Thomas & Betts Corp. executives marked one year since the acquisition of the Memphis-based power and electric utility devices company by ABB Group of Zurich Thursday, May 9, with three contributions from both. The contributions, totaling $1 million, went to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and the Memphis Development Foundation.

2. Thomas & Betts Donates $1 Million - Monday, May 13, 2013

Thomas & Betts Corp. executives marked one year since the acquisition of the Memphis-based power and electric utility devices company by ABB Group of Zurich Thursday, May 9, with three contributions from both. The contributions, totaling $1 million, went to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and the Memphis Development Foundation.

3. Thomas & Betts CEO Sees Growth Post-Acquisition - Monday, May 13, 2013

Dominic Pileggi, the retired CEO of Thomas & Betts Corp., remembers being concerned more than a year ago when the Memphis-based maker of low voltage electrical and utility hardware was in talks with ABB Group of Zurich to buy Thomas & Betts.

4. Thomas & Betts - ABB Donate $1 Million - Friday, May 10, 2013

Thomas & Betts Corporation executives marked one year since the acquisition of the Memphis-based power and electric utility devices company by ABB Group of Zurich Thursday, May 9, with three contributions from both totaling $1 million to St. Children’s Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and the Memphis Development Foundation.

5. E-Strategy for Retailers - Tuesday, April 30, 2013

A couple of weeks ago, my colleague Andy Cates penned an article regarding the impact of e-commerce on distribution and industrial real estate. If you think about it, regardless of the channel you use to buy, the item you purchase still has to get from seller to buyer in some manner. From a distribution perspective, as more people order online rather than shop in retail stores, more distribution is moving to direct-to-consumer and that will have an impact on distribution strategy. So what about the impact from the retail perspective? What is the future of the physical retail store?

6. The New Beale - Saturday, April 20, 2013

Over the last four years, the next chapter in the development of Beale Street has been a stop-and-go affair. First would come announcements followed by silence from official channels.

Along with that silence, though, was quiet activity on the side, a movement that culminated with the March announcement of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.’s strategic planning committee’s report, “A Framework for Beale Street.”

7. CRG2 CEO Singer Named Women’s Biz Enterprise Star - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Mary Singer, CEO of CRG2 SustainableSolutions, has been named a 2013 Women’s Business Enterprise Star by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. She was chosen by Women’s Business Council South, one of the national organization’s 14 regional partner organizations.

8. High Court Takes on a New Affirmative Action Case - Tuesday, March 26, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court's decision to hear a new case from Michigan on the politically charged issue of affirmative action offers an intriguing hint that the justices will not use a separate challenge already pending from Texas for a broad ruling bringing an end to the consideration of race in college admissions.

9. Obama Nominates Justice Official to Top Labor Slot - Tuesday, March 19, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Thomas Perez, President Barack Obama's choice for Labor secretary, has used his perch as the nation's chief civil rights enforcer to crack down on voter suppression, discrimination and police brutality.

10. Boyle Celebrates 80 Years, Sponsors Art Exhibit - Monday, March 18, 2013

Boyle Investment Co. turns 80 this year, and has partnered with the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to celebrate.

11. Rediscovering the Past - Friday, March 15, 2013

High-rise office buildings surround it on two sides and even the multistoried rectory at St. Peter Catholic Church offers a downward view of the Magevney House on Adams Avenue, east of Third Street.

12. New TSA Policy on Knives, Bats Sparks Backlash - Monday, March 11, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Flight attendants, pilots, federal air marshals and even insurance companies are part of a growing backlash to the Transportation Security Administration's new policy allowing passengers to carry small knives and sports equipment like souvenir baseball bats and golf clubs onto planes.

13. Patterson Warehouses Adds Space - Friday, March 08, 2013

Patterson Warehouses Inc. is boosting its longtime local presence with a new lease in DeSoto County.

The renowned player in Memphis’ third-party logistics industry is leasing 237,952 square feet of Class A space in Marathon Distribution Center, 295 Marathon Way in Southaven.

14. Funding From Suburbs Suggested - Monday, March 04, 2013

Countywide school board members are not the only players in the schools merger feeling pressure, although they may be feeling more pressure than others.

Shelby County Commissioners whose districts include suburban towns and cities have also been hearing a lot from parents in the suburbs who not too long ago had made peace with the idea that they would be part of the consolidated school district for at least the first school year.

