Two races on the Nov. 6 ballot within the Shelby County legislative delegation to Nashville getting some attention as our Nashville correspondent Sam Stockard takes a look at “gun sense” ratings from the group Moms Demand Action, which has called for stricter gun laws.

2. Last Word: Election Day, Inland Bails Early and Cannons Out - Thursday, August 2, 2018

The TV breaks are wall to wall with political ads. The campaign robo-calls have crowded out the hang-up clone calls to your landline phone. Your mailbox has no fewer than three mailers a day. And all of the parties set for Thursday night are “victory” parties at least until the polls close. Here comes election day.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. August Ballot Starts to Fill Out Ahead of April 5 Filing Deadline - Wednesday, March 28, 2018

With contenders in the May county primaries now appearing at various campaign forums, holding their own events and going door-to-door in search of votes, there are still a few gaps to be filled on the Aug. 2 state and federal primary ballot.

6. A Look Back At UT’s History In NCAA Tourney - Friday, March 16, 2018

Basketball coach Rick Barnes was fired by Texas in late March of 2015 when he refused to fire members of his coaching staff.

7. August State and Federal Primary Ballot Taking Shape - Thursday, March 15, 2018

With less than a month to file for the August state and federal primary elections, there are still a few decisions to be made by would-be candidates working in the shadows of those running in the May 1 county primary elections.

8. 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.

9. Last Word: The Snow Split, Amazon Post-Mortem and Intermodal Comeback - Friday, January 19, 2018

A split verdict on Snow Day 4. Some school systems and colleges and universities are out again Friday, others are not and still others are opening later in the day. Shelby County Schools, which is out, says it has 13 extra days built into its schedule for just such an event or events – that is 13 days extra beyond the 180 days the state requires as the bare minimum for a school year.

10. 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.

11. Last Word: The Day After, Frayser Bauhaus and Gasol & Fizdale - Friday, December 22, 2017

Less than 24 hours after the Forrest statue in Health Sciences Park was taken down and away, Memphians were taking selfies with what’s left of the very considerable base in the background. And this is only going to become more prevalent when the weather improves and you will probably see folks out there who have some very different views on the removal of the statues.

12. Last Word: Grizz Troubles Deepen, Germantown Kroger Enigma and The Strikers - Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Tigers over Great Danes Tuesday at the Forum 67 – 58. The Grizz are in Washington Wednesday to play the Wizards and some of the attention around the Grizz is shifting away from what happens on the court. What would you call the place that the Grizz are at this mile marker past Grit & Grind? It is more than a losing streak, says Don Wade in his Press Box column.

13. Last Word: Norvell's New Contract, Grade-Changing Culture and Buying Gibson - Wednesday, December 6, 2017

So the Grizz snap the losing streak Monday with a win over the Timberwolves. They try to start a winning streak Wednesday against the Knicks. Elsewhere, so much for a holiday lull. It was cold outside but many a keyboard around this place was warm enough Tuesday afternoon with both the anticipated and the unanticipated. And then there were those items that fall somewhere inbetween. Could happen but will it be today? In many of those cases, the answer was yes.

14. Mickell Lowery Uses Lessons From Council Race in Commission Bid - Thursday, October 26, 2017

Two years to the month after he conceded defeat in his first political outing, Mickell Lowery is returning to the local political arena – albeit a different part of the arena.

Lowery is running in the May Democratic primary for Shelby County Commission District 8, the seat held by Democrat Walter Bailey, who is term-limited and cannot seek re-election in 2018.

15. 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.

16. Legislature Losing Some Powerful, Familiar Members - Thursday, July 13, 2017

A shakeup in leadership is looming for the state Legislature, though it may portend more of a change in personalities than party strength.

In the House, longtime Rep. Craig Fitzhugh, the affable Democrat from Ripley in West Tennessee, is preparing for a 2018 gubernatorial run, a move that would knock him out of his House seat, at least temporarily, and the position as Democratic Caucus leader.

17. Reviving Prospects That Go Dark - Wednesday, July 12, 2017

If you’ve been in sales, you’ve found yourself wondering about a prospect who was highly interested in your offering – and for whom you invested significant time – only to find them suddenly incommunicado.

18. Shelby County Commissioners Question Ending DOJ Agreement - Friday, June 23, 2017

The first reviews from Shelby County Commissioners Wednesday, June 21, of the idea of dropping Justice Department oversight of Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court were highly critical.

