Former Tennessee Gov. and Nashville mayor Phil Bredesen formally entered the 2018 race for the U.S. Senate Thursday via a YouTube video. AP on Bredesen’s entry and his background. Republican partisans are already assuming Bredesen is the Democratic nominee and Democratic partisans are already assuming U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn is the Republican nominee. And the expectation of such a match up automatically went on the list of midterm races that those on both sides and pundits inbetween will be watching to get a read on national trends.

2. Game of Thrones? UT’s Cast Not That Smart - Friday, December 8, 2017

When he was president of the University of Tennessee in 1959-70, Andy Holt often referred to the Vols athletics program, and particularly its football program, as “the front porch of the university.”

3. Fired Coach Helped Rescue UT Program That Had Hit Bottom - Monday, November 20, 2017

After the fact, Butch Jones’ shortcomings are there for all to see.

He could recruit talented players but he couldn’t develop them. His hiring of assistant coaches was haphazard. He choked in late-game situations. He blurted out half-baked comments at press conferences. His interpersonal relationships were strained. He talked tough but had a thin skin.

4. Last Word: Alexander on Trump, Gibson Sells and Chandler Home Sales Numbers - Friday, October 20, 2017

If you tuned out at half-time in Houston Thursday evening, you may need to examine your committment and give me five sets of wind sprints from East Parkway to the fountain at the other end of Tiger Lane. And no drinking the blue water.

5. Jones’ Blind Spot: Even 5-Stars Need Coaching - Friday, October 20, 2017

When he was hired as Tennessee’s football coach in December 2012, Butch Jones used the term “infallible” to describe the system he was bringing to Knoxville.

Even if we give Jones the benefit of the doubt on the system he has attempted to install at UT, it’s clear that the head coach is far from infallible. A 3-3 record in Year 5 – with all three losses to SEC East competition, no less – is reflective of a coach who isn’t getting the job done.

6. Last Word: The Chamber on Forrest, Different Amazon News & More 2018 Dominoes - Friday, October 6, 2017

The Greater Memphis Chamber rolls out its part of the push by the city administration to get a state waiver for the removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest statue. Next week is the meeting of the Tennessee Historical Commission with Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland showing up to make his pitch. That is even though the chairman of the body has told him the commission will not take up a waiver at the meeting.

7. Hiring Larry Scott As Offensive Coordinator Big Mistake For Jones - Friday, October 6, 2017

If/when Butch Jones is fired at Tennessee, a number of reasons will be cited. Among them:

• A 41-0 no-show at home against Georgia

• A combined 3-11 record against rivals Alabama, Florida and Georgia

8. Last Word: Haslam Talks, Harding Consolidates and Lenoir Launches - Friday, September 29, 2017

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam had a bit more to say Thursday about a possible run for the U.S. Senate seat Bob Corker is leaving than the “I love my job” quote we chronicled earlier in the week that Corker quickened the pace of with his decision on re-election. Haslam says he is giving a run for the Senate serious consideration. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning is not.

9. New AD Fixing Hart’s Errors – Is Jones Next? - Friday, September 29, 2017

What does John Currie’s decision to reinstitute the name “Lady Vols” for all women’s sports at the University of Tennessee have to do with Butch Jones?

10. Last Word: GPAC's Grove, Fairgrounds Tea Leaves and Grizz Money Matters - Friday, September 22, 2017

The Germantown Performing Arts Center has plans for an open-air performance center to be called “The Grove at GPAC” – the latest consideration in what is becoming a vibrant discussion about the capacity for concerts within Shelby County. And it is also a discussion about concert venues that can do other things like festival and movies.

11. Vandy-Bama Finds Relevance Under Mason - Friday, September 22, 2017

Who would’ve thought the center of the Southeastern Conference football universe would be Nashville in late September?

Sure, it’s always a big deal when Alabama comes to town – any town. The Crimson Tide is, as usual, ranked No. 1. Nick Saban has created yet another monster.

12. Last Word: Juvenile Court Return, Berlin Boyd's Week and Tony Allen Thoughts - Friday, September 15, 2017

Two weeks ago Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael was on Behind The Headlines in a half-hour conversation about the court and federal oversight that drew quite a bit of reaction to Michael’s strong opinions about the need to end that oversight. Even before that reaction we had planned to do a second part of the conversation with those who favor continued federal oversight of the court.

13. Guarantano Must Prove His Worth on the Field - Friday, September 15, 2017

Two games into the season, Quinten Dormady has established himself as Tennessee’s quarterback.

For now.

