Among attentive investors the recent bout of market volatility has reprised fears of country, currency, economic decline and general market collapse. When global macro-market events occur, large trading positions that have been spooling quickly unspool, leading to jarring movements like those we are witnessing in Japan. These environments become a bit of a predator’s ball, as short-term traders feast on volatility, which only amplifies volatility further.

2. Commission Approves Schools Budget - Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Two weeks out from the formal start of the merger of Shelby County’s two public school systems, critics of the merger on the Shelby County Commission portrayed it as about the Memphis City Schools’ or the Shelby County Schools’ way of doing things.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Start Co. Supporting Two Accelerator Programs - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

This summer, Memphis startup-focused nonprofit Start Co. is supporting women and minority entrepreneurship with two accelerator programs.

6. Commission to Complete Schools Budget - Monday, June 17, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners should wrap up their action Monday, June 17, on the first budget for the consolidated school system with a final vote on the school system budget.

The commission meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Vasco Smith County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St.

7. June 17 Commission Meeting to Include Tax Rate Hearing - Saturday, June 15, 2013

The Shelby County Commission meeting Monday, June 17, will include a required public hearing on the change in the county property tax rate.

The commission filed a public notice this week published in The Daily News that sets the hearing for the 1:30 p.m. meeting at the Vasco Smith County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St.

8. County Commission Meeting Includes Hearing on Tax Rate - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Shelby County Commission meeting Monday, June 17, will include a required public hearing on the change in the county property tax rate.

The commission filed a public notice this week published in The Daily News that sets the hearing for the 1:30 p.m. meeting at the Vasco Smith County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St.

9. 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.

10. ‘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.

11. Malco Theatres Opening New Locations - Friday, June 07, 2013

Malco Theatres is in the midst of a growth spurt.

The Memphis-based movie chain has acquired a shuttered 10-screen movie theater and outdoor amphitheater in Oxford, Miss. It’s in Oxford Commons, a 480-acre mixed-use commercial, residential, hospitality and entertainment development in the North Mississippi town.

12. Events - Thursday, June 06, 2013

Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division will hold a board meeting Thursday, June 6, at 1:30 p.m. in the MLGW board room, 220 S. Main St. Visit mlgw.com.

13. Wharton Proposes 14-Cent Tax Hike Above Recertified Rate - Tuesday, June 04, 2013

The administration of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. is proposing a 14-cent city property tax hike on top of the 25 cents added to the current rate of $3.11 to compensate for property value lost in the 2013 property reappraisal.

14. US Auto Sales See Big Gains in May - Tuesday, June 04, 2013

DETROIT (AP) – Price cuts at Nissan and strong demand for pickup trucks helped U.S. auto sales rebound in May after a slight dip in April.

General Motors reported its strongest monthly sales since September of 2008. Chrysler, Ford, and Toyota also reported increases. Nissan Motor Co. notched its highest May sales ever after cutting prices on seven popular models early in the month. Only Volkswagen said sales fell compared with May of last year.

15. Budget Vote Faces Postponement - Tuesday, June 04, 2013

Memphis City Council members have final votes on their agenda Tuesday, June 6, on an operating budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 in addition to setting a city property tax rate.

But before the council meets at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall, 125 N. Main St., the group’s budget committee will hear from Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and his administration one more time on possible changes to the budget and the tax rate.

16. City Budget Reset Stalls for Council - Monday, June 03, 2013

Memphis City Council members looking for a five-year budget plan of some kind last week were told by city Chief Financial Officer Robert Lipscomb that most of the ideas hadn’t been properly vetted yet.

17. Wharton Pitches Options But No Recommendations On Budget Reset - Friday, May 31, 2013

Memphis City Council members were looking Thursday, May 30, for a new budget plan to get City Hall on new financial footing after a state comptroller’s office report critical of city financial practices.

18. Pryor Preparing to Launch First Campaign Ads - Thursday, May 30, 2013

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor's campaign said Wednesday it is preparing to launch the first campaign ad for his re-election bid as he faces a high-dollar television blitz from groups on the left and the right.