In committee sessions Wednesday afternoon, June 21, commissioners complained of not being consulted before county Mayor Mark Luttrell, Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael and Sheriff Bill Oldham made the request to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

19. Juvenile Court Settlement Meets Resistance on County Commission - Thursday, June 22, 2017

The first reviews from Shelby County Commissioners Wednesday, June 21, of the idea of dropping Justice Department oversight of Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court were highly critical.

In committee sessions Wednesday afternoon, commissioners complained of not being consulted before County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael and Sheriff Bill Oldham made the request to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

20. Juvenile Court Settlement Meets Resistance on County Commission - Thursday, June 22, 2017

The first reviews from Shelby County Commissioners Wednesday, June 21, of the idea of dropping Justice Department oversight of Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court were highly critical.

In committee sessions Wednesday afternoon, commissioners complained of not being consulted before County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael and Sheriff Bill Oldham made the request to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

21. Flintco Files $25 Million Permit for ServiceMaster HQ - Thursday, June 1, 2017

150 Peabody Place
Memphis, TN 38103

Permit Amount: $25 million

Application Date: May 2017 

22. Methodist University Hospital Continues Modernization - Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Methodist University Hospital is seeking a $2.5 million building permit to continue work on its $280 million modernization project on its campus, 1265 Union Ave.

23. House Approves Education Fund Concept, But Senate Action Put on Hold - Thursday, May 11, 2017

House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh pushed his K-12 education fund to passage Tuesday, May 9, but the possibility of funding and Senate approval will have to wait until 2018.

Dubbed the “K-12 Block Grant Act,” the measure calls for setting aside $250 million in excess state revenue for interest-generating investment to provide grant money for school systems statewide. Each system could use the funds for state-approved programs such as reading coaches or dual enrollment, items not funded through Tennessee’s Basic Education Program.

24. View From the Hill: Forrest Kerfuffle Might Be Sign of Bigger Problem - Thursday, May 4, 2017

Legislation that slipped through the House of Representatives honoring an unknown author who penned a Nathan Bedford Forrest apologist biography was enabled by the climate within the Republican-controlled body, a Memphis legislator says.

25. House Leader Casada Backs Towns’ Slavery Amendment to State Constitution - Wednesday, May 3, 2017

NASHVILLE – Rep. Joe Towns’ legislation to remove slavery from the state Constitution is being postponed until 2018, but it picked up a key endorsement Monday from Republican House Majority Leader Glen Casada.

26. Towns’ Slavery Amendment Gets Backing From House Leader - Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Rep. Joe Towns’ legislation to remove slavery from the state Constitution is being postponed until 2018, but it picked up a key endorsement Monday from Republican House Majority Leader Glen Casada.

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

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

28. Last Word: The Borders of Violence, Guilty Verdict and Blue Suede Security - Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Whenever there is a shooting of or near school children, one of the first things that happens once the police have investigated is detailing exactly where the incident happened – specifically whether it was actually on school property or near school property.

29. 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.

30. Dave & Buster’s to Open Cordova Location - Thursday, January 19, 2017

7930 Germantown Parkway
Memphis, TN 38133 

Landlord: Brixmor Property Group 

Tenant: Dave & Buster’s 

31. Methodist Hospital Pulls $80M Building Permit - Wednesday, January 18, 2017

An $80 million “interior buildout” permit application for Methodist University Hospital has been filed with the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement.

The permit for the 1265 Union Ave. location lists Turner Construction as the contractor, Juan Self as architect and Mike Sheridan as the engineer.

32. Characteristics of Sales Winners - Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Do you struggle to pinpoint exactly what makes your top sales performers excel? While common, this challenge can make it impossible to consistently recruit high performers. It also makes it difficult to translate those qualities into training for other salespeople on your team that would allow your organization to more quickly scale.

33. Bertelkamp Made Right Call in Going with the Vols - Saturday, January 30, 2016

Bert Bertelkamp would be the first to tell you he’s pulling for Tennessee when calling basketball games as color commentator for the Vol Network.

And why wouldn’t he?

Bertelkamp is Big Orange to the bone. His father Hank played for the Vols (1951-53), was a team captain and remains a big supporter of UT.

34. Tennessee Lawmakers Spent $30K on Grizzlies, Titans Tickets - Tuesday, August 25, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A recent analysis of state campaign finance records show at least seven Tennessee lawmakers collectively spent more than $30,000 in campaign money on tickets to professional sporting events since 2003.

35. 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.

