The former president of the Balmoral Ridgeway Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization has been indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury for theft of more than $1,000.

Tameka Harrison resigned her post with the PTO in May on the last day of school. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office was already investigating the PTO’s finances after Shelby County School officials notified the comptroller’s office about deficiencies in the account.

2. Balmoral School PTO Pres Indicted for Theft - Wednesday, June 13, 2018

The former president of the Balmoral Ridgeway Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization has been indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury for theft of more than $1,000.

Tameka Harrison resigned her post with the PTO in May on the last day of school. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office was already investigating the PTO’s finances after Shelby County School officials notified the comptroller’s office about deficiencies in the account.

3. Schowen Named Manager Of Baptist Ambulance - Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Greg Schowen has been named general manager of Baptist Ambulance, a member of the Priority Ambulance family of companies that currently serves 10 Baptist Memorial Health Care facilities with interfacility transport, as well as six communities with 911 response. Schowen brings 25 years of experience overseeing operations for emergency medical service providers in high-performance 911 service areas, including Los Angeles County, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

4. Balmoral School's PTO Pres Indicted For Theft - Tuesday, June 12, 2018

The former president of the Balmoral Ridgeway Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization has been indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury for theft of more than $1,000.

Tameka Harrison resigned her post with the PTO in May on the last day of school. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office was already investigating the PTO’s finances after Shelby County School officials notified the comptroller’s office about deficiencies in the account.

5. 20 Tennessee Parks to Hold Public Meetings - Monday, April 16, 2018

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Twenty of Tennessee's state parks are holding public meetings where community members can comment on current and future park improvement projects.

State officials say the parks plan a series of public meetings on April 19 and April 24.

6. Pruitt Brings Fresh, Quieter Approach To Football Practice - Friday, April 13, 2018

I find the culture shift of Tennessee football under new head coach Jeremy Pruitt this spring to be refreshing.

7. Last Word: Filing Deadline, Case & Vance In May and Paul Manafort at the Rivermont - Thursday, February 15, 2018

By our count, when the noon Thursday deadline for candidates in the May county primaries has come and gone, there could be -- could be -- four incumbent county commissioners who are effectively re-elected to their seats for another four-year term. And we already know the commission will have at least seven new faces in September. More interesting is that there are only four sets of primaries – all for countywide offices – that have multiple contenders in each primary. That’s out of 23 offices on the primary ballot.

8. Last Word: Fred's Troubles, Indigo Comeback and Selling MCA - Tuesday, February 6, 2018

During Monday’s record Wall Street drop, Memphis-based Fred’s was among those taking it on the chin. But the retailer’s stock was already taking a beating from more turmoil since it got cut-out of a purchase of Rite Aid stores by Walgreens in 2017. Fred’s third chief financial officer in seven months is getting a $100,000 hiring bonus.

9. Democrats Look to Cooperate on Key Issues - Thursday, December 28, 2017

With the state’s budget projected to be tight and lawmakers lining up to run for re-election in 2018, the coming legislative session isn’t expected to yield many surprises.

But the 110th General Assembly still has a long row to hoe as the session starts Jan. 9 with new legislative offices and committee rooms in the renovated Cordell Hull Building in downtown Nashville.

10. Tennessee Senate Speaker Wants Comptroller Probe Into ACT - Wednesday, December 13, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The state Senate's leader wants an investigation into the ACT, which hasn't released scores from wrongly administered tests.

Speaker Randy McNally's letter last week asks Comptroller Justin Wilson's office to investigate.

11. Former Band Director Charged With Theft - Saturday, December 2, 2017

The former band director of Collierville Middle School, Jason Seek, was arrested and charged with theft of property over $60,000 the day before Thanksgiving, according to the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.

12. Former Collierville Band Director Charged With Theft - Wednesday, November 29, 2017

The former band director of Collierville Middle School, Jason Seek, was arrested and charged with theft of property over $60,000 the day before Thanksgiving, according to the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.

