I’ve seen school officials have some pretty interesting conversations with parents and students over the last few decades – explaining the school merger comes to mind immediately, of course the demerger too, along with the always charged conversations surrounding busing and even the kidnapping of a child from a school building. But when SCS superintendent Dorsey Hopson met parents and students from Kirby High School Thursday evening in Hickory Hill, it was new ground. The subject was rats – lots of rats.

2. Leadership Holes in State Legislature - Thursday, September 6, 2018

With apologies to Robert Zimmerman, “the times they are a-changing.”

Unlike Bob Dylan’s 1964 song of rebellion, Capitol Hill isn’t turning into a bed of liberals, although someday the first could be last. In fact, it could turn more conservative this fall before things take a different direction. But leadership down the line in both parties is due for a big turnover.

3. White House Faces Brain Drain at Perilous Moment - Monday, September 3, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Increasingly convinced that the West Wing is wholly unprepared to handle the expected assault from Democrats if they win the House in November, President Donald Trump's aides and allies are privately raising alarm as his circle of legal and communications advisers continues to shrink.

4. Memphis Climb - Saturday, August 25, 2018

Recently, cbssports.com put out a map showcasing the best college football programs in every state. The state of Tennessee, which forever would have been colored Big Orange, was instead shaded Memphis Tigers Blue. College football writer Barrett Sallee provided a two-part explanation for how this came to be:

5. Comptroller’s TBI Report Spurs New Legislation - Thursday, August 23, 2018

Legislation to crack down on misuse of state-issued cell phones is being spurred by a state Comptroller’s report showing the former acting director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and his girlfriend downloaded apps enabling them to communicate undetected.

6. Harris Claims County Mayor, Democrats Sweep Other Countywide Offices - Monday, August 6, 2018

State Sen. Lee Harris easily beat County Trustee David Lenoir to become the next Shelby County mayor in the Thursday, Aug. 2, county general election, leading a Democratic resurgence in county politics.

7. Harris Elected County Mayor, Bonner as Sheriff - Friday, August 3, 2018

State Sen. Lee Harris easily beat County Trustee David Lenoir to become the next Shelby County mayor in the Thursday, Aug. 2, county general election, leading a Democratic resurgence in county politics.

8. David Todd moves from The Green Beetle to Become Chef at Interim - Thursday, August 2, 2018

There are big changes in store for Interim, the East Memphis restaurant where the constant has been change in its 12 years. Part-owner and acting executive chef Nick Scott is out and ownership remains with his former partners Tony Westmoreland, along with Brittany and Ed Cabigao, the couple who own SOB and Zaka Bowl.

9. Primaries For Governor Move to Contentious End - Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Randy Boyd has heard the saying about a race for elected office being a marathon and not a sprint. And he agrees. The Republican contender for Tennessee governor is also a marathon runner who has run 36 of the races.

10. Last Word: Early Voting's Strong Finish, School Moves and City Hall Crackdown - Monday, July 30, 2018

Most of the major contenders for Tennessee Governor – Democratic and Republican – were in Shelby County over the weekend in which early voting ended and the campaigns now adjust their last minute efforts to the gap between early voting and election day on Thursday.

11. Last Word: T.O. Jones, One Beale's Launch and De-Annexation in Trouble - Wednesday, July 25, 2018

You might call it the final act of the MLK 50 observances around our city this year. With very little fanfare at the start of Tuesday’s city council session, the council honored T.O. Jones, the leader of the union representing city sanitation workers and the leader of the 1968 strike by those workers. Jones was a pivotal figure in the strike who soon after lost his position with the local union in the internal politics of AFSCME as the local became a powerful political symbol.

12. Shortages of Serviced Lots, Skilled Labor Plague Builders and Developers - Saturday, July 21, 2018

Despite a booming housing market for the past few years, construction on new housing in Memphis still remains low and is considered by some to be the last missing piece of the puzzle.

Two main limiting factors to new home construction in West Tennessee right now, according to Donald Glays, executive director of the West Tennessee Home Builders Association, are a shortage of serviced lots and a shortage of skilled laborers, such as plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, framers, roofers and bricklayers – all trades that are seriously underserved.