36. Will Tennessee Republicans Ever Be Truly Happy? - Thursday, April 30, 2015

Why aren’t Tennessee Republicans happier?

With the GOP so dominate in the Tennessee General Assembly and losses so rare – on the Hill or in elections – the party’s lawmakers should be jubilant with this year’s session. But it’s never enough.

37. Size of Mayoral Field Shadows Race - Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Nobody running for election on the Oct. 8 ballot can even pull a qualifying petition to get on the ballot until April, yet February is shaping up as the month when it is determined what kind of challenge and how many challengers incumbent Mayor A C Wharton Jr. will face.

38. Wharton Administration No Show At Fairgrounds Forum - Friday, January 30, 2015

No one from the administration of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. showed up Wednesday, Jan. 28, for a public forum on Wharton’s still-developing plan for the redevelopment of the Mid-South Fairgrounds.

39. After the Campaign - Saturday, November 22, 2014

The 2014 election year began in January with dissent from the floor.

At the end of the Shelby County Democratic Party’s annual Kennedy Day fundraiser in January, former Memphis City Council member and state Rep. Carol Chumney, who was not among the speakers, challenged the party establishment from her table to do more to support women running for office.

40. Commission Chair Sued by Seven Members - Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Seven Shelby County Commissioners are suing commission chairman Justin Ford for stopping them from adding items to the body’s agenda.

41. Commission Moves Past First Partisan Divide - Wednesday, October 15, 2014

As quickly as it surfaced, the Shelby County Commission’s first partisan divide of their term of office appeared to subside Monday, Oct. 13.

With little discussion, commissioners approved chairman Justin Ford’s slate of committee assignments for the next year.

42. Malone Takes Early Vote In Mayoral Primary - Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Former Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone took the early vote in the three-way Democratic primary for Shelby County Mayor.

The first results of the Tuesday, May 6, election night showed Malone leading rivals county commissioner Steve Mulroy and former Shelby County Schools board member Kenneth Whalum Jr.

43. Democrats Bemoan Lack of Medicaid Expansion - Wednesday, April 23, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) – House Democratic leaders said Tuesday that Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's decision not to expand Medicaid in Tennessee eclipses his signature plan to cover tuition at two-year colleges.

44. Tennessee House Votes to Express Regret for Slavery - Thursday, April 17, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) – The state House has voted to express "profound regret" for slavery and segregation in Tennessee, but stopped short of an outright apology.

The chamber voted 97-0 in favor of the resolution sponsored by Democratic Rep. Mike Turner of Nashville.

45. AutoZone Park Field to Get Makeover at Season’s End - Thursday, April 17, 2014

This season the Memphis Redbirds are celebrating their 15th year playing at AutoZone Park and the stadium at Third and Union is still a head-turner, even after all these years.

But the playing surface is also celebrating its 15th season and hasn’t been a beauty for a while now.

46. Rep. Barrett Rich to Retire from Tennessee House - Thursday, April 3, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) – State Rep. Barrett Rich says he won't run for another term representing his rural West Tennessee district in the House this year.

The Somerville Republican has served three terms in the lower chamber of the General Assembly. He is a former state trooper who served on then-Gov. Phil Bredesen's security detail and is the current chairman of the House Health Subcommittee.

47. Brown’s Contempt Hearing Reflects Political Skirmish - Monday, March 31, 2014

Joe Brown’s bid to unseat District Attorney General Amy Weirich in the 2014 elections probably wasn’t supposed to begin this way – in a courtroom dispute with Juvenile Court that has nothing to do with Weirich.

48. ‘Champion of Working Man’ Rep. Turner Set to Retire - Wednesday, March 19, 2014

State Rep. and Nashville Democrat Mike Turner is retiring from the General Assembly and considering a run for mayor.

49. Tenn. Rep. Mike Turner Won’t Seek Re-Election - Saturday, March 1, 2014

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner says he will not seek re-election.

Turner told members of the House of Representatives on Thursday that he will retire at the end of the year after serving 14 years in District 51, which covers the areas of Old Hickory, Madison, east Nashville, downtown Nashville and Germantown.

50. Tennessee Rep. Mike Turner Won’t Seek Re-Election - Friday, February 28, 2014

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner says he will not seek re-election.

Turner told members of the House of Representatives on Thursday that he will retire at the end of the year after serving 14 years in District 51, which covers the areas of Old Hickory, Madison, east Nashville, downtown Nashville and Germantown.

