Republican contender for Tennessee governor U.S. Rep. Diane Black drew the endorsement of the American Conservative Union as she spoke at the national group’s Memphis forum Monday, July 2, on jobs and the economy.

2. Cellphone Pics Expose New Front in Public-Records Debate - Tuesday, May 22, 2018

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Pics or it didn't happen? Good luck with that on the public records trail.

From Mountain City to Memphis and Clarksville to Chattanooga, local government agencies follow conflicting, contradictory – and completely arbitrary – rules on whether residents can take cellphone pictures of the records they helped pay to create.

3. Memphis Lawmakers Helped Advance Medical Marijuana Bill in House - Saturday, April 7, 2018

NASHVILLE – Three Shelby County lawmakers played key roles in helping a medical marijuana bill move through the Legislature, supporting its passage in the House Criminal Justice Committee before the bill was pulled Tuesday, April 3, by its Senate sponsor, Democratic state Sen. Steve Dickerson of Nashville.

4. Davy Crockett’s Fine, But Let’s Not Get Carried Away - Thursday, March 29, 2018

The Tennessee General Assembly is making some monumental decisions these days – literally.

Not only is the Legislature prepared to put a statue of Tennessee folk hero Davy Crockett in front of the State Capitol, replacing obscure Nashville politician Edward Carmack, it’s also likely to erect a monument, or memorial, to unborn children in the ongoing battle against abortion.

5. Dean: ‘It’s Kind of Our Turn’ in Governor’s Race - Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Democratic contender for governor Karl Dean is pushing hard the idea that Democrats can win one of the two statewide races on the Tennessee ballot this year.

6. 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.

7. Pre-K Expansion Faces Resistance in Push for Sunday Wine Sales - Monday, February 26, 2018

NASHVILLE – Legislation sending revenue from Sunday wine sales to prekindergarten expansion faces a battle on several fronts when it reaches a committee in early March.

The bill sponsored by state Sen. Lee Harris is designed to take the state tax dollars from the sale of wine on Sundays, if that separate bill passes this session, and divert it to a fund designed to increase access for low-income children to prekindergarten classrooms in Tennessee. The bill is set to be heard March 6 in the Senate State and Local Government Committee.

8. County Primary Ballot Includes Partisan Match-Ups, Automatic Wins - Monday, February 19, 2018

Two Democratic county commissioners effectively won re-election to new terms of office at the Thursday, Feb. 15, filing deadline for candidates on the May 1 county primary ballot. And a third faces independent opposition in the August county general election.

9. Two County Commissioners Re-elected At May Ballot Filing Deadline - Friday, February 16, 2018

Two Democratic county commissioners effectively won re-election to new terms of office at the Thursday, Feb. 15, filing deadline for candidates on the May 1 county primary ballot. And a third faces independent opposition in the August county general election.

10. 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.

11. Kelsey Backs Away From Voucher Legislation - Wednesday, December 20, 2017

The push to allow some Tennesseans to use private-school vouchers has hit a roadblock that could stall voucher legislation for a fourth year.

Sen. Brian Kelsey said Monday, Dec. 18, that he won’t ask a Senate committee to take up his bill — which would pilot a program in Memphis — when the legislature reconvenes its two-year session in January.

12. Election Update: Lane Files for Sheriff, Lenoir Pulls Petition for Mayor - Monday, December 18, 2017

Dale Lane has filed to run in the May 1 Republican primary for Shelby County sheriff and David Lenoir has pulled his qualifying petition to run in the Republican primary for Shelby County mayor.

Lane, the director of the county office of preparedness, ran for sheriff in the 2010 Republican primary when he was a supervisor in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

13. Last Word: Kustoff at Rotary, Royal's Vibe and The Terms of MEMPOWER - Wednesday, August 2, 2017

The investment group that renovated the Chisca resurfaced Tuesday evening with a plan for the Wonder Bread factory, vacant for the last four years. But don’t look for a return of the bread smell to the Edge area. And if you look at what has started to happen in that particular corridor since Wonder Bread shut down, the mixed-use plan has some precedent. Throw in the move to sell The Commercial Appeal property just a few blocks away and if the economy remains this good, the transformation in this area could be radical in another four years.

14. Bad Leadership or Politics? Motlow President’s Fall - Thursday, July 27, 2017

One day he was the golden boy, touting Motlow State’s success and posing with the governor for the signing of the Reconnect Act. The next, seemingly, he was gone with the wind.

