There were no campaign stickers or push cards at the Shelby County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day dinner, but still plenty of hand-to-hand campaigning Friday, May 17, among the crowd of 350 at the University of Memphis Holiday Inn.

2. Failed Education Bills on Radar for Next Session - Tuesday, April 23, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – In the last few years, Tennessee hasn't shied away from contentious education initiatives as it seeks to remain at the forefront of education reform in the nation.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has even characterized the state's efforts as "courageous leadership."

3. 108th General Assembly Adjourns for Year - Tuesday, April 23, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The 108th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned on Friday, the first time in 45 years that lawmakers have finished as early as April in the first year of a session.

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey had set an adjournment goal of April 18, but he didn't seem upset finishing a day later.

4. Municipal Schools Bill Sails Through House, Senate - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

After much speculation about resistance from other parts of the state to lifting the statewide ban on special school districts statewide, the bill to do that sailed through the Tennessee House and Senate Monday, April 15.

5. Push Education Bills in Final Days of Session - Tuesday, April 16, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – As the 108th Tennessee General Assembly draws to a close, state lawmakers are hoping to push through education proposals that include creating a state panel to authorize charter schools for five counties and a measure that would clear the way for cities to begin forming municipal school systems.

6. Animal Abuse Reporting Bill Hits Senate Snag - Tuesday, April 16, 2013

An effort to require whistleblowers to quickly submit damning evidence of animal abuse to law enforcement has hit a snag in the state Senate over questions about the true intentions of the bill.

The bill sponsored by Sen. Dolores Gresham of Somerville and fellow Republican Rep. Andy Holt of Dresden would require anyone recording images of animal abuse submit unedited footage or photos to law enforcement within 48 hours.

7. Welfare Penalty for Parents Dead This Session - Friday, April 12, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The sponsor of a proposal to dock the welfare payments of parents whose children fail school refused to listen to a little girl opposing the measure Thursday, saying she was being used as a prop.

8. Charter Panel Bill Slowed in Senate - Thursday, April 11, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Lawmakers questioned a proposal to create a special panel to authorize charter schools in several Tennessee counties during debate at the state Legislature Tuesday, while a nonprofit group criticized the governor's decision to withdraw his school voucher program.

9. Georgia Senator Opposed to Border Resolution Cheered - Thursday, April 11, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee lawmakers gave rousing applause to welcome a Georgia senator who opposed a resolution calling for redrawing the border between the two states.

Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville introduced Republican Sen. Jeff Mullis of Chickamauga, Ga., during a floor session on Wednesday.

10. Kelsey: State Confirms Six-Year Auto Inspection Timeframe - Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Republican state Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown says he is confident Shelby County vehicle owners outside Memphis won’t have to go through auto inspections for another six years.

11. Haslam School Voucher Bill Dead This Session - Friday, April 05, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Republican leader carrying Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to create school vouchers in Tennessee said he's decided to let it die this session because he's tired of the "gamesmanship."

12. Bill Would Let Cities Form Own School Systems - Saturday, March 30, 2013

Legislation that would allow cities to form their own school systems is advancing in the Senate.

The measure sponsored by Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville unanimously passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

13. Bill Would Let Cities Form Own School Systems - Friday, March 29, 2013

Legislation that would allow cities to form their own school systems is advancing in the Senate.

The measure sponsored by Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville unanimously passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

14. The Means to be Mean - Friday, March 29, 2013

PIECE OF CAKE. Lately, and this is disturbing, I’ve been thinking about Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, as Marie Antoinette, complete with a powdered wig and a cute little stick-on beauty mark, running up and down the halls inviting the poor to eat cake when they run out of bread. But these are not the halls of her Petit Trianon in Versailles at the time of the French Revolution. These are the halls of the state capitol in Nashville at the time of the super majority.

15. Bill Would Let Cities Form Own School Systems - Thursday, March 28, 2013

MEMPHIS (AP) – Legislation that would allow cities to form their own school systems is advancing in the Senate.

The measure sponsored by Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville unanimously passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

16. Senate Approves Virtual School Measure - Friday, March 15, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to tighten enrollment requirements at privately run online schools has passed the Senate.

