Wait till next year. Again. Hope for better. It’s going to be a long offseason for Tennessee basketball.

The Vols were seeded No. 3 in the NCAA Tournament’s South Region and were upset by No. 11 seed Loyola-Chicago, 63-62, in the second round in Dallas.

2. Despite Massive Turnover, GOP Owns Legislature - Thursday, November 16, 2017

2018 will be a year of change for the Tennessee General Assembly, and 2019 will bring even more, especially in leadership – much depending on the popularity of President Donald Trump.

Not only is the Legislature moving to the Cordell Hull Building, vacating the Legislative Plaza after 45 years or so, a number of legislative faces are changing, too, even before next year’s election.

3. Redshirt Season Helps Johnson Improve Game - Friday, June 30, 2017

Jalen Johnson’s first season on Tennessee’s basketball team didn’t go as planned. Now, he’s better for it.

The 6-foot-5 wing from Durham, North Carolina, arrived on campus last fall barely 170 pounds and competing for minutes with the likes of Robert Hubbs III, who led the Vols in scoring (13.7) and minutes (31.6) as a senior last season.

4. Wide Receiver U? That’s So 20 Years Ago - Friday, May 26, 2017

At the 2015 SEC Media Days, Tennessee coach Butch Jones referred to his school as “the original Wide Receiver U.”

The reference goes back to the days when the Vols were loaded with fast, talented pass receivers on the perimeter. In a heady stretch from 1982-91, UT had six wide receivers selected in the first round of the NFL draft – Anthony Hancock, Willie Gault, Clyde Duncan, Tim McGee, Anthony Miller and Alvin Harper.

5. Hamilton Named Development Director At Wolf River Conservancy - Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Kelsey Hamilton has been promoted to director of development at the Wolf River Conservancy. Hamilton joined the conservancy in October 2014 as associate director of development.

In her new role, she works to ensure that fundraising goals are met at the conservancy, an accredited land trust that has protected over 16,000 acres of the Wolf River watershed since its founding in 1985. Specifically, she oversees annual giving, membership, corporate giving and events, and works alongside chief development officer Barbara Kabakoff to assist with the capital campaign for the Wolf River Greenway project.

6. Strickland Calls For Review of City Hall Escort List - Monday, February 20, 2017

Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings is reviewing a list of 81 citizens who cannot come to City Hall without a police escort to wherever they are going in the building after Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland requested the review Saturday, Feb. 18.

7. Strickland Calls For Review of City Hall Escort List - Saturday, February 18, 2017

Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings is reviewing a list of 81 citizens who cannot come to City Hall without a police escort to wherever they are going in the building after Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland requested the review Saturday, Feb. 18.

8. Strickland Calls For Review of City Hall Escort List - Saturday, February 18, 2017

Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings is reviewing a list of 81 citizens who cannot come to City Hall without a police escort to wherever they are going in the building after Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland requested the review Saturday, Feb. 18.

9. Trezevant Manor to Undergo Flurry of Capital Projects - Friday, November 18, 2016

A nearly $40 million bond issuance is fueling a whirlwind of activity for the faith-based nonprofit institution Trezevant Manor, which is using the proceeds for everything from funding capital improvement projects to saving big on refinancing outstanding debt.

10. May 1-7: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, May 2, 2015

2014: Princes William and Harry arrive in Memphis to attend the wedding of Guy Pelli and Lizzy Wilson at the Memphis Hunt & Polo Club. The two princes and the rest of the wedding party have dinner at the Rendezvous as the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder play at FedExForum – game six of seven in the playoff series – on the eve of the Beale Street Music Festival.

11. In Rare Move, Police Confirm ‘Blue Flu’ - Tuesday, July 8, 2014

In the storied history of labor relations between City Hall and the rank and file of the Memphis Police Department, there is a standing rule about work slowdowns, sometimes referred to as “blue flu.”

12. Memphis Bar Judicial Poll Released - Tuesday, July 1, 2014

The Memphis Bar Association poll of attorneys on the judicial races on the Aug. 7 ballot shows 16 percent to as high as 38 percent of the attorneys participating have no opinion in many of the judicial races.