13. Audit: Tenn. Nonprofit Falsified Time Reports - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has found a series of falsified time reports and poor documentation practices within the Nashville-based Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

14. Tennessee Open Records Advocates Push for Policy Change - Thursday, October 12, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Open records advocates are pushing for Tennessee agencies to allow citizens to take cellphone photographs of public records.

In January, The Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel issued a model policy that forbade requestors from making copies of records with personal equipment, following the adoption of a state law requiring government offices to establish written public records policies.

15. Tennessee Hasn't Updated Endangered Species List in 16 Years - Wednesday, September 13, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – An audit has found that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has not updated the state's endangered species list in 16 years, even though it is required to do so every two years.

16. ‘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.

17. Nathan Bedford Forrest Bust to Stay in Capitol - Friday, September 1, 2017

The Tennessee Capitol Commission blocked Gov. Bill Haslam’s request Friday, Sept. 1, to move the embattled Nathan Bedford Forrest bust out of the State Capitol to the Tennessee State Museum.

18. School Dance Team Treasurer Indicted for Theft of Funds - Tuesday, June 6, 2017

An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has found that Charlene Wheeler, the former treasurer of the Arlington Middle School Dance Team Booster Club, allegedly took at least $11,059 from the booster club for personal use.

19. 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.

20. ASD Loses 29 Employees in ESSA Shift - Monday, May 8, 2017

The state-run Achievement School District is losing 29 employees including 13 who are involved in running the first schools in Frayser taken over by the district in 2012.

The changes, which include another 16 positions in the central office, are the most significant ever for the ASD, which takes over state schools in the bottom 5 percent in terms of academic achievement.

21. ASD Sheds 29 Employees in ESSA Shift - Friday, May 5, 2017

The state-run Achievement School District is losing 29 employees including 13 who are involved in the direct running of the first schools in Frayser taken over by the district in 2012.

The changes, which include another 16 positions in the central office, are the most significant change to the district for the bottom 5 percent of public schools in the state in terms of academic achievement.

22. 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.

23. Lawmakers Blast Haslam Administration for Process Toward JLL Contract - Thursday, March 30, 2017

The Tennessee Department of General Services is set to award a statewide contract for facility management services to Jones Lang LaSalle, a company that already handles 10 percent of state office space and estimates a 15.9 percent savings if all higher education institutes participate.

24. 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.

25. Analysis: Some Super Bowl Ads Score, Others Fumble - Tuesday, February 7, 2017

There is no greater scrutiny that a brand faces for its marketing prowess than during the biggest U.S. sporting event of the year. Courageous brands bet big that their ad would win hearts and minds among consumers, but alas, only 40 percent of Super Bowl ads earned favorable ratings from our team of advertising professionals.

26. JT Returns and Mr. Clean Channels Magic Mike - Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Buzz is building around this year’s Super Bowl ads, which will feature Justin Timberlake, political controversy, Mr. Clean as Magic Mike, and the first-ever live ad.

In another record-breaking year, with ad costs exceeding last year’s $5 million per 30-second spot, big brands are, once again, putting it all on the line. Some will score big and others will be nursing a multimillion-dollar headache Monday morning. Here’s what we know so far.

27. Tennessee State Museum Under Audit After Director Gets Raise - Tuesday, January 24, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – State officials have authorized a special audit of Tennessee State Museum operations after its executive director received a 26 percent pay raise.

The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/2joW0rr) reports that museum officials announced the audit last week.

28. Haslam Seeks Elusive Comfort Level on Road Funding Increases - Friday, January 6, 2017

JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) – With just over three weeks remaining until he presents his annual Tennessee spending plan to lawmakers, Gov. Bill Haslam is still trying to find what he calls a comfort level with lawmakers on his efforts to boost transportation funding.

29. Titaned Up: Success Found In Big Moves, Smallest Details - Friday, December 30, 2016

Most critics of last year’s Tennessee Titans saw unsettled ownership, a revolving door of coaches and a lack of talent at key positions.

Jon Robinson saw weeds.