51. Haslam to Decide on School Vouchers This Week - Monday, January 13, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam won't announce his decision about whether to support school voucher legislation until state lawmakers return into session this week.

The Republican governor last year supported a voucher program limited to students from low-income families attending failing schools. Haslam had that measure withdrawn when Senate Republicans sought to expand to a larger number of children.

52. County Commission Expected to Fill Vacancy - Monday, January 13, 2014

The Shelby County Commission starts with a dozen members at the first meeting of 2014. But it should be back up to the full 13 members by the end of the Monday, Jan. 13, session.

The commission meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Vasco Smith County Administration Building. Follow the meeting @tdnpols, www.twitter.com/tdnpols.

53. 15 Vie for County Commission Seat - Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Shelby County Commissioners will interview a group of 15 citizens Wednesday, Jan. 8, who want to become the newest member of the elected body.

The committee session interviews come before the full commission is to vote Monday, Jan. 13, on a replacement for Commissioner Wyatt Bunker.

54. Turner to Remain Democratic Caucus Chairman - Wednesday, December 18, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – State Rep. Mike Turner has decided to remain House Democratic Caucus chairman.

55. Haslam: Talks Continue on TennCare Expansion - Thursday, December 12, 2013

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam says his letter this week to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the terms of a possible Medicaid expansion in Tennessee means ongoing talks between his administration and Sebelius’ office will continue.

56. Turner to Step Down as Democratic Caucus Chairman - Wednesday, November 6, 2013

State Rep. Mike Turner says he will step down in January as the House Democratic Caucus chairman.

57. Turner Asks for Haslam Correspondence With Volkswagen - Friday, September 13, 2013

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) – A Democratic leader in the House says he has asked for correspondence between Gov. Bill Haslam and Volkswagen.

Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that he's "concerned" about Haslam "possibly interfering with (Volkswagen's) internal decisions."

58. Republican Group Seeks to Put More Women in Office - Wednesday, September 11, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The nation's largest caucus of Republican state leaders plans to spend $6 million to recruit 300 women to run for office in the next election cycle, women GOP leaders said Tuesday.

59. Finance Complaints Against Haslam, Campfield Seen - Tuesday, August 27, 2013

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance will determine whether to fine Gov. Bill Haslam and state Sen. Stacy Campfield.

The registry earlier voted to impose modest fines on three Democratic legislators who failed to report political contributions. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner of Nashville was assessed $250. State Reps. Joe Armstrong, D-Knoxville, and G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis, were fined $50 each.

60. Welfare Penalty for Parents Dead This Session - Friday, April 12, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The sponsor of a proposal to dock the welfare payments of parents whose children fail school refused to listen to a little girl opposing the measure Thursday, saying she was being used as a prop.

61. House Panel Advances Welfare Penalty for Parents - Thursday, April 11, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – A Tennessee House committee on Tuesday recommended passing a bill that would dock the welfare payments of parents of children who fail at a school despite Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's opposition to the measure.

62. Turner’s Political Role Honors His Lineage - Friday, March 29, 2013

State Rep. Mike Turner, D-Nashville, has a political lineage of which he is proud.

As a 4-year-old, he recalls sitting on his father’s shoulders and campaigning for former U.S. Sen. Albert Gore Sr.

63. Tennessee Lawmakers Want to Decide US Senate Nominees - Thursday, March 28, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Republican and Democratic caucuses of the General Assembly would decide Tennessee's nominees to the U.S. Senate under a bill headed for a vote in the state Senate.

64. 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.

65. Commissioner Discusses Department of Children’s Services Improvements - Wednesday, March 13, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The man who took over Tennessee's embattled child welfare agency said Tuesday he's addressing problems that have plagued it for years, including having staffers personally call him when a child death is reported.

66. Charter School Authorizer Bill Advances - Thursday, March 7, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal that seeks to create a special panel that would authorize charter school applications advanced out of a key House committee Tuesday despite concerns that it strips control from local school districts and could dig into taxpayers' pockets.

67. Turner Calls for Investigation of Department of Children’s Services - Monday, January 14, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner is calling for a special meeting to investigate the Department of Children's Services' refusal to release records related to the abuse and death of children under its care.

68. State Democrats Want to See Pre-Kindergarten Expansion - Thursday, November 8, 2012

Tennessee Democratic leaders say they plan to talk with Gov. Bill Haslam about expanding pre-kindergarten classes after the state’s education commissioner said he doesn’t plan to request funding for an expansion.