13. House Passes Haslam Free Tuition Plan - Thursday, April 17, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam's signature proposal to create a program that would cover tuition at two-year colleges for any high school graduate is headed to his desk after passing the House on Tuesday.

14. Harris Files Ford Challenge at Deadline - Thursday, April 3, 2014

Memphis City Council member Lee Harris is challenging Democratic state Sen. Ophelia Ford in the August primary for District 29, the Senate seat held by a member of the Ford family since 1975.

15. Former House Speaker Pays $100 To Replace Microphone - Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Former House Speaker Kent Williams said Tuesday he paid $100 to replace a microphone that he tossed aside when his comments were cut off last week.

16. Former Speaker Williams to Retire From Tennessee House - Friday, August 30, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – State Rep. Kent Williams, whose 2009 election as House speaker shocked and infuriated fellow Republicans, announced Thursday he won't seek a fifth term to instead run for Carter County mayor next year.

17. Top Chairwoman Out in Senate Committee Shakeup - Friday, January 11, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey on Thursday replaced the chairwoman of the powerful judiciary committee with a key ally, while some opponents of a proposal to allow wine sales in grocery stores lauded committee assignments in the lower chamber.

18. J.D. Byrider Brings First Franchise To Memphis - Friday, October 26, 2012

The nation’s largest used car franchise company has entered the Memphis market. Carmel, Ind.-based J.D. Byrider has inked 30,900 square feet at 2580 Mount Moriah Road, marking the company’s second Tennessee dealership.

19. Naifeh to Retire After 38 Years in House - Friday, March 9, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Rep. Jimmy Naifeh announced Thursday that he won't seek re-election after 38 years in the House of Representatives, saying it's time to "pass the torch to the next generation of leaders."

20. Tennessee Legislators Make Summer Trip to China - Tuesday, August 30, 2011

NASHVILLE – The organizer of a trip by 15 state legislators to China this summer says he returned with a "verbal commitment" from Chinese officials to match up to $5 million in state money for establishing educational ties between the nation and Tennessee.

21. Former Tenn. Speaker Says Unions Bill Won't Pass - Tuesday, March 8, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Former Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams has predicted that a bill to end collective bargaining for teachers will die in the state House.

22. State Bill That Would Restrict Local Rules Stalling - Thursday, March 3, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – A measure that would require certain city and county rules in Tennessee to comply with those at the state and federal level is stalling in the Legislature.

House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada of Franklin delayed his proposal for two weeks on Wednesday after an amendment failed 7-6 in the Republican-controlled House Commerce Subcommittee.

23. Tarrant Brings Voice Talents to the Airwaves - Friday, January 28, 2011

It’s no secret that Hollywood and New York City are major centers for acting. But that major-market talent also can be found in Memphis.

Voice-over actor and producer Rick Tarrant, the owner of Memphis-based Rick Tarrant Productions, said the region has plenty of its own talent to boast about. That includes his own voice, which has been heard on a range of mediums, including Christian radio stations, commercials and Sirius XM.

24. Harwell Names Fellow Lawmaker McCord as Clerk - Friday, December 10, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) – Republican state Rep. Beth Harwell, the GOP nominee for state House speaker, has named a fellow lawmaker who didn't seek re-election this year as chief parliamentarian of the lower chamber.

25. 'High Regard' - Friday, December 3, 2010

As chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, Beth Harwell targeted Memphis Democratic state Rep. Mike Kernell by recruiting candidates to run against him.

26. Shelby Legislators Prepare Return to Nashville - Thursday, November 11, 2010

Shelby County’s legislative delegation to Nashville remained intact following the Nov. 2 election.

But the group of 22 will return to the capital in Nashville changed by the death this week of veteran Democratic state representative Ulysses Jones Jr. The Shelby County Commission will appoint someone to fill the vacancy.

27. Parties, Strategists Focus Efforts for Nov. 2 Election - Thursday, September 9, 2010

All politics is local goes the saying when political strategists talk about congressional races or those for state legislatures.

But both state parties in Tennessee are lending their efforts and their best strategists to a small group of legislative races with a statewide political impact on the Nov. 2 ballot.