The measure guided by Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville was approved 27-2 on Thursday.

17. Haslam's School Voucher Bill Delayed - Friday, March 08, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – State Republicans are trying to decide between two competing proposals that would create a school voucher program in Tennessee.

Gov. Bill Haslam's measure had been scheduled to be heard Wednesday in the Senate Education Committee, but was delayed for two weeks.

18. Senate Majority Leader Norris Files Job Training Bill - Saturday, March 02, 2013

Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, has filed legislation that would create a new statewide initiative aimed at shoring up workers’ job skills and addressing labor shortages among Tennessee employers.

19. Norris Files Job Training Legislation - Friday, March 01, 2013

Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, has filed legislation that would create a new statewide initiative aimed at shoring up workers’ job skills and addressing labor shortages among Tennessee employers.

20. Supermarket Wine Bill Advances by 1 Vote in Senate - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores scored its first legislative victory on Tuesday after years of frustration.

The Senate State and Local Government Committee voted 5-4 to advance the bill that would allow cities and counties to hold referendums next year to decide whether to expand wine sales beyond the state's nearly 600 licensed liquor stores.

21. Merger Again Intersects With Nashville - Monday, February 18, 2013

For a third consecutive year in Nashville, the Shelby County schools merger and the suburban reaction to it are on the calendar of the Tennessee legislature.

As the General Assembly finished its legislative week Thursday, Feb. 14, state Senate Republican leader Mark Norris of Collierville introduced several bills, some of them captions to be added to as needed that would make suburban municipal school districts possible.

22. War Within the State - Friday, February 08, 2013

TENNESSEE HAS DECLARED WAR ON SHELBY COUNTY. We now have renamed three parks. Forrest Park to Health Sciences Park. Confederate Park to Memphis Park. Jefferson Davis Park to Mississippi River Park. The new names are uninspired and uninteresting – they might as well be Boring Park, Bland Park and Whatever Park – but what inspired them is what makes them interesting.

23. Funding Film - Wednesday, February 06, 2013

A prominent Republican state senator recently asked the state Department of Economic and Community Development to make sure and take the call if the department gets a ring from Molly Mickler Smith, the daughter of FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith.

24. Signs of the Times - Friday, January 18, 2013

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. called the Electrolux Memphis manufacturing plant a “monster plant” this week after a tour of the $266 million manufacturing center in Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park.

25. Back to Work - Friday, January 11, 2013

The Shelby County legislative delegation to Nashville returned to the capital Tuesday, Jan. 8, with three fewer members – one state senator and two state representatives – all Democrats – but with no new faces.

26. Kyle Wants GOP Senate Caucus Meetings Open - Thursday, January 10, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The top Democrat in the state Senate is calling on Republicans to make the upper chamber of the General Assembly subject to open government laws, saying he wants to see more transparency in government.

27. Calls Come to Change Schools Merger Process - Wednesday, December 05, 2012

As suburban mayors were scheduled to meet this week to talk over their options, the consolidation of all public schools in Shelby County that begins in August began to show signs of a shift.

The shift might be to take at least some of the decisions about the schools merger out of the hands of just the countywide school board or to junk the process the board is using. The mayors of the six towns and cities have all indicated they intend to push on for their own school districts, although several have said it is highly unlikely they could form them and open them for classes by August.

28. Obama Carries Shelby, Cohen Over Flinn and Two Tax Hikes Defeated - Wednesday, November 07, 2012

President Barack Obama carried Shelby County in unofficial Nov. 6 election returns as his Republican challenger Mitt Romney took the state’s 11 electoral votes.

Voter turnout in the most popular election cycle among Shelby County voters was 61.9 percent, about the same percentage as four years ago. But the 371,256 voters is fewer than 2008 when more than 400,000 Shelby County voters cast ballots. The percentage is about the same because there are fewer registered voters in Shelby County than there were four years ago after a purge by election officials.

29. Decision Day - Tuesday, November 06, 2012

The last election of 2012 will be one where questions continue to command as much attention if not more than candidates.

The polls are open Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters come to the polls in this election to vote in the presidential general election. That is what drives the only election cycle in which more than half of the county’s registered voters consistently show up.