13. Supreme Court Could Return Abortion Debate to the States - Friday, July 13, 2018

BOSTON (AP) — Anticipating renewed fights over abortion, some governors and state lawmakers already are searching for ways to enhance or dismantle the right in their constitutions and laws.

14. New Beale Street Hotel, A Vehicle ‘Vending Machine,’ and New Life on Former Buccaneer Site - Monday, July 9, 2018

380 Beale St.
Memphis, TN 38103

Project Cost: $16 million

Application Date: July 10

Owner: Miller Memphis Inc.

Tenant: TCH Memphis LLC

15. The Week Ahead: July 2-8, 2018 - Monday, July 2, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! The Fourth of July hits on Wednesday this year, delivering plenty of fireworks and fun in the middle of the week. Check out our roundup of Independence Day events and more you need to know about in The Week Ahead...

16. Back to the Future - Friday, June 29, 2018

The Memphis Grizzlies’ decision to move on from Zach Randolph and Tony Allen before last season was, if not on time, definitely not made too early. That said, the Grizzlies’ team-defense rating ranked 24th out of 30 teams in a 22-60 season. Of such tepid resistance the slogan Grit & Grind was not made.

17. Triplett Returns to Ensafe as Director of Design Engineering - Wednesday, June 27, 2018

After beginning his career with EnSafe in 1990 and working his way up to project manager and lead engineer over the next 17-plus years, Chris Triplett has rejoined the company as its director of design engineering. He spent the past decade working with Barge Design Solutions, and in his new role Triplett will provide leadership to EnSafe’s corporate engineering design group for design execution and delivery. He will also work closely with clients across EnSafe’s landscape to understand their needs and to provide engineering solutions.

18. Last Word: Kiwanis Debate, Haslam on the Gov. Race and Street Work - Thursday, June 14, 2018

For the last couple of days there has been this brewing story that Kim Kardashian West was on her way to the city to meet with Alice Marie Johnson, the convicted drug dealer sentenced to life in prison who was pardoned by President Donald Trump last week after serving 21 years in federal prison. And that is just what happened Wednesday – almost. The meeting was in Southaven. And, according to People, it included lessons in how to use Snapchat. The meeting included an interview with the Today show that will air Thursday morning.

19. Bartlett High Joins Wave of School Construction - Friday, June 8, 2018

Though summer break has started, some of the school-year buzz remained on the campus of Bartlett High School this week as a group of adults gathered with ceremonial shovels for a groundbreaking.

Student-athletes came and went from other parts of the sprawling 26-acre campus that has been home to Bartlett’s only high school for more than a century.

20. Last Word: The Commutation, Tuition Freeze and Blackburn and Sundquist - Thursday, June 7, 2018

Alice Marie Johnson walked out of a federal prison in Alabama Wednesday after serving 21 years of a life prison sentence for dealing drugs and laundering money as part of a Memphis drug ring with Texas connections in the 1990s. Johnson’s release came the same day that President Donald Trump commuted her life sentence less than a week after he met with reality television personality Kim Kardashian West who appealed for Johnson’s release. Here is the Associated Press story.

21. Garcia Blisters Final Racing Segment to Claim His First Victory - Monday, June 4, 2018

They got heat. They got history. But for most of 3,000 or so fans who made their way to steamy Memphis International Raceway Saturday, they got a welcome dose of NASCAR. And they want more.

As the 95-degree temps faded into twilight, Ruben Garcia Jr. of Mexico went from patience to pounce mode in his Max Spiegel Toyota to capture the Memphis 150 presented by AutoZone.

22. From Distillers to Farmers, Trade War Would Cause Casualties - Monday, June 4, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – If a trade war is coming, the cheesemakers of Wisconsin are standing in the line of fire. So are the farmers of the Great Plains and the distillers of Kentucky. And the employees of iconic American brands like Harley-Davidson and Levi Strauss.

23. First Horizon’s Flippin: $4B Initiative ‘Laser-Focused on Helping People’ - Saturday, June 2, 2018

Since joining First Horizon National Corp. as executive vice president and chief communications officer in January, Candace Steele Flippin has met with community leaders and organizations to identify areas that are prime candidates for the bank’s recently announced Community Benefit Plan. This $4 billion, five-year initiative earmarks funds for small-business loans, home loans, and community development in low- to moderate-income areas within the bank’s footprint.