As we have learned in four previous seasons with Butch Jones as coach, everything is subject to change. Both at UT and in previous coaching stops at Central Michigan and Cincinnati, Jones has not been afraid to change quarterbacks when the mood strikes.

14. Last Word: The Amazon Competition, Millington Shelters and Grizz Ownership Drama - Friday, September 8, 2017

With a social media post Thursday morning, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said the city is ready to compete in a very public competition for the $5-billion second North American headquarters Amazon.com announced earlier Thursday. Some context here. The $5 billion investment by Amazon in what it calls HQ2 compares to the $9 billion St. Jude is investing in its expansion including about $1 billion in capital costs and the rest research, technology and other development costs included in what is more than a physical expansion.

15. Intriguing Story Playing Out Off The Football Field - Friday, September 8, 2017

Anybody got an extra billion dollars lying around? If so, you can own one-third share of an NFL franchise plus a handful of other assorted business ventures.

That’s the situation involving the Tennessee Titans as they head into what could be a very eventful season. Susie Adams Smith, one of three children of the late franchise founder Bud Adams, is attempting to divest herself of one-third interest in KSA Industries, the business conglomerate built by her father.

16. Last Word: Football In The Rain, Shakespeare in Cordova and The Grizz Roster - Friday, September 1, 2017

There are moments in the history of sports amateur and professional that involve turn outs like the one Thursday at the Liberty Bowl for the Tigers football season opener. There were the people who ran the St. Jude marathon in the ice several years back even after the race was cancelled. Going back to the 1980s, there were those who came out in below freezing temps for Alabama Coach Bear Bryant’s last game that came at the annual Liberty Bowl.

17. Vols at Their Best When Expectations Are Low - Friday, September 1, 2017

Based on preseason predictions, the SEC East is pretty much a toss-up between Georgia and Florida.

My question: Why not Tennessee?

Granted, the Vols must identify a quarterback. And establish a featured running back. And find more than one playmaker at wide receiver. And fix a defense that was embarrassingly porous late last season.

18. Season 3: Time for QB Mariota To Become a Star - Friday, August 25, 2017

If Year 1 was a good start and Year 2 was another step in the right direction, what should we expect of Marcus Mariota in Year 3?

How about a playoff berth for the team he quarterbacks.

Granted, there are many other factors in play that will determine the success, failure or return to mediocrity of the Titans in 2017. Has the defensive backfield been successfully retooled? Can the offensive line remain one of the best in the NFL? Will the additions at wide receiver pay the expected dividends?

19. Last Word: Ouster History, Lake District in Foreclosure and Crosstown - Friday, August 18, 2017

Five of the seven flags that fly on the southern tip of Mud Island River Park are folded and stored as of Thursday. The Riverfront Development Corporation took down the five flags that have flown over the turf we now call Memphis – before and since it became a city – including a version of the Confederate flag – leaving only the U.S. flag and the Tennessee flag. This was a reaction to the week-long and counting aftermath from the violence in Charlottesville.

20. Freshman Impact: Vols’ Best Rookie RBs - Friday, August 18, 2017

Butch Jones let us in on a little secret recently when he said his freshman running backs will play for Tennessee this season.

That’s plural – running backs.

Jones’ plan is to use all three freshman backs – Ty Chandler, Tim Jordan and Trey Coleman – in some sort of rotation behind junior John Kelly. Given the nature of the game, putting the football in the hands of freshmen is risky business. But Jones is taking the plunge.

21. Last Word: Collierville's New School, New Cops and Z-Bo's Bust - Friday, August 11, 2017

Collierville Schools superintendent John Aitken knew the crowd at the Collierville Chamber of Commerce Wednesday wanted to see how the city’s new $90 million high school was coming along a year before its scheduled opening. And he brought plenty of aerials to show the progress. But Aitken also came to talk about what is to happen in the new Collierville High School once the construction is done.

22. Down on the Corner: Titans Fix Old Problem - Friday, August 11, 2017

The Titans have been searching for years for an answer at cornerback. They think they found two answers during the offseason.

Through free agency and the draft, second-year general manager Jon Robinson orchestrated a total makeover of the crucial position, adding veteran Logan Ryan and rookie Adoree’ Jackson to a defense that has been easy pickings for a well-thrown football.

23. Last Word: Primary Care, Weirich On Twitter and Tigers Offense - Friday, August 4, 2017

Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich has been responding by Twitter for the last two days to the New York Times Magazine article about the Noura Jackson case that went up online earlier this week. Using the hashtag “ProCrimeNYTimes,” Weirich @ShelbyCountyDA -- tweeted Wednesday that the long read is “a blatant effort to create sympathy for the defendant while demonizing prosecutors.”

