NEW YORK (AP) — Burt Reynolds, the handsome film and television star known for his acclaimed performances in "Deliverance" and "Boogie Nights," commercial hits such as "Smokey and the Bandit" and for an active off-screen love life which included relationships with Loni Anderson and Sally Field, has died at age 82.

2. EPA Moves to Dramatically Cut Regulation of Coal Power - Wednesday, August 22, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration moved to dismantle another major piece of President Barack Obama's environmental legacy on Tuesday, proposing to dramatically scale back restrictions on climate-changing emissions from coal-fired power plants even as it acknowledged that could lead to more premature deaths and serious illnesses.

3. Jernigan Capital Names Chief Investment Officer - Saturday, May 19, 2018

Jernigan Capital Inc., a Memphis-based real estate investment trust that provides debt and equity capital for self-storage facilities, has named Jonathan Perry executive vice president and chief investment officer. He is expected to join the company in early June.

4. Editorial: Hardaway Takes Game Off The Court, Into the City - Saturday, May 19, 2018

While we have pondered and called meetings and probably hired consultants to help us get our arms around young Memphians who leave the city to seek their future and never return, something has been happening. And it has been happening around the city’s dominant sport – basketball.

5. 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.

6. Jernigan Capital Names Chief Investment Officer - Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Jernigan Capital Inc., a Memphis-based real estate investment trust that provides debt and equity capital for self-storage facilities, has named Jonathan Perry executive vice president and chief investment officer. He is expected to join the company in early June.

7. Under Hardaway, Memphis Again Can Have Hometown Heroes - Friday, April 6, 2018

Headline from the future: “Alex Lomax Leads Memphis Tigers into the Sweet 16.”

A certainty? Of course not. But it’s a possibility because Lomax has committed to Penny Hardaway and the University of Memphis. You know, as opposed to staying with his earlier choice of Gregg Marshall and Wichita State.

8. MLK50 Events: A Roundup of Memphis Happenings - Saturday, March 31, 2018

Here's a selection of events in Memphis marking the 50th anniversary of the 1968 sanitation workers' strike and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. April 3 is the 50th anniversary of King’s last speech – the “Mountaintop” speech at Mason Temple, while April 4 is the 50th anniversary of his assassination on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.

9. No Death Penalty Option In Lorenzen Wright Murder - Saturday, March 24, 2018

The ex-wife of former University of Memphis standout and NBA player Lorenzen Wright won’t face the death penalty if convicted of killing him more than seven years ago in Tennessee.

Shelby County prosecutor Paul Hagerman said before a hearing Monday, March 19, that Sherra Wright won’t face death if found guilty of first degree murder in her ex-husband’s shooting death. She has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond.

10. Lorenzen Wright’s Ex-Wife Won't Face Death If Convicted - Tuesday, March 20, 2018

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – The ex-wife of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright won't face the death penalty if convicted of killing him more than seven years ago in Tennessee, a prosecutor said Monday.

11. Digest - Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Memphis Grizzlies Suffer 15th Consecutive Loss

The Grizzlies lost their 15th straight game, 119-110 at Chicago, on Wednesday, March 7.

The team has not won since defeating the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum on Jan. 29.

12. Last Word: Tiger Roller Coaster, The Promenade and "In The Streets of Memphis" - Monday, March 5, 2018

No one realistically would say the days of basketball being the city’s dominant sports are over and done with. Not with the Tigers and the Grizz together. But basketball in Memphis is certainly on a roller coaster ride for both franchises and most of it decidedly downhill in the current seasons. But it’s hard to tell what comes at the end of such journeys. Maybe the ups and downs of both teams are more noticeable because of the upward trajectory of Tigers football.

13. Lawyer: Wiretaps, Recordings Part of Wright Investigation - Wednesday, January 31, 2018

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – The lawyer for a Tennessee man charged with killing former NBA player Lorenzen Wright says wiretaps and audio recordings are included in the investigative files in the case.

14. 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.”

15. Despite Need, Expanding Health Care Not in Cards - Thursday, January 18, 2018

Springfield resident Felicity Palma struggled mightily when she moved to Tennessee from Florida two years ago after suffering health problems and losing her job.

The 47-year-old former social worker became homeless for a period when she came here, and now she finds herself in a health insurance coverage gap as she tries to get treatment for ulcers, sciatica, fibroids and thyroid disease. Debt is piling up on her, too, for the care she does receive.

16. 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.

17. Man Pleads Not Guilty to Killing Former NBA Player Wright - Wednesday, December 13, 2017

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – A man charged with killing former NBA player Lorenzen Wright more than seven years ago in Tennessee has pleaded not guilty.

Attorney John Keith Perry entered the plea during an arraignment hearing Tuesday for 46-year-old Billy Turner in Memphis.

18. Goodin Joins Hagwood Adelman As Memphis Managing Attorney - Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Michael T. Goodin has joined Hagwood Adelman Tipton PC as managing attorney of the Memphis office. In that role, he provides legal services to HAT’s clients in matters such as medical malpractice and senior housing litigation for health care providers along the continuum of care, including skilled nursing, assisted living, behavioral health, home health and hospice litigation. In addition, he assists in supervising the attorney and paraprofessional teams.

