VOL. 127 | NO. 43 | Friday, March 2, 2012
The Federal Reserve sees an improving economy and a pickup in economic activity in the central bank’s Eighth District, its regional territory that includes Memphis.
Shelby County early voting totals top 21,000 ballots
Shelby County Republicans responded during the just-closed early voting period to a still-undecided race to be the party’s national challenger to Democratic president Barack Obama in November.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Colgan Air Inc., the regional airline owned by Memphis-based Pinnacle Airlines Corp., that was involved in a fatal crash in Buffalo, N.Y., would have to pay $153,000 for failing to give crews on other flights enough time to rest, under a fine proposed Friday, March 2, by the Federal Aviation Administration. The crash raised concerns about pilot fatigue.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries has inked its second Memphis-area lease – this one in Bartlett – and is close to solidifying two other locations, one in Midtown and another in Germantown.
The second witness to testify in the Petties organization drug trial that begins its fifth week Monday, March 5, was Lucy Turner, a police dispatcher from West Memphis, Ark. and the mother of Marcus Turner.
A longtime Memphis diner chain is expanding its presence into the Jackson, Tenn., market.
Members of the schools consolidation planning commission want more work on the structure of the consolidated countywide public school system to come.
The audience for Caldwell-Guthrie Elementary School’s production of “Treemonisha,” an adaptation of a musical written by African-American ragtime composer Scott Joplin, included a few guests that surprised and delighted the children performing.
At Obsidian Public Relations in Downtown Memphis, it’s not unusual to find employees on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media sites as they handle their clients’ PR needs throughout the day.
Delta Air Lines Inc. executives quoted discount airline pioneer Freddie Laker last April when they talked about the market that was causing them the most problems as fuel prices soared.
Martin Lewis jumped Marcus Brandon as soon as Brandon came on the line in May 2007 during a jailhouse phone call three-wayed by Lewis’ girlfriend using another prisoner’s ID number.
MEMPHIS STANDOUT
Neely Mallory IV comes from a long line of logistics executives, with ancestry dating back to Memphis’ early days as a cotton hub.
SPORTS
They assumed greatness. Assumed it as opposed to earning it and proving it.
Grizzlies Coach Lionel Hollins bravely sent rookie backup point guards Josh Selby and Jeremy Pargo into the game … with 25 seconds left in what would be a 96-85 Grizzlies victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Feb. 29, at FedExForum.
LOCAL COLUMNISTS
A NEW WAY OF SEEING THINGS. New Orleans is the city that throws the country’s biggest party about this time of year, putting on the biggest show in return for a few colorful beads and trinkets since the Indians gave away Manhattan. It is also the city so much larger than life that Katrina couldn’t drown it, the subsequent loss of virtually every support system couldn’t kill it, and a slow and painful recovery can’t keep it from partying harder and smiling wider.
Part one of a two-part series The power of your church giving may be stronger than you know. For example, did you know that when you give to the United Methodist Church you are supporting 11 historically black colleges or universities (HBCU) in addition to supporting your congregation? That’s right. You are part of a long tradition now managed by the church’s Black College Fund under the leadership of Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson.
STATEWIDE
NASHVILLE (AP) – The stage may be set for travelers in Tennessee, but state tourism officials have abandoned it for a song.
NATIONAL BUSINESS
NEW YORK (AP) – Americans stepped up their spending in February, boosting sales at many stores and offering the latest sign that shoppers are feeling more confident in the economy.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Steady declines in applications for unemployment aid are pointing to another strong month of hiring in February.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke reiterated his concern Thursday that chronic long-term unemployment threatens to reduce the nation's supply of skilled workers.
DETROIT (AP) – Small cars sold big in February.
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) – American Airlines plans to add a few roomier seats to its economy cabin and charge most passengers more for them.
NEW YORK (AP) – The Kroger Co. said Thursday that costs associated with consolidating its pension plan for union workers led it to post a net loss in the fourth quarter, even as sales improved at the nation's biggest supermarket chain.
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Elections officials in several states are concerned that the closing of mail-processing centers and post offices could disrupt vote-by-mail balloting this year, a potential problem that has led some members of Congress to call for a delay until after the November elections.
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.
REAL ESTATE
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Bank-owned homes and short sales last year accounted for the smallest slice of overall sales in three years but still made up nearly a quarter of all U.S. homes sold in 2011.
WASHINGTON (AP) – The average rate on the 30-year mortgage edged down this week to hover again above record lows. Cheaper rates have spurred modest improvements in the battered housing market, but not enough to signal a recovery.
TECHNOLOGY
NEW YORK (AP) – Zynga is unveiling a new online gaming destination so people can play "CityVille," ''Zynga Poker" and other games off Facebook.
NEW YORK (AP) – AT&T Inc. caved to complaints that it's placing unreasonable limits on the "unlimited data" plans it offers smartphone subscribers.