24. 2 Quarterbacks Are Seldom Better Than 1 - Friday, August 4, 2017

The old adage holds that if you have two quarterbacks you really have none. Are you listening, Butch Jones?

Jones continues to send signals that Tennessee may proceed with a plan to use both junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano in the opener against Georgia Tech. If the two-quarterback system is successful, the Vols could continue to play both in subsequent games.

25. Last Word: More Intermodals, 20 Years After the Oilers In Memphis and New Path - Friday, July 28, 2017

The "skinny" repeal of Obamacare comes up short in the U.S. Senate in an after midnight Friday vote in D.C. And it appears U.S. Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee voted for the repeal measure that came up short. Here are the basics early Friday morning from The New York Times.

26. Remember Memphis? Titans Would Rather Not - Friday, July 28, 2017

Time flies, doesn’t it? A lot can happen in 20 years. Think about it: In 1997, Bill Clinton was sworn in for his second term as president. Princess Di was killed in a car crash. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 8,000 for the first time. And the Tennessee Oilers played their home games in Memphis.

27. Last Word: Freeze Warning, Corker on Obamacare Repeal and The Disney Example - Friday, July 21, 2017

What do you call it when you expect a lot of trouble coming from a specific direction – with a detailed roadmap -- and a completely different controversy comes in from a different direction, hits and leaves a crater. Whatever you call it, that is what happened to Ole Miss football coach Hugh Freeze Thursday evening. Or did it?

28. SEC Hot Seat Index: From Saban to Sumlin - Friday, July 21, 2017

When it comes to Southeastern Conference football coaches, there are three kinds of seats – hot, hotter and hottest.

There is, of course, one exception. You guessed it.

Nick Saban. To quote the late ESPN anchor Stuart Scott, Saban’s seat is as cool as the other side of your pillow.

29. Last Word: Fifth Wave, Hidden Gem in OB and the Freeze Filibuster - Friday, July 14, 2017

There is one less contender in the crowded field of potential and declared candidates for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2018. State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville was nominated for federal court judge Thursday by President Donald Trump who also nominated Memphis attorney and former federal prosecutor Tommy Parker to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee as well. Both are part of what The White House described as a “fifth wave” of judicial nominees.

30. Jones Has Definitely Proven He Can Recruit - Friday, July 14, 2017

When in doubt, do what you do best – recruit. That seems to be the approach of Tennessee Vols coach Butch Jones. While many UT fans, and some in the media, are portraying this as a make-or-break season, Jones is planning for his future by stockpiling commitments for 2018 and beyond.

31. Last Word: Vince Carter Leaves, Fairgrounds and Pulling the Plug on Green Tech - Friday, July 7, 2017

Vince Carter joins Zach Randolph with the Sacramento Kings next NBA season with an $8 million one-year pact for Carter. Still no word on Tony Allen’s free agency status as we put this up. The Grizz plan to retire Randolph’s jersey.

32. Titans Will Have Best Roster in More Than a Decade - Friday, July 7, 2017

The folks at Pro Football Focus recently ranked the Tennessee Titans’ roster No. 3. Not third in the AFC South. Third in the entire NFL. This means one of two things: Either Pro Football Focus has gotten hold of some bad videotape or the Titans finally have some really good players.

33. Last Word: No Deal, Ivan Rabb and Intermodals in Overton Park - Friday, June 30, 2017

And the winner is … not Fred’s. After months of speculation about the Memphis-based discount retail store’s transformation into a pharmacy-based enterprise with the purchase of hundreds of Rite Aid stores in a third-party divestment move, Fred’s was nowhere to be found when Walgreens announced a deal Thursday to buy the Rite Aid stores. The corporation told investors it will still pursue its strategy but acknowledged its trajectory is “stunted” – that as Fred’s got hammered on Wall Street.

34. Paying Fulmer $100K A Deal for UT Athletics - Friday, June 30, 2017

What does Phillip Fulmer’s hiring as special adviser to University of Tennessee president Joe DiPietro have to do with Vols football coach Butch Jones?

35. Last Word: Health Care Plan React, Treasury Footprint and Tom Bowen - Take Two - Friday, June 23, 2017

It’s like they aren’t even looking at the same legislation. That’s one explanation of the very different reviews the Senate health care bill got Thursday as it was unveiled in Washington. Illustrating the contrast, the reactions of Republican U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis.

36. Stanley Cup Run Makes State Sports History List - Friday, June 23, 2017

Time and again during the recent Stanley Cup Final, people asked the rhetorical question: Is this the greatest moment in Nashville sports history?

Let the debate continue. But let’s take it a step further: Was this the greatest moment in the state’s sports history?