19. 'Easy Money' Made Selling Army Weapons Stolen by US Soldiers - Thursday, August 31, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – More than $1 million in weapons parts and sensitive military equipment was stolen out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and sold in a vast black market, some of it to foreign buyers through eBay, according to testimony at a federal trial this week.

20. Outsourcing by Any Other Name Still Not So Sweet - Thursday, August 31, 2017

Outsourcing is starting to become a four-letter word in state government.

Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration told lawmakers during a summer study session it’s giving up on privatization of state parks, including a plan to hire a company to raze the inn at Fall Creek Falls and build a new one, at a cost of more than $22 million, then take over the keys and the profits.

21. Next Season’s Memphis Tigers Defense Begins Building Up Now - Friday, March 17, 2017

If spring football practice is about looking ahead – and it is – then the off-season that precedes it is about looking back. University of Memphis defensive coordinator Chris Ball watched every defensive snap from the 2016 season – 1,025 plays from an 8-5 season.

22. Land Use Control Board Nixes Downtown Street Closure - Friday, March 10, 2017

A developer’s plan to close a Downtown street was shot down by the Land Use Control Board on Thursday, March 9.

The applicant, ECG Acquisitions, wanted to close and vacate a portion of Pontotoc Avenue between Turley Street and Danny Thomas Boulevard to create a cohesive multifamily development that spans five parcels north and south of Pontotoc.

23. Trump Acts to Advance Keystone XL, Dakota Access Pipelines - Wednesday, January 25, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump signed executive actions Tuesday to advance construction of the huge Keystone XL and Dakota Access oil pipelines, moving aggressively to overhaul America's energy policy and dealing a swift blow to Barack Obama's legacy on climate change.

24. Push to Save Pacific Rim Trade Deal After US Exits TPP Pact - Wednesday, January 25, 2017

SYDNEY (AP) – Several countries expressed hope Tuesday that the Trans-Pacific Partnership could be salvaged, after President Donald Trump's decision on a U.S. withdrawal from the trade pact left its future in serious jeopardy.

25. Parkside Developers Finish Acquiring Land for Shelby Farms Urban Village - Monday, January 9, 2017

Developers of Parkside at Shelby Farms, a proposed mixed-use project, took another step forward with the purchase nearly 40 acres of vacant property adjacent to Shelby Farms.

26. Looks Like 10-2, SEC Title Game, Orange Bowl for UT - Monday, September 5, 2016

Editor’s note: Nashville sports correspondent Dave Link has been accurate in predicting season outcomes for the Tennessee Vols in recent years. His 2016 season predictions, released just before press time, culminates with an SEC Championship appearance. Here’s his take on the season…

27. Vols Offensive Line Rushing Into Much-Anticipated Season - Friday, August 19, 2016

Jalen Hurd knows right where he stands among Tennessee’s running backs of the past and wants to be No. 1 in career rushing yards at the end of the 2016 season.

The junior from Hendersonville Beech High School needs 892 yards to surpass Travis Henry as UT’s career rushing leader.

28. Second Annual TigerAlumni Game June 25 - Saturday, June 25, 2016

Former University of Memphis Tiger players Willie Kemp and Jeremy Hunt are hosting the second annual Blue vs. Gray Memphis Tigers Alumni Game, which will feature 26 former players at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 25.

29. Second Annual Tigers Alumni Game Saturday - Friday, June 24, 2016

Former University of Memphis Tiger players Willie Kemp and Jeremy Hunt are hosting the second annual Blue vs. Gray Memphis Tigers Alumni Game, which will feature 26 former players at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 25.

30. Mike Norvell Era Starts with Optimism And a Raise-the-Bar Recruiting Class - Friday, February 5, 2016

In a few minutes, first-year coach Mike Norvell would be standing behind a lectern providing assembled media a summary of his first recruiting class at the University of Memphis.

“Not a good class,” he would say, “a great class, a home-run-hitting class.”

31. Stewart File Could Start New Information Flow - Thursday, December 17, 2015

When the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation began its investigation this summer into the fatal police shooting of Darrius Stewart, it met resistance from Memphis Police Department officer Connor Schilling, who talked to police internal investigators but not the TBI.

32. Hoops & Dreams - Saturday, November 14, 2015

They were but a few words, yet they seemed to capture the mindset of the University of Memphis basketball program’s high-expectation fan base.

“Get back to like it was,” said former Tigers guard Jeremy Hunt.

33. Won’t be the same without the head ball coach - Saturday, November 7, 2015

I miss Steve Spurrier.

It won’t be the same without Spurrier coaching South Carolina when Tennessee (4-4, 2-3 SEC) plays host to the Gamecocks (3-5, 1-5) on Saturday.

It wasn’t the same this week without Spurrier throwing a jab or two at UT leading up to the game.

34. Council Candidates Offer Advice, With Verbal Jabs, at NAACP Forum - Tuesday, August 25, 2015

There have been fewer forums this year for Memphis City Council contenders on the Oct. 8 ballot as the 2015 campaign season has focused on mayoral events.

So when the Memphis branch NAACP held its regular forum for council candidates Sunday, Aug. 23, at First Baptist Church on Broad Avenue, 27 candidates in 11 of the 13 council races turned out – about a quarter of the crowd of 100 in the church sanctuary.

