Springtime is planning time for summer travel. If you’re still considering your options for an upcoming vacation, I’ve listed six destinations that are on my mind for summer travel. Every destination is somewhere I specifically want to visit during an upcoming summer.

2. The Economic Impact of HBCUs - Tuesday, November 21, 2017

For too long historically black colleges and universities have been asked to answer for their very existence.

“What is the value of an HBCU?” is an often-asked question. Is that a reasonable question? How many other educational institutions are asked to justify their very existence over and over again? “Why do we need HBCUs?” “Isn’t that about segregation?”

3. By the Numbers: Hawaiian, Delta and Alaska Top On-Time Ratings for Airlines - Monday, July 17, 2017

Here are the government's rankings of the leading U.S. airlines and their on-time performance for May. The federal government counts a flight as on time if it arrives no more than 14 minutes behind schedule.

4. Airline On-Time Performance Slips in Latest US Rankings - Monday, July 17, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) – Fewer flights were on time and consumer complaints about airlines rose in May, according to the latest government figures.

The Transportation Department said Friday that 79.1 percent of flights on the 12 largest U.S. airlines arrived on time in May, down from 83.4 percent in May 2016.

5. US Airlines Show Improvement in Annual Study - Tuesday, April 11, 2017

DALLAS (AP) – Airlines are getting better at sticking to their schedules and are losing fewer bags. Their customers seem to be complaining less often.

Those are the findings of an annual report on U.S. airlines' quality released Monday by researchers at Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

6. Virgin America Will Be the Latest Airline Brand to Disappear - Friday, March 24, 2017

DALLAS (AP) – After months of teasing, Alaska Airlines has bad news for loyal customers of Virgin America – their airline's name is being dumped.

Alaska announced late Wednesday that it will retire the Virgin brand, probably in 2019, adding that name to a list including Continental and US Airways that disappeared in the past decade.

7. US Airlines Post Another Month of Increasingly Common Delays - Wednesday, March 15, 2017

U.S. airlines are having trouble keeping flights on time this winter, and they are recording a sharp increase in long delays.

The Transportation Department said Tuesday that 42 flights in January were stuck on the ground so long that the airlines could face fines. That is the highest number of long ground delays in one month since February 2010, shortly before the rule allowing fines took effect.

8. Last Word: Collierville Cold Feet, William Bell's Return and SCOTUS Rules - Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Grizz beat the 76ers 96-91 Tuesday night at the Forum as Zach Randolph makes an emotional return to the court.after the death of his mother.

Don Wade has an NBA notebook with various stops around the league including the hardship rule that brought Toney Douglas to Beale Street. And Luke Walton came to town last weekend with the Lakers and Walton talked about his time working for Josh Pastner at the U of M.

9. Alaska Airlines Gets US Approval to Buy Virgin America - Wednesday, December 7, 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) – Alaska Airlines has won government approval to buy rival Virgin America after agreeing to reduce its flight-selling partnership with American Airlines.

Parent company Alaska Air Group Inc. said Tuesday that it expects to close the $2.6 billion deal soon.

10. Air Travelers on Samsung Phone Honor System After Fires - Monday, September 12, 2016

If you travel with a Samsung Note 7, you're likely on the honor system when deciding whether to use or charge the device during a flight.

The Federal Aviation Administration says that because of concern about fires involving the new smartphone, it "strongly advises" airline passengers not to use or charge one or stow one in checked baggage.

11. American Airlines Will Reward Fliers Based on Dollars, Not Miles - Tuesday, June 7, 2016

DALLAS (AP) – American Airlines is following other airlines by basing perks like free flights on how much passengers spend on tickets, not how many miles they fly.

The change, which matches those at Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, starts with flights on Aug. 1 and rewards American's highest-paying passengers.

12. Alaska, JetBlue Top Annual Survey of North American Airlines - Thursday, May 12, 2016

Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Airways still rank highest in the annual J.D. Power survey of passengers on the nine largest North American airlines, and the firm says overall traveler satisfaction with the industry is at a 10-year high.