15. Schools Questions Dominate County Commission Agenda - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners approved on the second of three readings Monday, Feb. 25, an ordinance that gives Memphis City Schools teachers living outside Shelby County five years to move within Shelby County.

16. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Announces Changes - Saturday, February 23, 2013

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has announced some changes to its Memphis board.

Lisa McDaniel Hawkins, president of Room to Room in Tupelo, Miss., has been appointed to a three-year term on the board.

17. J-Line Pump Growing in Collierville - Friday, February 22, 2013

A local pumping equipment manufacturer is increasing its presence in the Collierville market. 

J-Line Pump Co., doing business as American-Marsh Pumps, bought the 81,260-square-foot warehouse on 12.4 acres at 550 E. South St. for $1.4 million. This will be in addition to the adjoining 110,000-square-foot warehouse at 185 Progress Road the company has occupied since 1999.

18. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Announces Changes to Memphis Board - Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has announced some changes to its Memphis board.

Lisa McDaniel Hawkins, president of Room to Room in Tupelo, Miss., has been appointed to a three-year term on the board.

19. Court: Obama Appointments are Unconstitutional - Monday, January 28, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – In a setback for President Barack Obama, a federal appeals court ruled Friday that he violated the Constitution in making recess appointments last year, a decision that could severely curtail the president's ability to bypass the Senate to fill administration vacancies.

20. Bishop Byrne Will Close, Merge With Memphis Catholic - Monday, January 28, 2013

Memphis Catholic Bishop J. Terry Steib likens the coming changes in two well-known Catholic schools with long histories to a nova.

“Later this spring we will reshape Memphis Catholic High School and Bishop Byrne High School into one entity,” Steib said in a recorded announcement Thursday, Jan. 24, as the closing of Bishop Byrne at the end of the current school year was announced. “Like the stars of the universe – a nova that implodes creates more stars – Memphis Catholic and Bishop Byrne have reached their peaks and will now help to build a model diocesan school. The best of Bishop Byrne and Memphis Catholic will be used to create the new star.”

21. Census to Offer Internet Option in Government Surveys - Tuesday, December 18, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – For the first time, the Census Bureau is giving U.S. households a chance to respond to government surveys over the Internet, part of a bid to save costs and boost sagging response rates in a digital age.

22. Shadowy Tennessee Donor Behind Record Campaign Contributions - Monday, December 10, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – A lawyer in Tennessee who is mysteriously linked to millions of dollars in campaign contributions steered to congressional candidates doubled his investments in the weeks before Election Day and quietly funneled $6.8 million more to a prominent Tea Party group, according to new financial statements filed with the government.

23. Become Great by Choice - Monday, December 03, 2012

There are those who continually improve their knowledge and skills and have accumulated 30 years experience. And then there are those who simply repeat their initial year of experience 30 times, learning very little along the way.

24. Endocrinologist Detti Joins UT Medical Group - Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Laura Detti has joined the Germantown office of UT Medical Group Inc., where she specializes in male and female infertility. Detti provides genetic diagnosis and counseling; management of conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, recurrent miscarriages and premature menopause; and pre- and post-cancer care for fertility issues.

25. Labor Heads Say Obama Backs Them on 'Fiscal Cliff' - Wednesday, November 14, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Labor leaders said Tuesday that President Barack Obama remains committed to preserving tax cuts for middle class families and ensuring the wealthy pay more in taxes, outlining plans for a public campaign to pressure Republican lawmakers.

26. Tigers: Wake-Up Call Comes Early - Friday, November 09, 2012

A few weeks ago, an ESPN blogger asked University of Memphis sophomore Adonis Thomas about what the Tigers had learned from their dreadful performance against Saint Louis in last season’s NCAA Tournament loss.

27. Highpoint Church Buys Briarcrest’s East Memphis Campus - Friday, November 09, 2012

After seven years of leasing space for its worship services, Highpoint Church has acquired Briarcrest Christian School Systems Inc.’s property at 6000 Briarcrest Ave. for $7.25 million.

28. Time for Memphians to Rejoice Yet Again - Monday, October 29, 2012

Each year, a Chicago firm called Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. publishes a tongue-in-cheek report on the nation’s lost productivity during March Madness.

