The Commercial Appeal (2007-Current)

Who You Gonna Call? Book Updates Have Local Governments' Number

Figuring out who to call in a county with eight governments, shifting boundaries and here today-gone tomorrow officials isn't always easy. But the League of Women Voters has made the process a little easier with a new edition of "Know Your Local Governments in Shelby County," with separate public officials directory.

Police Report

East Memphis Armed pair rob Bank of America

Mid-South Memories - Building a Future

June 21 25 years ago: 1982

Cohen Asks for Stem Cell Bill -- Bush Vetoes Measure Despite Emotional Plea

WASHINGTON - Speaking as a polio victim, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D- Tenn., took to the House floor Wednesday to make a last-minute plea for President Bush to sign a bill to extend research of embryonic stem cells. The president later vetoed the measure, and the House does not have the votes to override the veto.

Give Them a Hammer -- They'll Do the Math and Build

Hormone Therapy Risks Outdo Good, Study Says -- 54 Area Women Were Part of Nat'l Research

There's new evidence estrogen might provide women in their 50s with some protection against heart disease, but researchers warn the risks associated with this hormone-replacement therapy still outweigh the benefits. "It might be slightly reassuring if you have to take hormones" for severe hot flashes, Dr. Karen Johnson said of the findings. She directed the Memphis arm of the national Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study.

Accused Killer's Lawyer Braces for 'War' in Court

KNOXVILLE - The teacher's husband charged with killing his wife's student lover was ordered Wednesday to pay for his own lawyer, and his motion for a speedy trial was met with a trial date of early next year. "I am getting mad," Eric McLean's attorney Bruce Poston said outside the courtroom after a brief arraignment hearing. "I think it is unusual what happened in court today. It shows the intensity that the state has. It is going to be a war."

City's Bailout of Lemoyne-Owen Faces Court Challenge

Dr. Howard Entman, outraged over the city pledging $3 million to bail out LeMoyne-Owen College, has filed a lawsuit challenging the payment. The lawsuit, filed Monday in Chancery Court against the city of Memphis and LeMoyne, seeks an injunction to block the city from "giving, appropriating or transferring" the funds to the school without approval by three-fourths of the electorate.

Mayoral Candidates Go Homeless for a Night -- Advocates Hope the Experience Will Be an Eye-Opener

NASHVILLE - One tried in vain to sleep on a park bench. Two others swallowed their pride as they went into restaurants, broke but hungry. With no bathroom available, another used the woods. All four men agreed to be homeless for a night before returning Wednesday to their real lives - as candidates for Nashville mayor.

In Brief

Greater Memphis Candidate No. 6 files for mayor

Suit Alleges Mlgw Overcharged Customers -- Gross Mismanagement, Breach of Trust Charged

Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division was hit with a class- action lawsuit Wednesday alleging "gross mismanagement and breach of trust" was committed by the public utility in overcharging customers millions of dollars since 1998. The complaint, which is similar to a pending lawsuit filed against MLGW nearly three years ago, alleges the utility has withheld operating surpluses that should have been returned to customers.

Around the Region

Washington Slavery apology gains support

Around the Region

ARKANSAS Games net $30M at two tracks

Rural/Metro Short On Paramedics -- Another 22 Needed to Staff 6 Additional Ambulances

Now that Shelby County has secured more ambulances, it faces another problem - ambulance service provider Rural/Metro can't find the paramedics to staff them. A shortage of paramedics in Shelby County and around the Mid- South has made it difficult to hire the 22 additional paramedics and 22 EMTs needed to staff the contract's six additional ambulances, said Glenn Miller, the division general manager for Rural/Metro.

Ut Hopes to Recoup Loss On Midtown Mansion

A University of Tennessee committee passed a motion Wednesday in Knoxville to sell a $1.3 million Memphis home that housed former UT Health Science chancellor Bill Owen. "We thought it was the appropriate time to get out of the housing business," said local UT board member Karl Schledwitz.

4 Hurt in Car Wreck

Medical Translations -- Hospitals Use Telephone Technology to Communicate with Non-English Speakers

Shortly before being put to sleep, a little girl sitting on her mom's lap followed along as a nurse read a story detailing the child's pending dental operation. Although 3-year-old Ruby Armenta and her mother Edith Armenta, 23, speak little English, they had no trouble understanding the Le Bonheur East Surgery Center nurse. Speaking into a phone specially fitted with two handsets, registered nurse Tish Fortner overcame the language hurdle.

Johnson's Not Gone yet; Hope Remains

Dear Dr. Johnson: It's not too late.

Briefs

Greater Memphis Yoga classes

New Role for Museum Veteran -- Diane Jalfon Looks for New Challenges at Brooks Museum

The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is pleased to announce Midtowner Diane Jalfon as its new director of development. Jalfon has been a part of the Brooks team for more than three years as public relations and public events manager for the museum. In her previous role, she greatly expanded the museum's public programs, including films, concerts and special events.