28. Oldham Resignation Leaves Behind Questions for Future Elections - Friday, July 16, 2010

The U.S. Justice Department’s interest in the race for Shelby County sheriff has added an election eve surprise to the contest that could have longer lasting implications.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Bill Oldham, the Republican nominee for sheriff, has resigned from the department’s No. 2 position.

29. Hutto Keeps Valeo, Clients on Track - Friday, July 9, 2010

“I like to tell people that at one time people in our business would build you a great website, take your check, shake your hand and turn you loose,” Hutto said.

No more.

“That just won’t make you successful now,” Hutto added. “The Internet is just too competitive these days.”

30. Budget Impasse May Prolong Legislative Session - Thursday, June 3, 2010

Tennessee legislative leaders said Tuesday that a budget impasse may keep lawmakers in session at least two more weeks.

The House and Senate appeared close to reaching an agreement Tuesday after some lawmakers even met on Memorial Day to try to resolve their differences.

31. House Budget to Tap Reserves an Additional $147M - Wednesday, May 26, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) — House budget writers propose tapping the state's reserves by an additional $147 million, a move that would ensure state employees get a one-time bonus and keep their 401(k) match program, lawmakers said Tuesday.

32. House Speaker Says Agreement Near on Tenn. Budget - Tuesday, May 18, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) — House Speaker Kent Williams said Monday that negotiations with the state Senate could lead to an agreement on Tennessee's annual spending plan by the end of this week.

33. Tenn. House Speaker Collapses at Session - Friday, May 14, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams said his collapse during the session on Thursday was a result of low blood sugar.

34. House Speaker Threatens to Remove Lawmakers - Friday, April 23, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) - Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams threatened to remove at least two lawmakers from the chamber on Thursday if they continued to argue over tax legislation.

35. Cochran Files Papers To Challenge House Speaker - Monday, April 5, 2010

Former state Rep. Jerome Cochran has filed papers to challenge House Speaker Kent Williams in this fall’s election.

36. Tenn. Rep. Donna Rowland Not Seeking Re-Election - Friday, April 2, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The list of Tennessee House members not seeking re-election grew longer on Thursday with Republican Rep. Donna Rowland's announcement she plans to retire after a decade of service.

37. Tenn. House GOP Leader to Retire - Friday, March 26, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee House Majority Leader Jason Mumpower, who lost last year’s election for speaker in a shocking upset, announced Thursday he won’t seek re-election.

The 36-year-old Republican was first elected to the seat representing part of Sullivan County and all of Johnson County in 1996.

38. McCord Announces He Will Retire from Tenn. House - Friday, March 5, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Republican state Rep. Joe McCord of Maryville announced Wednesday he won't seek election to a ninth term representing his East Tennessee House seat.

39. Election Season Influences Legislative Pace - Monday, March 1, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Election season is a driving factor behind a push by lawmakers for an early conclusion of the legislative session. It might also be to blame for keeping the session from immediately kicking into high gear.

40. Bedside Matter - Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A year ago, Kent Williams came to The Regional Medical Center at Memphis. He wasn’t a patient, but some doubted how long his political life would last.

41. Deadline Looms to Apply For Judicial Commission - Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Today is the deadline to apply for a vacancy on the Tennessee Judicial Nominating Commission.

Members of the 17-member commission review and recommend applicants for vacancies on the state appellate and trial courts for the governor’s consideration.

42. Tenn. House Speaker Says No to Tea Party - Friday, February 5, 2010

Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams said he has no role in the Tea Party convention headed to Nashville this weekend and no interest in joining the movement.

43. Judicial Nominating Commission Seeks Leader - Thursday, February 4, 2010

The state commission that recommends finalists for judicial vacancies has a vacancy of its own.

Bill Young of Chattanooga is acting chairman of the Judicial Nominating Commission following the resignation of former JNC Chairman David Bautista of Johnson City.

44. House Ethics Rules Would Exclude Media Reports - Thursday, January 28, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Members of a legislative panel working to set up new House ethics rules agreed Wednesday that they don't want complaints to be filed based on media reports.