29. A Season for More - Monday, October 29, 2012

Last season, the Grizzlies made the playoffs and even earned home-court advantage for their first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Last season, the Tigers made the NCAA Tournament after winning the regular season and tournament Conference USA championships.

30. New Vibe Connects to Soulsville’s Classic Sound - Monday, October 22, 2012

When the music that helped define Memphis was being made at 926 East McLemore Ave., there wasn’t much thought about giving the music the grand sweeping depth of a symphony orchestra.

31. Grassroots Effort - Thursday, October 04, 2012

Approaching the second anniversary of “New Face for an Old Broad” and the Historic Broad Avenue Business Association’s painting of its own bike lanes, the Binghampton district has seen activity increase exponentially on several fronts.

32. ‘Back in Time’ - Tuesday, September 25, 2012

When local model railroaders first got together with the idea two years ago, there was little more than a dream and a dark tunnel.

Today, the light at the end of that tunnel is the 2,500-square-foot Memphis Railroad & Trolley Museum at 545 S. Main St. in Downtown.

33. Mysterious Human Connections - Monday, September 17, 2012

Every day, most of us sit and routinely use computers that are somehow connected to virtually every part of the planet we inhabit. Recently we have viewed events occurring as far away as Mars. And we do all this wirelessly. I suspect most of us do not question it, or even find it all that unusual, that we receive signals over long distances without any connecting wires. In view of this, maybe you won’t find it so unusual that signals also pass between and among human beings interacting with each other.

34. Weinreich Switches Gears at College of Optometry - Thursday, September 13, 2012

An attorney by profession, Christine Weinreich recently switched gears, taking on the role of director of corporate and foundation relations for the Southern College of Optometry, an independent, nonprofit academic institution at 1245 Madison Ave.

35. Election Winners Take Oaths of Office - Wednesday, September 05, 2012

The Labor Day weekend served as a political marker for past and future events in Memphis politics.

The four Shelby County general election winners from the Aug. 2 vote are officially in office as the weekend ends and the workweek begins.

36. Millstone Medical Expands Local Operations - Friday, August 31, 2012

Fall River, Mass.-based Millstone Medical Outsourcing LLC is relocating its Memphis operations to a larger Olive Branch facility to broaden services and capacity.

37. Venson Center Work Kicks Off Heritage Trail - Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The ambitious $1 billion, 10-year redevelopment project called Triangle Noir during former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton’s administration is now called Heritage Trail.

And the first move beyond the demolition of the Cleaborn Homes public housing development is the exterior renovation of the R.Q. Venson Center high rise at Beale Street and Danny Thomas Boulevard.

38. Funding Cut Underscores Gov. Divide - Thursday, August 23, 2012

Consider this the latest dust-up on the city-county government divide. Some Memphis City Council members who voted this week to end city funding for vehicle inspections at the end of June 2013 see the decision as one in a series of challenges to the long-held definition of what city government does and what county government does.

39. McKee Embodied ‘Danny’s Dream’ - Tuesday, August 21, 2012

David L. McKee, longtime chief operating officer at ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, died in a car accident in the Memphis area Friday, Aug. 17. He was 66.

In a long and storied ALSAC career that spanned 35 years, McKee served in a variety of leadership roles, including CEO, chief operating officer and senior executive vice president.

40. Funding for Greenline Extension Narrowly Passes - Wednesday, August 15, 2012

An extension of the Shelby Farms Greenline from Farm Road east across Germantown Parkway to the old Cordova train depot along the old CSX rail corridor is on track.

But this week’s Shelby County Commission vote accepting the $3.3 million state transportation grant that will fund most of the $4.4 million project was close with no votes to spare.

41. TVA Prices 10-Year Bonds at Record Interest Rate - Wednesday, August 08, 2012

The Tennessee Valley Authority is offering $1 billion in 10-year global power bonds bearing an interest rate of 1.875, the lowest interest rate ever on a TVA long-term bond.

TVA said in a statement Tuesday, Aug. 7, that the public utility issued the 10-year bond with a yield of 1.97 percent on Monday to use to pay down short-term debt. Fitch Ratings assigned a AAA rating to the bonds on Monday.

42. Council To Consider Gas Tax Increase - Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Memphis City Council members vote Tuesday, Aug. 7, on the third and final reading of a proposed local gasoline tax that would go to Memphis voters on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The council meets at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall, 125 N. Main St.