30. Tennessee Electors Pledge Not to Budge From Trump Support - Monday, December 19, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A flood of emails, phone calls and letters isn't expected to influence the decisions of Tennessee's 11 members of the Electoral College when they cast their ballots Monday at the state Capitol.

31. Outsourcing: Savings, But No Specifics - Thursday, December 8, 2016

The Haslam administration is forging ahead with plans to nab a statewide facilities services contractor after an outside analysis backed up a study showing estimated cost savings of more than $35 million a year at Tennessee universities.

32. State Bonds Sell For Record Low Interest Rate - Saturday, August 27, 2016

The state of Tennessee has completed the sale of approximately $366 million of general obligation bonds for the lowest interest ever negotiated in the state’s history, according to the Comptroller’s Office.

33. State Bonds Sell For Record Low Interest Rate - Friday, August 26, 2016

The state of Tennessee has completed the sale of approximately $366 million of general obligation bonds for the lowest interest ever negotiated in the state’s history, according to the Comptroller’s Office.

34. ASD Financial Control Shifts to Nashville - Friday, August 19, 2016

A performance audit report on the Achievement School District by Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson released this week is critical of the financial controls in place at the state-run school system for the lowest-performing schools in the state.

35. Rating Agencies, State Comptroller Tout Improved City of Memphis Finances - Wednesday, July 27, 2016

The most outspoken critic of the city’s financial condition said Monday, July 25, that Memphis leaders have made a “remarkable achievement.”

“Just three years ago there was a serious question about whether the City Council would take the necessary steps to control its budget and determine Memphis’ future,” Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson wrote Monday to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Memphis City Council chairman Kemp Conrad. “If you continue on this path, Memphis will reclaim its rightful place among the truly vibrant cities of the world.”

36. Former Public Works Director In Mason Indicted for Theft - Thursday, July 21, 2016

The town of Mason’s former public works superintendent, Christopher Lee Trimble, has been indicted by a Tipton County grand jury on charges of official misconduct and theft after an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

37. Crosstown High Organizers Say It Will Be Innovative, Whether Charter or Optional - Saturday, May 21, 2016

Crosstown High School could be a charter school after all.

That was the original plan when charter operator Gestalt Community Schools signed on as one of the early tenants of Crosstown Concourse, the transformation of the old Sears Tower on Cleveland Avenue. When Gestalt pulled out of the project in late 2015, a group of philanthropists and community leaders rallied to recruit another school for the mixed-use high-rise.

38. Poplar Place Apartments Sell for $15.3 Million - Thursday, May 19, 2016

1669 Randolph Place
Memphis, TN 38120

Sale Amount: $15.3 million

Sale Date: May 6

Buyer: Poplar Place TN Townhomes LLC

39. GOP Fractures Ruin Reagan Day Fundraiser in Tennessee - Wednesday, May 11, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Reagan Day fundraisers have been a staple of GOP politics ever since the Great Communicator made a point of promoting the 11th Commandment – thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican. But in the conservative suburbs east of Nashville, the event has become too poisonous to be held this year.

40. Memphis Redbirds Set Roster for 2016 Season - Saturday, April 16, 2016

The Memphis Redbirds, the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, have announced their roster as of Thursday, April 7.

Fifteen players on the 25-man spent time in Memphis last season, including Dean Kiekhefer, Thomas Lee, Arturo Reyes, Ryan Sherriff, Miguel Socolovich, Sam Tuivailala, Justin Wright and Heath Wyatt on the pitching staff, catcher Alberto Rosario, infielders Dean Anna, Alex Mejia, Matt Williams and Jacob Wilson, and outfielders Anthony Garcia and Nick Martini.

41. Memphis Redbirds Set Roster for 2016 Season - Monday, April 11, 2016

The Memphis Redbirds, the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, have announced their roster as of Thursday, April 7.