24. Competition Not ‘Mane’ Idea Behind U of M Equestrian Club Team - Monday, May 28, 2018

It’s heard over and over. Athletes and coaches waxing poetic about their amazing home field advantage. Or home court, ice, track, etc.

Then there are the members of the University of Memphis Equestrian Club team who will tell you they have a Home Sweet Home Barn advantage. One that goes far beyond the show ring.

25. Crosstown Crossroads - Saturday, May 26, 2018

When Octavia Young opened Midtown Crossing Grill in 2014, the area around what would eventually become the Crosstown Concourse was a lot different than it is now.

Though there were some agreements in place at the time, there were no guarantees that the wildly ambitious but risky project would a success, and even if it was, there was no telling how long it would take for that success to spill out into the surrounding neighborhood.

26. Events - Friday, May 25, 2018

Southern College of Optometry, the Memphis Medical District Collaborative and the Memphis Business Group on Health will host a preview screening of “To Err is Human” and panel discussion on reducing medical errors Friday, May 25, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in SCO’s East/West classroom, 1245 Madison Ave. The film, set to be released in November, explores the United States’ third-leading cause of death, medical mistakes. Afterward, representatives from Baptist Memorial Health Care, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Saint Francis Health Care and Regional One Health will discuss preventable medical mistakes and how their systems can work together to reduce errors. Cost is free; registration is required. Visit eventbrite.com for tickets.

27. Events - Thursday, May 24, 2018

Memphis Botanic Garden hosts 30 Thursdays: Taste of the Garden May 24 at 6 p.m. at 750 Cherry Road. Join MBG’s Blair Combest for a tasting of treats that use ingredients from the garden. Bring your favorite beverage to enjoy during the demonstration. Free with garden admission. Visit memphisbotanicgarden.com/30thursdays for details.

28. Penny Mania - Saturday, May 19, 2018

Derek Jett was coming home from a business trip on the West Coast and making a connection at the airport in Dallas. It was football season, and because it was football season (and not basketball season), he was wearing his University of Memphis cap.

29. Last Word: Veto Override Drama, Iran Reaction & Rise of the Rest Meets Soundways - Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Shelby County Commissioners have a busy committee day Wednesday with a budget presentation – county mayor Mark Luttrell’s final one as the county’s chief executive, more discussions about the Graceland plan and a veto override.

30. Lawmakers: Drug Distributors Missed Suspicious Opioid Sales - Wednesday, May 9, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Lawmakers of both parties accused wholesale pharmaceutical distributors on Tuesday of missing signs of suspicious activity that resulted in hundreds of millions of prescription opioid pills being shipped to West Virginia, a state disproportionately ravaged by deaths caused by the addictive drugs.

31. Around Memphis: April 30, 2018 - Monday, April 30, 2018

The Daily News offers a weekly roundup of Memphis-related headlines from around the web, adding context and new perspectives to the original content we produce on a daily basis. Here are some recent stories worth checking out…

32. Schwartz Advocates Holistic Health Through Community - Friday, April 27, 2018

When you think about the person who has the most impact on your overall health, is it your doctor who you occasionally see for a fixed period of time – or is it a close friend, parent or spouse?

33. Trump Hints VA Pick Might Want to Withdraw Nomination - Wednesday, April 25, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that his pick for Veterans Affairs secretary might want to withdraw after the emergence of allegations about inappropriate workplace behavior, including over-prescribing prescription drugs and drinking on the job.

34. Republican Contenders for County Mayor Offer Different Views on Taxes - Wednesday, April 25, 2018

The three Republican primary contenders for Shelby County mayor have spent a lot of their time together talking about taxes this campaign season.

Shelby County commissioner Terry Roland has talked about the last budget season’s two-cent reduction in the county property tax rate after the tax rate was adjusted down to a new certified rate following the 2017 property reappraisal.

35. Police: Waffle House Suspect Was Armed When Arrested - Tuesday, April 24, 2018

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The mentally unstable gunman suspected of opening fire at a Waffle House restaurant in the middle of the night was arrested not far from his apartment Monday after hiding from police for more than a day following the attack that killed four people, authorities said.