30. Events - Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Cannon Wright Blount will present “Getting Started With QuickBooks: Learn From the Experts” Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at its office 756 Ridge Lake Blvd., suite 100. Cost is $75. Visit cannonwrightblount.com or email quickbooks@cannonwrightblount.com.

31. Schools Fight Looks to Milan System - Friday, September 07, 2012

The date to a city-county schools merger in Shelby County is less than a year away and the six suburban towns and cities in the county are preparing for Nov. 6 school board elections for their municipal school districts.

32. Norris, Kyle Talk Changing Legislature - Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Democratic and Republican leaders of the state Senate see the politics of the state continuing to change and with it the nature of being the majority and minority parties in the Tennessee Legislature.

33. Suburban School Board Races Almost Set - Friday, August 17, 2012

Races on the Nov. 6 ballot for six sets of suburban school boards took shape Thursday, Aug. 16, at the noon filing deadline for candidate qualifying petitions.

The candidates that made the deadline have another week to withdraw from the races if they wish.

34. Congestion Woes - Friday, August 03, 2012

Tennessee Transportation Commissioner John Schroer told the Regional Logistics Council Thursday, Aug. 2, that his office has the “right priority list” of road projects for the Memphis area.

35. Cohen, Hart in Final Preparations for Primary - Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Steve Cohen and Tomeka Hart agree that serving in Congress is about relationships, something they each said in separate interviews with The Daily News editorial board.

36. Shelby County’s Early Voting Tops 62K - Tuesday, July 31, 2012

As Shelby County Election Commission officials admitted there was a problem with early voting, turnout by early voters soared for the voting period that ended Saturday, July 28, in advance of Thursday’s election day.

37. Hargett: Shelby Election Problems Erode Public Confidence - Monday, July 30, 2012

The election driven by ballot questions and one-time-only races looks to become an election that goes into overtime as well.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett formally asked State Comptroller Justin Wilson Friday, July 27, to audit the administration of the Shelby County Election Commission and investigate election procedures and returns.

38. State Confirms Shelby Election Investigation - Friday, July 27, 2012

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett has called for the Tennessee Comptroller to investigate the Shelby County elections and state officials are moving toward the probe as early voting comes to an end Saturday, July 27.

39. Lights, Camera, Action - Monday, July 16, 2012

The pot of state money available to spur film production in Tennessee got a couple million dollars richer a few months ago.

Thanks to a measure sponsored this past legislative session by state Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, an additional $2 million is now available to incentivize film production in the state. But the good news goes deeper than that seven-figure sum for Tennessee’s film industry.

40. NFIB Endorses State Sen. Norris - Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The National Federation of Independent Business has endorsed Mark Norris, R-Collierville, in the 32nd Senate District, which has a primary scheduled for Aug. 2 and the general election to be held Nov. 6.

41. Hit Dogs - Friday, July 06, 2012

IT’S NOT RACIAL. IF I’M LYING, I’M DYING. We are lying. And if we don’t realize it, we will die from it.

Annie Laurie Peeler put it best. She was, after all, the best sixth grade teacher in the history of the universe. Really. With all due respect to the sixth grade teacher you love, Mrs. Peeler will spot her or him two eyes in the back of her head, three stories you’ll never forget, and four Southernisms and still beat your teacher like a cloakroom paddling.

42. Hart Discusses Congressional Bid With The Memphis News - Monday, July 02, 2012

Countywide school board member Tomeka Hart talked with The Memphis News editorial board this month about her candidacy in the Aug. 2 Democratic Congressional primary – a challenge of incumbent Congressman Steve Cohen in the 9th District.

43. School Board Moves Toward Superintendent Pick - Thursday, June 28, 2012

At the start of another five-hour countywide school board meeting Tuesday, June 26, Jim Boyd of the schools consolidation planning commission set the stage for a busy night on several fronts.

44. Countywide School Board To Discuss Future Supt. - Tuesday, June 19, 2012

When countywide school board members resume a still-preliminary discussion Tuesday, June 19, about who should be superintendent of the merged public school system to come, they will have another opinion to consider.

