VOL. 126 | NO. 165 | Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Medtronic Inc. on Tuesday, Aug. 23, reported its earnings fell 1 percent in the first quarter of its 2012 fiscal year, which ended July 29.

French Fort homeowners wary of development
For decades, a residential area called French Fort, near the Metal Museum and Interstate 55, has thrived in isolation and anonymity.
Memphis-based Terminix has entered into its first non-franchise expansion outside North America with an India-based company.
2011 marks a big milestone in the story of The Daily News, which first began printing the legal notices and business listings that mark the ebb and flow of commerce in Memphis in 1886.
The Center City Revenue Finance Corp. has approved the bond financing that should make it possible to begin construction Oct. 1 on the adaptive reuse of The Pyramid.
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker learned early on in his construction business that as long as you’re chasing a profit, you can’t go broke.
Tonya M. Bradley has joined the Mid-South Food Bank as vice president of programs.
LOCAL COLUMNISTS
Strong salespeople read their prospects quickly and adapt their style accordingly. Prospects can generally be categorized as having one of four personality types: analytical, driver, amiable and expressive. Once you’ve determined their personality type, you can adapt your approach to ensure you build a solid relationship. After all, people relate most easily to those like them.
Concord Hospitality is a company in North Carolina that owns 83 hotels that fly a variety of brand flags. Company founder Mark Laport’s goal is to be the employer of choice wherever his company operates. To do that, he focuses on four pillars: delivering quality, living integrity, supporting community and growing profitability.
STATEWIDE
NASHVILLE (AP) – Students will be able to more easily transfer their credits from two-year to four-year schools under a plan announced on Monday.
NASHVILLE (AP) – Restaurant operator O'Charley's Inc. said Monday the president of its O'Charley's chain has left the company.
NATIONAL BUSINESS
NEW YORK (AP) – Payday loans may be coming to a bank near you.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Another U.S. recession is not likely over the next 12 months. Neither is any meaningful improvement in the economy.
NEW YORK (AP) – Standard & Poor's wild month continues.
WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of troubled banks tracked by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. fell in the April-June quarter, the first quarterly drop in five years. But growth in bank earnings slowed, a sign that the financial industry is feeling the effects of a weak economy.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – H&R Block Inc. plans to sell its business consulting unit, RSM McGladrey, to accounting firm McGladrey & Pullen LLP for about $610 million, the tax preparer said Tuesday.
NATIONAL POLITICS
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration disclosed plans Tuesday to cut or roll back hundreds of federal regulations, including some that will streamline tax forms at the Internal Revenue Service, let railroad companies pass on installing expensive new technology, and speed up the visa process for low-risk visitors to the U.S.
REAL ESTATE
WASHINGTON (AP) – Sales of new homes fell for the third straight month in July, a sign that housing remains a drag on the economy. If the current pace continues, 2011 would be the worst year for new-home sales in nearly half a century.