35. Memphis Mayoral Field Set at 10 - Friday, July 24, 2015

Shelby County Election Commissioners have certified the Memphis election ballot for Oct. 8.

These are the names to appear on that ballot for the 15 elected offices.

The commission met hours after the noon Thursday, July 23, deadline for candidates to withdraw from the ballot if they wished.

36. Former Memphis Tigers Plan Alumni Basketball Game - Monday, June 22, 2015

Look back to look ahead. That’s what former University of Memphis basketball players Jeremy Hunt and Willie Kemp are trying to do with the first alumni game, scheduled for Saturday, June 27, at 6 p.m. at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse, 495 Zach Curlin St.

37. Deloitte Promotes Vince DeGutis - Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Vince DeGutis, a partner in Deloitte Tax LLP, has been named Deloitte’s Memphis managing partner.
In his new role, DeGutis is responsible for overseeing the Memphis office, enhancing Deloitte’s brand and reputation in the business and civic community, and facilitating revenue growth by advancing targeting and growth activities. He is also responsible for the development and implementation strategies to attract and retain the next generation of leaders within Deloitte.

38. Your Fantasy Celebrity Board - Tuesday, May 12, 2015

If you could have any five celebrities on your nonprofit board, who would you pick?

Visualize yourself as chair of the board of a nonprofit you believe in. Maybe it’s a university, an early childhood education center, a food bank, international research institute or performing arts company. You pick the nonprofit – and the board members!

39. Big Leap From Hollywood Hustle to Nolensville ‘Barn’ - Saturday, April 11, 2015

The step-grandmother of Clark Gable’s granddaughter leans back in her chair inside the Mennonite furniture store and holds up a foot.

“Look. I’m wearing orange socks. I must be eccentric,” says Linda Roberts as a gray, misty day chases me from Nolensville Road into the worn building tucked against Mill Creek.

40. Jones, Vols Make Honor Roll With Recruiting Class - Saturday, February 14, 2015

KNOXVILLE – Butch Jones has done it again.

Tennessee’s football coach has created a national buzz with his 2015 recruiting class.

UT finished with the No. 4 class in the nation as rated by 247Sports and ended up ranked No. 5 by Rivals when the Feb. 4 national signing day was over.

41. Groupon Founder Takes a Detour With New Audio Tour App - Wednesday, February 4, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Two years ago, Andrew Mason faced an unexpected detour when he was ousted as CEO from the online discount site he founded, Groupon. Now the tech executive's back on the entrepreneurial path, with an iPhone app selling unconventional audio tours of major cities. It's called – you guessed it – Detour.

42. Commercial Success - Saturday, January 10, 2015

If, as the saying goes, everyone gets 15 minutes of fame, Bart Durham’s has come in 15- and 30-second spurts – the length of the commercials that depict him as a lawyer everyman, ever-ready to tilt at windmills for the sake of justice for the working class.

43. How Well Did the Fed's Stimulus Work? - Wednesday, October 29, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) – Soaring inflation. A collapsing dollar. Bubbles in financial markets that would soon pop. One presidential candidate even suggested that the Federal Reserve chairman should be roughed up.

44. At the Counter - Friday, September 12, 2014

THE COLLEGE INN, FULL CIRCLE. The future was in my hands. My parents had set me free and I sat there all by myself for the very first time, my own stool at the counter, my own menu in front of me and a cool new show on the TV above. It was 1957. I was eight. The show was Perry Mason. And I was in control.

45. Recorded History - Tuesday, June 17, 2014

It’s one of the most well-known bits of lore associated with Memphis, that of a 19-year-old singer who, in July 1954, walked into a recording studio and belted his raucous version of the blues song “That’s All Right (Mama)” into Sam Phillips’ microphone.

46. American Athletic Conference Honors Three Tigers - Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Senior guard Joe Jackson and sophomore forward Shaq Goodwin made the American Athletic Conference All-Conference Second Team and freshman forward Austin Nichols made the All-Rookie Team.

47. Election Commission Approves All But Three Names For May Primaries - Friday, February 28, 2014

Shelby County Election Commissioners certified all but three names Thursday, Feb. 27, for the May county primary ballot and will meet March 5 to consider challenges to the residency of candidates Edith Ann Moore, M. Latroy Williams and E. Jefferson Jones.

48. Roland ReElected At Filing Deadline, Two Countywide Races Set For August - Friday, February 21, 2014

One of the six Shelby County Commission incumbents seeking re-election this year was effectively elected to a new four-year term in a new district with the noon Thursday, Feb. 20, filing deadline for candidates in the May county primaries.

49. High School Hoops Tourney Coming to FedExForum - Saturday, February 8, 2014

Some of the best high school basketball teams from Shelby County will compete at FedExForum for bragging rights in the SCIAA Fever Basketball Tournament Sunday, Feb. 9.

Formerly known as the MIAA City Championships, 2014 will mark the inaugural SCIAA Fever tournament, a winner-take-all style tournament dating back to the 1960s. Past stars of the MIAA City Championships include Memphis’ own Larry Finch, Larry Spicer, John Gunn, James Bradley, Andre Turner, Todd Day, Cedric Henderson, Penny Hardaway and Elliot Perry.