19. Mayor, Council Talk Budget Reset - Thursday, May 30, 2013

This wasn’t what the Memphis City Council had in mind when its budget committee set Thursday, May 30, as its wrap-up session on the city budget.

Such sessions are usually the time when the budget committee takes final votes on whether it agrees with parts of the administration’s budget proposal and council members begin to roll out their own proposals and substitutions.

20. Memphis in the Meantime - Saturday, May 25, 2013

The city’s tourism and travel industry is thriving as a one-of-a-kind destination for leisure and business travelers, but industry insiders believe a larger, technologically updated convention center is needed in years to come if Memphis wants to remain competitive in bringing larger groups to town.

21. Median CEO Pay Rises to $9.7 Million in 2012 - Thursday, May 23, 2013

CEO pay has been going in one direction for the past three years: up.

The head of a typical large public company made $9.7 million in 2012, a 6.5 percent increase from a year earlier that was aided by a rising stock market, according to an analysis by The Associated Press using data from Equilar, an executive pay research firm.

22. Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How Targeting Happened - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The man who led the Internal Revenue Service when it was giving extra scrutiny to tea party and other conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status told Congress on Tuesday that he knew little about what was happening while he was still commissioner.

23. Shelby County Tax Rate Endgame Takes Shape - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

To some it’s a calculation with no binding effect on what is to come. To others on the Shelby County Commission it is an indication that a county property tax increase is about to be railroaded through.

24. Commission Approves Certified Tax Rate As Prelude To Tax Debate - Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners established a certified county property tax rate of $4.32 Monday, May 20, after much debate about what the calculation means in a reappraisal year where reappraisal values went down instead of up or staying roughly even.

25. City Council Mulls Ending Auto Inspections - Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Memphis City Council member Lee Harris will propose Tuesday, May 21, exempting Memphis auto owners for two years from required auto emissions inspections.

26. A Year After IPO, Facebook Aims to be Ad Colossus - Monday, May 20, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – It was supposed to be our IPO, the people's public offering.

Facebook, the brainchild of a young CEO who sauntered into Wall Street meetings in a hoodie, was going to be bigger than Amazon, bigger than McDonald's, bigger than Coca-Cola. And it was all made possible by our friendships, photos and family ties.

27. Unemployment Falls in 40 US States, Rises in 3 - Monday, May 20, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Solid hiring helped lower unemployment rates in 40 U.S. states last month, the most since November. The declines show the job market is improving throughout most of the country.

28. Airport Passes $127.3 Million 2014 Budget - Friday, May 17, 2013

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority on Thursday approved a $127.3 million budget that slightly lowers the overall amount airlines pay at Memphis International Airport even after Delta Air Lines drastically reduced the number of flights it operates.

29. Grizzlies Take Down Thunder in Overtime - Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Moments before Game 4 of the Grizzlies-Oklahoma City playoff series tipped off at FedExForum Monday night, Tony Allen, Mike Conley and Marc Gasol stood at midcourt to be recognized for making the NBA’s All-Defensive teams (Allen first-team, Gasol and Conley second-team).

30. Construction Lending Still Facing Tepid Improvement - Saturday, May 11, 2013

As the economy starts to rebound, local lenders like Magna Bank, First Tennessee Bank and Renasant Bank are seeing moderate improvement in activity for new commercial and residential construction projects, and competition is intensifying to land deals.

31. US Wholesale Stockpiles Up 0.4 Percent in March - Friday, May 10, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Wholesale businesses stepped up their restocking of supplies in March, but their sales fell sharply.

The Commerce Department said Thursday that stockpiles held by wholesalers rose 0.4 percent in March compared with February, when they had fallen 0.3 percent.

32. Police Changes Continue Amid Budget Talks - Friday, May 10, 2013

With the start of the new year, Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong began a reorganization of the department that changed the boundaries of the city’s nine police precincts, evening out the amount of territory and calls each area handles.

33. US Job Postings Fell in March; Hiring Slowed - Wednesday, May 08, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. employers posted fewer job openings in March compared with February and slowed overall hiring, underscoring a weak month of job growth.

The Labor Department said Tuesday that job openings fell 1.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted 3.8 million jobs. Total hiring declined 4.3 percent to 4.3 million.