13. Southwest, Delta Tangle Over Whether to Cut or Raise Fares - Friday, April 29, 2016

DALLAS (AP) – No one should blame consumers for being perplexed by airfares – even the airlines themselves can seem confused at times.

Southwest Airlines caught rivals and Wall Street by surprise when it cut many U.S. fares by $5 each way. The reduction this week applied to tickets bought within seven days of departure, which are usually favored more by last-minute business travelers than vacationers.

14. Airline Complaints Rise Even as More Planes Arrive on Time - Tuesday, April 5, 2016

DALLAS (AP) – More U.S. flights are arriving on time and airlines are losing fewer bags, yet more consumers are complaining about air travel.

Traveler complaints jumped 34 percent last year, to the highest level since 2000. The top frustration is problem flights including cancelations and delays, which is unchanged in 16 years.

15. FDA Sets Guidelines to Protect US Blood Supply From Zika - Wednesday, February 17, 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Food and Drug Administration is recommending U.S. blood banks refuse donations from people who have travelled to countries where the Zika virus is active in the previous four weeks, part of guidelines meant to protect the blood supply from the mosquito-borne virus.

16. The Hearts And Minds Of Unicorns - Thursday, December 17, 2015

A Back End of Innovation 2015 Talk
Porter Gale, Former VP of Virgin America

Porter started with a few questions, “Is it easy or hard to innovate in your company?” “Can you recognize unicorns?”

17. More Thanksgiving Travelers; Don't Get Stuck at the Airport - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) — A stronger economy and lower gas prices mean Thanksgiving travelers can expect more congested highways this year.

During the long holiday weekend, 46.9 million Americans are expected to go 50 miles or more from home, the highest number since 2007, according to travel agency and car lobbying group AAA. That would be a 0.6 percent increase over last year and the seventh straight year of growth.

18. US Sues Over Proposed Deal Between United, Delta at Newark - Wednesday, November 11, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government wants to block a deal that would increase United Airlines' grip over Newark Liberty International Airport, saying that it would drive up fares.

19. Guardsmark Sold to Universal Protection Service - Thursday, July 30, 2015

Memphis-based Guardsmark LLC has been acquired by Universal Protection Service to form the largest U.S.-owned security company.

20. Guardsmark Sold to Universal Protection Service - Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Memphis-based Guardsmark LLC has been acquired by Universal Protection Service to form the largest U.S.-owned security company.

21. ServiceMaster Ups First-Quarter Earnings - Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Memphis-based ServiceMaster Global Holdings Inc. posted first-quarter earnings of $28 million, the company reported Tuesday, April 28.

22. Report Gives US Airlines Lower Marks Across the Board - Tuesday, April 14, 2015

DALLAS (AP) – Think flying is getting worse? A pair of university researchers who track the airline business say it's a fact.

More flights are late, more bags are getting lost, and customers are lodging more complaints about U.S. airlines, government data shows. Dean Headley, a marketing professor at Wichita State and one of the co-authors of the annual report being released Monday, said passengers already know that air travel is getting worse. "We just got the numbers to prove it."

23. Airline Delays, Cancellations Rise From Last Year - Friday, October 10, 2014

Airline delays and cancellations are up slightly from last year's peak travel season.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said Thursday that flights on the nation's largest airlines arrived on time 77.7 percent of the time in August. That is down from 78.8 percent in the same month last year, although it is better than July.

24. Service Without a Smile: Why Airlines Aren't Nice - Thursday, October 9, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) – Passengers cherish Virgin America for its mood lighting, live TV, fancy cocktails and friendly flight attendants. That nice-guy approach to air travel wins awards and attracts a cult following, but may not fly with Wall Street.

25. US Airlines Running Behind Schedule So Far in 2014 - Friday, August 8, 2014

More U.S. flights arrived late in June than the month before, continuing a string of poor performances by the nation's airlines.

The government says that in the first six months of the year, the rate of late flights was the highest since 2008 and cancelations were the highest since 2000.