45. Haslam Signs Trio of Anti-Crime Bills - Friday, June 08, 2012

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a trio of anti-crime measures into law during a Wednesday, June 6, visit to Bartlett.

The laws include an increase in mandatory jail time for repeat domestic violence offenders and a second law upping sentences for convicted felons with guns that include some specific circumstances for longer sentences.

46. Learning From Wrecks - Friday, May 11, 2012

SPEAKING OF EDUCATION, WE DON’T LEARN. The weight of his robes bearing down, the certain confusion and probable chaos resulting from his next words, the U.S. District judge in Memphis adjusted his glasses, took a deep breath, and changed public education in his hometown forever.

47. Board Representation at Stake in Bill - Tuesday, May 08, 2012

In the legislation passed by the Tennessee General Assembly last week allowing suburban referendums this year on forming municipal school districts there was another part of the bill.

And it completes some important terms for the Nov. 6 school board elections that would follow the planned Aug. 2 referendums on forming school districts and levying a half- cent local option sales tax rate increase if voters approve both questions.

48. Muni School District Bill Awaits Decision - Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has said he would have preferred some other outcome. But on his desk this week awaiting his decision is the bill that sets the stage for referendums this year in Shelby County’s suburbs on forming municipal school districts.

49. Tenn. Senate Approves Muni Schools Referendums - Tuesday, May 01, 2012

The Tennessee State Senate gave final approval Monday, April 30, to legislation that sets the stage for referendums this year in Shelby County’s suburbs on forming municipal school districts.

50. Haslam Cash Grants Plan Passes Senate 29-1 - Monday, April 30, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam's plan to increase the amount of cash grants available to companies looking to invest in Tennessee has passed the Senate.

The measure carried by Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville was approved 29-1 on Thursday. The companion bill passed the House 96-0 last month.

51. Senate Votes 32-1 to Pass $31B Spending Plan - Monday, April 30, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Senate has passed its version of Gov. Bill Haslam’s more than $31 billion spending plan, making nearly $60 million in cuts to a number of programs.

52. Tennessee Legislature Could Decide Muni Districts - Monday, April 23, 2012

This could be the week that the Tennessee Legislature decides the timing of the rise of suburban municipal school districts in Shelby County.

The issue is an amendment to a Senate bill on school bullying that would permit the suburbs to call referendums this year on forming such school districts.

53. Schools Planning Commission Weighs, Rejects Stand on Schools Bill - Friday, April 20, 2012

The schools consolidation planning commission considered Thursday, April 19, but voted down a resolution that would have urged the Tennessee legislature not to pass the bill that would allow suburban towns and cities to hold referendums this year on forming municipal school districts.

54. What They’re Cooking Isn’t Genuine Gumbo - Friday, April 13, 2012

IT TAKES OKRA. This Sunday, April 15, Mike Warr has asked me to help judge the gumbo cookoff at the City Auto Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival, the annual mudbug throwdown to benefit Porter-Leath. Mike started this party when he was at the helm of Captain Bilbo’s 23 years ago, initially ordering 600 pounds of crawfish. Now he heads Porter-Leath, and this year some 20,000 people will be picking away at 16,000 pounds of the little critters.

55. Reactions to Schools Legislation Changing in Nashville - Friday, April 13, 2012

Tennessee legislators from outside Shelby County got a look at where the Shelby County schools reformation discussion was in January this week on Capitol Hill in Nashville.

And they didn’t like the idea that their counties could be living with Shelby County rules.

56. Municipal Schools Referendums Remain Off 2012 Calendar - Thursday, April 12, 2012

Referendums in the Shelby County suburbs on the creation of municipal school districts remain off the table after the Tennessee House removed an amendment from a bill that would have set the stage for holding the referendums this year.

57. Cohen-Hart in Congressional Race at Filing Deadline - Friday, April 06, 2012

The chairman of the countywide school board, Billy Orgel, was effectively elected to his District 7 school board seat without opposition at the Thursday, April 5, filing deadline for candidates on the Aug. 2 primary and general election ballot in Shelby County.

