The Commercial Appeal (2007-Current)

Screening to Start Overseas -- Nuke Terror Fears Lead to Checks of U.S.-Bound Ships at Point of Origin

WASHINGTON - The specter of a nuclear bomb, hidden in a cargo container, detonating in an American port has prompted Congress to require 100 percent screening of U.S.-bound ships at their more than 600 foreign starting points. The White House and shippers maintain that the technology for scanning 11 million containers each year doesn't exist, and say the requirement could disrupt trade. Current procedures, including manifest inspections at foreign ports and radiation monitoring in U.S. ports,...

Criticism Raised Over Chamber Razing Building -- C&I Bank Is Landmark to Some but a Financial Albatross Downtown to Chamber

The Memphis Regional Chamber Foundation will delay for 90 days its request to tear down a prominent Downtown building and replace it with a surface parking lot. During a Thursday afternoon meeting at the Center City Commission's Downtown office, chamber officials said they would explore multiple options for the building, which is owned by the nonprofit Chamber Foundation.

Tailoring a Tiny Bit of Care -- Ceo Works Toward Major Le Bonheur Expansion

When Meri Armour interviews candidates for executive jobs at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, she looks for experience that shows they know children aren't just small adults. "I want leaders who understand that drawing blood on a 3-year- old is a very scary thing for the child and a scary thing for the mom," said Armour, Le Bonheur's president and CEO. "And I want them to do it differently."

Daily Briefing

REGIONAL Wal-Mart will review toy safety

Coffee Break - Grizzlies Fans Prefer Figurines

The Grizzlies have reconvened their Fan Advisory Board, a 40- member panel that includes returnees from last year's inaugural group plus new members. During this week's session at FedExForum's Lexus Lounge, they heard from new coach Marc Iavaroni. Board members clearly appreciated his accessibility - and his preferred style of play: tough-minded, bodies flying, with a confident, cocky attitude.

To Do This Week

Today Small Business Chamber "Memphis Breakfast Club": 7:30-9 a.m. InSouth Bank, 5299 Poplar. Free to members and first-time guests. Information: Call Danny Patterson at 262-9537 or visit SmallBusinessChamber.com.

Unemployment Claims Decline -- Job Market Is Apparently Still Largely Unaffected by Turmoil Elsewhere

WASHINGTON - Fewer people signed up for jobless benefits last week, an encouraging sign that most businesses aren't resorting to big layoffs amid a housing slump and the painful credit crunch. The Labor Department reported Thursday that new applications filed for unemployment insurance dipped by 2,000 to 322,000 for the week ending Aug. 18, the first drop in new claims in roughly a month.

Baptist to Buy Ark. Hospital -- Expanded Territory Will Help Sustain Specialized Programs

Baptist Memorial Health Care is in negotiations to buy a majority stake in 104-bed Northeast Arkansas Medical Center in Jonesboro. The purchase would give Baptist a stronger foothold in Arkansas, where the Memphis-based group had previously owned several hospitals.

Macy's Betting On Celebrity-Studded Ads to Build Image

CINCINNATI - Scenes featuring tycoon Donald Trump blow-drying his hair and domestic entrepreneur Martha Stewart constantly rearranging her products are part of a celebrity-studded advertising campaign that Macy's Inc. hopes will help build its image as a national brand. The Cincinnati-based retailer, which this month reported a 77 percent drop in its second-quarter earnings, continues to struggle to create a strong national brand and integrate the stores gained in its $11 billion acquisition ...

Bredesen Reinforces Small-Biz Emphasis -- Governor Highlights Partnerships, Previews Rural Opportunity Fund

Gov. Phil Bredesen touted his administration's partnership with small-business interests Thursday as he spoke to a room full of business people and government officials. Groups including the National Federation of Independent Business, which hosted his talk at the Holiday Inn Select East, helped push forward his programs, Bredesen said.

Harry's Magic -- 'Potter' Plugs Bookseller's Earnings Leak

NEW YORK - Barnes & Noble Inc., the largest U.S. bookseller, said Thursday its second-quarter earnings rose 9 percent, boosted by sales of J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." The company also said it expects a loss in the third quarter but increased its yearly guidance to reflect tax benefits and lower- than-expected costs for closing a distribution center.

People in Business

Matt Sanchez has been named production training director of Signature Offset. Sanchez will be responsible for training all production personnel and press operators under the Signature Offset FasTrak Training Program. The primary function within this new job title will be the company wide standardization of pressrooms in all seven of their regional facilities.

Pro Bono Plus -- Attorney's Work in He Custody Case Earns Aba Honor

David Siegel's seat at Nahon, Saharovich and Trotz was barely warm when he asked his law partners to let him do some work for free - pro bono, as attorneys call it. Hired to head the firm's catastrophic injury practice in late 2002, Siegel wanted to represent Jack and Casey He in their attempts to get custody of their daughter, Anna Mae He.