34. Suburbs Start Again on Municipal Schools - Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Aldermen in five of the six suburban towns and cities in Shelby County began the move Monday, May 6, to a July 16 referendum date for a second round of referendums on forming municipal school districts possibly as early as the 2014-2015 school year.

35. Tennessee Named Top Choice for Retirement - Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Retirees considering where to spend their golden years might want to consider Tennessee.

That’s according to Bankrate.com, the personal finance website, which this week ranked Tennessee at the top of its list of the 10 best states for retirement. The site’s analysts crunched numbers in several categories, including cost of living, taxes, health care, crime and climate.

36. Suburbs Start Second Move To Ballot On Municipal Schools - Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Aldermen in five of the six suburban towns and cities in Shelby County began the move Monday, May 6, to a July 16 referendum date for a second round of referendums on forming municipal school districts possibly as early as the 2014-2015 school year.

37. Commission Receives Schools Financials - Monday, May 06, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners formally get the financials of Shelby County’s two public school systems Monday, May 6, in an action that is not expected to generate much debate.

But the financial statements for the fiscal year that ended June 30 is another step along the path toward the formal merger of both school systems effective at the end of the current fiscal year.

38. US Home Prices Up Most in Nearly 7 Years - Wednesday, May 01, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. home prices rose 9.3 percent in February compared with a year ago, the most in nearly seven years. The gains were driven by a growing number of buyers who bid on a limited supply of homes.

39. Magna Intent on Raising Profile, Enhancing Services - Saturday, April 27, 2013

This year is turning out to be a big one for Magna Bank as it rolls out new products and services, adds key personnel and boosts its profile across the Mid-South.

40. Z-Bo, Defense Bolster Grizz in Win - Friday, April 26, 2013

In Game 1 in Los Angeles, the Grizzlies were missing in action. In Game 2, they were just good enough to lose by two points.

So Game 3 Thursday night at FedExForum provided a choice: win or try to become the first team in NBA history to rally from a 0-3 deficit to win a best-of-seven playoff series.

41. School Board Votes Down Custodial Contract Twice - Friday, April 26, 2013

Countywide school board members twice voted down outsourcing custodial services in the merged school district to the company GCA Thursday, April 25, leaving undone the second step of the board’s February decision to outsource the services.

42. Amro Milestone Attributed to Seasoned Staff - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

For the music retailer that traces its history back to 1921 and to the second-floor Downtown studio Mil Averwater opened to give piano lessons, 2013 is a time of reflection, celebration and pride in a few impressive numbers.

43. FDA Finds Safety Issues at Specialty Pharmacies - Monday, April 15, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Food and Drug Administration says it has uncovered potential safety problems at 30 specialty pharmacies that were inspected in the wake of a recent outbreak of meningitis caused by contaminated drugs.

44. Magna Bank Adds Investment Services - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Magna Bank has added investment services to its mix of offerings available for customers.

The bank now is working with Cary Allen, a representative of independent investment securities firm LPL Financial Services. Allen will be based in Magna’s Quail Hollow branch at 6525 Quail Hollow Road, but he’ll be available to meet with customers at any of Magna’s other branches if they need.

45. Lessons Learned - Tuesday, April 02, 2013

What happened 15 years ago outside the Shelby County Courthouse between the seated figures of justice and wisdom informed much of what happened Saturday, March 30, when a different Ku Klux Klan group, the American Knights, came to Memphis and rallied at the other southern entrance to the courthouse – between the seated figures of authority and liberty.

46. Troubling Trends Plague Grizzlies’ Recent Play - Friday, March 29, 2013

Maybe, just maybe, this will make you feel a less panicked about the state of the Grizzlies. In beating the Grizzlies, 108-101, the other night at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks led by as many as 30 in the first half yet saw the Grizzlies claw back to within 4 points in the final minute.

47. Hopson Goes ‘All In’ on Schools Post - Friday, March 29, 2013

Dorsey Hopson’s answer was quick and concise when he was asked Wednesday, March 27, if he wanted the job of being superintendent of the consolidated school system on a permanent basis.