Fifteen players on the 25-man spent time in Memphis last season, including Dean Kiekhefer, Thomas Lee, Arturo Reyes, Ryan Sherriff, Miguel Socolovich, Sam Tuivailala, Justin Wright and Heath Wyatt on the pitching staff, catcher Alberto Rosario, infielders Dean Anna, Alex Mejia, Matt Williams and Jacob Wilson, and outfielders Anthony Garcia and Nick Martini.

42. New Haslam Spending Proposed for Roads, TennCare, Schools - Wednesday, March 30, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Haslam on Monday proposed new spending on Tennessee roads, TennCare and schools.

The annual budget amendment reflects the governor's priorities for spending about $65 million in savings beyond what was originally projected for the budget year beginning July 1.

43. Tennessee Comptroller Investigates 2 Food Program Agencies - Friday, March 25, 2016

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Tennessee Comptroller's Office is questioning the spending of one agency and the reimbursements claimed by another that participate in food programs to feed low-income children.

44. Sparks Fly In Nashville Over Deannexation - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

The Tennessee Legislature’s debate about a proposed deannexation law isn’t a case of Memphis against the rest of the state.

It’s a debate within the Shelby County legislative delegation and with a few exceptions, most of the critics of the measure that would allow referendums to undo annexations that are in some cases 18 years old are Memphis legislators.

45. Tennessee House Approves Deannexation Bill - Tuesday, March 15, 2016

The Tennessee House approved a deannexation bill Monday, March 14, in a 68-25 vote after an emotional debate and a tide of amendments that were all voted down on the floor.

Republican state Representative Mike Carter of Hamilton County also disputed Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s claim that the city of Memphis stands to lose approximately $80 million in sales and property tax revenues.

46. Audit Finds Accounting Problems in Fayette County - Friday, March 11, 2016

State Comptroller Justin P. Wilson used the word “troublesome” in describing recurring accounting findings and previously recommended adjustments that have gone unresolved in Fayette County.

His comments came with an audit released Thursday, March 10, by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office identifying 14 areas of concern with accounting practices in Fayette County government.

47. Senate Finance Committee Votes To Add 2 Open Records Jobs - Thursday, February 18, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Senate Finance Committee has voted to approve funding for two new positions in Tennessee government to help clear a backlog of open record questions.

A recent comptroller's audit documented more than 600 open or pending cases where citizens or governments made requests to the Office of Open Records Counsel, which helps people obtain government records.

48. College Football Notebook: Vols Get Bowl Upgrade, All-SEC Teams Named - Thursday, December 10, 2015

Last season, coach Butch Jones got Tennessee back to a bowl game. This season, they’ve moved up from the TaxSlayer Bowl to the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.

It’s a tangible step for a program that finished 8-4, 5-3 in the SEC. And looking back over the schedule at what might have been, the Vols easily could have played for the SEC title or at least already have 10 wins.

49. City Council to Vote on Idlewild Gate, Water Rate Hike - Tuesday, December 1, 2015

A gate across Idlewild Street between two competing supermarket projects in Midtown tops the Memphis City Council’s next-to-last meeting of the year.

The council is to vote Tuesday, Dec. 1, on a resolution that would close Idlewild south of Union Avenue to vehicular traffic and install a gate. The reason, according to the resolution, is to prevent motorists coming from Union Avenue and the two developments from cutting through the residential area.

50. Comptroller: Action Needed on MLGW Water Rates - Monday, November 30, 2015

Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson has warned city leaders that Memphis Light, Gas and Water’s water division could come under state control if action isn’t taken to make up a $2 million deficit in water revenue.

51. Painful thought: Will the Titans ever be good again? - Saturday, November 21, 2015

As the Tennessee Titans head down the backstretch of another unproductive season, it might be time to ponder a scary question: Will the Titans ever be good again?

How much longer will they be an NFL’s bottom feeder, swimming the same muddy waters as the Raiders, Browns, Lions and Jaguars?

52. Experts Predict Big Tenn. Revenue Growth This Year and Next - Monday, November 16, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Experts are predicting a large budget surplus in Tennessee in the current year, and more revenue growth in the next.