26. Virgin America Files Plans for IPO - Tuesday, July 29, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Virgin America's next destination is Wall Street.

The California-based airline filed on Monday for an initial public offering of shares.

Virgin America Inc., which operates out of Los Angeles and San Francisco, flies to 22 airports in the United States and Mexico and has a fleet of 53 planes. It is known for offering a variety of perks on its jets, including live TV, movies, leather seats and purple mood lighting.

27. Southwest Announces Potential Flights From Dallas - Tuesday, March 11, 2014

DALLAS (AP) – Southwest Airlines Co. is raising the ante over Dallas Love Field.

28. Big Changes Ahead for Frequent Fliers on Delta - Thursday, February 27, 2014

DALLAS (AP) – Delta Air Lines is changing its frequent-flier program to favor passengers who buy the priciest tickets instead of those who fly the most miles.

It's a bid to lure higher-spending business travelers, who often book flights on short notice and pay more than bargain-hunting leisure travelers.

29. JetBlue, Southwest Win Rights at DC Airport - Friday, January 31, 2014

DALLAS (AP) – Southwest and JetBlue say they are the beneficiaries of a deal requiring American Airlines to give up some of its coveted operating rights at Washington's Reagan National Airport.

30. More Flights Running Late in Latest US Figures - Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Airlines are falling behind when it comes to keeping flights on schedule, but fewer passengers are complaining to the government.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said Tuesday that 83.5 percent of domestic flights arrived on time in November, down from 84.1 percent in October and 85.7 percent a year earlier, in November 2012.

31. If Government Backs In-Flight Calls, Will the Airlines? - Tuesday, November 26, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – The Federal Communications Commission might be ready to permit cellphone calls in flight. But what about the airlines?

Old concerns about electronics being a danger to airplane navigation have been debunked. And airlines could make some extra cash charging passengers to call a loved one from 35,000 feet. But that extra money might not be worth the backlash from fliers who view overly chatty neighbors as another inconvenience to go along with smaller seats and stuffed overhead bins.

32. With Vacationers Home, Airlines Boost On-Time Mark - Thursday, November 14, 2013

Airlines are doing a better job of staying on schedule now that fewer people are flying.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said Wednesday that 83.8 percent of domestic flights arrived on time in September, slightly better than September 2012's 83.3 percent rate. It was a bigger improvement over July and August, when summer vacationers packed the nation's airports and about one in four flights arrived late.

33. How American-US Airways Deal Impacts Competitors - Wednesday, November 13, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it would let the merger of American Airlines and US Airways proceed after the two carriers agreed to give up landing and takeoff slots and gates at key airports, notably Washington's Reagan National and New York's LaGuardia. With the agreement, the government hopes to increase access to the nation's busiest airports for low-cost airlines and to maintain flights to smaller cities.

34. Waiting for Takeoff - Wednesday, July 31, 2013

A never-before-used economic incentive program designed to lure new air service to Memphis International Airport may have its first customer.

Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority officials moved swiftly to approve a measure that will bolster financial incentives offered to commercial airlines offering flights at least four days a week to new cities not served today by the airlines.

35. New Route - Wednesday, July 24, 2013

For frequent fliers, the perks that come with elite status often outweigh miles.

In the fiercely competitive airline industry, carriers are increasingly relying on “status matches” that go far beyond mileage points to woo top customers.

36. Airline Passenger Complaints Surged in 2012 - Tuesday, April 9, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Airline passengers are getting grumpier, and it's little wonder.

Airlines keep shrinking the size of seats to stuff more people onto planes, those empty middle seats that once provided a little more room are now occupied and more people with tickets are being turned away because flights are overbooked.

37. Super Ads - Tuesday, February 5, 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.

38. Airfare Campaigns Continue Through Turbulence - Friday, August 3, 2012

More than 12,000 citizens have sent email appeals to the CEOs of numerous airlines to consider increasing air service at Memphis International Airport, according to “Come Fly Memphis,” the Facebook group that has become the daily gauge of the civic effort.