50. High School Hoops Tourney Coming to FedExForum - Monday, February 3, 2014

Some of the best high school basketball teams from Shelby County will compete at FedExForum for bragging rights in the SCIAA Fever Basketball Tournament Sunday, Feb. 9.

Formerly known as the MIAA City Championships, 2014 will mark the inaugural SCIAA Fever tournament, a winner-take-all style tournament dating back to the 1960s.

51. GOP States Offer Little Help on Buying Insurance - Thursday, October 3, 2013

ATLANTA (AP) – After three years of bashing President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, Republican governors were surprisingly mute on the first day consumers could shop for insurance policies through online marketplaces.

52. Striking Back Against Court's Voting Rights Ruling - Friday, July 26, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration opened an aggressive new front in the battle over voter protection Thursday, singling out Texas for legal action and promising broader efforts to come after last month's Supreme Court ruling that wiped out a major provision of the Voting Rights Act.

53. Local GOP Convention Continues Tea Party Effort - Tuesday, March 26, 2013

When Shelby County Republicans got together for the biannual party convention Sunday, March 24, in Bartlett, local party chairman Justin Joy counseled patience.

“There will probably be some moments when this will not appear to be a well-rehearsed wedding,” Joy said.

54. Mississippi Says No Thanks to Medicaid Expansion Dollars - Friday, October 19, 2012

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi has long been one of the sickest and poorest states in America, with some of the highest rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease and more than 1 in 7 residents without insurance. And so you might think Mississippi would jump at the prospect of billions of federal dollars to expand Medicaid.

55. Broadway Pizza Buys Building for East Memphis Expansion - Tuesday, October 2, 2012

627 S. Mendenhall Road Memphis, TN 38117

Sale Amount: $365,000

Sale Date: Sept. 13, 2012

56. Crews Holdings Files Loan on 34 Lots in Wolf River Ranch - Thursday, September 27, 2012

Crews Holdings has filed a $1.5 million loan through Triumph Bank on 34 lots in Wolf River Ranch Planned Development in Collierville.

57. Gibson Guitar Deal a Contrast With Earlier Stance - Wednesday, August 8, 2012

The deal Gibson Guitar Corp. and federal prosecutors said they reached this week to drop a criminal case against the Tennessee-based guitar maker represents a sharp reversal from the combative stance Gibson took publicly last year.

58. Events - Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The Greater Memphis Chamber will hold a lunch and learn Tuesday, April 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Baptist Memphis Education & Conference Center, 6027 Walnut Grove Road. Leadership Academy President and CEO Nancy Coffee will present “Effective Leadership, Effective Management.” Contact Amanda Edmundson at aedmundson@memphischamber.com or 543-3511.

59. New Elvis ‘Icon’ Exhibit Opens at Graceland - Thursday, March 1, 2012

MEMPHIS (AP) – A new exhibit chronicling Elvis Presley's influence on pop music performers has opened at Graceland in Memphis.

The exhibit, called "Icon: The Influence of Elvis Presley," opened Thursday at the Graceland tourist attraction. It includes 75 items on loan from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, plus other memorabilia from artists who have been influenced by Elvis.

60. Economists: Obama's Policies 'Fair' or 'Poor' - Thursday, December 29, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama gets mediocre marks for his handling of the U.S. economy, and Mitt Romney easily outpolls his Republican rivals in an Associated Press survey of economists.

61. Defense Hawks Insist on Sparing Military From Cuts - Wednesday, November 23, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress' defense hawks insist the military should be spared from automatic spending cuts after a special panel failed to reach a deal on reducing the deficit.

No way, says President Barack Obama, who vowed Monday to veto any effort to undo the roughly $1 trillion in across-the-board cuts, half from domestic programs and half from defense.

62. Democrats, Republicans Far Apart on Deficit Deal - Thursday, November 17, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – A Democrat on a special deficit-cutting "supercommittee" Wednesday questioned whether Republicans are still interested in negotiating after the panel's top GOP member said Republicans have "gone as far as we feel we can go" on tax hikes.

63. GOP Hopefuls Oppose Potential Deficit Deal - Wednesday, November 16, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – The top Republican in the House says a recent proposal by GOP members of a special deficit committee is a "fair offer" despite criticism from conservatives who say it breaks the party's pledge on taxes.

64. Lesson in Perry’s PR Recovery - Wednesday, November 16, 2011

No matter what your political affiliations, you have to give Texas Governor Rick Perry credit for leading a strong recovery strategy after his “oops” moment in the recent Republican presidential debate.

65. Bernanke Shows Fed's Independence With Texas Trip - Thursday, November 10, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – A town hall meeting with Ben Bernanke and a group of military families discussing family finances wouldn't normally draw much notice.

But for this particular event, the Federal Reserve chairman is venturing into Texas. And those who watch the Fed say the visit sends a message to Bernanke's critics: The Fed is independent and won't be intimidated.

66. MasterSingers, Symphony to Perform at Evergreen - Thursday, November 3, 2011

MasterSingers Chorale and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra will perform Sunday, Nov. 6, at 3:30 p.m. at Evergreen Presbyterian Church, 613 University St.