“No,” Hopson said, as he stood with a “cabinet” of 10 school systems administrators from both school systems who will help him take city and county schools into the merger in the next four months.

48. Sales of New US Homes Slip 4.6 Percent in February - Wednesday, March 27, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sales of new homes fell in February after climbing to the highest level in more than four years in January.

Sales of new homes dropped to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 411,000 in February, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. That is a decline of 4.6 percent from the January level of 431,000, which had been the strongest sales pace since September 2008.

49. XMC Reaches Anniversary, Expands in East Tennessee - Monday, March 25, 2013

XMC Inc., the second-largest Xerox dealer in the U.S., is celebrating 20 years in business and is currently expanding into new areas of East Tennessee.

50. Magna Bank Runs First Television Ad - Saturday, March 23, 2013

Starting this week, Magna Bank will begin airing a 30-second TV ad as part of its “We’re For You” print, online and broadcast advertising campaign.

51. Events - Saturday, March 23, 2013

The Cotton Museum will host Patrick O’Daniel, discussing his book “When the Levee Breaks: Memphis and the Mississippi Valley Flood of 1927,” Thursday, March 28, at 5 p.m. at the museum, 65 Union Ave. Cost is free and includes a complimentary museum tour and reception. Visit memphiscottonmuseum.org.

52. Look at the Facts, Not Rhetoric - Wednesday, March 20, 2013

CITE YOUR SOURCE. In human psychology, fear seems more legitimate than hope. Claims of “impending doom,” and “bursting bubbles” elicit fast emotional responses that seem impervious to critique. So many programs, speeches and advertisements prey on this phenomenon today.

53. Sales: PR’s Missing Ingredient - Wednesday, March 20, 2013

If your company’s contributions are more newsworthy than the media coverage generated, you could have a sales problem. That’s right, I said a “sales” problem.

The minimum cost of entry into a successful career in public relations is the ability to write. About 50 percent of those in the field have strong writing skills, capable of inspiring readers. Given the sheer volume of press releases crossing the average reporter’s desk each week, however, it’s clear that writing skills alone don’t land stories.

54. Magna Bank Runs First Television Ad - Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Starting this week, Magna Bank will begin airing a 30-second TV ad as part of its “We’re For You” print, online and broadcast advertising campaign.

55. US CEOs Optimistic about Economy - Saturday, March 16, 2013

Chief executives at the largest U.S. companies are much more optimistic about their sales prospects than they were three months ago, though many remain cautious about hiring.

The Business Roundtable said Wednesday that 72 percent of its members expect sales will increase in the next six months. That’s up from 58 percent at the end of last year.

56. Apperson Crump Expands in Triad III - Friday, March 15, 2013

Memphis’ oldest continuously practicing law firm is expanding its presence in Triad III.

Apperson Crump PLC added 2,037 square feet to its seventh floor space in a vacant adjacent area between Silverleafe Capital Partners LLC.

57. US CEOs Optimistic About Economy - Thursday, March 14, 2013

Chief executives at the largest U.S. companies are much more optimistic about their sales prospects than they were three months ago, though many remain cautious about hiring.

The Business Roundtable said Wednesday that 72 percent of its members expect sales will increase in the next six months. That’s up from 58 percent at the end of last year. And 38 percent plan to invest more in plant and equipment, up from 30 percent in October-December quarter, when the Roundtable released its last report.

58. Kyle Gives Democrats Voice in GOP-Dominated Senate - Thursday, March 14, 2013

State Sen. Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, the Democratic leader of the Senate, sees things at the legislature these days he does not like.

59. Urbanization Equals Global Opportunities - Tuesday, March 05, 2013

The worldwide adoption of competition and capitalistic principles has unlocked tremendous prosperity growth. At the core of this prosperity movement are the unique advantages created by urbanizing the world’s population. Urban populations are more productive, more innovative and more efficient than their rural peers.

60. Family Values Drive Success at United Warehouse Transportation - Friday, March 01, 2013

United Warehouse Transportation, along with parent company United Warehouse & Transit Logistics, is riding an impressive wave of success over the past 18 months.