43. Colliers Trio Nearly Triples Retail Portfolio - Tuesday, July 31, 2012

In the past 12 months, Colliers International Memphis’ retail team of Andrew Phillips, Ed Thomas and Laura Frazier has grown its retail portfolio from about 300,000 square feet to nearly 850,000 square feet.

44. Thundering Across America - Friday, July 27, 2012

ON THIS CROSSING, EVERY STEP RESONATES. In the big bubble-shaped cars of the 1940’s, the space – the shelf, if you will – between the back seat and the rear window was roughly the size of Overton Park, a place for picnic baskets, hatboxes, shopping bags and babies. For me. No baby seats. No seat belts. The only things that would keep me from flying into the front seat and beyond would be the sure hands of my brothers in the back seat, and I’m pretty sure they’d be watching out for themselves.

45. Kruger Files Permit as Part of Expansion - Friday, July 20, 2012

Tissue manufacturer Kruger Inc. has taken another step forward in its $316 million Memphis expansion north of Downtown.

46. New Welfare Restrictions Target Booze, Tattoos - Thursday, July 19, 2012

BOSTON (AP) — Taking aim at what they call an abuse of the taxpayers' money, a growing number of states are blocking welfare recipients from spending their benefits on booze, cigarettes, lottery tickets, casino gambling, tattoos and strippers.

47. Former Southwest Twin Drive-In Coming Down - Thursday, July 12, 2012

The old Southwest Twin drive-in theater at South Third Street and Raines Road is the property of the federal Homeland Security Department for the time being.

One of the old screens is still there at the busy corner through the Westwood, Coro Lake and Indian Hills communities. But trees in front of the screen block about a third of the height of it.

48. Schools Consolidation Foes Meet in Court - Monday, July 09, 2012

When Memphis Federal Court Judge Hardy Mays convenes a status conference Monday, July 9, in the schools consolidation case, attorneys for at least three of the suburban towns and cities trying to form municipal school districts will be there.

49. Court Upholds Health Care Reform - Friday, June 29, 2012

The Supreme Court has upheld the individual insurance mandate that’s the centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s historic health care overhaul.

Chief Justice John Roberts Thursday, June 28, announced the court’s judgment, which will allow the law to move forward with its aim of covering more than 30 million currently uninsured Americans.

50. American Offers to Drop Plans to Lay Off Pilots - Monday, June 25, 2012

DALLAS (AP) – American Airlines is offering to drop plans to furlough pilots as it seeks union approval for a long-term cost-cutting deal that would help American rebuild while under bankruptcy protection.

51. Exeter Closes On Acquisition Of ProLogis Properties - Friday, June 15, 2012

Pennsylvania-based Exeter Property Group has closed on its acquisition of 10 Memphis-area industrial buildings for $40 million from San Francisco-based ProLogis Inc.

52. Graceland Marks 30th Year as Tourist Attraction - Thursday, June 14, 2012

MEMPHIS (AP) – When Graceland opened to the public 30 years ago this month, nobody knew if it would be a success. Nearly 18 million visitors later, the house where Elvis Presley once lived is a money-making business that's helped transform the city of Memphis into a top destination for music lovers.

53. White House: No Timetable for Bryson's Return - Wednesday, June 13, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – The White House said Tuesday there was no timetable for Commerce Secretary John Bryson's return from medical leave, as California officials indicated the Cabinet member may not face criminal charges if a blood test shows no sign of drugs or alcohol.

54. Baker Donelson’s Bogard Honored for Pro Bono Work - Thursday, June 07, 2012

Kate Bogard is one of a group of five attorneys at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC recently named by the firm as its Memphis Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year.

55. Settlement Brings Milestone in Wells Fargo Case - Monday, June 04, 2012

The announcement that Wells Fargo & Co. has agreed to settle a three-year-old lawsuit filed by Memphis and Shelby County governments over the company’s lending practices – with the settlement including certain local lending commitments on Wells’ part – was certainly a denouement in the case.

56. FDIC Signs Lease In Lakecrest - Friday, May 25, 2012

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has inked a substantial lease in Lakecrest III, marking the market’s largest office lease signing this year.

57. ‘Serious, Systemic Failures’ Mar Juvenile Court System - Monday, May 14, 2012

When U.S. Justice Department attorneys came to Memphis in 2010 and 2011 with a team of juvenile justice experts, they had good news and bad news for leaders of Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court.