37. Last Word: Bar-Kays & ConFunkShun, Suburban Politics and Tom Bowen's 5 Years - Friday, June 16, 2017

The Bar-Kays and ConFunkShun -- there’s a double shot of the deepest funk from the 1970s and 1980s. And they are together again Friday at the Cannon Center for the Juneteenth Urban Music Festival. It is also Larry Dodson’s last hometown show fronting The Bar-Kays.

38. SEC Baseball Vanderbilt’s Toughest Year Comes Up Short - Friday, June 16, 2017

When the Vanderbilt baseball team finished its season one step short of its goal – the College World Series – there was a sense of profound disappointment for the Commodores.

That’s to be expected.

39. Last Word: The Mackin Letter, A County Property Tax Cut and UrbanArts Responds - Friday, June 9, 2017

The Overton Gateway multi-family development on the eastern side of Overton Park looks to be the next development controversy heading for City Hall. The Land Use Control Board voted down the amended MRG plans Thursday that have drawn neighborhood opposition in both versions. The LUCB rejection doesn’t stop the project. It goes to the Memphis City Council at a date to be determined with a negative recommendation that certainly doesn’t do the project any favors.

40. East is West but SEC Knows What’s Best - Friday, June 9, 2017

East is East and West is West – except where the Southeastern Conference is concerned.

The SEC politburo again has scoffed at the idea of adjusting its football divisions by true geographic standards, leaving Missouri, the third most westerly conference member in terms of longitude, in the Eastern Division.

41. Last Word: Recovery Day 6, Trezevant Allegations Resurface and Memphis Is Hard - Friday, June 2, 2017

There is some debate about how the Memorial Day weekend storm compares to the Ice Storm of 1994 and Hurricane Elvis in 2003. A city public works supervisor who is a veteran of both earlier incidents weighed in this week as Mayor Jim Strickland stopped by Collins Yard to rally the city’s troops in the recovery effort. Rodney Wakefield also had a lot to say about what motivates city workers to tackle this hard work in a sweltering spring and do it as quickly and as safely as possible.

42. Titans Poised to Break Free of Weak AFC South - Friday, June 2, 2017

When Marcus Mariota participated on the first day of the Titans’ recent organized team activities – OTAs for you hardcore NFL fans – it sent two messages to the rest of the AFC South:

43. Last Word: Sessions Notes, Lakeland Elects and Golf Classic Turns 60 - Friday, May 26, 2017

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions doesn’t stick with the script he has when he makes a speech, like the one he gave Thursday at the federal building to a room full of federal prosecutors and local and state law enforcement. Some of that comes from his background as a former U.S. Attorney and Alabama’s Attorney General, not to mention his tenure as a U.S. senator.

44. 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.

45. Last Word: Carousel Preview, New Crime Stats and EDGE Does Multi-Family - Friday, May 19, 2017

The group Friends of the Fairgrounds got together Thursday evening at the Children’s Museum of Memphis and got the first group tour of the Grand Carousel center under construction at CMOM. This is as the museum focuses more on fundraising for the $6 million project that has already raised the money for the restoration of the carousel itself and now sets about the task of paying for the building around it including a banquet hall. Here’s a look from our Facebook page with more to come on CMOM and the Fairgrounds for the Monday edition that will probably go up on line Friday.

46. If Saban’s the Best, Why Aren’t His Protégés? - Friday, May 19, 2017

In a recent article at CBSSports.com, Nick Saban was ranked the top coach in the so-called Power Five conferences.

No surprise there.

With all due respect to what Urban Meyer has accomplished at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and now Ohio State, he’s still playing catch-up to Saban. The same can be said for Dabo Swinney and his recent run at Clemson.

47. Last Word: Weekend Sonic Boom, CLERB's Response and Irvin Salky - Friday, May 12, 2017

Yes, those were the United States Navy Blue Angels buzzing Downtown Thursday afternoon in advance of their appearance at the Memphis Airshow Saturday and Sunday in Millington. That sound you heard after the flyover wasn’t a sonic boom. I don’t think they have those anymore. It was the sound of a really busy weekend following close behind.

48. Time to Turn Down the Flame on Jones’ Hot Seat - Friday, May 12, 2017

When it comes to Butch Jones and the recent NFL Draft, it’s a matter of perspective.