At least publicly, everything was grand as Anthony “Tony” Kinkel helped Gov. Bill Haslam meet his Drive to 55 effort to put certificates or degrees in the hands of half of Tennessee adults by 2025. With limited space and resources, Kinkel pushed the Tennessee Promise scholarship at Motlow, the state’s fastest-growing community college, bolstering student retention, graduation and fundraising.

15. View From the Hill: Gas Tax Rancor Lingers as Session Coasts to Close - Thursday, May 11, 2017

Remnants of rancor over Republican leadership roiled the House, a reminder of outrage over roguish behavior as representatives reached the finish line.

Alliteration is probably better suited for poetry. But in a case of what could be considered poetic justice, at least for some, this literary device – goofiness maybe – is suitable for legislative action requiring a score card to keep up with the characters and a bit of history to put it all together.

16. Tennessee House Passes Gun-Lawsuit Bill - Friday, May 5, 2017

Legislation making it easier for cities to be sued over gun restrictions eased through the state House Wednesday, May 3, even though it would allow those filing lawsuits to claim triple attorney fees.

17. Lawmakers Still Seek Answers as Outsourcing Contract Gets Underway - Tuesday, May 2, 2017

A majority of Tennessee’s legislators, including several Shelby County lawmakers, are asking the state to hold up on a facilities management outsourcing contract with Jones Lang LaSalle.

Seventy-five of the General Assembly’s 132 members, 17 in the Senate and 58 in the House, have signed a letter to Terry Cowles, director of the Office of Customer Focused Government, asking the office to slow down on outsourcing so it can “study and understand the effect” on public services, the economy and state employees.

18. Traffic Camera Confidentiality Bill Withdrawn in House - Thursday, April 13, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A bill that had sought to make the names of people who refused to pay traffic camera fines confidential has been withdrawn for the year.

WTVF-TV reported (http://bit.ly/2p7XWaW) that the bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Andy Holt of Dresden, had received 13 traffic camera tickets.

19. Shelby County Schools Voucher Bill Advances in House - Thursday, March 23, 2017

NASHVILLE – Despite a packed room of Memphis-area people opposed to vouchers for public school students, a House Education Committee advanced a pilot program targeting low-income children in Shelby County Schools system’s low-performing schools.

20. Tennessee Lawmakers Advance Bill Opposed By Teachers Union - Thursday, March 23, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A bill that would allow school systems to deduct up to 10 percent of teachers' unions dues from payroll has passed in a House education subcommittee.

The proposal is opposed by the Tennessee Education Association, the state's largest teacher union.

21. Shelby County Schools Voucher Bill Advances in House - Wednesday, March 22, 2017

NASHVILLE – Despite a packed room of Memphis-area people opposed to vouchers for public school students, a House Education Committee advanced a pilot program targeting low-income children in Shelby County Schools system’s low-performing schools.

22. March 17-23, 2017: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, March 18, 2017

1968: 16.1 inches of snow fall on the city of Memphis, cancelling plans for striking city sanitation workers to march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the front of their ranks from Clayborn Temple to City Hall. King would return to the city to lead the march on March 28, a march that would end before it got to City Hall because of violence. The violent end would prompt King to return to the city to lead another march April 5.

23. Singing Along With Tone-Deaf Legislators - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Often dull, but never boring. They might even make you break out into song.

Halfway through the 2017 session, the General Assembly could be accused of lacking sharpness or sensibility, but what it lacks in luster it makes up for with lots of political song and dance.

24. House Committee Delays Haslam's Transportation Bill - Thursday, March 9, 2017

NASHVILLE – A split House Transportation Committee slammed the brakes Tuesday on Gov. Bill Haslam’s IMPROVE Act, even though it contains a measure to use the sales tax for transportation funding instead of raising fuel taxes.

25. Tennessee GOP Leaders Expecting Crowded Field in 2018 Governor’s Race - Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Former Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd got two mentions last Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Greater Memphis Chamber’s breakfast forum – one from guest speaker U.S. Rep. David Kustoff and another from chamber president Phil Trenary.

26. Democratic and Republican Partisans Prepare for Next Election - Monday, February 27, 2017

At least five potential Republican candidates for Governor in 2018 were among the crowd of 400 people at the Saturday, Feb. 25, Lincoln Day Gala of the Shelby County Republican Party.