In presentations made to the State Funding Board on Friday, Robert Currey of the Legislature's Fiscal Review Committee had the most optimistic surplus projection of $422 million for the budget year ending June 30.

53. Despite Rhetoric, Florida Game Critical for Tennessee's Butch Jones - Saturday, September 26, 2015

Tennessee’s Butch Jones will coach the biggest game of his three-year tenure with the Vols – and probably the biggest of his entire coaching career – at Florida on Saturday.

Like it or not, Jones is carrying the weight of UT’s 10-game losing streak to Florida on his shoulders.

54. Public Outcry Kills Tennessee Bill to Charge for Public Records - Thursday, September 24, 2015

People of every political stripe across Tennessee are rising in protest to legislation allowing government to charge fees for inspection of public records.

Fisk University student Justin Jones said such a financial imposition would place an “undue burden” on his fellow collegians seeking information from public records as part of research papers and other assignments.

55. Wharton Reintroduces Detroit Specter as Early Voting Begins - Tuesday, September 22, 2015

When the city of Memphis got an unmistakable warning in May 2013 from Tennessee comptroller Justin Wilson to get its financial house in order, Memphis mayor A C Wharton was among those quick to caution against likening the city’s problems to those of Detroit.

56. Tennessee Hearings Show Most Oppose New Public Records Charges - Friday, September 18, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lawmakers are asking taxpayers to weigh in on a proposal to charge people to view public records, and the taxpayers' response so far is clear: No.

The meetings were organized by the state Office of Open Records Counsel at the behest of lawmakers who want to change the current law that allows custodians to charge for copies but not for simply inspecting records.

57. Hearings Scheduled on Proposed Changes to Tennessee Records Laws - Tuesday, September 15, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The state Office of Open Records Counsel is holding a series of hearings this week about a proposal to make taxpayers pay to inspect public records in Tennessee.

58. UTHSC Pursuing Hotel-Conference Center in Medical District - Thursday, August 27, 2015

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is looking for a developer to build a hotel and conference center at the southwest corner of Madison Avenue and South Pauline Street.

59. Mayoral Debate Clash Focuses on City Finances - Thursday, August 20, 2015

Memphis city government’s financial problems and how those problems happened was the flashpoint for the latest meeting of the top mayoral contenders on the Oct. 8 ballot.

The Wednesday, Aug. 19, forum sponsored by The Commercial Appeal at the University of Memphis saw incumbent Mayor A C Wharton Jr. clash with challengers and city council members Jim Strickland and Harold Collins. The fourth debate contender, Memphis Police Association president Mike Williams, argued for different city priorities and a slower move toward economic development goals.

60. Preseason Analysis: Vols Will Defeat Oklahoma, Finish 8-4 - Saturday, August 8, 2015

Tennessee’s football team has something to prove as it concludes the first week of preseason practices and moves forward to the 2015 season.

The Vols must prove they belong in the national picture in Butch Jones’ third year as coach.

61. State Audit Uncovers Millions in Questionable Spending - Tuesday, July 14, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – An audit of the Tennessee Department of Human Services found a lack of oversight led to at least $1.8 million in questionable spending last year from contractors operating programs to feed the needy. In 2013, the questioned costs were $4.3 million. And that is just in the small sample of agencies auditors reviewed.

62. Fino’s Taking a Bite Out of East Memphis - Thursday, July 2, 2015

The Brookhaven Circle area, an emerging restaurant row in the heart of East Memphis, is welcoming a new neighbor.

Jerry Wilson, owner of Fino’s from the Hill at 1853 Madison Ave. in Midtown, has acquired the property at 703 W. Brookhaven Circle in East Memphis for $526,600.

63. Memphis City Council’s Distrust of Wharton Boils to Surface - Thursday, June 18, 2015

If it wasn’t obvious in five previous budget seasons, Memphis City Council members made the point clearer Tuesday, June 16, just before they delayed final city budget votes for another week.

They don’t trust the numbers and explanations they are getting from Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. as they try to rearrange his $656.5 million budget that was proposed in April.