39. Consultant’s Advice For Memphis: Fly Delta - Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The advice seemed to take aim at the most tender part of the raw nerve running through the recent civic discussion about Delta Air Lines Inc.’s cuts in air service at Memphis International Airport and the higher fares that have come with the cuts.

40. Southwest Will Try Out Live TV on 5 Planes - Friday, June 29, 2012

DALLAS (AP) – Southwest Airlines plans to sell live television service on five planes and expand it to more aircraft by mid-July.

The airline said Thursday that it would offer seven sports and news channels for passengers to watch on their own devices.

41. Latest Attempt to Raise Airfares Stalls - Tuesday, February 28, 2012

DALLAS (AP) – Airlines have already imposed two broad fare increases in 2012, but the latest effort to raise prices is stalling.

Low-fare airlines are hesitating to match last week's increase of up to $10 per round trip, led by United and Continental.

42. Pinnacle Facing Strong Headwinds - Friday, December 16, 2011

It’s been a rough week for Memphis-based Pinnacle Airlines Corp. The regional air carrier – in an age of capacity cuts by major airlines targeting regional carriers – saw its common shares drop to $1.02 per common share Tuesday at the end of the trading day. The stock closed Wednesday at $1.18, but was back down to $1.05 at close Thursday.

43. Have ‘Mondegreens’ Had Their Day? - Thursday, September 1, 2011

The word “Mondegreen” made it into the dictionary in 2000, 46 years after it was coined. I guess I haven’t written about it since before that time.

The word was come up with by American writer Sylvia Wright, in a 1954 essay in Harper’s. As a youth, Wright heard her mother read from “The Bonny Earl o’ Moray”: “They hae slain the Earl o’ Moray/ And laid him on the green.”

44. Study: South has 'Middle-Skills' Worker Shortage - Tuesday, August 23, 2011

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) – The South has a shortage of workers to fill middle-skills jobs such as medical technicians and computer support workers, even as many four-year graduates struggle to repay student loans, according to a study released Sunday.

45. More Airlines Raise Fares to Grab Tax Savings - Tuesday, July 26, 2011

DALLAS (AP) – The great tax holiday of 2011 for air travelers is just about over.

By Monday, most U.S. airlines had raised fares to reap the benefit of lower federal taxes on airline tickets. A few airlines that were passing the savings on to consumers changed their minds.

46. Frontier Airlines' Christie Appointed as Pinnacle CFO - Monday, July 11, 2011

Edward Christie is the new vice president and chief financial officer of Memphis-based Pinnacle Airlines Corp.

47. Pinnacle Taps Frontier's Christie as New CFO - Friday, July 8, 2011

Edward Christie is the new vice president and chief financial officer of Memphis-based Pinnacle Airlines Corp.

48. Pinnacle Rolls Out PinnPro Ground Services Unit - Monday, June 13, 2011

Memphis-based Pinnacle Airlines Corp. has a rebranded business unit that provides professional ground services to other regional and charter air carriers.

49. Pinnacle Rolls Out PinnPro Ground Services Unit - Friday, June 10, 2011

Memphis-based Pinnacle Airlines Corp. has a rebranded business unit that provides professional ground services to other regional and charter air carriers.

50. Pinnacle CFO Hunt Leaves for Virgin America - Friday, June 3, 2011

The chief financial officer of Memphis-based Pinnacle Airlines Corp., Peter D. Hunt, is leaving this month to become CFO of Virgin America, a California-based regional airline launched in 2007.

51. New Tax Law Packed With Obscure Business Tax Cuts - Tuesday, December 28, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – The massive new tax bill signed into law by President Barack Obama is filled with all kinds of holiday stocking stuffers for businesses: tax breaks for producing TV shows, grants for putting up windmills, rum subsidies for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

52. Twitter to Have Paid Tweets Show Up in Searches - Wednesday, April 14, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Twitter announced Tuesday that it is introducing advertising by allowing companies to pay to have their messages show up first in searches on its site.