The proposed rules that advanced to a full floor vote would require at least one independent source other than "newspaper or other media" reports.

45. Gov. Bredesen Prevails Despite Lame Duck Status - Monday, January 25, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A governor's last year in office is often a time to ride out the string, not to offer ambitious education proposals like the ones overwhelmingly approved by Tennessee lawmakers in a two-week special legislative session.

46. House Speaker May Wait On Bredesen Higher Ed Plan - Friday, January 15, 2010

State House Speaker Kent Williams has said he may want to push Gov. Phil Bredesen’s higher education proposals into the regular session if lawmakers get bogged down with K-12 matters during the special session.

47. Bredesen K-12 Plan Headed to Full Senate - Friday, January 15, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Gov. Phil Bredesen's proposal to require up to half of teacher evaluations and tenure decisions to be based on student achievement data is headed to the full Senate for a vote.

48. Honor Kiffin? Tennessee Lawmakers Shout 'No!' - Thursday, January 14, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee lawmakers are accustomed to passing a resolution honoring the University of Tennessee's football coach after a winning season. Not this year.

Lane Kiffin's sudden departure for Southern California left a bitter taste across the Volunteer State and the state Legislature.

49. Mega Bucks - Monday, December 14, 2009

Ten years ago, Jim Ewing and Jim Bruce wrote a piece for Site Selection, a trade magazine for people in the business of consulting on the best locations to build industrial plants. It was called “The Approaching Industrial Land Shortfall.”

50. Events - Monday, December 14, 2009

InMotion Orthopaedic Research Center and the Memphis Bioworks Business Association will present the Memphis Orthopaedic Research Lecture Series today from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Memphis University School, 6191 Park Ave. The speakers will be Drs. John Coleman and John Williams of Medtronic Inc. For reservations, call 866-1452.

51. House Speaker Says No Consensus on Special Session - Tuesday, November 24, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - House Speaker Kent Williams says there's no consensus among lawmakers about whether to call a special legislative session next month to delay a workers compensation law.

52. Corker to Stay Neutral Over Williams’ GOP Status - Friday, November 13, 2009

Republican U.S. Sen. Bob Corker said he won’t get involved in whether state House Speaker Kent Williams should have his GOP credentials restored.

53. Republicans at Odds Over Right to Life - Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Republican legislators are at odds over whether to criticize the state’s largest anti-abortion organization for supporting a Democrat.

State House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower drafted a letter to Tennessee Right to Life President Brian Harris saying the endorsement of Democrats would harm prospects for anti-abortion legislation.

54. Republican Pat Marsh Shown Into State House - Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Shelbyville businessman Pat Marsh has been sworn in to the state House and assigned to the commerce and transportation committees.

55. Events - Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence will hold a workshop today from 8:30 a.m. to noon at its office, 5100 Poplar Ave., Suite 502. Faye Crossley, director of the Grant Center, will be the facilitator. Cost is $65 for members, $125 for nonmembers and $55 for those in the Program for Nonprofit Excellence. For more information, call 684-6605 or visit www.npexcellence.org.

56. $40M Land Purchase OK’d For Haywood Co. Megasite - Thursday, October 1, 2009

A special subcommittee of the State Building Commission on Tuesday approved the acquisition of six square miles of mostly farmland in Haywood County to make up the West Tennessee Megasite.

The panel unanimously approved the $40 million land deal that previously had been delayed while economic development officials compiled a detailed map outlining the boundaries.

57. Tenn. Legislative Staffers Laud Diversity Training - Thursday, October 1, 2009

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee legislative staffers who attended mandatory diversity training say it was worthwhile and they plan to adhere to what they learned.

State Rep. John Deberry, a Memphis Democrat, held two diversity training sessions this month following the revelation in June that a Tennessee legislative staffer sent a racist e-mail about President Barack Obama from her state computer.

58. Approval Delayed For $40M Megasite In West Tennessee - Friday, September 11, 2009

NASHVILLE (AP) – State officials decided Thursday to delay the acquisition of $40 million worth of land for an industrial megasite in West Tennessee because they want a more detailed account of which specific land would be bought.