58. Muni School Bill Hits Snag in House - Thursday, April 05, 2012

The bill to lift the statewide ban on creating municipal school districts will be back in the Tennessee House Education Committee next week after more last-minute developments including an amendment.

59. Municipal School District Bill Delayed a Week - Wednesday, April 04, 2012

The lobbyist for the countywide school board took no position Tuesday, April 3, on state legislation that would lift the statewide moratorium on creation of municipal school districts in January.

And the House Education Committee chairman Richard Montgomery of Sevierville, Tenn., delayed action on the bill for another week after announcing there was a late amendment to the legislation.

60. Municipal School District Bill Delayed a Week - Tuesday, April 03, 2012

The lobbyist for the countywide school board took no position Tuesday, April 3, on state legislation that would lift the statewide moratorium on creation of municipal school districts in January.

And the House Education Committee chairman Richard Montgomery of Sevierville, Tenn., delayed action on the bill for another week after announcing there was a late amendment to the legislation.

61. General Assembly Weighs Schools Legislation - Monday, April 02, 2012

This promises to be a busy week in Nashville – a year and two months after the General Assembly last dealt with the terms of schools consolidation in Shelby County.

This week, two bills that would again change the terms of the local schools reformation saga could come to floor votes in the Tennessee House and Senate and go to the desk of Gov. Bill Haslam.

62. Municipal Schools Bill Amendment Surfaces - Friday, March 30, 2012

As the Tennessee House education subcommittee was meeting in Nashville Wednesday, March 29, it was where most of those involved in the local schools reformation saga were focusing their attention.

And the center of their attention was a bill lifting the statewide ban on the creation of municipal school districts.

63. Bill Lifting Muni School Ban Advances - Friday, March 30, 2012

A bill in the Tennessee Legislature to lift the statewide ban on creating municipal school districts is moving as the legislative session nears an end.

The House Education subcommittee approved the bill Wednesday, March 28, on a voice vote with the House Education Committee to consider the bill next week.

64. Municipal School District Bill Moves In Nashville - Thursday, March 29, 2012

A bill in the Tennessee legislature to lift the statewide ban on creating municipal school districts is moving as the legislative session nears an end.

The House education subcommittee approved the bill Wednesday, March 28, on a voice vote with the House education committee to consider the bill next week.

65. Deadline Looms for Complex Aug. Elections - Thursday, March 29, 2012

The August elections were already going to be more complex than usual. There are the changes from this year’s drawing of new district lines for the Tennessee Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives.

66. Muni School District Votes on Hold - Friday, March 23, 2012

At week’s end, the move to municipal school districts had slowed for a possible pit stop in Shelby County Chancery Court.

And efforts in the Tennessee Legislature to check a possible legal challenge of the state law that allows the suburban school districts specifically in Shelby County encountered some vocal non-Memphis resistance in the House Education Subcommittee.

67. AG's Opinion Familiar Front In Schools Discussion - Thursday, March 22, 2012

The schools consolidation saga is moving into déjà vu territory with a new legal opinion from the Tennessee attorney general on a schools ballot question and legislation affecting the process moving in Nashville.

68. Senate Delays Vote On Mountaintop Removal Ban - Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Senate has voted to delay for three weeks a vote on a proposal to halt mountaintop removal coal mining in Tennessee.

The decision came despite the objections of the bill’s sponsor, Democratic Sen. Eric Stewart of Winchester, who called for a vote Monday evening.

69. Following Primary, Races Point to August - Monday, March 12, 2012

Two days after all the votes were counted in the Tennessee presidential primary, state Republican Party leaders had already worked out how many of the state’s at-large delegates would go to their top three candidates.

70. Home Alone - Monday, March 05, 2012

For many senior citizens, access to homemaker services – such as housekeeping and grocery shopping – enables them to continue living in the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible.

71. Bill to Freeze Tenn. Lawmaker Expenses Delayed - Wednesday, February 22, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal to freeze Tennessee lawmakers' expense reimbursements rates has been delayed in the state Senate amid concerns about rising gas prices.

The bill sponsored by Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Lowe Finney of Jackson would make lawmakers forgo future increases in their daily expense allowance and their mileage reimbursements.