64. Tennessee Comptroller's Audit Division Wins National Award - Wednesday, June 17, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The state comptroller's audit division has won the 2015 excellence in accountability award from the National State Auditors Association.

The award from the national group recognizes the Division of State Audit's efforts to improve communication between auditors and state agencies. The division's "Guide to State Audits," which is distributed to agencies at the start of every audit, was recognized as the group's special project of the year.

65. Wharton Traces City’s Path in Financial Crisis - Monday, April 20, 2015

City Hall’s budget season in this Memphis election year will be about more than the dollar figures and line items in Mayor A C Wharton Jr.’s budget proposal.

It will be about different versions of how the city got into its ongoing financial crisis.

66. City Debt Restructure Isn’t the End of Finance Debate - Thursday, March 19, 2015

The table was rectangular, not round. There was no green felt and nobody had a deck of cards. But when 10 Memphis City Council members, Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and Tennessee comptroller Justin Wilson gathered in the council’s committee room Tuesday, March 17, there were lots of comparisons to a poker game. And lots of money was at stake.

67. City Council Approves Debt Restructuring - Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Memphis City Council members voted 8-4 Tuesday, March 17, to approve a proposed restructuring of city debt payments.

Council members approved Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.’s proposal after a day of questions for financial consulting firm PFM and Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson.

68. Tennessee Secretary of State Hires Reporter as Spokesman - Monday, March 16, 2015

Secretary of State Tre Hargett has named television reporter Adam Ghassemi as his new spokesman.

Ghassemi, who most recently worked for WTVF in Nashville, succeeds Blake Fontenay, who was originally hired to be a spokesman for Hargett, Comptroller Justin Wilson and Treasurer David Lillard.

69. Open Meetings Laws Don't Apply to Tennessee Transparency Panel - Tuesday, March 10, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A panel of experts assembled to offer advice on transparency issues is not subject to the state's open meetings law. At least that's the opinion of Ann Butterworth, who heads the Comptroller's Office of Open Records Counsel.

70. Financial Debate Looms at City Hall - Thursday, March 5, 2015

With Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. to present his budget proposal to the City Council in May, some on the council started to set the table this week for an election year challenge of Wharton’s methods for righting the city’s financial condition.

71. Council Delays Financial Votes, Approves Beale Street Authority - Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Memphis City Council members approved a $4.5 million advance Tuesday, March 3, for the Memphis Area Transit Authority to get past a cash flow problem.

But the council delayed for two weeks a vote on a larger mid-fiscal year budget adjustment for city government in general.

72. City Council to Get Update Halfway Into Fiscal Year - Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Memphis City Council members return to the matter of city finances Tuesday, March 3, with a financial review in a 9:30 a.m. committee session that marks the halfway point in the city’s fiscal year.

73. Tenn. Political Leaders Put Off Gas Tax Talk Despite Needs - Tuesday, February 24, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – While political leaders in Tennessee agree on the growing need to bolster funding for road building and maintenance, there is little consensus about how go about doing it.

74. Editorial: City Hall and the Bubble - Saturday, February 21, 2015

About five years ago at City Hall, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. had a “plain vanilla” plan for the city’s finances that would get the city past a tough period.

His description was in keeping with the ho-hum aura of past debt-restructuring actions the Memphis City Council has seen over the years.

75. City Talking Debt Restructure Two Years After State Warning - Tuesday, February 10, 2015

The Memphis City Council approved changes to city health insurance coverage in June and pension coverage in December.

But later amendments to both sets of benefits, the city’s debt service payments, a 2010 restructuring of city debt, and the city’s annual required pension contribution are all factors that will influence city finances for years, said city finance director Brian Collins.

76. Lasting Legacies - Saturday, January 31, 2015

A FedEx commercial that never made it past the storyboard stage portrayed company founder, chairman and CEO Fred Smith as a child filling out an order form in the back of a comic book for a batch of Sea-Monkeys, sending it off and waiting for the delivery.