36. Republican Contenders for Mayor Say City Paying for Monuments Misstep - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The three Republican contenders for Shelby County Mayor believe the city of Memphis acted improperly in removing Confederate monuments from city parks last year and is, in effect, paying the piper for challenging the Tennessee Legislature.

37. Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation Puts $5 Million in Whitehaven Park Renovation - Wednesday, April 18, 2018

A Whitehaven park is getting a $5 million remake, including a $900,000 endowment fund to keep the new David Carnes Park ready for recreation.

38. Designing the Future - Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Legacy banking institutions like Regions Bank increasingly want their brick-and-mortar locations to look like something other than, well, a bank.

39. 150-Year-Old Marx-Bensdorf Cites Culture as Key to Firm's Longevity - Saturday, April 14, 2018

Memphis real estate firm Marx-Bensdorf Realtors is celebrating a storied 150 years of business this year and looking back at the core values that have contributed to their longevity in an ever-changing industry.

40. Study: South Should Spend on Schools, Train Homegrown Talent - Thursday, April 12, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) – As teachers in multiple states protest for better pay, a new study warns that the fast-growing South region must invest more in public schools and higher education to ensure its homegrown talent shares in its economic prosperity.

41. Three Incumbents Unopposed at August Primary Ballot Deadline - Monday, April 9, 2018

Three incumbent Democratic state House members in the Shelby County delegation to the Tennessee Legislature were effectively re-elected Thursday, April 5, at the noon deadline for candidates in the Aug. 2 state and federal primaries to file their qualifying petitions.

42. Three Incumbents Unopposed at August Primary Ballot Filing Deadline - Friday, April 6, 2018

Three incumbent Democratic state House members in the Shelby County delegation to the Tennessee Legislature were effectively re-elected Thursday, April 5, at the noon deadline for candidates in the Aug. 2 state and federal primaries to file their qualifying petitions.

43. Lenoir: County Tax Decrease Was ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ - Tuesday, April 3, 2018

With the estimate last month of an $18 million to $25 million county budget surplus for the fiscal year that ends June 30, taxes are about to become an even bigger issue in the Republican primary for Shelby County mayor.

44. Historic MLK Speech, Handwritten Notes Unveiled at U of M - Monday, March 26, 2018

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic speech ending with the three words most often associated with him and the civil rights movement – “We Shall Overcome” - are now on display inside the University of Memphis’ Ned R. McWherter Library.

45. 'Enough is Enough': US Students Stage Walkouts Against Guns - Thursday, March 15, 2018

Declaring enough is enough, tens of thousands of young people from Maine to California walked out of school to demand action on gun violence Wednesday in one of the biggest student protests since the Vietnam era.

46. Republican Mayoral Candidates Find Ways to Differentiate - Friday, March 9, 2018

The three contenders in the May Republican primary for Shelby County mayor didn’t disagree on much when they met this week at the Southwind clubhouse. But David Lenoir, Joy Touliatos and Terry Roland did try to distinguish themselves from the other two in a relatively spark-free first encounter as a trio.

47. Last Word: On The EDGE, Tubby Smith and Timing and TVA Keeps Its Wells Off - Thursday, March 8, 2018

Remember when the Memphis City Council and the Shelby County Commission got together a week ago at Beale Street Landing? Here’s a refresher. Among those watching the discussion was Richard Smith, the chairman of the Greater Memphis Chamber, who responded to the criticism of the local approach to economic development this week with an email to members of both bodies that could prompt some changes to the approach and specifically to EDGE.

48. Lawmakers Consider Armed Off-Duty Officers for Schools - Friday, March 2, 2018

Saying “this is Tennessee, not Florida” and school officers here will face trouble head-on, state Rep. Antonio Parkinson is co-sponsoring legislation to arm off-duty police to patrol public schools.

49. White House Downgrades Kushner's Security Clearance - Thursday, March 1, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The security clearance of White House senior adviser and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner has been downgraded, significantly reducing his access to classified information, according to two people informed of the decision.