Meanwhile, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry told a group of 150 Democrats at an “Obama Day” event Saturday that they and other Democrats across the state can elect one of their own as governor in 2018.

27. Local Democrats and Republicans Prepare for 2018 Governor's Race - Saturday, February 25, 2017

At least five potential Republican candidates for Tennessee governor in 2018 were among the crowd of 400 people at the Saturday, Feb. 25, Lincoln Day Gala of the Shelby County Republican Party.

Meanwhile, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry told a group of 150 Democrats at an “Obama Day” event Saturday that they and other Democrats across the state can elect one of their own as governor in 2018.

28. Sexual Harassment Takes Stage in State Capitol Again - Monday, February 20, 2017

NASHVILLE – Saying she was a victim of sexual harassment when she entered the Legislature, state Rep. Barbara Cooper is calling on tougher rules to stop inappropriate behavior toward women.

“When I first got here I was violated and disrespected by one or two of the legislators. And of course I did get an apology, but that’s all that was done. And I feel like if we have some strong measures in place, these kinds of things will not continue,” Cooper says.

29. Flurry of Bills Affecting LGBT Community Filed in State Legislature Before Deadline - Wednesday, February 15, 2017

NASHVILLE – Tennessee lawmakers met last Thursday’s legislation-filing deadline with a host of social measures one Memphis representative describes as “wedge bills” because they drive people apart.

30. Bills Affecting LGBT Community Filed Before Deadline - Tuesday, February 14, 2017

NASHVILLE – Tennessee lawmakers met last Thursday’s legislation-filing deadline with a host of social measures one Memphis representative describes as “wedge bills” because they drive people apart.

31. DeBerry, Tate Defend School Voucher Pilot Program - Wednesday, February 8, 2017

NASHVILLE – Two Memphis legislators co-sponsoring a Shelby County pilot voucher bill say the measure is one more attempt to give students more options for education.

Rep. John DeBerry and Sen. Reginald Tate, both Democrats, defended their support of the measure sponsored by Germantown Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey the same day the U.S. Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s selection of Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education. DeVos has been under fire from Democrats for her support of charter schools and vouchers and a perceived lack of knowledge about public education.

32. Parkinson: Memphis School Voucher Bill ‘Unfair’ - Monday, February 6, 2017

NASHVILLE – Rep. Antonio Parkinson lashed out Thursday at fellow Shelby County delegation member Sen. Brian Kelsey, calling his pilot voucher bill for Memphis schools “insulting, both personally and professionally.”

33. Parkinson: Memphis School Voucher Bill ‘Unfair’ - Friday, February 3, 2017

NASHVILLE – Rep. Antonio Parkinson lashed out Thursday at fellow Shelby County delegation member Sen. Brian Kelsey, calling his pilot voucher bill for Memphis schools “insulting, both personally and professionally.”

34. School Voucher Legislation Reintroduced in Tennessee House - Thursday, February 2, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – School voucher proponents are hopeful that this is the year they can finally pass legislation to direct state money to pay for private school tuition in Tennessee.

35. Tennessee Lawmakers Could Raise, Lower Taxes This Session - Thursday, January 5, 2017

The 110th General Assembly is set to convene on Jan. 10 with unfinished business from previous sessions likely to dominate debate.

Here’s a look at some of the hottest topics expected to arise.

36. Final Goodbye: Roll Call of Some of Those Who Died in 2016 - Monday, January 2, 2017

Death claimed transcendent political figures in 2016, including Cuba's revolutionary leader and Thailand's longtime king, but also took away royals of a different sort: kings of pop music, from Prince and David Bowie to George Michael.

37. Last Word: Early Vote Numbers, Crime Q&A and School Suspensions in Memphis - Monday, October 31, 2016

The last weekend of early voting is done and now we get the early vote surge through Thursday, which is the last day for early voting at the 21 polling places across Shelby County.

Through this past Friday, 161,239 early votes had been cast in Shelby County. That compares to 156,645 to the same point in 2008 and 151,809 in 2012.

38. Legislative Losers: All Who Disagree With Legislators - Thursday, May 5, 2016

The 109th General Assembly is done – almost – for the year. Here’s a look at the winners and losers.

Winner: State budget

Buoyed by $400 million in surplus revenue from fiscal 2015 and $450 million in projected surpluses for the coming fiscal year, Gov. Bill Haslam spread the wealth in a $34.9 billion budget. 