59. Rep. Susan Lynn to Run for State Senate - Wednesday, August 19, 2009

MT. JULIET, Tenn. (AP) - Republican Rep. Susan Lynn has announced she will run for the state Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Mae Beavers next year.

Lynn, of Mt. Juliet, will have to give up her state House seat to run for the upper chamber. Beavers is leaving the Legislature to run for Wilson County mayor.

60. Candidates Announced For Judicial Nominating Commission - Monday, August 17, 2009

The recently renamed Judicial Nominating Commission, formerly the Judicial Selection Commission, on Friday released the names of the applicants for the 17-member commission.

Approximately 237 attorneys, judges and citizens from throughout Tennessee applied for the commission, which is charged with creating lists of potential judicial appointees for the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Criminal Court of Appeals.

61. Speaker Asks Lawmakers To Curtail Workdays - Friday, August 7, 2009

Tennessee House leaders say Speaker Kent Williams’ request for lawmakers to minimize their workdays at the state Capitol this summer and fall is fiscally necessary and most of their colleagues agree.

62. Democratic Rep. John Litz to Retire in 2010 - Tuesday, June 23, 2009

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (AP) - Democratic state Rep. John Litz says he will retire from the General Assembly after the next legislative session.

Litz tells the Citizen Tribune newspaper that he had promised to serve no more than eight years when he first ran for the seat representing Hamblen County in 2002.

63. Lawmakers OK $29.6B State Budget - Friday, June 19, 2009

NASHVILLE (AP) – The House and Senate agreed late Wednesday on a $29.6 billion Tennessee spending plan and sent the budget measure for the governor’s consideration.

The House voted 85-12 on the measure, while the Senate agreed 32-1. The budget makes about 10 percent in spending cuts, including layoffs of more than 700 state employees.

64. House Speaker Prepared to Cancel Taiwan Trip - Thursday, June 18, 2009

NASHVILLE (AP) – State House Speaker Kent Williams said Wednesday he’s prepared to cancel his trade mission trip to Taiwan because balancing the state budget is more important.

65. Legislative Leaders Reach Deal on Tenn. Budget - Thursday, June 18, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Lawmakers say they have reached a tentative agreement to resolve major differences over Tennessee's $29.6 billion annual spending plan.

Republican House Speaker Kent Williams of Elizabethton says the agreement covers paying for the entire pre-kindergarten program with general fund money and issuing bonds to construct buildings at state colleges and universities.

66. House Budget Proposal Sent to Full Floor Vote - Wednesday, June 17, 2009

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee’s Republican House speaker is describing a state spending plan headed for a full floor vote as a “compassionate budget” because it doesn’t include some of the deeper cuts proposed in the Senate Republican version.

67. House Hopes to Reach Budget Compromise - Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Democratic and Republican leaders in the state House say they hope to hammer out a budget agreement with the Senate this week and avoid a conference committee.

Tennessee lawmakers are constitutionally required each year to pass a balanced state budget. They have just more than two weeks to get one passed before the next spending year begins on July 1.

68. Bill Would Make Tenn. Ethics Commission Part of Merger - Wednesday, June 3, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Lawmakers have agreed to merge the Tennessee Ethics Commission and Registry of Election Finance into one entity they believe will be more streamlined and economical.

It will be called the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance and will be governed by a board of directors composed of six members of the registry and six members of the commission, which is scheduled to terminate at the end of this month.

69. GOP Candidate Backtracks on House Speaker Status - Thursday, May 28, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A candidate seeking to lead the Tennessee Republican Party now says he was "not clear enough" when he suggested he was open to bringing House Speaker Kent Williams back into the GOP fold, and says he opposes the idea.

70. Speaker’s Credentials an Issue For GOP Candidates - Wednesday, May 27, 2009

NASHVILLE (AP) – Candidates seeking to lead the Tennessee Republican Party say they are more concerned about keeping their history-making majority in the Legislature than whether the House speaker should be allowed to regain his party credentials.

71. Dem Vote Change on Abortion Measure OK'd by Tenn. House - Thursday, May 21, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The state House has agreed to officially change a Democratic lawmaker's vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow more restrictions to be placed on abortions.