67. State Issues Can be Tricky for Presidential Field - Friday, October 28, 2011

CINCINNATI (AP) — Mitt Romney gingerly distanced himself from a labor issue on the Ohio ballot one day. The next, he embraced the initiative "110 percent."

The equivocation not only highlighted his record of shifting positions but also underscored the local political minefields national candidates often confront in their state-by-state path to the presidency.

68. Striking a Chord - Friday, October 14, 2011

When Texas Gov. and current Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry came to Memphis two weeks ago for a fundraiser at Memphis Botanic Garden, he didn’t immediately head to the microphone after Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey introduced him.

69. Obama Knocks GOP Leader, Says GOP Blocks Jobs Vote - Wednesday, October 5, 2011

DALLAS (AP) – President Barack Obama is criticizing House Majority Leader Eric Cantor for saying the president's $447 billion jobs bill will not get a vote in its entirety in the Republican-led House.

70. Analysis: Democrats Hit Reset on Health Care - Wednesday, September 28, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Weary of getting pounded over the new health care law, Democrats are hitting the reset button for next year's elections.

They're changing the subject to Medicare.

71. Econ Club Has Speakers On ‘Cutting Edge’ - Wednesday, September 28, 2011

This fall’s slate of speakers coming to the city thanks to the Economic Club of Memphis includes a cyber-security expert, a prominent New York Times business columnist and a former government official who was an early supporter of “Reaganomics.”

72. Obama Lets States Opt Out of Federal School Rules - Monday, September 26, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Nearly everyone agrees the fix needs fixing. The No Child Left Behind law that was supposed to improve American education has left schools grumbling at being labeled "failures," state officials fuming and complaints everywhere about required testing.

73. Liberals Would Raise Social Security Tax for Rich - Thursday, September 15, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Nervous that Social Security seems under siege from all sides, congressional liberals on Wednesday proposed raising the payroll tax that funds the program, but only for people earning more than $250,000 a year.

74. Obama Tax Proposal Worries Social Security Allies - Tuesday, September 13, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Some Social Security advocates fear that President Barack Obama's desire to cut taxes supporting the program will undermine its vaunted stature as a self-financing pension system that provides checks to retirees based on contributions they made while working.

75. Staples to Build First Memphis Location - Friday, February 25, 2011

The world’s largest office products company will soon enter the Memphis market.

Framingham, Mass.-based Staples Inc. has signed a 17,945-square-foot lease at Ridgeway Trace, the shopping center at Poplar Avenue and Interstate 240 developed by Houston-based Weingarten Realty Investors.

76. Bradley Named Mid-South Super Lawyer - Wednesday, February 9, 2011

J. Anthony Bradley has been named for the third consecutive year to the Mid-South Super Lawyers for estate planning and probate practice areas.

77. GOP Governors: Deep Budget Cuts are Coming - Friday, November 19, 2010

SAN DIEGO (AP) – Incoming Republican governors from Pennsylvania to New Mexico are vowing to keep campaign promises to slice already cut-to-the-bone budgets and balance them without raising taxes.

78. Even in Liberal Bastions, GOP Sees Election Chance - Wednesday, October 20, 2010

HYANNIS PORT, Mass. (AP) — In the congressional district that's home to the Kennedy family compound, a Kennedy public skating rink and a Kennedy museum, the heart of liberalism is beating uneasily.

79. Whalum and Webb Draw Challengers In School Board Races - Friday, August 20, 2010

Memphis school board members Betty Mallott and Martavius Jones were unopposed at Thursday’s filing deadline for the four Memphis school board races on the Nov. 2 ballot. Noon was the deadline for candidates to file their qualifying petitions in the school board races as well as three sets of municipal elections in Bartlett, Collierville and Germantown.

80. Ford Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary - Wednesday, May 5, 2010
 

Interim County Mayor Joe Ford became the Democratic nominee for mayor in the August county general elections Tuesday night.

And the August sheriff’s race will be a contest between Democrat Randy Wade and Republican Randy Wade.

All three were among the winners in Tuesday’s low turnout county primaries.

Approximately ten percent of Shelby County’s nearly 600,000 voters cast ballots in early voting and election day polling.

Ford, who was appointed interim mayor in December, beat County Commissioner Deidre Malone and General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson in the Democratic primary. He will face Republican Mark Luttrell who had only token opposition in the Republican primary from perennial contender Ernie Lunati.

Luttrell has raised more money than all three of the Democratic primary contenders combined and began running television ads in the last week runup to election day.

The final unofficial totals in the Democratic mayoral primary are:

Ford 20,360 57%

Malone 12,916 37%

Jackson 2,168 6%

The pair of primaries for Sheriff featured eight candidates, seven of whom either currently work for the sheriff’s department or are past employees. Only Reginald French, in the Democratic primary was not a former or current department official.

Wade was the 2002 Democratic nominee, losing to Luttrell who is leaving as Sheriff after serving two terms. French was the Democratic nominee in the 2006 elections.

Oldham is Luttrell’s chief deputy, the number two position in the department. He is also a former director of the Memphis Police Department.

