SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Twin wildfires fueled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather continued to grow Saturday in Northern California, destroying 55 homes and forcing thousands of residents to flee their neighborhoods.

2. Fred’s Brings on New Board Members - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Change continues to be the operative word at Memphis-based retailer Fred’s Inc., which has made some key additions to its board in recent days as the company continues pursuing a major turnaround that includes completing its acquisition of 865 Rite Aid stores.

3. Fred’s Undergoing Changes After Disappointing Financial Results - Wednesday, September 14, 2016

The second quarter has not been kind to retail stocks. Among almost 90 percent of retail companies that reported second-quarter earnings as of Aug. 24, just 3.9 percent surpassed estimates, according to Zacks Investment Research, and barely 4 percent posted higher year-over-year revenue.

4. Fred’s Names New CEO, Reports Q2 Net Loss - Saturday, September 3, 2016

Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc. has named Mike Bloom its new chief executive officer.

5. Fred's Names New CEO, Reports Disappointing Q2 Results - Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc. has named Mike Bloom its new chief executive officer.

6. Fred's Reports 7 Percent Drop in July Sales - Monday, August 8, 2016

Memphis-based Fred's Inc. saw a 7 percent drop in its July sales, the company reported late last week.

Total sales for the four-week fiscal month ended July 30 were $154 million, down from $165.6 million in July 2015. Comparable store sales for the month declined 4.6 percent compared with an increase of 0.7 percent in the year-earlier period.

7. Fred’s Inc. Reports Lower June Sales - Saturday, July 9, 2016

Fred’s Inc. saw total sales in June drop 2.3 percent from a year ago.

For the five-week fiscal month of June that ended July 2, total sales were $208.5 million, down 2.3 percent from $213.3 million in June 2015. Comparable store sales for the month decreased 1.3 percent versus an increase of 1.6 percent for the year-ago period, according to a release.

8. Fred’s Inc. Reports Lower Sales in June - Friday, July 8, 2016

Fred’s Inc. saw total sales in June drop 2.3 percent from a year ago.

For the five-week fiscal month of June that ended July 2, total sales were $208.5 million, down 2.3 percent from $213.3 million in June 2015. Comparable store sales for the month decreased 1.3 percent versus an increase of 1.6 percent for the year-ago period, according to a release.

9. Last Word: Downtown Crime Discussions, Greensward Arrests and Lead Pipes - Tuesday, May 31, 2016

An after-midnight stampede on Beale Street a week after one person was killed and two other people were wounded in a random shooting a block north of the entertainment district.

Summer is here by tradition if not by the calendar just yet. And Downtown there is already a debate behind the frequent declaration that Downtown is the safest area of the city.

10. First-Quarter Results Show Fred’s on Rebound - Monday, May 30, 2016

Especially for a company like Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc., quarterly earnings results are about more than the numbers.

Fred’s – which grew total sales 8 percent during the quarter ended April 30 over the same period last year and earned $1.3 million in net income – is in the midst of a broad strategic and operational realignment. On the heels of new additions to management last year, plus new strategic imperatives and a big acquisition, changes the company is pushing this year include positioning itself as more of a health care company.

11. Fred’s Reports Q4 Loss, Chairman to Step Down - Saturday, March 26, 2016

Memphis-based Fred’s Inc. announced Wednesday, March 23, that Michael J. Hayes will step down as chairman of its board of directors on April 15.

The news came the same day Fred’s reported a fiscal fourth-quarter loss of $3.9 million, or 11 cents per share, falling short of Wall Street forecasts.

12. Fred’s Reports Q4 Loss, Chairman to Step Down - Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Memphis-based Fred’s Inc. announced Wednesday, March 23, that Michael J. Hayes will step down as chairman of its board of directors on April 15. The news of Hayes’ departure came the same day Fred’s reported a fiscal fourth-quarter loss of $3.9 million, or 11 cents per share, falling short of Wall Street forecasts.

13. Fred’s Grows December Sales 10 Percent - Saturday, January 9, 2016

Fred’s Inc. total sales for the five-week fiscal month of December rose 10 percent to $231.9 million from $210.7 million in December 2014, the Memphis-based discount retailer reported this week.