72. Speaker Wary of GOP Bid to Resurrect Voting Bills - Tuesday, May 12, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A Republican lawmaker's attempt to resurrect three voting bills is raising concerns about delaying the conclusion of the legislative session.

The bills Rep. Gerald McCormick of Chattanooga wants to bring up would require a photo ID to vote and proof of citizenship to register, and would allow deployed troops to fax or e-mail their absentee ballots.

73. Rival Bills Advancing on Tenn. Judicial Selection - Thursday, April 30, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Supreme Court justices could be challenged in re-election campaigns under a proposal advanced by a Senate panel on Wednesday. But House leaders are voicing support for a rival measure with a more limited scope.

74. House Speaker Breaks Tie on Medical Privacy Bill - Wednesday, April 29, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - House Speaker Kent Williams has stepped in to break a tie on a proposal to give parents full access to their children's medical procedures and tests.

75. Tenn. House Speaker Returns After Father's Death - Wednesday, April 22, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - House Speaker Kent Williams returned to the Legislature Tuesday following the death last week of his 92-year-old father, Roby.

76. Bredesen Denies Political Maneuver on Tax Break - Wednesday, March 25, 2009

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Phil Bredesen insists he isn’t “playing any games” by linking his proposal to close a tax break for family-owned rental properties with keeping more than 300 public safety jobs on the state payroll.

77. Council, Commission Mobilize Against State Wage Bill - Tuesday, March 17, 2009

A bill passed by the Tennessee Senate Thursday and sponsored by a state lawmaker from Germantown would prohibit local governments from requiring private employers to pay their workers a living wage.

78. Tenn. House Speaker Welcomed Back to GOP Caucus - Thursday, March 12, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - House Republicans are welcoming back Speaker Kent Williams as a member of their caucus, marking the latest twist in the fallout from his surprise election to the chamber's top post earlier this year.

79. Republicans Form Rural Caucus in Tenn. Legislature - Friday, March 6, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A new group of Republican lawmakers is being formed to advocate for rural issues in Tennessee.

Rep. Joe McCord, of Maryville, says the Rural Republican Caucus will be open to lawmakers whose home counties have populations of fewer than 125,000 people.

80. Interested Parties Want to Apply Stimulus Paddles to MED - Wednesday, March 4, 2009

A concerned group of men stood outside the closed doors of an intensive care unit in the Regional Medical Center at Memphis last month.

The doctor and the emergency medical technician listened attentively as the restaurant owner from out of town talked deliberately about a course of action. Outside the hallway huddle, others gathered around the three appeared anxious – mindful that time was of the essence.

81. GOP Head: Ideology Not Cause for Williams Ouster - Wednesday, February 25, 2009

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Ideology didn't factor into Tennessee Republican Party Chairwoman Robin Smith's decision to kick House Speaker Kent Williams out of the party, she says.

82. Naifeh Says no Extra Staff With Honorary Title - Friday, February 20, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Former state House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh said his new honorary title does not carry any extra legislative staff privileges.

Naifeh, who was given the title of speaker emeritus in a House vote on Wednesday, said he has retained only his longtime assistant Reta Adams since the election of new Speaker Kent Williams in January.

83. House Speaker Kent Williams Returns to Legislature - Wednesday, February 18, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - State House Speaker Kent Williams has returned to the Legislature after missing part of last week to attend to his hospitalized mother.

84. Conflicting Reasons Given for Lawmaker's Recording - Monday, February 16, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Conflicting accounts are emerging about why state Rep. Jim Cobb placed a recording device under his assistant's desk.

85. Ex-Lawmaker: Make Williams Ouster Vote Public - Friday, February 13, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A former state lawmaker who is a supporter of House Speaker Kent Williams says the state Republican Party should make public the votes in the GOP executive committee's decision to strip Williams of his party affiliation.

86. Prosecutor Won't Pursue 2 GOP Lawmaker Complaints - Friday, February 13, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Nashville prosecutor's office has decided against pursuing complaints against two Republican lawmakers.