69. Political Outsourcing - Monday, October 15, 2012

It has been 12 years since Shelby County voters have encountered a Democratic or Republican presidential nominee on the general election ballot who had some kind of political presence in the region, if not the city, before they made their bid for president.

70. MALS History Stretches Far Back - Thursday, August 16, 2012

Context for a capital drive launched by Memphis Area Legal Services Inc. to pull the organization back from the financial brink can be found in MALS’ history, including its formation in the wake of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

71. Democrats Hoping to Win Some Seats in Primary - Tuesday, July 31, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee Democrats are looking at Thursday's primary as a critical step in the rebuilding urged by an internal analysis last year.

Since 2006, Democrats have lost 19 seats in the House and three seats in the Senate, placing them firmly in the minority of the two chambers. Another nine Democratic incumbents announced earlier this year they weren't running again.

72. Election Commission Admits Ballot Problems - Thursday, July 26, 2012

Challenges to the conduct of the Aug. 2 election may have reached a peak Tuesday, July 24.

The Shelby County Election Commission admitted a “limited number” of voters in some precincts got early voting ballots that included the wrong district races.

73. ‘Pipe Kitty’ Shows Power of Viral Marketing - Wednesday, June 13, 2012

If the phrase “pipe kitty” means anything to you, you’ve likely witnessed the tremendous power of viral marketing. Though certainly not a concerted marketing effort, Greenway Home Services, a local HVAC, plumbing and appliance repair company, began a viral marketing sensation this past weekend.

74. Haslam to Veto College Discrimination Policy Bill - Friday, May 4, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Haslam said Wednesday he would veto a measure that tried to force Vanderbilt University to exempt student religious groups from its nondiscrimination policy. It would be his first veto since taking office in 2010.

75. House, Senate OK Bill Targeting Vanderbilt Policy - Wednesday, May 2, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Lawmakers have given final approval to a bill seeking to rescind Vanderbilt University's "all-comers" policy, which requires school groups to allow any interested students to join and run for office.

76. Tradition of Secret Budget Meetings Alive in Tenn. - Tuesday, April 24, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee lawmakers' long tradition of meeting secretly to hash out budget plans is alive and well.

House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick confirmed to The Associated Press that key legislators met for several hours at a Nashville restaurant on Sunday to work through budget amendments.

77. Disclosure Requirement Finds Resistance in Tenn. House - Friday, April 20, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – A bill seeking to require local and regional planning commissioners to file interest disclosures with the Tennessee Ethics Commission was met with last-minute resistance in the House on Thursday.

78. Haslam Measure on Selecting Judges Awaiting Action - Tuesday, April 3, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – When the top three Republicans in the Statehouse coalesced behind a plan to cement Tennessee's current selection process for Supreme Court justices into the state constitution, there seemed to be a smooth path ahead for getting the measure before voters in 2014.

79. Haslam, Ramsey Wary of Guns in Parking Lots Bill - Tuesday, April 3, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey are among the prominent Republicans trying to put the brakes on a bill seeking to guarantee employees the right to store their firearms in vehicles parked at work.

80. House OKs New Restrictions on Abortion Doctors - Friday, March 30, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – A bill that puts new restrictions on doctors who perform abortions is intended to make it more difficult for women to get the procedure in Tennessee, opponents of the legislation said Thursday.

81. Deadline Looms for Complex Aug. Elections - Thursday, March 29, 2012

The August elections were already going to be more complex than usual. There are the changes from this year’s drawing of new district lines for the Tennessee Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives.

82. Commission’s Redistrict Debate Moves to Chancery - Wednesday, March 14, 2012

It is now up to a court to decide on a new set of district lines for the Shelby County Commission.

And Chancellor Arnold Goldin is not being asked to approve a simple tweaking of district boundaries that will essentially keep the commission as it is.

83. Lawmakers Lament Governor's Civil Service Bill - Thursday, February 23, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Lawmakers are lamenting Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to change Tennessee's civil service law, saying it would eliminate preference given to military veterans.

Currently, preference is given to veterans and spouses of veterans who are applying for such jobs.

84. Support Builds for Special Session on Health Care - Friday, February 3, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Republican lawmakers are building support for a plan to wait until the end of the year to take action on state requirements set by President Barack Obama's federal health care law.

85. State GOP Cries Foul Over Dems' Proposals - Wednesday, February 1, 2012

If Democrats have their way, the Tennessee General Assembly would meet only every second year, lawmakers’ daily expenses would be capped and bill sponsors would have to divulge if their legislation originated with national groups.