Near the end of 2011, UWT acquired a small local transportation company and formed United Warehouse Transportation, with projected annual revenues of $895,000. By the end of 2012, that number had grown to $6 million, and company CEO Chris Williams expects it to top $10 million by the summer.

61. Downshift - Wednesday, February 27, 2013

No company is completely immune to the effects of political squabbling in Washington, the stakes of which have intensified lately for the average taxpayer.

That includes even a company as seemingly unrelated to the political world as Memphis-based AutoZone Inc., the leading car parts retailer in the U.S.

62. AutoZone Blames Slower Sales on Tax Refund Delay, Winter Weather - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

No company is completely immune to the effects of political squabbling in Washington, the stakes of which have intensified lately for the average taxpayer.

That includes even a company as seemingly unrelated to the political world as Memphis-based AutoZone Inc., the leading car parts retailer in the U.S.

63. Breaking the Mold - Saturday, February 23, 2013

When Rosemarie Fair was named Broker of the Year in investment sales at last year’s Pinnacle Awards, she became the first woman ever to do so.

Before Fair founded One Source Commercial Inc. in 1993, she worked with Carlisle Corp. in the early 1980s on Beale Street Landing Downtown. She remembers often what her mentor Gene Carlisle taught her – “Somebody will take care of the big stuff, it’s the nickels and dimes that make the difference.”

64. US Home Sales Rise to Second-Highest Pace in 3 Years - Friday, February 22, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. sales of previously occupied homes rose in January to the second-highest level in three years, a sign that the housing market is sustaining its recovery and helping bolster the economy.

65. City Council Approves Fairgrounds TDZ Request - Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Memphis City Council members approved Tuesday, Feb. 19, plans for a tourism development zone to capture sales tax revenue in a large area for a renovation of the Fairgrounds property at first.

The boundaries of the zone go to the state for approval and city Community and Housing Development division director Robert Lipscomb said such a proposal could be at the state building commission in Nashville in April.

66. Medtronic Debuts Next-Gen Pacemaker System - Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Medtronic Inc. is moving forward with the U.S. launch of its next-generation Advisa DR MRI SureScan pacemaker system, following recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

67. Council to Hear Fairgrounds Update - Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Memphis City Council members get a look Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the latest plan for renovation of the Mid-South Fairgrounds.

The city administration presents its plan at the 1:45 p.m. council executive session.

68. Burger King Feels Heat as Rivals Focus on Value - Monday, February 18, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – A revamped menu helped boost Burger King's profit in the fourth quarter but now the world's second biggest hamburger chain says it needs to play up value more aggressively to compete with rivals.

69. For Love of Money - Thursday, February 14, 2013

The staples of a great Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart – flowers, candy and delicious food – equal big business for local establishments specializing in romantic fare.

Annual Valentine’s Day spending in the U.S. totals more than $13 billion, according to numbers from the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association and statisticsbrain.com. The average consumer spends $120 wooing that special someone on Valentine’s Day.

70. Saluting UNCF Founder Patterson - Friday, February 08, 2013

Black History Month celebrations are incomplete without a salute to nationally recognized fundraiser Dr. Frederick Douglass Patterson, founder of the United Negro College Fund. Named for abolitionist Frederick Douglass, Patterson was committed not only to fundraising but to collective fundraising that has changed the lives of generations of African-Americans.

71. Businesses, Schools to Participate in Citywide Weight Loss Challenge - Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Memphis businesses, school systems and individuals are gearing up to participate in the HealthyWage $10,000 Team Weight Loss Challenge, a citywide three-month weight-loss contest beginning Feb. 22 that will reward three top-performing Memphis teams with a total of $18,000.

72. Community Ties Into Elevator Pitch - Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Last week we highlighted the importance of being intentional to share hope-filled and uplifting stories that infuse positive energy into our community, so we can take control of our perspective and future. This week let us tie that positive perspective and our central theme of community engagement into a few tips that can help us refine our story and elevator pitches.

73. Super Ads - Tuesday, February 05, 2013

What will $126,000 buy you? Exactly one second of airtime during Super Bowl XLVII. This year 30-second spots sold for more than $3.8 million. That kind of investment puts momentous pressure on the big brands to break through the commercial clutter with a memorable ad that distinguishes the brand and drives targeted consumers to take action.