58. The Golden Rules of Retail - Tuesday, May 08, 2012

We recently had the opportunity to spend some time with the Bartlett Board of Mayor and Aldermen in a meeting sponsored by the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce to provide feedback in support of their efforts to review regulations related to zoning and restrictions for commercial real estate uses.

59. New York Co. Buys Into Four Lenox Park Bldgs. - Tuesday, May 08, 2012

3150 Lenox Park Blvd., 6750 Lenox Center Drive, 6745 Lenox Center Court and 6775 Lenox Center Court Memphis, TN 38115

60. Exterior Work Planned at Kruger Expansion - Monday, May 07, 2012

Tissue manufacturer Kruger Inc. is set to begin converting the exterior architecture at its $316 million Memphis expansion north of Downtown, according to a half-million-dollar building permit application filed with the Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement.

61. American Makes its Case Against Union Contracts - Tuesday, April 24, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – American Airlines argued before a federal bankruptcy judge Monday that its union contracts need to be changed to make the company financially stable.

The airline lost more than $10 billion in the decade leading up to its declaration of bankruptcy in November. During that same period most of its major rivals used the bankruptcy process to cut wages and benefits, which American says has left it saddled with higher labor costs.

62. Colonnade at Germantown Sells for $23 Million - Tuesday, April 17, 2012

7491 Wyndhurst Place or 7455 Wolf River Blvd.
Germantown, TN 38138

63. Chandler Takes ‘Simply’ Series Formula To Grill - Wednesday, April 11, 2012

This time last year, local chef Jennifer Chandler was finishing up her third cookbook, launching a restaurant and in the midst of a national media tour with French’s for the release of a new Dijon mustard brand.

64. After $1B, Experts See Progress on Autism's Causes - Tuesday, April 10, 2012

ATLANTA (AP) – More than $1 billion has been spent over the past decade searching for the causes of autism. In some ways, the research looks like a long-running fishing expedition, with a focus on everything from genetics to the age of the father, the weight of the mother, and how close a child lives to a freeway.

65. Cohen-Hart in Congressional Race at Filing Deadline - Friday, April 06, 2012

The chairman of the countywide school board, Billy Orgel, was effectively elected to his District 7 school board seat without opposition at the Thursday, April 5, filing deadline for candidates on the Aug. 2 primary and general election ballot in Shelby County.

66. Justices Ready to Move to Heart of Health Case - Tuesday, March 27, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court plunged into debate Monday on the fate of the Obama administration's overhaul of the nation's health care system, and the justices gave every indication they will not allow an obscure tax law to derail the case.

67. Kings Top Grizzlies 119-110 for Third Straight Win - Wednesday, March 21, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Sacramento Kings coach Keith Smart took off his blue jacket and tossed it to DeMarcus Cousins. The fouled-out forward played coach for the final minute, and everybody on the bench enjoyed a laugh.

68. Irish Stories - Monday, March 19, 2012

Throughout the nation’s history, millions of Irish men and women – in an effort to escape poverty, famine, joblessness and English oppression at home – made the journey across the Atlantic seeking fresh starts in the “land of opportunity.”

69. 100 Years of Design - Thursday, March 15, 2012

Evans Taylor Foster Childress, which celebrates its centennial in March, can trace its origins to two distinguished Memphis architectural firms.

70. Commission’s Redistrict Debate Moves to Chancery - Wednesday, March 14, 2012

It is now up to a court to decide on a new set of district lines for the Shelby County Commission.

And Chancellor Arnold Goldin is not being asked to approve a simple tweaking of district boundaries that will essentially keep the commission as it is.

71. Revealing Character - Monday, March 05, 2012

Not long after the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature was awarded to “Undefeated” during the 84th annual Academy Awards, the film’s big-name executive producer excitedly sent out a flurry of tweets.

72. Tigers Right Their Wrongs Heading Into Postseason - Friday, March 02, 2012

They assumed greatness. Assumed it as opposed to earning it and proving it.

That’s the quicksand in which this Tigers basketball season started. The college basketball world told them they were a Top 10 team and the Tigers decided they would need, oh, a few days on the beach in Hawaii to prove they were really Top Five and better than Michigan, Georgetown, even Duke.