The final unofficials totals in the Republican primary are:

Bill Oldham 13,821 48%

Dale Lane 7,981 28%

Bobby Simmons 5,886 21%

James Coleman 943 3%

In the Democratic primary:

Randy Wade 22,643 67%

Reginald French 6,777 20%

Larry Hill 2,738 8%

Bennie Cobb 1,814 5%

Voters in the primary elections decided to return six Shelby County commissioners to new four year terms with Tuesday’s results. They also elected six new commissioners. The winner of the thirteenth commission seat will be decided on the August general election ballot in a contest between district 5 Democratic incumbent Steve Mulroy and Republican challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos. The winner of the match up will determine whether the commission remains majority Democrat or goes majority Republican.

Mulroy easily defeated Jennings Bernard in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

Republican incumbent Mike Ritz ran unopposed as did new Democratic commissioner Walter Bailey.

In the remaining ten contests, the primaries decided who gets the seats since no one ran in the opposing party’s primary.

The most hotly contested contest among the commission races was for District 4 Position 1. Outgoing Probate Court Clerk Chris Thomas beat John Pellicciotti, appointed to a commission seat last year but running for a different position in the same district. Jim Bomprezzi, the former mayor of Lakeland, was the third contender in the contest.

The final unofficial totals in the Republican primary:

Thomas 7,631 52%

Pellicciotti 4,871 33%

Bomprezzi 2,298 15%

In position 2 of the same district incumbent Republican Wyatt Bunker easily overcame two challengers with former Lakeland alderman John Wilkerson finishing second and Ron Fittes finishing third.

Millington businessman Terry Roland claimed the third position in the district that takes in all six of Shelby County’s suburban towns and cities.

Roland beat George Chism to take the seat Pellicciotti was appointed to but opted not to run for in deference to Roland.

Heidi Shafer, an aide to outgoing County Commissioner George Flinn, claimed Flinn’s District 1 Position 2 seat over Albert Maduska.in the GOP primary.

District 1 incumbent Republican Mike Carpenter easily beat businessman Joe Baier.

In the Democratic commission primaries, Melvin Burgess claimed Malone’s District 2 Position 3 seat in a field of six contenders. His closest contender was Reginald Milton. Burgess, a city school system audit manager, had run for the seat before. He brought in 54 percent of the vote.

The other hard fought Democratic commission primary saw Justin Ford, son of the interim mayor, claim his father’s District 3 Position 3 seat.

Ford beat Edith Moore, a retired IBM executive, whom the commission appointed to the seat after the elder Ford became mayor.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Ford 7,342 66%

Moore 3,822 34%

Democratic incumbent commissioners Henri Brooks, Sidney Chism and James Harvey were all re-elected over primary challengers.

The county-wide primaries for seven clerk’s positions saw the return of former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican 16 years after Republican challenger Bill Key took her job. Johnican decisively beat Ralph White and Vernon Johnson in her first bid for office since the 1994 defeat. She will face Republican Kevin Key, the son of Bill Key in the August general election.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Johnican 16,381 51%

White 10,170 31%

Johnson 5,954 18%

Former Juvenile Court Clerk Shep Wilbun easily won the Democratic primary with 76 percent of the vote to face Republican Joy Touliatos in August for the office being vacated by Republican Steve Stamson. Touliatos was unopposed in the primary.

Democrat Coleman Thompson is back for another go at incumbent Republican Register Tom Leatherwood.

Aside from Leatherwood, Jimmy Moore is the only other of the seven clerks seeking re-election. Moore ran unopposed in the GOP primary. He will face Democrat Ricky Dixon in August.

Trustee Regina Newman was appointed to her office following the death last year of Paul Mattila. Newman easily overcame M LaTroy Williams in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. She will face David Lenoir, who beat former Shelby County Commissioner John Willingham in the Republican contest.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Lenoir 15,922 58%

Willingham 11,569 42%

The other six candidate field on the ballot was in the Democratic primary for Probate Court Clerk. Sondra Becton posted impressive vote totals over her rivals, bringing in 35 percent of the vote with Peggy Dobbins her closest rival. Becton, who is making her fourth bid for the office, will face Republican Paul Boyd, who ran unopposed in his primary.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Becton 10,929 36%

Dobbins 5,366 18%

Annita Hamilton 4,848 16%

Clay Perry 3,549 12%

Danny Kail 3,120 11%

Karen Tyler 2,782 9%

The closest contest of the evening was in the Democratic primary for County Clerk. Wrestling promoter and television personality Corey Maclin won his political debut by less than 1,400 votes over Charlotte Draper and LaKeith Miller. He will face Republican Wayne Mashburn who beat Steve Moore in the companion primary.

Early voting in advance of the Aug. 5 election day begins July 16. The August ballot will also feature state and federal primary elections including the statewide primaries for governor and the primaries for all nine of the state’s Congressional districts.

81. Hooks Institute to Hold Education Conference - Friday, April 2, 2010

The University of Memphis Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change will sponsor a conference April 8-9 focusing on the debate about whether quality education should be a constitutional right.

82. $3.8B in Stimulus Funds for Welfare Jobs Untouched - Monday, February 22, 2010

ATLANTA (AP) - Desperate though they are to fill gaps in their budgets, more than half the states in the country haven't touched a $5 billion pot of federal stimulus funds meant to find work for welfare recipients.