Remember, no Tennessee Vols were drafted in the previous two years, which is a reflection on the recruiting by Jones’ predecessor, Derek Dooley. The fact that Tennessee had six players picked this time around – all in the first four rounds – speaks volumes, to wit:

49. Last Word: RiverPlay, New City Property Tax Rate and House Republican Rift - Friday, May 5, 2017

The Memphis In May International Festival arrives Friday with the Beale Street Music Festival and hopefully with warmer temperatures than the Thursday chill. Meanwhile, RiverPlay, the conversion of Riverside Drive between Jefferson and Court to a pop-up park linking up Memphis and Mississippi River Parks, makes its debut Friday afternoon.

50. Robinson Gives Mariota Weapons for Success - Friday, May 5, 2017

Just when we think we’ve figured out Titans G.M. Jon Robinson, he reinvents himself.

On the first night of the recent NFL Draft, we assumed Robinson would play it safe, trading the No. 5 overall pick to acquire more draft capital.

51. Last Word: End of The Season, Honoring Forrest and MATA's Coming Campaign - Friday, April 28, 2017

It’s over. No Game 7 for the Grizz and the off-season begins. Spurs advance after beating the Grizz at the Forum Thursday 103 – 96. But in the process, the Grizz created a chapter in Memphis basketball lore where it is about more than winning on the court.

52. Hits and Misses in UT’s Quest for JuCo Gold - Friday, April 28, 2017

Things were supposed to be so easy for Jonathan Kongbo. He arrived at the University of Tennessee last year as the No. 1-ranked junior college prospect in the nation. He had the combination of size and speed that everybody wants in a defensive lineman. The sky was the limit.

53. Last Word: The Day After, $21.9M More for SCS and First Tennessee Overdrafts - Friday, April 21, 2017

Take That For Data, Indeed. The Grizz crack the century mark over the Spurs 105-94 in a motivated Game 3 of the playoff series before a loud and proud Forum. Game 4 is Saturday on Beale. Meanwhile, Markel Crawford chooses. He will be leaving the Tigers basketball program for Ole Miss.

54. ‘Good Locker Room’ Doesn’t Happen by Accident - Friday, April 21, 2017

The first time I heard the term “good locker room” in relation to an NFL team, I figured it had something to do with TVs, air conditioning and nearby shower accommodations.

As usual, I was wrong.

55. Last Word: Derailed, The View From Pyramid Harbor and New History - Friday, April 14, 2017

“Do Not Occupy” notices posted Thursday afternoon on most but not all of the newly-opened Railgarten complex on Central Avenue east of Cooper in Midtown. Local code officers acted after questions about whether the owners of the complex had approval for intermodal containers being used as part of the structure. The restaurant part of the structure in what was once an ice house remains open. There was already a lot of grumbling from neighbors about the music volume and late hours as well as parking for the development

56. Vols Defensive Coordinator Shoop Looks to Improve Team’s Defense - Friday, April 14, 2017

The most unexpected development during Tennessee’s 2016 football season wasn’t three straight losses in October or the disappearing act at Vanderbilt.

It was the utter collapse of the Vols’ defense.

57. Last Word: Spring Votes, Those Tax Bills and Tim McCarver on Baseball Changes - Friday, April 7, 2017

Look for more details on the specifics of the “Gateway” project to start to emerge now that a crucial if overlooked piece of the geographic puzzle in the north Downtown area has come into public view. The city’s largest hotel, also the city’s original convention center hotel, is about to change hands and go back to flying the Marriott flag.

58. Tennessee Titans Have Rarely Found Success With Drafted SEC Players - Friday, April 7, 2017

The NFL Draft is fast approaching, which raises an interesting question: Is this the year the Titans finally shop locally and target Southeastern Conference talent?

If history is any indicator, the answer: No.

59. Last Word: A New Chapter, The Kissell Dome and The New Bartlett High School - Friday, March 31, 2017

Booksellers of Laurelwood is set to return in most of the same location with a smaller footprint and new owners. John Vergos of the Rendezvous and a former Memphis City Council member is among the investors bringing back the East Memphis institution that closed in February. No word on whether the new group will keep the name or go with a new name.

60. Can Top Recruiting Class, Loyalty Save Warlick’s Job With Lady Vols? - Friday, March 31, 2017

It looks like Butch Jones isn’t the only University of Tennessee coach on the hot seat. The Lady Vols’ second-round exit from the NCAA Tournament increased the scrutiny and pressure on Holly Warlick. After five seasons and no trips to the Women’s Final Four, the clock is ticking.

61. Last Word: Veep Visit, Women and Baseball and Civil Rights Cold Cases - Friday, March 24, 2017

Game time at FedExForum for the NCAA South semifinals and Vice President Mike Pence is expected to be here to cheer on the Butler Bulldogs. The Butler mascot – a live bulldog – was already in town Thursday making the rounds. I think March Madness requires that all involved up their mascot game if they get this far. So UCLA, we expect to see a live bear roaming Beale Street. You might be able to work a deal with the zoo on this. But if there’s a cost split make sure you nail down those percentages.