77. Tennessee Lawmakers Re-Elect Treasurer, Comptroller - Saturday, January 17, 2015

A joint session of the Tennessee House and Senate has approved new terms for two of the state's constitutional officers.

Comptroller Justin Wilson and Treasurer David Lillard were elected Wednesday to their fourth two-year terms. Wilson, Lillard and Secretary of State Tre Hargett were each first elected in 2009 after Republicans gained control of the Legislature.

78. Tennessee Lawmakers Re-Elect Treasurer, Comptroller - Thursday, January 15, 2015

A joint session of the Tennessee House and Senate has approved new terms for two of the state's constitutional officers.

Comptroller Justin Wilson and Treasurer David Lillard were elected Wednesday to their fourth two-year terms. Wilson, Lillard and Secretary of State Tre Hargett were each first elected in 2009 after Republicans gained control of the Legislature.

79. Tennessee Constitutional Officers Get Own Spokespeople - Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Tennessee's secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer are abandoning an effort to use one communications officer to speak on all three constitutional officers' behalf.

Treasurer David Lillard announced Friday he has hired Shelli King, a former marketing consultant at WTVF-TV in Nashville, to be his chief spokeswoman. Comptroller Justin Wilson previously hired former WZTV-TV reporter John Dunn to be his spokesman.

80. Haslam Checks In With Bond Rating Agencies - Monday, September 29, 2014

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam was in New York City last week to talk with the major bond rating agencies.

Normally such trips come when a local or state government is about to issue new debt and wants a credit rating from the agencies. In this case, the Thursday, Sept. 25, visit was not for that. It was more of a status report on the state’s financial condition.

81. Vols Hope to Snap 20-Game Road Slump vs. Ranked Opponents - Saturday, September 27, 2014

KNOXVILLE – It doesn’t get much easier for the University of Tennessee’s football team.

The Sept. 20 open date has come and gone. UT’s coaches and players had ample time to digest and dissect details of the 34-10 loss to No. 4-ranked Oklahoma on Sept. 13 and a week to prepare for a challenge just as formidable.

82. South Carolina Back in SEC East Race - Tuesday, September 16, 2014

The South Carolina defense still has improvement to make, but in beating Georgia 38-35 last Saturday the Gamecocks made a fourth-quarter goal-line stand and reasserted their presence in the SEC East Division.

83. Fire, Police Union Brass Say Lawsuit is Coming - Tuesday, June 24, 2014

The leaders of the Memphis police and fire unions say they will sue the city over changes in employee health insurance approved this month and are prepared to add pension changes to the litigation if the council approves those changes next month.

84. Battle Lines - Friday, June 20, 2014

The city’s operating and capital budgets are just about set for the new fiscal year next month. Hard decisions made about health insurance for city employees and retirees Tuesday, June 17, are unlikely to be revisited by the Memphis City Council.

85. Nashville Mayor Maps Issues Similar to Memphis - Tuesday, June 10, 2014

The Nashville mayor who was once Davidson County's public defender says schools in his city aren’t meeting his test for success in public education.

He is concerned with attracting talent to the city and touts diversity as a key component of that. And his city has a critical need for a “more robust” mass transit system, he said last week.

86. City Council Continues Pension Talks - Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Memphis City Council members continue their discussions Tuesday, March 18, about the city’s unfunded pension liability as well as possible changes in city employee heath care benefits.

But there is still no action on any part of the issues on the council agenda for a vote.

87. Council Looks to Pinpoint Pension Numbers - Thursday, March 6, 2014

The Tuesday, March 4, discussion Memphis City Council members had with Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson, Tennessee Treasurer David Lillard and consultants from four actuarial firms centered on the city’s pension liability.

88. Council Weighs Conflicting Liability Numbers, Approves Mall Plan - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Memphis City Council members cleared much of their committee calendar Tuesday, Feb. 4, to talk for four hours about specifics of the city’s pension fund liability crisis.