50. Last Word: Corker & Blackburn, More Frost and Dale Watson's Move to The Haven - Friday, February 23, 2018

It's possible around City Hall these days to get your RFQs mixed up with your RFPs. And there is a difference in requests for qualifications and requests for proposals. Usually RFQs come before RFPs – but there are exceptions – loopholes. The latest RFQ out of City Hall – album title or t-shirt slogan? – is for the adaptive reuse of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

51. Last Word: Plans and More Plans, Badu and Byrne and Gun Bills In Nashville - Thursday, February 22, 2018

Plans, plans, plans. I’ve seen so many overhead views and schematics in the last 24-hours that I had to go for a walk in the rain Wednesday to avoid vertigo. I saw a lot of green Save the Greensward t-shirts Wednesday evening at the Pink Palace that looked like they hadn’t been out of the bottom drawer in a while and even a couple of banners.

52. Stanley Bar-B-Que in Overton Square Closes Doors - Tuesday, February 20, 2018

About a month after saying he hoped to keep his Overton Square barbecue restaurant open even though the business had filed for bankruptcy, Stanley Bar-B-Que co-owner David Walker said the eatery has shut its doors for good.

53. Last Word: Post Parkland, May County Primary Ballot and Friedman on the Mid East - Friday, February 16, 2018

In the wake of the Parkland, Florida school massacre, local school systems here are talking about their preparations for such instances. And for those who don’t have a child in schools currently, it is something of a commentary about the times many of our children live in. The Shelby County Schools statement Thursday includes the following safety measures already in place:

54. Agency-By-Agency Highlights of Trump's 2019 Budget - Tuesday, February 13, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Here are highlights from President Donald Trump's budget for fiscal year 2019...

___

DEFENSE

Trump's budget for 2019 shows the administration's concern about the threat from North Korea and its missile program.

55. Last Word: The Mural Takedown, Corker's Calculation and Beale Crowd Control - Monday, February 12, 2018

Cue the organ music from the old-fashioned television soap operas: As the weekend began, city public works crews had painted over – either completely or partially – a lot of the Paint Memphis program murals on the west side of Willett near Lamar. That would be the ones city council members complained about and others that no one complained about.

56. Cohen, Kustoff Vote for Budget Compromise - Monday, February 12, 2018

The two congressmen who represent Memphis voted for the federal budget compromise that reopened the government Friday, Feb. 9, following a five-hour shutdown after a continuing resolution of 17 days ran out.

57. ATA Expands Memphis Presence With Cannon & Co. Acquisition - Saturday, February 10, 2018

Regional accounting firm Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC kicked off the new year with the acquisition of Memphis-based Cannon & Co., strengthening its footprint in the market with an eye on future growth and expansion.

58. Kustoff Among Lawmakers In Va. Train-Truck Collision - Saturday, February 3, 2018

U.S. Rep. David Kustoff of Germantown was among the members of Congress on a train bound for a Republican conference in West Virginia Wednesday, Jan. 31, when the train collided with a truck in Crozet, Virginia.

59. Digest - Monday, January 29, 2018

Memphis Toys R Us

To Remain Open

A representative with Toys R Us has confirmed to The Daily News that the retailer’s Memphis location, at 7676 Polo Ground Blvd., won’t close after all.

60. Kustoff Among Congressmen in Virginia Train-Truck Collision - Thursday, February 1, 2018

U.S. Rep. David Kustoff of Germantown was among the members of Congress on a train bound for a Republican conference in West Virginia Wednesday, Jan. 31, when the train collided with a truck in Crozet, Virginia.

61. Local Reps in D.C. React to Shutdown Along Party Lines - Saturday, January 20, 2018

Reaction among Tennessee’s two U.S. Senators and the two Congressmen whose districts cover Shelby County to the federal government shutdown that began at midnight Saturday, Jan. 20, Washington D.C. time was divided along party lines.

62. Pruitt’s SEC-Heavy Staff a Recruiting Coup - Friday, January 19, 2018

It was early December, 2012, and Butch Jones stood in front of a podium after being named Tennessee’s 24th football coach.

“I can assure you,” Jones said at his introductory press conference. “We will put together the best football staff in the country. Not just in the Southeastern Conference, but the entire country.”

63. Roland Pulls Petition For Mayor, Running As ‘Uniter’ - Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Shelby County commissioner Terry Roland has been campaigning for Shelby County mayor since last year.

