 1,381 sales last May, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

66. Obama Nominates Furman as Top Economic Adviser - Tuesday, June 11, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama has nominated Jason Furman, a veteran White House economic official, as chairman of the president's Council of Economic Advisers.

Obama calls Furman, 42, one of the most brilliant economic minds of his generation. He says Furman never forgets he's fighting for the middle class and those who aspire to join it.

67. S&P Boosts Outlook for US Government’s Long-Term Debt - Tuesday, June 11, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Standard & Poor's Ratings Services upgraded its outlook Monday for the U.S. government's long-term debt. S&P cited the government's strengthened finances, a recovering U.S. economy and some easing of Washington's political gridlock.

68. State Didn't Apply for Some Grants to Aid Children - Tuesday, June 11, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – A report by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth finds the state didn't apply for some competitive grants that would have benefited programs.

According to The Tennessean, the study did quantify the state receives huge shares of funding from the federal government.

69. Is Big Data Turning Government Into 'Big Brother'? - Monday, June 10, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – With every phone call they make and every Web excursion they take, people are leaving a digital trail of revealing data that can be tracked by profit-seeking companies and terrorist-hunting government officials.

70. S&P Gives Freddie Mac 'Above Average' Servicer Ranking - Monday, June 10, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – Standard & Poor's for the first time has assigned Freddie Mac a ranking as a loan servicer, giving the government-controlled mortgage giant an "Above Average" ranking for its servicing of loans tied to rental apartment buildings.

71. US Consumer Borrowing Up $11.1 Billion in April - Monday, June 10, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Americans borrowed more in April to attend college and buy cars and were a little less cautious with their credit cards than the previous month.

The Federal Reserve said Friday that consumer borrowing rose $11.1 billion in April from March to a seasonally adjusted $2.82 trillion. That's the 20th straight monthly gain and another record level.

72. Consumer Confidence Hits Six-Year High - Saturday, June 08, 2013

A measure of U.S. consumer confidence jumped to its highest level in almost six years in May, lifted by rising home prices and record stock market gains. Greater confidence could help revive spending in coming months.

73. US Manufacturing Gauge Sinks to June 2009 Level - Saturday, June 08, 2013

A measure of U.S. manufacturing fell in May to its lowest level since June 2009 as slumping overseas economies and weak business spending reduced new orders and production.

The Institute for Supply Management said Monday that its index of manufacturing activity fell to 49 last month from 50.7 in April. That’s the lowest level in nearly four years and the first time the index has dipped below 50 since November. A reading under 50 indicates contraction.

74. County Pension Fund Hits Another Record High - Saturday, June 08, 2013

The value of the pension fund that pays benefits to Shelby County retirees is back up to a high not seen since 2007.

The portfolio size of the county’s retirement defined benefit plan stood at $1.02 billion in April. The last time the value was higher than that was in December 2007.

75. Events - Saturday, June 08, 2013

The Daily News will present Literatini, benefiting Literacy Mid-South, Thursday, June 13, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Booksellers at Laurelwood, 387 Perkins Road Extended. The event will include martinis and food, an auction, live music and a wine pull. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 per couple. Visit literacymidsouth.org.

76. Paragon National Bank Expands Slate of Services - Monday, June 10, 2013

Paragon National Bank has expanded its slate of service offerings.

Paragon recently enhanced its services to include new partnerships with Clay & Land Insurance and Ovation Payroll. The bank also has launched Paragon BusinessManager Solutions, which helps small-business owners better manage their cash flow.

77. Speculating About Modern Workplace - Monday, June 10, 2013

Anthropology is the study of humankind. Among other things, anthropologists try to figure out how groups of people have worked together throughout history in ways to increase the odds the group will survive and prosper.

78. Photography Studio Offers ‘More Than Memories’ - Monday, June 10, 2013

Allison Rodgers will tell you that the most natural smile occurs going into, and coming out of, a laugh.

79. Next Goal for City Budget: Consensus - Monday, June 10, 2013

For now, Memphis City Council members have more questions than consensus about which end is up on the proposed city budget for the fiscal year that is three weeks away.

Beyond the questions awaits a significant difference of opinion among council members about the general direction city finances should take with the new fiscal year and beyond.

80. Daily News Seminar Spotlights Financial Hot Topics - Monday, June 10, 2013

Craig Dismuke, the chief economic strategist of Vining Sparks IBG LP, opened his keynote address at The Daily News’ “Money and Markets” seminar Thursday, June 6, with a story that brought some insight into the wisdom that people – often erroneously – ascribe to experts in various fields, including economists.

81. Putting On for Their City - Monday, June 10, 2013

It started about a year ago, with two friends who wanted some upbeat, fun threads to wear to Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis basketball games.

From that, Leslie Skelton and Ian Lemmonds turned their basketball superfandom into a business – Hoop City Memphis.

82. June 7-13: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, June 08, 2013

1973: On the front page of The Daily News, the Shelby Farms Development Board voted to back the sale of the 2,000-acre site of the old Shelby County Penal Farm to Rouse Co. of Columbia, Md., and Boyle Investment Co. of Memphis for development of the land as a residential community. The action went to the Shelby County Quarterly Court. The land is now Shelby Farms Park.