72. Grays Creek Annexation on Hold - Bridgewater Dropped - Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The annexation of Grays Creek is on hold after Memphis City Council members met Tuesday, Feb. 14, in special session to approve the annexation ordinance on the second of three readings.

Once it passed, the council then voted to table the matter which puts it on hold indefinitely.

73. Tenn. Lawmakers Join Opposition to Obama Health Care Bill - Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A group of Tennessee lawmakers are joining their counterparts from around the country in registering with the U.S. Supreme Court their opposition to President Barack Obama’s signature domestic legislation, the health care reform bill.

74. Luttrell Looks to Advance School Bldg. Talks - Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The idea of a consolidated Shelby County public school system as a platform of sorts for various school models is beginning to emerge in what may be the most contentious part of the yearlong schools reformation discussion.

75. Norris To Withdraw Annexation Bills - Friday, February 10, 2012

Tennessee State Senate Republican leader Mark Norris of Collierville said Thursday, Feb. 9, he plans to withdraw two bills affecting annexation in Shelby County.

76. New County Of Them - Friday, February 10, 2012

NEW BILL CREATES EIGHT NEW COUNTIES. Continually annoyed about existing law that gets in his way, Tennessee Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville has introduced a bill in the state house eliminating Memphis and Shelby County and creating eight new counties.

77. UPDATE: City Preps to Annex Bridgewater Area - Friday, February 10, 2012

UPDATE: State Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville withdrew Thursday, Feb. 9, two bills dealing with annexation that prompted the Memphis City Council's consideration of the Grays Creek annexation. Norris withdrew the bills based on a legal opinion from the Tennessee Attorney General that concludes the bills are constitutionally suspect.

78. Council Passes Grays Creek Annexation on 1st Reading - Thursday, February 09, 2012

Memphis City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday, Feb. 7, to approve the annexation of the Grays Creek area up to the Fayette County line.

It was the first of the council’s three readings.

79. County Commission Floats - Sinks Schools Transfer Rules - Tuesday, February 07, 2012

A resolution that would involve Shelby County government along with the countywide school board in any transfer of school buildings to another school district surfaced Monday, Feb. 6, after a weekend of behind the scenes talks.

80. Grays Creek Annexation on City’s Agenda - Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Memphis City Council members take up the first of three readings Tuesday, Feb. 7, of an ordinance to annex the Grays Creek area that is in the city’s annexation reserve area.

The ordinance is a reaction to pending state legislation in Nashville that would remove part of the area from the Memphis annexation reserve.

81. Sides Firm on Annexation but Stand Down - Thursday, February 02, 2012

A year after the Memphis City Council and Republican state legislators from Shelby County had their first race to see who could pass their school consolidation measures first, there is hesitancy on both sides to stage a second political drag race on annexation.

82. Annexation Returns to Forefront in Schools Discussion - Wednesday, February 01, 2012

It keeps coming back to the issue of turf between the city of Memphis and the six suburban municipalities.

The complex questions of who paid for what, how much they paid and who gets it predates the ongoing move to schools consolidation by years. And it has everything to do with whether Shelby County has one or multiple public school systems at the start of the 2013-2014 school year.

83. Council Considers Quick Annex Of Grays Creek - Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Memphis City Council members will meet Tuesday, Jan. 31, to consider a fast track annexation of the Gray’s Creek area of Cordova.

The 4:30 p.m. committee session at City Hall is a reaction to a new bill introduced in Nashville by two Shelby County legislators that would take a swath of land in southeast Shelby County bordering Fayette County out of the city of Memphis annexation reserve area.

84. Property Value Among School Bills Board is Examining - Tuesday, January 31, 2012

If a charter school rents or buys an existing public school building in Tennessee, it would have to be at fair market value under one of numerous charter school bills expected to be filed in the Tennessee Legislature this year.

85. Tipton Co. Restored to Senate Redistricting Plan - Friday, January 20, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Senate has voted to restore Tipton County to the upper chamber's redistricting plan.

The West Tennessee county that is in Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris' redrawn district, had been inadvertently omitted by the upper chamber when it passed its plan last week.