39. Tenn. Legislature Passes Public Records Law - Monday, March 28, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The state Legislature has passed a bill that will require nearly every government office across Tennessee to tell citizens how they can get public records.

The measure first directs the open records counsel in the state comptroller's office to come up with a model public records policy that local government agencies could adapt. The legislation would then require government offices to have a written public records policy by July 17, 2017. The policy can't be less open than state law allows, and it should explain to citizens how to make a request to either inspect or copy public records and any fees charged for obtaining copies.

40. House Passes Haslam's Shakeup of Tennessee College Boards - Friday, March 25, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to remove four-year public universities from the Board of Regents system and give them their own boards won approval Thursday in the Tennessee House.

41. Thanks, But Go Save Someone Else - Friday, February 26, 2016

COMING TO SAVE US IS STARVING US. We recently dodged the state Legislature’s latest effort to save us from ourselves, reaching into Shelby County to raise our poor and pitiful children from the depths of despair – Shelby County Schools.

42. School Voucher Bill Stalls in House Amid Flagging Support - Friday, February 12, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A proposal to create a school voucher program stalled in the House on Thursday despite efforts to drum up support among wary rural lawmakers by limiting the areas of Tennessee where parents could receive state money to pay for private school tuition.

43. Voucher Bill Scheduled for Monday Vote in Tennessee House - Wednesday, February 3, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A proposal to create a limited school voucher program has been scheduled for a Monday floor vote in the state House.

The measure cleared its last hurdle on a voice vote in the House Calendar Committee on Tuesday after clearing the Finance Committee by a single vote last week.

44. School Voucher Bill Headed for Floor Vote in Tennessee House - Thursday, January 28, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An effort to create a school voucher program in Tennessee has cleared its last major committee before a full House vote.

The House Finance Committee voted 11-10 Tuesday in favor of the measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville. The Senate has already passed its version of the bill, and Republican Gov. Bill Haslam said earlier Tuesday that he plans to sign the measure into law if it remains unchanged from its current form.

45. School Voucher Proposal Clears Key House Panel - Saturday, January 23, 2016

A proposal to provide state vouchers for parents to send their children to private schools in Tennessee has cleared a House committee where the measure has failed in recent years.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville cleared the House Finance Subcommittee on a voice vote on Wednesday.

46. School Voucher Proposal Clears Key Tennessee House Panel - Thursday, January 21, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A proposal to provide state vouchers for parents to send their children to private schools in Tennessee has cleared a House committee where the measure has failed in recent years.

47. Memphis City Council To Vote on Pinch Hotel - Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Memphis City Council members vote Tuesday, Nov. 3, on plans for a hotel with retail development on the northeast corner of Jackson Avenue and North Front Street.

The council delayed a September vote on the development by Front Street Group LLC because of some opposition cited by councilman Berlin Boyd, who represents the area.

48. Five City Council Races Destined for Runoffs - Friday, October 9, 2015

The identity of the Memphis City Council that will take office in January with six new members was still in flux at the end of a very long and frustrating Oct. 8 election night.

The races for four of those six open seats and the seat now held by an appointee to the council are going to a Nov. 19 runoff election – one week before Thanksgiving.

49. 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.

50. Ramsey Clear in Push to Politicize Supreme Court - Thursday, August 6, 2015

Republican Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey has a penchant for igniting flames of partisanship, and the retirement of Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Gary Wade is no exception.

51. 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.

52. Records Show $8 Million Spent on Lawmaker Health Premiums Since '92 - Thursday, May 21, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Newly released records show that Tennessee taxpayers have paid more than $8 million since 1992 for health insurance premiums for sitting lawmakers.

The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/1Ba8V2j) reports those records show that the state has paid out the most for Johnson City Republican Sen. Rusty Crowe and his family. Records obtained by the newspaper through a public information request show the state paid out $200,000 for Crowe's premiums since he enrolled in the plan in 1992.

53. Tennessee School Voucher Proposal Fails Again - Wednesday, April 22, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A proposal to create a school voucher program in Tennessee has failed once again.

House sponsor Bill Dunn withdrew the proposal from the House Finance Subcommittee on Tuesday. The Knoxville Republican said he didn't have the votes and took the measure off notice until next year.