83. Editorial: A Few Suggestions for Our City Leaders - Saturday, June 08, 2013

For the last three years or so the game at City Hall has been to move money around from one pocket to another to try to make projects happen in the toughest economic downturn since the Great Depression.

84. Government Largesse - Saturday, June 08, 2013

These days, it seems like office real estate brokers are fighting tooth and nail to find office space for government tenants.

While office brokers are typically chasing new business to town or urging existing firms to grow, they’re now looking for office space for government agencies, which have emerged as prominent players in the local office real estate sector.

85. Average Rate on 15-Year US Mortgage Above 3 Percent - Friday, June 07, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The average U.S. rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage rose above 3 percent this week for the first time in a year, while the rate on the 30-year fixed loan approached 4 percent.

86. US Government Collecting Huge Number of Phone Records - Friday, June 07, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The government is secretly collecting the telephone records of millions of U.S. customers of Verizon under a top-secret court order, according to the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. The Obama administration is defending the National Security Agency's need to collect such records, but critics are calling it a huge over-reach.

87. US Unemployment Benefit Applications Fall to 346,000 - Friday, June 07, 2013

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell 11,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 346,000, a level consistent with steady job growth.

The Labor Department said Thursday that applications dropped from 357,000 the previous week, which was revised up from an initially reported 354,000. The less volatile four-week average rose 4,500 to 352,500.

88. County Pension Fund Hits Another Record High - Friday, June 07, 2013

The value of the pension fund that pays benefits to Shelby County retirees is back up to a high not seen since 2007.

The portfolio size of the county’s retirement defined benefit plan stood at $1.02 billion in April. The last time the value was higher than that was in December 2007.

89. Asking ‘Why?’ Can Transform Your Organization - Friday, June 07, 2013

Part three of three-part series on transformational giving. Do major gifts to nonprofits fall from the sky, or are they more typically the result of deep commitment, relationships and the ability to use the tools and data available to nonprofits? We asked Barbara Pierce, founder of Transformative Giving, about how donor research supports transformational giving.

90. Answering Memphis’ Hot Sports Topics - Friday, June 07, 2013

In a week with too many worthy column topics and too many valid questions deserving answers, let’s spend a few moments with each one.

First up, “The Lionel Hollins Situation.” The very name tells you what a mess it has become. There are many questions here, but let’s focus on these three:

91. ‘Lefty’ Highlights 2013 Golf Tournament Field - Friday, June 07, 2013

The biggest name at this weekend’s FedEx St. Jude Classic signed autographs as he came off the ninth green at TPC Southwind after his pro-am round and then stopped to chat with reporters.

Phil Mickelson – the man more commonly known as, simply, “Lefty” – was wearing his trademark black cap and shirt, looking tan and fit, and sounding eager for his scheduled 7:27 a.m. starting time Thursday, June 6, on the 10th tee.

92. Keller Finds Right Culture at RedRover - Friday, June 07, 2013

Catherine “Kitty” Keller is one of the newest members of the team at RedRover Sales & Marketing, and her addition comes at a time of a steady swelling of the ranks, a recent batch of awards and consistent business growth for the firm.

93. Wharton: Tax Rate Proposal Could Drop - Friday, June 07, 2013

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. says the $3.51 city property tax rate his administration took to the City Council this week could drop as the council adopts controversial changes in city employee benefit packages.

94. Next Wave - Friday, June 07, 2013

What do you follow a splash park with at the Children’s Museum of Memphis?

A robotic cow, of course.

As children out of school for the summer enjoy the newly opened “H2Oh! Splash” water park at Hollywood Street and Central Avenue, museum public relations and marketing director Carrie Roberts says plans are being made for the robotic cow and a barn on the other side of the museum property including an outdoor classroom.

95. Conflicting Laws, Regulations Feed IRS Confusion - Thursday, June 06, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The uproar over the Internal Revenue Service's heavy-handed treatment of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status can be traced partly to when New York University Law School went into the noodle business.

96. SEC Considers Tougher Rules for Money Funds - Thursday, June 06, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Investors could lose principal from money market investment funds that perform poorly under regulations proposed Wednesday by the Securities and Exchange Commission. But the change would affect mainly institutional rather than individual investors.

97. Tennessee Colleges to See Lowest Tuition Hike in Years - Thursday, June 06, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee college students will see a lower increase in tuition thanks to improved state funding.

The Tennessee Board of Regents Committee on Finance and Business Operations this week recommended increases of 3 percent for each of the state's 13 community colleges and 1.4 to 6 percent for the Regents' six universities.

98. He Said, She Said: Part 1 - Thursday, June 06, 2013

The posting sent to the members of the cruciverbal community read, “We’re looking for seasoned ... puzzle creators to help us build puzzles for our game, (which) uses a unique crossword-influenced style of word puzzle where the answers are hidden in ... famous quotations. We’re (a small outfit) and ... can’t create puzzles fast enough for the players.”

99. Strain Elected Shareholder at Baker Donelson - Thursday, June 06, 2013

Jason Strain, a shareholder with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC, grew up with the idea of the legal profession being a “good and interesting job.”

100. Budget Reset Talks Lead to Fresh Drama - Thursday, June 06, 2013

The Memphis City Hall budget drama turned from a budget reset into a political thicket Tuesday, June 4, as Memphis City Council members debated getting involved in the details of changing employee and retiree benefits.