86. House Votes to Reinsert Tipton Into Senate Seat - Thursday, January 19, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The House has passed a new version of the state Senate redistricting bill that corrects an omission of Tipton County from the Senate plan.

The chamber voted 75-19 on Wednesday to make the fix to the bill originally passed last week, but later found to have dropped language referring to the county in the redrawn district of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville.

87. House Votes to Reinsert Tipton Into Senate Seat - Wednesday, January 18, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The House has passed a new version of the state Senate redistricting bill that corrects an omission of Tipton County from the Senate plan.

The chamber voted 75-19 on Wednesday to make the fix to the bill originally passed last week, but later found to have dropped language referring to the county in the redrawn district of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville.

88. Tenn. Senate to Redo Redistricting After Omission - Wednesday, January 18, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Thought Tennessee's arduous redistricting process was over? Not so fast.

Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that Tipton County had been inadvertently omitted in the redistricting measure passed by both chambers last week. The missing county is part of Norris' redrawn Senate district.

89. State Redistricting Wrinkles Save Kyle's Seat But Continue Debate - Monday, January 16, 2012

There was one very important change to the new district lines for the Tennessee State Senate as the week ended in Nashville with the legislature taking final action on the once a decade redistricting process.

90. Cohen Concerned Over Redistricting - Tuesday, January 10, 2012

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, got a closer look over the weekend at the proposed set of new district lines for his congressional district.

91. Cohen Expresses Concern Over Redistricting - Monday, January 09, 2012

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, got a closer look over the weekend at the proposed set of new district lines for his congressional district.

92. D Weber Cleared to Play From Concussion - Friday, January 06, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Nashville captain Shea Weber has been cleared to play in his return from a concussion that kept him out of four games, and he is expected to play Thursday night against Dallas.

93. Memphis Democrats Squeezed in State Redistricting Plan - Thursday, January 05, 2012

Tennessee Senate Democratic leader Jim Kyle of Memphis and Republican state Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown are in the same Senate district under a redistricting proposal unveiled by Republican legislative leaders Wednesday, Jan. 4, in Nashville.

94. Memphis Democrats Squeezed in State Redistricting Plan - Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Tennessee Senate Democratic leader Jim Kyle of Memphis and Republican state Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown are in the same Senate district under a redistricting proposal unveiled by Republican legislative leaders Wednesday, Jan. 4, in Nashville.

95. ‘Gifts’ Worth Exchanging - Friday, December 16, 2011

AW, YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE. REALLY. Last week, I suggested we all look around for very merry Memphis things to give family and friends this year. I would be remiss if I didn’t also recognize a few of those folks who’ve been giving it to us, good and proper, all year long.

96. School Building Sale Still Unresolved - Thursday, December 15, 2011

The countywide school board member who thought about having a set of rules in place to specifically set the terms of selling or transferring school buildings to a separate suburban school district called off the move this week.

97. WKNO's 'Newsmakers' Series to Feature Sen. Mark Norris - Monday, December 12, 2011

WKNO-TV will premiere a new edition of “Newsmakers,” featuring a conversation with state Sen. Mark Norris, on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 10.

It will repeat at 11 p.m. on WKNO2, available over the air on Channel 10.2 and on Comcast digital cable channel 910.

98. Gov Consolidation Suit Slow In Federal Court - Friday, September 23, 2011

As the issue of schools consolidation moves toward the mechanics of a merger, a federal court case over Memphis and Shelby County government consolidation has been moving slowly.

The lawsuit, which eight citizens filed last October against the state of Tennessee and the Shelby County Election Commission, challenges the state law that requires any consolidation plan to win dual majorities in separate referenda in the city and in the county outside the city.

99. First Schools Meeting Addresses Blueprint - Friday, September 23, 2011

The two groups that will do much of the political and organizational heavy lifting in the consolidation of Shelby County’s two public school systems first will do a lot of listening in the weeks to come.

100. Commissioners Hear School Board Applicants - Friday, September 09, 2011

The Shelby County Commission’s 10-hour interview session this week with several dozen applicants for appointment to seven positions on the new countywide school board was, at times, more of an education for them than it was an introduction of them to the commission.