54. Tennessee School Voucher Bill Approaching Key Committee - Tuesday, April 21, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A state school voucher proposal that failed in the last two Tennessee General Assembly sessions is gaining support as it approaches a key committee in the final days of this year's legislative session.

55. Memphis College Prep Buys Dunn Avenue Elementary - Saturday, April 18, 2015

The Shelby County Schools board voted unanimously Tuesday, April 14, to sell the old Dunn Avenue Elementary School building to Memphis College Prep charter schools for $660,000.

The 1950s-era school building in south Memphis closed as a public school in 2006 but was leased by City University, another charter school operator that moved out a year ago.

56. Dunn Avenue Elementary Sold to Memphis College Prep - Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Shelby County Schools board voted unanimously Tuesday, April 14, to sell the old Dunn Avenue Elementary School building to Memphis College Prep charter schools for $660,000.

The 1950s-era school building in south Memphis closed as a public school in 2006 but was leased by City University, another charter school operator that moved out a year ago.

57. Amended Bill Would Delay Tennessee School Voucher Plan - Wednesday, April 1, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A proposal that seeks to create a school voucher program in Tennessee was amended Tuesday to delay the plan for a year, even though the measure's sponsor says it would hurt efforts to help children get a better education.

58. Is ‘Getting Rid of Public Schools’ Legislature’s Goal? - Thursday, March 26, 2015

Are Tennessee’s public schools headed for extinction? Not if it’s up to Memphis teachers.

A group from Shelby County recently packed a House committee meeting room at the Legislative Plaza in an effort to turn back bills they consider damaging to their profession and the future of public education.

59. Tennessee School Voucher Bill Continuing to Advance in House - Wednesday, March 25, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A proposal to create a school voucher program in Tennessee is continuing to advance in the House.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville was approved 8-5 in a House education committee on Tuesday.

60. Tennessee School Voucher Bill Headed for Full Senate Vote - Wednesday, March 18, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The House sponsor of a proposal to create a school voucher program in Tennessee says he's taking his time moving it through the legislative process after it failed in the last two legislative sessions.

61. 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.

62. Tennessee School Voucher Bill Advancing in House - Thursday, March 5, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A proposal to create a school voucher program in Tennessee is advancing in the House.

The so-called "opportunity scholarship" legislation sponsored by Republican Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville passed an education subcommittee 7-1 on Tuesday. The companion bill was scheduled to be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

63. Alexander vs. Ball - Saturday, October 25, 2014

Lamar Alexander and Gordon Ball were on the same campaign trail but different races at about this time 36 years ago.

64. Baker’s Career Mirrored State’s Political Story - Monday, June 30, 2014

As the week begins, political leaders of both parties and across several generations will gather in East Tennessee for the funeral of former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker.

65. Knoxville Democrats Stump for Memphis Votes - Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Four years ago at about this time, Shelby County voters were seeing a lot of the four contenders for the Republican Party’s nomination for governor.

This election year, Shelby County voters are seeing a lot of the top two contenders for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

66. In Tennessee, School Voucher Bill Fails for Session - Wednesday, April 16, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to create a program that gives parents the option to move a child from a failing public school to a private school has once again failed to pass.

67. This week in Memphis history: April 4-10 - Saturday, April 5, 2014

2013: The Memphis Soul concert in the East Room of the White House featuring Sam Moore and Justin Timberlake.

68. Common Core Bill Passes House 81-9 - Wednesday, March 12, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) – Legislation that would require any data collected under Tennessee's Common Core standards only be used to track the academic progress and needs of students has passed the House.

69. Wedding Services Bill Sparks Opposition - Saturday, February 22, 2014

Two Tennessee lawmakers have proposed a bill that would protect wedding-related businesses from lawsuits if they refuse to provide services based on religious beliefs.

Republican Sen. Mike Bell of Riceville and Knoxville Rep. Bill Dunn are sponsoring the proposal.

70. Wedding Services Bill Sparks Opposition - Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Two Tennessee lawmakers have proposed a bill that would protect wedding-related businesses from lawsuits if they refuse to provide services based on religious beliefs.

Republican Sen. Mike Bell of Riceville and Knoxville Rep. Bill Dunn are sponsoring the proposal.