62. Another Quarterback Battle Brewing at Tennessee - Friday, March 24, 2017

The time has come to write a new chapter of Tennessee Vols football. Which quarterback is going to write it? With spring practice unfolding, it looks like a two-man race between junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano – not necessarily in that order.

63. Last Word: James Cotton, A Quiet Jackson Day in Memphis and 'A Football School' - Friday, March 17, 2017

When you think of the blues and harmonica – James Cotton probably comes to mind – Sonny Boy Williamson too, who taught Cotton how to play.

64. Football Staff Shakeups Rarely Save Coaching Jobs, History Has Shown - Friday, March 17, 2017

Phillip Fulmer was notorious during his glory years as Tennessee’s football coach for maintaining staff stability.

Some of his assistant coaches were mediocre recruiters. So, what? Fulmer figured he could take up the slack. It was more important to him that the staff have year-to-year continuity.

65. Last Word: Voucher Movement, The Battle of Pontotoc and Ch-Chandler Numbers - Friday, March 10, 2017

Republican state Senator Brian Kelsey of Germantown had a very good week in the state capitol this week. His school voucher bill got unanimous votes in House and Senate committee this week despite a tide of opposition from local elected officials and leaders including fellow legislators in the Shelby County delegation and all seven public school districts in Shelby County including the six suburban school systems.

66. New AD Bad News for Struggling Vol Coaches - Friday, March 10, 2017

The hiring of John Currie as the University of Tennessee’s athletics director conveys a number of messages. One of them: Butch Jones is officially on the clock.

Based on Currie’s history at UT, as well as his eight-year track record as Kansas State’s athletics director, it’s safe to say he isn’t afraid to pull the trigger when it comes to coaches – for better or worse.

67. Last Word: Changes on EP Boulevard, March Madness at Rhodes and Cheffies - Friday, March 3, 2017

I don’t think it worked out this way on purpose – but the $45 million, 200,000 square foot entertainment complex “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” opens the same day that episode two of “Sun Records” airs on CMT.

68. Titans Still Rebuilding After Years of Bad Draft Picks - Friday, March 3, 2017

When wide receiver Kendall Wright was a healthy scratch for the Titans’ final game of the season, it further underscored why this franchise is still struggling to gain altitude in the NFL.

69. Last Word: 'Sun Records,' Ole Miss's Lack of Control and Haslam in 2018 - Friday, February 24, 2017

I am not going to be one of those people who at this late date in the history of television dramas based on real people points out every departure from reality. The first episode of the CMT television series “Sun Records” Thursday was a scene-setter and introduction of sorts to an ensemble cast with plenty of opportunities to name that place in Memphis. That usually means a pretty complex story line to come and there are more than enough memorable characters in the story of Sun.

70. Dobbs Makes His Stand to Join NFL Roster - Friday, February 24, 2017

Josh Dobbs has spent the last four years preparing for a future in aerospace engineering. For now, though, that career is still on the runway. First, he’s hoping to take flight in the NFL. After establishing himself as one of the most productive quarterbacks in University of Tennessee history, Dobbs isn’t ready to give up on football. It remains to be seen if football is ready to give up on him.

71. Last Word: Wessman Trouble, Selling 495 Union and An Underground Film Icon - Friday, February 17, 2017

When Wessman Development came to town last year with the idea of a boutique hotel, the Palm Springs, California company was part of the flood of smaller hotel projects Memphis was seeing and is still seeing. Then the company added another hotel and just this month the redevelopment of a building on Madison west of Second Street as apartments with retail on the ground floor. In a very short period of time, Wessman has had a lot of plans for Memphis.

72. Free Agent Frenzy? That’s Not Robinson’s Style - Friday, February 17, 2017

Upon his arrival as the Tennessee Titans’ general manager in January 2016, Jon Robinson made an immediate impact with the trade for DeMarco Murray and his wheeling/dealing approach to the draft.

73. Last Word: Little Chairs in Longview, Police Pay Raise and Tiger Football Schedule - Friday, February 10, 2017

The toys are in their cubbyholes. No stray Legos yet. The little chairs tucked neatly under little tables. The tall trees with their bare branches are much in need of little eyes inspecting their twisted branches and the shadows they make on the winter ground.

74. Scott the Recruiter Must Now Be Scott the Offensive Coordinator - Friday, February 10, 2017

When it comes to offense, Butch Jones thinks he knows what’s best for the Tennessee Vols.

And he’s willing to bet his job on it.