73. Obama Demands Congress End Oil, Gas Subsidies - Friday, March 02, 2012

NASHUA, N.H. (AP) – President Barack Obama, turning his political sights on snowy New Hampshire, demanded that Congress eliminate oil and gas company subsidies that he called an outrageous government "giveaway." Though politically a long shot, the White House believes the idea resonates at a time of high gasoline prices.

74. Scrapping Plans - Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Covered in vines and behind a chain-link fence on the corner of Plum Avenue and North Thomas Street are several white posts that are the last remnant of what was once the Lazarov junkyard in North Memphis.

75. Pressure Builds for Civilian Drone Flights at Home - Tuesday, February 28, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Heads up: Drones are going mainstream.

Civilian cousins of the unmanned military aircraft that have tracked and killed terrorists in the Middle East and Asia are in demand by police departments, border patrols, power companies, news organizations and others wanting a bird's-eye view that's too impractical or dangerous for conventional planes or helicopters to get.

76. Calvary Kicks Off Lenten Festivities - Tuesday, February 28, 2012

In a Memphis tradition dating back to 1928, locals from all walks of life gather each weekday during Lent at Calvary Episcopal Church to nourish their bodies with warm, home-cooked meals and their souls with the word of God and the fellowship of neighbors.

77. Room Service - Monday, February 27, 2012

The good news for the local hotel industry is that last year notched the most rooms ever sold on a daily basis with 4.8 million – 115,628 more than 2010 and 76,780 more than the previous high set in 2007.

78. The Coach’s Calling - Friday, February 24, 2012

Earlier this week, Manassas High School principal James Griffin was shopping at a Sam’s Club store and was stopped by several people raving about “Undefeated,” the Oscar-nominated documentary about one season in a hard-fought turnaround of the Manassas football program that could earn an Academy Award this weekend.

79. Flagship Living - Thursday, February 16, 2012

Raising the activity level of residents made Trezevant Manor a “flagship” among Tennessee senior living facilities.

A new designation conferred by the Arthritis Foundation for the Southeast Region in late January is a first in Tennessee.

80. Candidates Begin Pulling Petitions - Wednesday, February 15, 2012

As early voting in advance of the March 6 primary Election Day begins Wednesday, Feb. 15, candidates are already considering races on the August ballot.

And at least one of the potential candidates just finished one political conquest.

81. Equipment Shortage Possible by Mid-Summer - Monday, February 13, 2012

Some local construction companies could be scrambling by summertime in search of heavy equipment like cranes, scissor lifts and backhoes for their projects.

With a number of large commercial construction projects ramping up across the city between now and then, equipment is expected to be in short supply and high demand.

82. Grinding it Out - Monday, February 06, 2012

After most recessions, real estate bounces back.

But the Great Recession has been notably different – long, deep and very prolonged.

That’s the message Dr. John Gnuschke, director of the Sparks Bureau of Business and Economic Research and co-director of the Center for Real Estate at the University of Memphis, delivered in December at the Urban Land Institute’s Real Estate Outlook for the Mid-South.

83. ABB CEO: T&B Acquisition Expands Reach - Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Memphis-based Thomas & Betts Corp. will become a new global business unit based in Memphis as part of the ABB Group of Zurich.

84. Vornbrock Receives Ad Fed’s Silver Medal - Monday, January 30, 2012

Bob Vornbrock thought he was attending the Thursday, Jan. 26, American Advertising Federation Memphis meeting to hear a presentation from Fred’s Discount Stores about the marketing approach of brick-and-mortar retail.

85. Vornbrock Receives Ad Fed’s Silver Medal - Friday, January 27, 2012

Bob Vornbrock thought he was attending the Thursday, Jan. 26, American Advertising Federation Memphis meeting to hear a presentation from Fred’s Discount Stores about the marketing approach of brick-and-mortar retail.

86. Court Docket Sees 2 Notable Drug Cases - Thursday, January 26, 2012

For now, Federal Judge Hardy Mays has decided that the last two defendants in the biggest drug case ever brought in Memphis federal court will not be shackled when the jury begins hearing the case.

87. Charity Finds Use For Unspent Gift Cards - Thursday, January 26, 2012

Emily Thomas wants the neglected gift cards that have been languishing for months in your wallets, desk drawers and purses.