74. Events - Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Prosperity Series Memphis will host U.S. Learning CEO and author Don Hutson Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road. Cost is free for members and $149 for nonmembers. R.S.V.P. to huey@uslearning.com or 767-0000.

75. Events - Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The Blues Foundation will host the 29th annual International Blues Challenge Tuesday, Jan. 29, through Saturday, Feb. 2, in Beale Street venues and other Downtown locations. Visit blues.org for a schedule and tickets.

76. Events - Monday, January 28, 2013

Luna Nova presents the Robert Patterson Memorial Concert Monday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Hardie Auditorium of Palmer Hall at Rhodes College, 2000 North Parkway. The program includes a new work titled “Mountain Paths” as well as works by several well-known composers. Cost is free. Visit rhodes.edu/music for details.

77. Events - Saturday, January 26, 2013

The Blues Foundation will host the 29th annual International Blues Challenge Tuesday, Jan. 29, through Saturday, Feb. 2, in Beale Street venues and other Downtown locations. Visit blues.org for a full schedule and tickets.

78. Dyersburg Mall Sells for $4.4 Million - Thursday, January 24, 2013

The Dyersburg Mall has fetched $4.35 million after hitting the online auction block in November.

Yazoo, Miss.-based Action Properties LLC purchased the 191,038-square-foot regional shopping mall at 2700 Lake Road in Dyersburg, Tenn., under the entity Action Dyersburg LLC. The seller, Jackson, Miss.-based Mattiace Properties Inc., disposed of the asset under the entity Dyersburg Mall Co. LLC.

79. Stretched Care - Thursday, January 24, 2013

The Herb Kosten Foundation and the International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF) are two of many local health care-related nonprofit organizations that face ongoing funding challenges.

A November report from the Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence concluded that, in general, local nonprofits are facing increased costs for running operations, and some cannot fully meet the demand for their services because of funding constraints.

80. New Webinar Series Dissects Health Care Reform Rules - Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The employee benefits attorneys at Bass, Berry & Sims PLC hope their new free Affordable Care Act webinar series will educate employers and employees about the upcoming health care reform.

In the series, which began last week, they plan to demystify some of the confusion centering on the formation of the new insurance exchanges later this year and explore potential penalties for those that do not participate in the new system.

81. ‘Stable’ Foreclosures - Thursday, January 17, 2013

The Crowne Plaza Hotel at 300 N. Second St. sits on a little less than two acres near Interstate 40. The Shelby County Assessor of Property’s 2012 appraisal for the 11-story, 244-room hotel was $6.6 million.

82. Coca-Cola to Address Obesity for First Time in Ads - Tuesday, January 15, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – Coca-Cola became one of the world's most powerful brands by equating its soft drinks with happiness. Now it's taking to the airwaves for the first time to address a growing cloud over the industry: obesity.

83. Crowne Plaza Hotel Sells Out of Foreclosure - Tuesday, January 08, 2013

300 N. Second St. Memphis, TN 38103

Sale Amount: $9.4 million

Sale Date: Dec. 28, 2012

84. UT Health Science Center Revives Bachelor of Nursing Program - Tuesday, January 08, 2013

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center plans to reactivate its baccalaureate program for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing beginning in the fall. The program was suspended in December 2009.

85. Forecasting 2013 in Sports - Friday, January 04, 2013

2013 Sports Forecast by the numbers: 1. The Grizzlies swing a deal before the trade deadline but are fined by the NBA when, out of habit, they try to trade O.J. Mayo.

2. The Memphis Airport is invited to join the Big East.

86. Fewer US Banks Fail as Industry Strengthens - Wednesday, January 02, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. banks ended 2012 with their best profits since 2006 and fewer failures than at any time since the financial crisis struck in 2008. They're helping support an economy slowed by high unemployment, flat pay, sluggish manufacturing and anxious consumers.

87. Turning the Page - Saturday, December 29, 2012

It’s that time of year again. It’s that time when journalists across the fruited plain collectively try and make God laugh – with our prognostications, of course, about the year ahead and of what might be.