When he pulled his qualifying petition Thursday, Jan. 11, to formally enter the May Republican primary for mayor, Roland did so with a slogan of bringing “positive change to Shelby County.”

64. Tigers Coach Norvell Adjusts Football Staff - Saturday, January 6, 2018

Three new coaches are joining Mike Norvell’s staff at the University of Memphis.

Keith Patterson and TJ Rushing will immediately fill the spots recently vacated by Dan Lanning and Marcus Woodson. In addition, Will Hall will join the coaching staff as associate head coach and tight ends coach when the new NCAA rule allowing a 10th assistant coach goes into effect Jan. 9.

65. Tigers Coach Norvell Adjusts Football Staff - Thursday, January 4, 2018

Three new coaches are joining Mike Norvell’s staff at the University of Memphis.

Keith Patterson and TJ Rushing will immediately fill the spots recently vacated by Dan Lanning and Marcus Woodson. In addition, Will Hall will join the coaching staff as associate head coach and tight ends coach when the new NCAA rule allowing a 10th assistant coach goes into effect Jan. 9.

66. Candidates in August State and Federal Primaries Start Pulling Petitions Friday - Thursday, January 4, 2018

Contenders for the May Shelby County primaries are still coming out of the political woodwork. And starting Friday, Jan. 5, candidates in the August state and federal primaries can begin pulling qualifying petitions for the second of three elections in 2018.

67. So Close ... Tigers Fall 21-20 in AutoZone Liberty Bowl - Monday, January 1, 2018

The last drive and the last hope ended with record-setting Memphis Tigers quarterback Riley Ferguson flinging a fourth-and-10 pass toward wideout Phil Mayhue on the sideline. They didn’t connect.

68. So Close ... Tigers Fall 21-20 in AutoZone Liberty Bowl - Monday, January 1, 2018

The last drive and the last hope ended with record-setting Memphis Tigers quarterback Riley Ferguson flinging a fourth-and-10 pass toward wideout Phil Mayhue on the sideline. They didn’t connect.

On a day when Iowa State tied the AutoZone Liberty Bowl record with six sacks in a 21-20 victory, Ferguson’s final pass came under duress.

69. Final Goodbye: Roll Call of Some Who Died in 2017 - Monday, January 1, 2018

They made music that inspired legions of fans. Rock 'n' roll founding fathers Chuck Berry and Fats Domino, rockers Tom Petty and Gregg Allman, grunge icon Chris Cornell, country superstar Glen Campbell and jazz great Al Jarreau were among the notable figures who died in 2017, leaving a void in virtually every genre of music.

70. Last Word: Veto Override, Vince Carter on Fizdale and Corker on Tax Reform - Thursday, November 30, 2017

Signs of life at the old Kroger store on Exeter in Germantown. The new developers for a project that was supposed to be a Trader Joe’s have pulled a $90,000 building permit to remove the façade of the building. But no word on who the new tenant may be and some interesting remarks about recruiting tenants in general who won’t have as many trucks making deliveries in a retail center that borders a residential area.

71. Last Word: 2018 Head Start, Tax Reform Bill Votes and Tigers Basketball in Decline - Friday, November 17, 2017

Can you smell the paper? Friday is the first day that candidates in the 2018 elections can start picking up qualifying petitions for their place on the ballot – in this case the May county primary elections in Shelby County. Here is the scene setter.

72. The Next Four Years - Saturday, November 18, 2017

A week before candidates for the 2018 Shelby County elections could pull qualifying petitions to run, Shelby County Commissioner David Reaves was thinking out loud on Facebook.

“Next four years,” was how it began.

73. 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.

74. The Grizzlies’ $3.3 Million Steal, Tyreke Evans, Playing Toward a Payday - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

The Grizzlies didn’t quite score enough points in losing 110-103 in Milwaukee to finish 2-3 on a five-game road stretch. But not because Tyreke Evans didn’t try to carry the Grizzlies to victory yet again.