86. Haslam, Speakers Want to Keep Judge Appointments - Thursday, January 26, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The state's top Republicans want to place a ballot measure before Tennessee voters to eliminate any constitutional questions about the current system for appointing judges.

87. Tenn. Lawmakers Want More Time on Redistricting Plans - Thursday, January 12, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – State lawmakers opposed to legislative redistricting plans are questioning the desire of Republican leaders to pass them so quickly.

GOP leaders hope their redistricting plans can come up for a vote early as Thursday, Jan. 12, after the judiciary committees in both chambers passed the plans on to the House and Senate floors.

88. Tenn. Lawmakers Want More Time on Redistricting Plans - Wednesday, January 11, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – State lawmakers opposed to legislative redistricting plans are questioning the desire of Republican leaders to pass them so quickly.

GOP leaders hope their redistricting plans can come up for a vote early as Thursday after the judiciary committees in both chambers passed the plans on to the House and Senate floors.

89. Haslam Wants to Put Off Estate Tax Cut Over Cost - Monday, December 26, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Raising Tennessee's estate tax exemption by $500,000 would cost the state about $23 million in lost revenues, according to projections by Gov. Bill Haslam's administration.

90. Chism Vying With Jackson for Court Clerk - Thursday, December 1, 2011

With one week to the filing deadline, the race for General Sessions Court Clerk is the busiest of the four races to be decided next year in the March 6 county primaries and the Aug. 2 general elections.

91. Chism Vying With Jackson for GS Court Clerk - Wednesday, November 30, 2011

With one week to the filing deadline, the race for General Sessions Court Clerk is the busiest of the four races to be decided next year in the March 6 county primaries and the Aug. 2 general elections.

92. Carpenter Reflects on Five-Year Run - Wednesday, October 5, 2011

As Memphis voters prepare to bring to an end another city campaign season, Shelby County Commissioner Mike Carpenter just ended a five-year run on the Shelby County Commission.

93. Long Wait at Tenn. License Centers Grows Longer - Wednesday, September 21, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – As thousands of older Tennessee residents prepare to visit driver service centers to get the photo IDs required by a new state voting law, they should be ready to stand in line a long time.

94. Commission Readies to Replace Carpenter - Thursday, September 8, 2011

After the Shelby County Commission fills seven positions on the new countywide school board next week, it will then consider a vacancy in its own ranks.

The departure of commissioner Mike Carpenter at the end of this month dovetails with the seating of the countywide school board that will replace the separate Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools boards on Oct. 1.

95. AP Exclusive: Evaluations Worry Teachers - Monday, August 22, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee education officials say they're taking steps to address teachers' concerns about a new evaluation system that for the first time will use students' standardized test scores as part of the process.

96. Tiger Gift Shop Moves To Larger Space - Friday, August 5, 2011

Tiger Gift Shop is relocating a few doors down from its current location on the Highland Strip near the University of Memphis.

The university retailer, now at 549 S. Highland St., has signed a new 5,000-square-foot lease at 531 S. Highland, in the space formerly occupied by From One Greek to Another.

97. Debt-Limit Votes: Senate Momentum, House Concerns - Tuesday, August 2, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – The House began debate Monday on the hard-bargained plan to avert a national financial default, even as the White House and congressional leaders struggled to round up enough votes to approve it. Supporters said momentum for the deficit-reduction compromise was on their side, but resistance from both liberals and conservatives made the outcome unclear.

98. U of M Event Honors City’s Legal Pillars - Thursday, July 28, 2011

They’ve argued landmark cases in Memphis courtrooms in addition to representing everyday clients. They’ve grown into lions of the local legal profession. And they’ve helped tilt the course of history in the city.

99. Tenn. Opens Door to Corporate Political Donations - Friday, June 3, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – A new Tennessee law opens the door to businesses making campaign donations directly to candidates.

Gov. Bill Haslam, who signed the bill into law on Wednesday, told reporters earlier that he did not take a position on the bill sponsored by fellow Republican lawmakers that gave businesses the same contribution abilities as political action committees.

100. House Republicans Hoping to End Session Next Week - Friday, May 13, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – House Republicans are hoping to wrap up this year's legislative session as early as next week.

House Clerk Joe McCord tells members of the lower chamber that the "most optimistic" timetable could see the state's annual spending plan come up for a vote on Thursday. He also asked lawmakers to bring extra clothes in case they need to work through the weekend.