88. High Court: Warrant Needed for GPS Tracking - Tuesday, January 24, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that police must get a search warrant before using GPS technology to track criminal suspects.

The decision was a defeat for the government and police agencies, and it raises the possibility of serious complications for law enforcement nationwide, which increasingly relies on high tech surveillance of suspects, including the use of various types of GPS technology.

89. Commission Looks at Power Realignment - Friday, January 20, 2012

For three months, a split among the six Republicans on the 13-member Shelby County Commission has been more evident than the split among the seven Democratic commissioners.

As the commission started over this week on the redistricting process that highlighted the Republican rift, however, the split has evolved into a realignment of political power on the body.

90. Commission Strife Deepens with Censure, Ouster Moves - Thursday, January 19, 2012

A deadlock among Shelby County Commission members on a redistricting plan moved into uncharted and roiling political waters Wednesday, Jan. 18, with a censure resolution and a possible move to oust Sidney Chism as chairman of the body.

91. Commission Strife Deepens with Censure, Ouster Moves - Wednesday, January 18, 2012

A deadlock among Shelby County Commission members on a redistricting plan moved into uncharted and roiling political waters Wednesday, Jan. 18, with a censure resolution and a possible move to oust Sidney Chism as chairman of the body.

92. Hamilton, Warren Lead LSU Past Ole Miss 81-55 - Monday, January 09, 2012

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – It had been a long time since LSU enjoyed such a performance in its Southeastern Conference opener as it did Saturday against Ole Miss.

The Tigers led from start to finish in a dominating 81-55 victory against the Rebels on Saturday. The 26-point margin of victory was the largest for LSU in a league opener since its 92-66 victory against Florida in the 1980-81 campaign.

93. ‘No Place Like It’ - Monday, January 09, 2012

Actor and philanthropist Danny Thomas’ dream of a day when no child would die in the dawn of life continues to be the driving force behind St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which this year marks its 50th anniversary.

94. Wharton Keeps Most Division Directors, Shifts Some Duties - Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. is keeping the same team of division directors except two for his full four year term of office that started Sunday.

But the administration’s lobbyist in Nashville, TaJuan Stout Mitchell, is retiring and the position will change to be more of a contact person with the Memphis City Council instead of state legislators in Nashville.

95. Wharton To Consolidate Three City Divisions - Monday, January 02, 2012

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. plans to roll out a 100-day plan for goals for his administration now that he has started a full four-year term of office.

After taking the oath of office Sunday, Jan. 1, at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Wharton told several hundred in attendance that his plan will “begin this new term with energy and urgency.”

96. CRE Activity Stays Strong During 2011 - Friday, December 30, 2011

Despite hard times, local commercial real estate firms were able to ink plenty of deals in the past 12 months.

Memphis’ industrial leasing activity kicked off in January when Buena Park, Calif.-based Pacific Logistics Corp. signed a 60,000-square-foot lease in ProLogis Park DeSoto for its first Memphis-area location.

97. Wharton, Council Take Oath Sunday - Thursday, December 29, 2011

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and the Memphis City Council take the oaths of office Sunday, Jan. 1, to begin new four-year terms of office.

The ceremony at 2:30 p.m. at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts is free and open to the public.

98. Renewal of Classic Rivalry Backdrop to Tigers’ Woes - Friday, December 16, 2011

Whether Josh Pastner has a firm grasp of how to best use the tremendous athletes at his disposal is up for debate.

But the University of Memphis coach does have a good handle on the Tigers’ current situation in the wake of a 76-72 home loss to Murray State.

99. Commissioners Fail to Approve Redistricting Plan - Thursday, December 15, 2011

Shelby County Commissioners will try again Monday, Dec. 19, to give final approval to a new set of district lines for the 13-member body.

At a special meeting Wednesday, Dec. 14, a new set of district lines that would keep but tweak the current five-district setup won approval on the second of three readings. But it did not appear to have the two-thirds majority – or nine votes – needed to pass next week.

100. Commissioners Fail to Approve Redistricting Plan - Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Shelby County Commissioners will try again Monday, Dec. 19, to give final approval to a new set of district lines for the 13-member body.

At a special meeting Wednesday, Dec. 14, a new set of district lines that would keep but tweak the current five-district setup won approval on the second of three readings. But it did not appear to have the two-thirds majority – or nine votes – needed to pass next week.