83. Candidate Filing List -- The Final Version - Friday, February 19, 2010

Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell appeared on his way to the Republican nomination for Shelby County mayor at Thursday’s noon filing deadline for candidates on the May 4 primary ballot.

84. UPDATE: Mayor's Race Grows At Filing Deadline - Thursday, February 18, 2010

Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell appeared on his way to the Republican nomination for Shelby County mayor at Thursday’s noon filing deadline for candidates on the May 4 primary ballot.

Luttrell faces only token opposition from perennial candidate Ernie Lunati.

Meanwhile, the Democratic primary for mayor grew to three contenders as General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson filed his qualifying petition just before the deadline. He joins interim County Mayor Joe Ford and Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone.

Luttrell ruled out a bid for Shelby County mayor last year (2009). But when Harold Byrd decided not to run in the Democratic primary, some local GOP leaders asked Luttrell to reconsider.

The result touched off a scramble of candidates from both parties for the open sheriff’s office. But before the noon deadline, the initial field of over a dozen possible contenders was narrowed to ten – six Democrats and four Republicans.

The other surprise at the filing deadline was the return of attorney Walter Bailey to the District 2 Position 1 seat he gave up in the 2006 elections. Bailey sought re-election then to another term despite a two term limit on commissioners. Bailey lost to J.W. Gibson who decided not to seek re-election. He also lost a court fight to overturn the term limits.

Bailey was the only candidate who had filed for the seat at the Thursday deadline.

Only one incumbent county commissioner – Republican Mike Ritz -- was effectively re-elected at the deadline because he had no opposition.

All but one of the eleven contested County Commission races will be decided with the May 4 primaries. The only general election battle for the August ballot is the district 5 contest between GOP challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos and whoever wins the May Democratic primary between incumbent Steve Mulroy and Jennings Bernard.

Former County Commissioner John Willingham also returned to the ballot among a field of Republican contenders in the primary for Shelby County Trustee.

And former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican joined the Democratic primary field for her old job. Incumbent Republican Bill Key pulled petition to seek re-election but did not file at the deadline.

Here is the list of races and contenders from The Shelby County Election Commission. All candidate have until noon Feb. 25 to withdraw from the ballot if they wish.

D-Democrat

R- Republican

I- Independent

Shelby County Mayor:

Deidre Malone (D)

Joe Ford (D)

Otis Jackson (D)

Mark Luttrell (R)

Ernest Lunati (R)

Leo Awgowhat (I)

Shelby County Sheriff:

James Coleman (R)

Bobby Simmons (R)

Bill Oldham (R)

Dale Lane (R)

Larry Hill (D)

Bennie Cobb (D)

Randy Wade (D)

James Bolden (D)

Elton Hymon (D)

Reginald French (D)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 1

Mike Ritz (R) (incumbent)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 2

Albert Maduska (R)

Heidi Shafer (R)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 3

Mike Carpenter (R) (incumbent)

Joe Baire (R)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 1

Walter Bailey (D)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 2

Henri Brooks (D) (incumbent)

David Vinciarelli (D)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 3

Eric Dunn (D)

Norma Lester (D)

Tina Dickerson (D)

Melvin Burgess (D)

Reginald Milton (D)

Freddie Thomas (D)

County Commission Dist 3 Pos 1

James Harvey (D) (incumbent)

James Catchings (D)

County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 2

Sidney Chism (D) (incumbent)

Andrew "Rome" Withers (D)

County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 3

Edith Moore  (D) (incumbent)

Justin Ford (D)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 1

Chris Thomas (R)

John Pellicciotti (R)

Jim Bomprezzi (R)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 2

Wyatt Bunker (R) (incumbent)

John Wilkerson (R)

Ron Fittes (R)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 3

Terry Roland (R)

George Chism (R)

Edgar Babian (R)

County Commission Dist 5

Steve Mulroy (D) (incumbent)

Jennings Bernard (D)

Rolando Toyos (R)

Shelby County Clerk

Charlotte Draper (D)

Corey Maclin (D)

LaKeith Miller (D)

Wayne Mashburn (R)

Steve Moore (R)

Criminal Court Clerk

Vernon Johnson (D)

Minerva Johnican (D)

Ralph White (D)

Michael Porter (R)

Kevin Key (R)

Jerry Stamson (I)

Circuit Court Clerk

Jimmy Moore (R) (incumbent)

Steven Webster (D)

Carmichael Johnson (D)

Ricky W. Dixon (D)

Juvenile Court Clerk

Joy Touliatos (R)

Charles Marshall (D)

Sylvester Bradley (D)

Shep Wilbun (D)

Julia Roberson Wiseman (I)

Probate Court Clerk

Paul Boyd (R)

Sondra Becton (D)

Danny Kail (D)

Annita Sawyer Hamilton (D)

Peggy Dobbins (D)

Clay Perry (D)

Karen Tyler (D)

Shelby County Register

Tom Leatherwood (R) (incumbent)

Coleman Thompson (D)

Lady J. Swift (D)

Carlton Orange (D)

Shelby County Trustee

Regina Newman (D) (incumbent)

M. LaTroy Williams (D)

John Willingham (R)

Jeff Jacobs (R)

David Lenoir (R)

85. Dress Newest Pathologist At Pathology Group of the MidSouth - Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Dr. Matthew A. Dress has joined Pathology Group of the MidSouth PC as its newest pathologist.