The discussion with Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson, Tennessee Treasurer David Lillard and consultants from four actuarial firms was aimed at trying to define the specifics of the problem, see if there is agreement on some of the numbers and better explain the differences.

89. Council Weighs Conflicting L:iability Numbers, Approves Mall Plan - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Memphis City Council members cleared much of their committee calendar Tuesday, Feb. 4, to talk for four hours about specifics of the city’s pension fund liability crisis.

The discussion with Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson, Tennessee Treasurer David Lillard and consultants from four actuarial firms was aimed at trying to define the specifics of the problem, see if there is agreement on some of the numbers and better explain the differences.

90. City Council to Dig Into Pension Liability - Tuesday, March 4, 2014

The road to a specific solution to the city’s unsustainable pension liability and employee benefits begins Tuesday, March 4, in detailed, technical and complex financial discussions at City Hall that will dominate the committee schedule of the Memphis City Council.

91. Council Hires Actuary Consultant - Saturday, February 22, 2014

The Memphis City Council approved hiring its own actuary firm Tuesday, Feb. 18, to review the city’s financial state, namely city government’s unfunded pension liability. The council voted to hire Segal Consulting of Atlanta to advise it as the council prepared for a March 4 committee session in which it will meet with the administration’s actuary and others on the unsustainable trajectory the pension fund is on.

92. Council Hires Actuary Consultant - Thursday, February 20, 2014

The Memphis City Council approved hiring its own actuary firm Tuesday, Feb. 18, to review the city’s financial state, namely city government’s unfunded pension liability. The council voted to hire Segal Consulting of Atlanta to advise it as the council prepared for a March 4 committee session in which it will meet with the administration’s actuary and others on the unsustainable trajectory the pension fund is on.

93. Council Tours Pyramid, Weighs City Offices In Two Malls - Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Memphis City Council members heard Tuesday, Feb. 18, that the administration of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. wants to move some city government offices into the Soulsville Town Center in South Memphis and is weighing whether to renovate or tear down and build anew on the site of the Southbrook Mall in Whitehaven.

94. Official: FBI to Interview Election Administrator - Friday, January 17, 2014

MEMPHIS (AP) – The FBI has told Shelby County Election Administrator Richard Holden it wants to speak with him and six other election workers about how they complete their job responsibilities, an official said Thursday.

95. Editorial: City Hall Reeling in Financial Straits - Saturday, January 4, 2014

The issue that promises or threatens to dominate 2014 at City Hall is the one that just about everyone in city government would rather see out of the spotlight.

In a word, it’s money.

City Hall’s money problem is not one that historically gets a lot of the spotlight for very long.

96. Debt and Liability - Saturday, January 4, 2014

There is rarely a good answer to the question “How much?” in politics.

With issues including the unfunded pension liability, overall debt, and revenue estimates and their validity, City Hall’s overall money problem begins but hardly ends with the question. It won’t be that simple.

97. Ratings Agencies Weigh In on City’s Bonds - Monday, December 30, 2013

Standard & Poor’s, one of the big three bond-rating agencies, has assigned a AA rating to the city’s general obligation bonds and the revenue bonds proposed for use in a city purchase of AutoZone Park, and has given the city’s financial health a “stable” outlook on both fronts.

98. Lindow Rejoins The Centre Group - Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Tracy Lindow has rejoined The Centre Group human resources firm as a senior consultant following several years in Germany. As a senior consultant, Lindow will help organizations improve their bottom line through human asset development by leveraging compensations strategies, executive search, employee attitude research and leadership skills development.

99. Wharton to Present Pension Plan to City Council - Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. will take a five-year plan for meeting the city’s $709 million unfunded pension liability Tuesday, Dec. 17, to Memphis City Council members during their executive session.

100. Bad Blood - Saturday, December 14, 2013

December was already going to be a busy month at City Hall for the administration of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.

He would be bringing a plan to provide $15 million in city financing for the $180 million Crosstown revitalization project and rolling out its fix to address the Tennessee Comptroller’s vocal concerns about the city’s unfunded pension liability.