75. Last Word: Changes Behind Highland Row, Lee Harris Opens and Ron Olson Moves - Friday, November 3, 2017

Shelby County Commission chairwoman Heidi Shafer says the commission, through its attorneys, is in ‘the final stages of launching litigation” against big pharma over the opioid problem locally. And in a written statement Thursday she said she believes the litigation “will result in significant recovery for hundreds of millions of dollars that Shelby County has spent trying to heal, save, nurse and otherwise deal with the opioid crisis.” Shafer specifically announced the hiring on a contingency basis of a national law firm.

76. Univ. of Memphis’ Lambuth Campus Thriving, With More Growth Expected - Saturday, November 4, 2017

The university, and the history, might have been lost. Six years ago, with the after-effects of a slowed economy still making an impact, Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee, was forced to shut down.

77. Harris Cites Effects of ‘Trump Approach’ on County Races - Friday, November 3, 2017

Three weeks into his run for Shelby County mayor on the 2018 ballot, state Sen. Lee Harris told a group of 30 supporters in Victorian Village Wednesday, Nov. 1, that he is running as a response to the “Trump approach.”

78. Last Word: The Bucc Falls, Lakeland Demolition and Crossing The Year Mark - Monday, October 23, 2017

Late word Sunday that Bernal Smith II, the president and publisher of the New Tri-State Defender, died at his home Sunday. Smith was a part of the reporters roundtables we do from time to time on "Behind The Headlines." He brought back the city's legacy African-American-owned newspaper and in that role over the last seven years was a big voice in the reshaping of Memphis as a media market. He put reporters back on the streets of this city to cover Memphis and its issues in an independent way that make this a much richer and more competitive media market than it has been in quite some time. Editorially, he was a strong voice on numerous issues and he spoke from the experience of growing up in this city. He was 45 years old and here at The Daily News, those of us who came to know him and work with him on the show express our condolences to his family.

79. Fincher Launches Tennessee Listening Tour About Senate Bid - Tuesday, October 10, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Former Rep. Stephen Fincher, a gospel singing farmer from the rural western Tennessee community of Frog Jump, is launching a statewide tour to weigh whether to join the race to succeed Republican Bob Corker in the Senate.

80. Last Word: Bonus For the Head Tiger, Brooks Downtown? and Harris Runs - Thursday, October 5, 2017

A $100,000 bonus from the University of Memphis board of trustees for U of M president David Rudd at Wednesday’s trustees meeting. The bonus is from private funds raised by the university foundation. The board also approved a paid parental leave policy – specifically the funding for that policy. And it reviewed scaled-back plans for the $30 million new rec center for students that will incorporate some of the existing rec center.

81. Last Word: Political Tide Comes In, First Tn and Pinnacle Settle and The No Compete - Thursday, September 28, 2017

In East Memphis Thursday afternoon, Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir will formally announce what has been evident for some time – he is running for Shelby County Mayor in 2018 starting with the May Republican primary. The primary field includes Shelby County Commissioner Terry Roland and Juvenile Court Clerk Joy Touliatos. Shelby County Commissioner Sidney Chism is the only declared Democratic mayoral contender as we speak. Look for that to change.

82. Last Word: Corker's Decision, Buses & Bikes and Tenoke Comeback - Wednesday, September 27, 2017

And with a brief, carefully-worded written statement Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Senator Bob Corker has blown up the forming-2018 race for the Senate seat he will give up at the end of 2018 and that probably applies to the 2018 race for Tennessee Governor. That’s even if Corker doesn’t follow Tuesday’s announcement by getting into the race for Governor at some point. Corker said nothing about what is next beyond his remaining time in office.

83. Memphis Business Owner Sentenced on Tax Fraud, Theft Charges - Monday, September 25, 2017

The owner of Memphis-based West Stone Works Co. Inc. has been sentenced on felony sales-tax fraud and theft charges after being indicted in February.

84. Senate Confirms Dunavant As U.S. Attorney - Monday, September 18, 2017

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Tipton County prosecutor Mike Dunavant as the new U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, based in Memphis with offices in Jackson, Tennessee.

85. Events - Saturday, September 16, 2017

The 30th annual Cooper Young Festival is Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. the Cooper-Young Historic District. The festival is the largest single-day event in Memphis and serves as a fundraiser for the Cooper Young Business Association. This year’s lineup features 17 musical acts, local merchants and 435 artisans from around the country. Visit cooperyoungfestival.com for details.

86. 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.