By elevating Larry Scott from tight ends coach/special teams coordinator to offensive coordinator, Jones is staying the course. And it’s his own course.

75. Last Word: De-Annexation Theories, Clash on School Vouchers and Garth & Trisha - Friday, February 3, 2017

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and his administration come up with some surprises in de-annexation recommendations to the city task force on the issue. The three most recently annexed areas of Memphis were considered likely to be in the recommendations. Although the indication last year was that this would take a lot of discussion before someone actually wrote that on a Power Point presentation at City Hall. Not only did Strickland do that – he also included four other areas.

76. Hart’s Tenure as AD Has Been Mostly Good for Vols - Friday, February 3, 2017

While we wait – and wait and wait and wait – for the University of Tennessee to hire its next athletics director, let’s ponder the man who soon will walk out the door.

Dave Hart is leaving the UT athletics department better than he found it. He got things back on solid financial footing. He brought a measure of stability.

77. Last Word: The Business of Local Sports, Garrison Leaves MATA and Broadband - Friday, January 27, 2017

Marc Gasol makes the NBA’s Western Conference All Star team as a reserve, the first player in the history of the Grizz to make the All-Star Game three times.

Grizz business operations president Jason Wexler asked about Memphis hosting an NBA All-Star Game one of these days at The Daily News Sports Seminar Thursday at the Brooks. Wexler saying the city doesn’t have enough hotel rooms – the same barrier to drawing bigger conventions and meetings to the city.

78. Slow Pace of AD Hire Typical of How UT Works - Friday, January 27, 2017

About the University of Tennessee’s athletics director search: What’s your hurry? It only took a little over five months after Dave Hart’s retirement announcement to start the process of hiring a search firm and finalizing a committee that will oversee the selection process. The last thing you want to do is rush things, right?

79. Last Word: The Return of First United Methodist, T-STEM at East and Road List - Friday, January 20, 2017

For more than a decade, the skeleton of First United Methodist Church’s return on the northeast corner of Second Street and Poplar Avenue has been standing. It went up shortly after the last of the original church’s façade crumbled, dashing hopes that some of the blue-gray stones of the original church might survive following a disastrous 2006 fire. And now there are signs the church is about to return.

80. Saban Dominance Bad for SEC? Not Buying It - Friday, January 20, 2017

I keep reading that Nick Saban is ruining SEC football because his Alabama program is so dominant.

And I just don’t get it.

The misguided Saban-as-Satan logic goes this way:

81. Last Word: Humes Next, Top ZIPs in Residential and Payback in the Legislature - Friday, January 13, 2017

Add Dave & Buster’s to the list of "it" retail hot spots. The restaurant-arcade has inked a lease in Cordova by Wolfchase Galeria with plans to open later this year, probably fourth quarter.

82. Robinson’s Success Warrants Any Title He Wants - Friday, January 13, 2017

In the immediate aftermath of the Tennessee Titans’ turnaround season, Jon Robinson’s title was expanded to executive vice president and general manager.

83. Last Word: Booksellers Options, New Parking Spaces and The Memphis Open - Friday, January 6, 2017

Somewhere in the back of our minds, I think most of us knew there were probably some circumstances under which Booksellers at Laurelwood might remain open. And as it turns out there are some terms the owner is talking about just past the post-New Year’s shock of work that the store will close in February.

84. Jones Picks Bad Time to Lead UT Football Program - Friday, January 6, 2017

There was a time in University of Tennessee football history when a nine-win season and a victory over Nebraska in a bowl would guarantee a coach something just this side of a lifetime contract.

But not right now.

85. Last Word: The Bridge Revisited, The Election Year and Lamar Remains Lamar - Friday, December 30, 2016

One of the biggest stories of 2016 wasn’t planned and the spontaneous nature of the July 10 demonstration that closed the Hernando DeSoto Bridge made it a very unusual story. It was spontaneous and it tapped long held feelings and frustrations. For that reason and others, it is its own story in our continuing review of the year’s biggest stories in Memphis.

86. Strunk has Provided Long-Missing Ownership Stability - Friday, December 30, 2016

Since becoming controlling owner of the Titans in March 2015, it has become customary for Amy Adams Strunk to spend a half-hour or so on the sideline visiting with coaches and players prior to games.

87. Last Word: Pro-Memphis On Different Terms, Trump's Pledge and Phil Gagliano - Friday, December 23, 2016

Be honest. How many of you are even at work Friday? And if you are, how many of you know there are cookies or egg nog in the break room? "He sees you when you are sleeping. He knows when you're awake."