88. Events - Saturday, December 29, 2012

The 54th AutoZone Liberty Bowl Football Classic, featuring Iowa State University vs. University of Tulsa, will be held Monday, Dec. 31, at 2:30 p.m. at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, 335 S. Hollywood St. The Temptations will perform at halftime. For a list of bowl week events, visit autozonelibertybowl.org.

89. Changes on Horizon for Achievement School District - Monday, December 31, 2012

As the Achievement School District added six low performing Memphis schools in December for the new school year that begins in August, the leader of the state-led district was in Memphis to deal with backlash in the community around one of the six existing Memphis Schools that have been part of the district since last August.

90. Hostess Expects to Split Up Snack Cakes in Sale - Wednesday, December 26, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – Twinkies, Wonder Bread and Devil Dogs are likely to return to shelves in coming months, but probably not under the same owners.

Hostess Brands Inc. said in bankruptcy court last week that it's narrowing down the bids it received for its brands and expects to sell off its snack cakes and bread to separate buyers. The testimony came from an investment banker for Hostess, which is in the process of liquidating.

91. Storms Improve Outlook for Mississippi River - Friday, December 21, 2012

ST. LOUIS (AP) – A release of water from the Missouri River and recent snow and rain are offering some relief for the Mississippi River.

Though still dangerously low, the Mississippi River channel at St. Louis was roughly 12 feet deep on Thursday – up about a foot-and-a-half since Monday.

92. Perl Retires From Airport Board - Thursday, December 20, 2012

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority will begin the next year with an empty chairman’s seat as Arnold Perl retired Thursday, Dec. 20, after 31 years of service, including 16 years as the committee’s chairman.

93. FedEx Reports 12 Percent Earnings Drop - Thursday, December 20, 2012

Memphis-based FedEx Corp. on Wednesday, Dec. 19, reported second quarter net income of $438 million, down 12 percent from last year’s $497 million. The company attributed the income drop to several factors, including weakness in global markets, higher fuel costs and disruptions resulting from Superstorm Sandy.

94. FedEx Reports Earnings Drop, Buys More Planes - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

FedEx Corp. this morning reported revenue rose 5 percent to $11.1 billion for its fiscal second quarter, compared to $10.6 billion during the same period in 2011. Operating income dropped $718 million, 8 percent from $780 million last year.

95. Wimbish’s Goal: People Stopping in West Memphis - Monday, December 17, 2012

It’s hard to make an impression on a stream of speeding cars and trucks, but Ward Wimbish, the man responsible for growing West Memphis’ economic development, hopes to divert drive-thru traffic into town.

96. Hickory Hill Warehouse Sells for $15.7 Million - Tuesday, December 11, 2012

6380 Holmes Road Memphis, TN 38141

Sale Amount: $15.7 million

Sale Date: Dec. 5, 2012

97. US Bank Earnings Rise 6.6 Percent, Most in 6 Years - Wednesday, December 05, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. banks earned more from July through September than in any other quarter over the past six years. The increase is further evidence that the industry is strengthening four years after the 2008 financial crisis.

98. Triumph Bank Reports 15th Straight Profit - Monday, December 03, 2012

Triumph Bank has enjoyed one of the most consistent success stories among Memphis-area community banks.

Triumph, which was founded in 2005, has reported its 15th straight quarterly profit, meaning even 2008’s Great Recession was not enough to ding Triumph’s prospects.

99. Volunteer State - Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Sarah Petschonek grew up with the importance of volunteering instilled in her by her parents.

As children, she and her two younger siblings would pull a wagon around the Jacksonville, Fla., neighborhood where she grew up, handing out fliers and picking up canned goods for food drives.

100. Madison Automotive Wants to Brighten Holidays for Car Owners - Monday, November 26, 2012

Cars are indispensable necessities for many Memphians who don’t live close to their jobs. When they break down, the repairs often are costly and can force some tough choices to be made.

Many drivers are delaying those repairs. That’s according to Memphis-based AutoZone Inc., which says the average car on the road today is a little past the decade mark.