The debut of "Promoted Tweets" comes as Twitter increasingly faces questions about how it can turn its wide usage into profits.

53. Record Companies Sue 'Ellen' Show Over Copyrights - Monday, September 14, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Some of the world's largest recording companies are suing "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," claiming producers violated their copyrights by playing more than 1,000 songs without permission.

54. Stimulus Money Skips Needy Areas - Tuesday, May 12, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – Counties suffering the most from job losses stand to receive the least help from President Barack Obama’s plan to spend billions of stimulus dollars on roads and bridges, an Associated Press analysis has found.

55. Stanford Bank’s Investors Go Home Empty-Handed - Friday, February 20, 2009

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (AP) – Venezuela on Thursday seized a failed bank controlled by Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford after a run on deposits there, while clients were prevented from withdrawing their money from Stanford International Bank and its affiliates in a half-dozen other countries.

56. Finding Creative Solutions for Clients Brings Professional Satisfaction for Britt - Thursday, November 8, 2007

Louis P. Britt is one of four attorneys in the Memphis office of Ford & Harrison LLP who has been named to the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Britt, managing partner in the firm, was named to the honor along with firm partners Keith A. Warren, Herbert E. Gerson and Arnold Perl. They were named top lawyers in the labor and employment law category.

57. Professional Tennis Dreams Become Labor and Employment Law Reality - Thursday, October 4, 2007

Thomas L. Henderson is one of four attorneys in the Memphis office of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC to be named in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Henderson, along with Charles V. Holmes, Frederick J. Lewis and Donna K. Fischer, were named top lawyers in the area of labor and employment. The four were among 77 of the firm's attorneys across the U.S. and the U.S. Virgin Islands featured in the new edition of Best Lawyers.

58. Ogletree Deakins' Holmes Honored for Labor and Employment Work - Thursday, September 27, 2007

Charles V. Holmes is one of four attorneys in the Memphis office of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC to be named in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Holmes, along with Thomas L. Henderson, Frederick J. Lewis and Donna K. Fischer, were named top lawyers in the area of labor and employment. The four were among 77 of the firm's attorneys across the U.S. and the U.S. Virgin Islands featured in the new edition of Best Lawyers.

59. Ogletree Deakins Shareholder Honored for Labor and Employment Work - Thursday, September 20, 2007

Frederick J. Lewis is one of four attorneys in the Memphis office of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC to be named in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Lewis, along with Thomas L. Henderson, Charles V. Holmes and Donna K. Fischer, were named top lawyers in the area of labor and employment. The four were among 77 of the firm's attorneys across the U.S. and the U.S. Virgin Islands featured in the new edition of Best Lawyers.

60. Fisher's Labor and Employment Work Receives National Recognition - Thursday, September 13, 2007

Donna K. Fisher is one of four attorneys in the Memphis office of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC to be named in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Fisher, along with Thomas L. Henderson, Charles V. Holmes and Frederick J. Lewis, were named top lawyers in the area of labor and employment. The four were among 77 of the firm's attorneys across the U.S. and the U.S. Virgin Islands featured in the new edition of Best Lawyers.

61. Local Magazine Editors Spruce Up Environmental Efforts - Friday, April 20, 2007
     For magazine publishers, an inconvenient truth is the industry's negative effect on the environment.
     It doesn't take Al Gore to point out that magazines are printed on paper, which comes

62. Recording Studio Brings Grammy-Worthy Mixing Equipment to Memphis Area - Friday, June 2, 2006

Young Avenue Sound at 2258 Young Ave. has added some equipment to surround its customers with the latest recording technology.

In mid-May, the 8,000-square-foot commercial recording studio bought a $3,500 JBL speaker array to complete its Dolby 5.1 mixing capabilities, which are used to create recordings that are optimal for six-speaker surround sound home theater systems. The new speakers are the same ones that committees for the Grammy Awards use to judge recordings.