14. Fred’s Grows December Sales 10 Percent - Friday, January 8, 2016

Fred’s Inc. total sales for the five-week fiscal month of December rose 10 percent to $231.9 million from $210.7 million in December 2014, the Memphis-based discount retailer reported this week.

15. Fred’s Reports Third-Quarter Profit, Sales Increase - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Back in September, Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc. brought all of its managers to Memphis for a two-day conference – the first time that’s been done in 14 years.

The confab came at the end of the third quarter that saw Fred’s earn $1.4 million, or 4 cents per share, reversing a $10.4 million loss, or a loss of 28 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Total sales for the quarter were up 14 percent to $541 million. Excluding sales of $16.2 million from stores closed mostly at the end of 2014, total sales for the third quarter were up 18 percent.

16. Retailer Fred’s Reports September Sales Gain - Saturday, October 17, 2015

Memphis-based retailer Fred’s Inc. has reported a 19 percent uptick in sales for the five-week fiscal month of September, excluding sales from stores closed in the last year.

Fred’s total sales for the month were up 15 percent, to $211.5 million from $183.5 million in September 2014. Excluding $6.2 million from last year’s September sales related to stores that are now closed, the increase was 19 percent.

17. Retailer Fred’s Reports September Sales Gain - Monday, October 12, 2015

Memphis-based retailer Fred’s Inc. has reported a 19 percent uptick in sales for the five-week fiscal month of September, excluding sales from stores closed in the last year.

Fred’s total sales for the month were up 15 percent, to $211.5 million from $183.5 million in September 2014. Excluding $6.2 million from last year’s September sales related to stores that are now closed, the increase was 19 percent.

18. Fred’s Reports Second-Quarter Loss - Thursday, August 27, 2015

The toughest part of guiding a ship, Fred’s Inc. CEO Jerry Shore told analysts Thursday, Aug. 27, is changing its direction.

19. Fred’s Reports Second-Quarter Loss - Thursday, August 27, 2015

The toughest part of guiding a ship, Fred’s Inc. CEO Jerry Shore told analysts Thursday, Aug. 27, is changing its direction.

20. Fred’s Reports Second-Quarter Loss - Thursday, August 27, 2015

The toughest part of guiding a ship, Fred’s Inc. CEO Jerry Shore told analysts Thursday, Aug. 27, is changing its direction.

21. Fred’s Total Sales Up 11 Percent in July - Saturday, August 8, 2015

Sales at Memphis-based Fred’s Inc. were up 11 percent for July, the retailer said Thursday, Aug. 6.

Total sales rose from $148.9 million in July 2014 to $164.7 million last month. Fred’s total sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 also were up 11 percent, to $545.2 million from $491.2 million for the same period last year.

22. Fred’s Total Sales Up 11 Percent in July - Friday, August 7, 2015

Sales at Memphis-based Fred’s Inc. were up 11 percent for July, the retailer said Thursday, Aug. 6.

Total sales rose from $148.9 million in July 2014 to $164.7 million last month. Fred’s total sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 also were up 11 percent, to $545.2 million from $491.2 million for the same period last year.

23. Fino’s Taking a Bite Out of East Memphis - Thursday, July 2, 2015

The Brookhaven Circle area, an emerging restaurant row in the heart of East Memphis, is welcoming a new neighbor.

Jerry Wilson, owner of Fino’s from the Hill at 1853 Madison Ave. in Midtown, has acquired the property at 703 W. Brookhaven Circle in East Memphis for $526,600.

24. Snapshot: Memphis-Based Public Companies - Saturday, May 30, 2015

Here's a look at what's going on at the dozen public companies headquartered in Memphis:

AutoZone Inc.

AutoZone Inc. is one of the largest auto parts retailers and distributors in the U.S., with a store count of 5,476 as of Feb. 14. Since 1998, the company has repurchased $15.7 billion worth of its own shares. At the end of March, AutoZone continued its share buyback program with the authorization to buy back another $750 million in company stock. The company followed that news with plans to pursue a $650 million debt offering to be used for “general corporate purposes.” – Andy Meek

25. Small-Town Shift - Saturday, May 30, 2015

Fred’s Inc. CEO Jerry A. Shore has been thinking bigger and smaller simultaneously.