Before joining Pathology Group of the MidSouth, Dress served as the chief resident in anatomic and clinical pathology at the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Tennessee. He then completed a fellowship in hematopathology at the University of Rochester Medical Center-Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.Y. 

86. DC Vote Reaching Nationwide for Lobbying Help - Monday, August 24, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - Advocates for a Washington, D.C., congressional seat are ramping up their lobbying efforts, seeking leverage on members of Congress by enlisting the help of their constituents far from the nation's capital.

87. Stimulus Money Skips Needy Areas - Tuesday, May 12, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – Counties suffering the most from job losses stand to receive the least help from President Barack Obama’s plan to spend billions of stimulus dollars on roads and bridges, an Associated Press analysis has found.

88. Neuvo Files Permit For East Memphis Salon - Friday, May 8, 2009

Neuvo Salon has filed a $712,367 permit application with the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement to build a two-story, 4,700-square-foot salon at 5158 Wheelis Drive in East Memphis. The building will sit on a half-acre lot on the north side of Wheelis off South White Station Road.

89. Freight Haulers Slam on the Brakes - Friday, December 12, 2008

In a normal year, Gordon Trucking Inc. might replace 20 percent of its fleet of 1,500 big rigs with new trucks. But given the bleak outlook for the freight business, the Pacific, Wash., hauler doesn’t intend to buy a single new truck next year.

90. In Tight Times, Shunning Materialism Saves Money - Tuesday, July 22, 2008

NEW YORK - Give up worldly goods and help save the Earth.

Oh, and save lots of money.

As the economy worsens, one group of Americans is turning to an Earth-friendly way of life as a hardline strategy for saving. The Compact started a few years ago in San Francisco as a group of people who vowed to shun consumer culture for a year in the name of conservation. Now it has over 9,000 members and spinoff groups are sprouting up across the country.

91. Final Wolf River Ranch Piece in Sight With 34-Acre Sale - Tuesday, June 24, 2008

More than 10 years after bulldozers first moved dirt in Collierville’s Wolf River Ranch, the end is in site for the residential portion of the 350-acre planned development as the final phase of homes nears completion.

92. Fayette Developers Hold Breath as First Phase of New Subdivision Comes Online - Wednesday, December 5, 2007

The plat has been recorded and the first two builders have signed on. Now the developers of Oakland Cross Creek need the housing market to rebound after a dismal year.

Oakland Cross Creek, a 129-lot development on the west side of Wirt Road west of Tenn. 194 in Fayette County was the creation of Terry & Terry Inc. - whose partners are Terry Pagliari, Terry Dan and Billy Perry - and Chuck Schadt.

93. ACEC of Tennessee ChapterElects Officers - Friday, September 14, 2007
     The Memphis chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Tennessee, which is comprised of more than 30 Memphis engineering firms, has elected its officers and board.
    &nbs

94. City Council Races Overflow With 83 Candidates Filing - Monday, July 23, 2007

It's the year of the open seat on the Memphis City Council.

With seven incumbents not running for re-election and the resignation last month of an eighth, it is already the biggest turnover of council seats in the 40-year history of the mayor-council form of government.

95. Things Go From Hot To Smoking Hot In Election Contests - Thursday, July 12, 2007

With one week to the filing deadline for the Oct. 4 Memphis city elections, 124 citizens have thought seriously enough about running for the 15 offices on the ballot to check out qualifying petitions. Nearly 40 had filed by the end of the first week.

96. Deputies Group Sues County Sheriff Over Teamsters Affiliation - Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Shelby County Sheriff's deputies have filed a federal lawsuit against their boss, Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell, claiming he has unfairly prevented them from reaching a new labor contract because of their decision to associate with the Teamsters Law Enforcement League.

97. Deputies Group Sues County Sheriff Luttrell Over Teamsters Affiliation - Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Shelby County Sheriff's deputies on Monday filed a federal lawsuit against their boss, Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell, claiming he has unfairly prevented them from reaching a new labor contract because of their decision to associate with the Teamsters Law Enforcement League.

98. City Council Looks Ahead To Biggest New-Blood Transfusion In Almost 40 Years - Tuesday, June 19, 2007

A year after voters shuffled the County Commission, it appears the City Council is about to be dealt the same hand.

With a month until the filing deadline for the October ballot, the city election year already promises more change than the council has seen in 36 years.

99. Bethel Named New VP Of COMEC Board - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Greg Bethel has been named vice president of the board of directors of the Commission on Missing & Exploited Children (COMEC). Bethel is the director of human resources for the Jackson-Madison County School System in Jackson, Tenn. He's been on the board of directors for two years.

100. Ryder Puts Years of Know-How Into Bankruptcy and Commercial Litigation - Thursday, January 18, 2007

Attorney John L. Ryder is a member of the well-known Memphis law firm of Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh PLLC. The firm formed in 2000 as the result of a merger between two longtime Memphis law firms: Harris, Shelton, Dunlap, Cobb & Ryder PLLC and Hanover, Walsh, Jalenak & Blair PLLC.