87. Dunavant Confirmed As U.S. Attorney - Friday, September 15, 2017

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Tipton County prosecutor Mike Dunavant as the new U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, based in Memphis with offices in Jackson, Tennessee.

88. Events - Friday, September 15, 2017

Fourth Bluff kicks off its fall programming with the first of the weekly Friday Night Dance Parties on Friday, Sept. 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The themed, outdoor dance parties continue through November and will feature an illuminated dance floor set up just west of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, 1 N. Front St. Food vendors will be on site, and beer and wine are available with valid ID. Admission is free and open to all ages. Visit thefourthbluff.com for a schedule.

89. Tennessee Taco Opens in Former Los Compadres Space - Monday, September 11, 2017

3295 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38111

90. ‘Divisive Symbols’: Mississippi Case Offers Hope for Forrest Bust Removal - Thursday, September 7, 2017

State Sen. Lee Harris is encouraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s request for the state of Mississippi to respond to a lawsuit seeking to remove the Confederate battle flag from its state flag.

91. Tigers Deliver Victory in Wind and Rain - Friday, September 1, 2017

Tigers kick returner Tony Pollard let the ball settle into his hands. Do not take that part for granted. This was at the start of the second half Thursday night at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. And not to say there was a lot of water, but at one point the Cajun Navy probably could have sailed areas of the stadium concourse.

92. 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.

93. New Union Ave. Bank Branch, Whitehaven Wastewater Facility Seek Design Variances - Friday, September 1, 2017

Pinnacle Bank is seeking a set of variances from the Memphis and Shelby County Board of Adjustment to build a new branch at the corner of Union Avenue and Rozelle Street.

94. Environmental Services Company Seeks Approval for Whitehaven Facility - Thursday, August 31, 2017

A Michigan-based environmental services company is seeking a variance with the Memphis and Shelby County Board of Adjustment to bring a wastewater reclamation and recycling facility to Whitehaven.

In its application, Valicor Environmental Services is seeking a special-use permit to allow for the refining of petroleum, liquefied petroleum gas and coal products.

95. ICCC Program Attracts Local Business Owners - Thursday, August 31, 2017

More than 100 local entrepreneurs received mentoring and coaching on Tuesday, Aug. 29, to help them grow their small businesses. The Inner City Capital Connections program at the FedEx Institute of Technology on the University of Memphis campus returned after first coming to Memphis in August 2014.

96. Inner City Capital Connections Program Attracts Local Business Owners - Wednesday, August 30, 2017

More than 100 local entrepreneurs received mentoring and coaching on Tuesday, Aug. 29, to help them grow their small businesses.

The Inner City Capital Connections program at the FedEx Institute of Technology on the University of Memphis campus returned after first coming to Memphis in August 2014. The ICCC program was developed by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), a nonprofit research and strategy organization.

97. Regions, FedEx Backing Business Seminar - Monday, August 28, 2017

Regions Bank is joining FedEx Corp. to provide financial backing for a seminar for business owners this week that will include 20 Regions bankers providing customized business coaching for entrepreneurs.

98. Looks Like Another 8-4 Season for Tennessee - Friday, August 25, 2017

Oops. I goofed last year. So did lots of other people who thought Tennessee’s football team would win the SEC East Division and go to the league championship game for the first time since 2007.

99. The TV-Streaming Paradox: Why You May Miss the Cable Bundle - Monday, August 14, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – The future of TV may well be a mishmash of streaming services that could rival the cost of a $100 cable bundle – but that are way more difficult to use.

Disney's plan for two new streaming services (and possibly more) is just the latest sign that everyone is jumping into the streaming business. It intends to launch a kids-oriented movie and TV streaming service in 2019 that will pull Disney and Pixar films from Netflix, as well as an ESPN sidekick service (minus pro football and basketball) expected early next year. The company is even exploring the possibility of separate streaming services for its Star Wars and Marvel superhero films.

100. Problems Adrift - Saturday, August 5, 2017

David Ciarloni plants about 140 acres of soybeans on his 925-acre farm that straddles Shelby and Fayette counties. Those acres of beans are safe right now, but Ciarloni, who took over the family farm after his father recently retired, worries about a recent phenomenon that’s being called “dicamba drift.”