“One of my key strategies after being named CEO was to upgrade talent,” said Shore, who had been the company’s CFO for more than 14 years before changing corporate hats a few months ago.

26. Flurry of Fred’s News Includes Fourth-Quarter Loss - Thursday, March 26, 2015

Fred’s Inc. reported a fourth-quarter loss Thursday, March 26, the day after announcing a major acquisition to its pharmacy network as well as the addition of several new executives.

Fred's Inc. booked an $8.2 million loss in the quarter ended Jan. 31 as a rise in expenses countered a small sales gain.

27. Fred's Buys Pharmacy in $66 Million Deal - Thursday, March 26, 2015

Fred's Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Reeves-Sain Drug Store Inc., a private specialty and retail pharmacy company based in the Nashville area.

28. Fred’s Names New Chief Operating Officer - Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Discount merchandiser Fred’s Inc. has tapped a new president and chief operating officer, a key hire that adds to a fresh executive team for the retailer.

Effective Jan. 12, Michael Bloom has joined Fred’s as president and COO, bringing to the company more than 30 years of experience in small-box general merchandising, supply chain management and store operations. He’s seen the industry from vantage points that include stints at companies like Family Dollar Stores Inc., where he likewise was president and COO, and at CVS Caremark Corp, where he held a variety of positions.

29. Fred's Taps New CEO - Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Memphis-based Fred’s Inc. has shuffled its executive ranks, tapping executive vice president and chief financial officer Jerry Shore as its new CEO following CEO Bruce Efird giving his resignation to the company’s board.

30. Fred's Seeks Strategic Options After Weak Sales - Friday, January 10, 2014

Shares of Fred's Inc. hit an 8-year high Thursday after the discount retailer said it will seek strategic opportunities and announced a revamp of its merchandising and marketing team after a weak holiday shopping season.

31. Grocery Growth - Tuesday, January 7, 2014

By the end of this year, Kroger will have spent between $150 million and $200 million on upgrades, fixes and renovations at its Memphis-area stores.

That investment is one example among many in the Memphis area of how the stiff competition among grocers and similar retailers is playing out as they make grabs for bigger slices of the customer pie.

32. Marlo Thomas Among Jefferson Award Recipients - Wednesday, June 22, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actress Marlo Thomas and sports team owner Jerry M. Reinsdorf are among the people being honored with a national prize for public service.

33. First Horizon Swings To $19.1M Loss, CEO Plans to Retire - Wednesday, July 16, 2008

MEMPHIS (AP) – Regional bank First Horizon National Corp. swung to a loss during the second quarter because of a sharp increase for loan-loss provisions, according to a Tuesday announcement.

The company also announced president and CEO Jerry Baker is leaving his position effective Sept. 1 to become vice chairman of the First Horizon National Corp. board of directors. He will be replaced by D. Bryan Jordan. Baker will assist in the transition until he retires in December.

34. BREAKING NEWS: First Horizon Swings to $19.1M Loss, CEO Plans to Retire - Tuesday, July 15, 2008

MEMPHIS (AP) - Regional bank First Horizon National Corp. swung to a loss during the second quarter due to a sharp increase for loan-loss provisions, according to a company announcement Tuesday.

35. 'Unstable Environments' - Friday, February 8, 2008

It's not repair work. It's rebuilding in Hickory Hill. That's how the team of local emergency responders described the immediate task in the community hit harder by Tuesday evening's storms than any other part of Memphis.

36. Fred's Launches New Drug Program - Tuesday, September 26, 2006
     On Monday, Fred's Inc. began selling generic drugs for $4 per prescription per month at five Fred's pharmacies in Memphis, Bartlett and Millington.
     The pilot program is available to Fred

37. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, April 12, 2000
John V John V. White Jr. has been appointed chairman, president and chief executive officer of Union Planters Bank. White joins Union Planters from National City Bank, where he served as executive vice president of retail banking for the state of In...