87. Illnesses Force Temp. Speaker In Tennessee House - Thursday, February 12, 2009

The absence of the top two leaders in the Tennessee House Wednesday forced the chamber, which has been in turmoil since it convened, to consider the election of a temporary speaker.

House Speaker Kent Williams has returned home to Elizabethton to be with his ailing mother, while Speaker Pro Tempore Lois DeBerry of Memphis has been away since being hospitalized earlier this month with an unspecified illness.

88. Temporary Speaker Elected in Tenn. House - Thursday, February 12, 2009

NASHVILE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee House has unanimously elected Republican Rep. Steve McDaniel to serve as temporary speaker while the chamber's top two leaders are away due to illnesses.

89. Tennessee GOP Ousts House Speaker From Party - Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The first Republican to hold the Tennessee House speaker post in 40 years was kicked out of his party on Monday.

State Republican Party Chairwoman Robin Smith said at a news conference that she will “no longer recognize Rep. Kent Williams as a Republican in good standing in the state of Tennessee.”

90. Tenn. GOP to Announce Decision on Williams Ouster - Friday, February 6, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - State Republican Party Chairwoman Robin Smith plans to announce Monday her decision on whether to oust state House Speaker Kent Williams from the party.

91. DeBerry, Tenn. House Speaker Pro Tem, in Hospital - Wednesday, February 4, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The husband of House Speaker Pro Tem Lois DeBerry says the Memphis Democrat is in stable condition at a Nashville hospital where she is undergoing some tests.

Charles Traughber wouldn't specify the reason for DeBerry's hospitalization, but he told The Associated Press on Tuesday that "she is doing well."

92. Dem Says Williams Foe Offers Deal for Chairmanship - Friday, January 30, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Democratic lawmakers told The Associated Press on Thursday that Republican Rep. Brian Kelsey offered to tamp down attacks against new House Speaker Kent Williams in exchange for a committee chairmanship.

93. Lillard Prepares for Treasurer Post, Would-Be Replacements Line Up - Friday, January 30, 2009

David Lillard attended his last Shelby County Board of Commissioners meeting this week.

The competition to win the appointment to his seat has been under way since earlier this month when Lillard won the balloting in the Tennessee Legislature for state treasurer.

94. Speaker’s Sex Harassment Complaint Hearing Delayed - Thursday, January 29, 2009

NASHVILLE (AP) – The female lawmaker who filed a sexual harassment complaint against new state House Speaker Kent Williams has been hospitalized because of stress, said a colleague who lodged the accusation.

95. House Committees Divided Equally by Party - Monday, January 26, 2009

New state House Speaker Kent Williams last week kept his promise to split up committee assignments equally between the two parties despite turmoil surrounding his election and allegations of sexual harassment against him.

96. Williams Election Completes NE Tenn. Power Shift - Friday, January 23, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Republican takeover of the General Assembly has been accompanied by a geographical power shift that may finally put to rest the old saying that Tennessee ends in Knoxville.

97. New Tenn. House Speaker Denies Harassment Claim - Thursday, January 22, 2009

New Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams issued a statement Tuesday denying that he’s ever sexually harassed anyone after details surfaced regarding a 2007 incident with another Republican lawmaker.

98. Tenn. House Leaders Delay Committee Assignments - Thursday, January 22, 2009

Tennessee House leaders still aren’t ready to release a list of committee assignments in the aftermath of last week’s surprise speaker’s election.

New House Speaker Kent Williams, an Elizabethton Republican, has pledged to split up committee assignments equally between the two parties to best reflect the chamber divided by 50 Republicans and 49 Democrats.

99. Tenn. House Leaders Begin Talks Over Assignments - Wednesday, January 21, 2009

House leaders are meeting to negotiate key committee assignments with new Speaker Kent Williams.

Williams, an Elizabethton Republican, was the surprise winner of the speakership last week when he banded together with all 49 Democrats to beat House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower of Bristol by one vote.

100. Kelsey Calls For Williams’ Resignation - Friday, January 16, 2009

Memphis area lawmaker Brian Kelsey added to the drama in Nashville this week when a surprise Republican choice for state House speaker was elected, apparently with some engineering from Democratic legislators.