88. Dobbs’ Change of Heart a Great Gift to Vol Fans - Friday, December 23, 2016

In the spirit of the holiday season, Joshua Dobbs is the gift that keeps on giving. Despite all the disappointments of 2016 for Tennessee football, it would be a mistake not to appreciate Dobbs for what he is: a scholar, an athlete, a leader, a role model and a winner.

89. Last Word: Epping Way, Conley's Return and 'Ascend' - Friday, December 16, 2016

What is the encore after a year that has included the opening of Big River Crossing, the eastward expansion of the Shelby Farms Greenline across Germantown Parkway to the old town part of Cordova and the opening of Shelby Farms Park’s Heart of the Park renovation? Two words: Epping Way.

90. Time to Expand College Football Playoffs to 8 Teams - Friday, December 16, 2016

When it comes to college football, I tend to be a traditionalist. That doesn’t mean I yearn for the days of leather helmets and quick kicks. I try to adjust to the times. But I must admit it’s hard to swallow a 76-61 final score, as was the case in the Pittsburgh-Syracuse game this season.

91. Last Word: St. Jude Dollar Amounts, Fred's On The Move and The Treble Clef - Friday, December 9, 2016

Grizz over the Trailblazers 88 – 86 Thursday evening at the Forum. At the end of the first half, Grizz coach David Fizdale had to be restrained by players on the way off the court after a technical was called on him. And welcome to Memphis, Toney Douglas. We love what you are doing with the fourth quarter.

92. I Was Wrong. Mularkey is the Right Coach for Titans - Friday, December 9, 2016

In light of the Tennessee Titans’ 6-6 record and continuing relevance in the NFL playoff picture, I offer those three little words that are so hard to say:

“I was wrong.”

And here’s three more:

93. Last Word: Fire Recovery, Justice Department Work Begins and Rocky Top Angst - Friday, December 2, 2016

The death toll in the East Tennessee wildfires goes to 10 Thursday as the recovery effort moves beyond a search for those missing. The count of buildings burned in Sevier County is estimated at more than 700 – 300 just in Gatlinburg. And 47 people are injured by the latest count. The count of those who died in the fires includes confirmation that Jon and Janet Summer of Memphis are among the dead recovered so far.

94. Something Missing in Jones’ ‘Infallible’ System - Friday, December 2, 2016

By now, Tennessee fans have taken enough deep breaths to come to grips with losing to Vanderbilt. They don’t like it, mind you, but they’ve accepted it. As for Butch Jones, what now?

I’ll leave it to others to gauge the heat of Jones’ seat as we weave through the postseason and into next year. Suffice it to say, the honeymoon is over.

95. Last Word: Pinch Plans, Fusion On Wheels and The Grizz Main Two - Thursday, November 24, 2016

If surface parking lots had a capitol in Memphis, it would probably be the Pinch. That’s why the general ideas and plans the city is currently exploring for the nine-blocks of the Pinch between the Pyramid and St. Jude can be a bit disorienting.

96. OK Vols Fans, Do You Really Want Alabama Again? - Friday, November 18, 2016

Be honest, Vols fans: Do you really want a rematch with Alabama in the SEC Championship game?

It’s a fair question given the current events in this strange college football season. Tennessee will be favored in its final two games, while SEC East leader Florida faces a significant challenge at LSU on Saturday.

97. Last Word: The Long Count, Bigger Than Boutiques and God's View of the NBA - Friday, November 11, 2016

It's Veterans Day with the annual Downtown parade starting at 10 a.m. Friday and a wreath-laying ceremony an hour later at the Doughboy Statue in Overton Park.

The long local vote count since Tuesday is still underway as Thursday becomes Friday. It should wrap up Friday with the provisional ballot count completed.

98. Six-Point Plan to Help Vols Coach Stick Around Longer - Friday, November 11, 2016

On that day in December 2012 when Butch Jones was introduced as Tennessee’s head football coach, he told Vol Nation that he had a template for fixing everything.

He said: “The plan is infallible if the players buy in.”

99. Last Word: An Early Voting Challenge, Raleigh Settlement and Rocky Top Tumult - Friday, November 4, 2016

Early voting in Shelby County ended with some lines Thursday at several of the 21 sites. We should have the final turnout numbers Friday morning and you can get the totals first @tdnpols, www.twitter.com/tdnpols.

100. Titans? Win the AFC South? Sure, It’s Possible - Friday, November 4, 2016

In a remarkable change of course over recent seasons, the Tennessee Titans entered the month of November still relevant in the AFC South race.

And you know what? I believe the Titans are going to remain relevant – and then some. I can make the case that this team, currently 4-4, is going to win the division and make the playoffs for the first time in eight years.