71. This week in Memphis history: June 21-27 - Saturday, June 22, 2013

2008: On the cover of The Memphis News, a story on the pasts of and connections between City Council member Rickey Peete and former Shelby County Commissioner Joe Cooper that ended with Peete pleading guilty to federal corruption charges and Cooper wearing a wire and recording conversations in which he paid Peete for his council vote on a billboard project. The story quoted from prosecution documents outlining the crime. “During this conversation, Peete said, ‘I’m going to do what’s right for the community. ... It looks OK to me,’ and then Peete showed Cooper a note written on a piece of paper. The note instructed Cooper to place the ‘paperwork’ (money) in the bathroom.”

72. Municipal Schools Bill Sails Through House, Senate - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

After much speculation about resistance from other parts of the state to lifting the statewide ban on special school districts statewide, the bill to do that sailed through the Tennessee House and Senate Monday, April 15.

73. Haslam's School Voucher Bill Advances in House - Wednesday, March 20, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to create a school voucher program in Tennessee has advanced out of the House Government Operations Committee.

The measure carried by Republican Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville was approved 8-4 on Tuesday and is headed to the House Finance Committee.

74. Events - Saturday, March 2, 2013

HopeWorks will hold its fifth annual A Morning of Hope fundraiser Saturday, March 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Woodland Hills Event Center, 1000 Woodland Hills Drive. Bill Courtney, entrepreneur and the former coach featured in “Undefeated,” will present the keynote. Tickets are $50. Visit whyhopeworks.org or call 272-3700.

75. Events - Friday, March 1, 2013

Memphis City Beautiful and Memphis Botanic Garden will plant an Arizona Cypress as part of an Arbor Day ceremony Friday, March 1, at 10 a.m. at the garden’s horticulture center, 750 Cherry Road. Cost is free and will include a tree-seedling giveaway. Cherry tree seedlings will be available for sale. Visit memphisbotanicgarden.com.

76. 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.

77. Tenn. Lawmakers Still Trying to Conclude Business - Tuesday, May 1, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee lawmakers edged closer Sunday to adjourning several weeks earlier than usual, but they continued to engage in end-of-session wrangling as intense as ever.

Budget disagreements between the two chambers led to the first conference committee on the spending plan since the acrimonious debate over the income tax more than a decade ago.

78. The Devolution Of Our Species - Friday, April 20, 2012

LEGISLATURE VOTES TO DEVOLVE. Dateline: Nashville, 2012, 1925 or 1869, your choice.

The Tennessee legislature has officially gone bananas and passed the Monkey Bill, allowing any student who disagrees with the findings of modern science to reject those findings and howl about it from the treetops with impunity. The debate lasted six days, and on the seventh they rested.

79. Tenn. Gov's Civil Service Bill Headed to His Desk - Friday, April 13, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam's plan to overhaul state civil service rules headed to him Thursday to become law despite opposition from some lawmakers whose constituents are uncomfortable with parts of the legislation.

80. Reactions to Schools Legislation Changing in Nashville - Friday, April 13, 2012

Tennessee legislators from outside Shelby County got a look at where the Shelby County schools reformation discussion was in January this week on Capitol Hill in Nashville.

And they didn’t like the idea that their counties could be living with Shelby County rules.

81. House Passes Haslam’s Civil Service Changes - Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Tennessee House has approved Republican Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan to overhaul state civil service rules after agreeing to changes needed to bring the Tennessee State Employees Association on board.

82. GOP Discuss Need for 'Don't Say Gay' Ban - Monday, February 27, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Legislation that would ban the teaching of gay issues to elementary and middle school students may be stalled, as Republican lawmakers discuss whether they should proceed with the bill.

83. Tenn. GOP Puts Off 'Don't Say Gay' Ban in House - Thursday, February 23, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Supporters of a measure to ban the teaching of gay issues to elementary and middle school students have put off consideration of the proposal after being told of fellow Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's concerns.

84. Romney Names Gov. Haslam Chair of Tenn. Campaign - Wednesday, February 15, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has named Gov. Bill Haslam his campaign chairman in Tennessee.

The Romney campaign also announced Tuesday that it has gathered a full slate of 48 delegate candidates on the Tennessee ballot, led by former Gov. Winfield Dunn.

85. Tenn. Voucher Debate: Private School Bailout or Much-Needed Choice? - Tuesday, November 8, 2011

NASHVILLE – Critics of a bill to create a school voucher system in Tennessee characterized the plan as a "bailout" for financially failing private schools while proponents hailed it as a needed new choice in education during a legislative hearing this past week.

86. Lawmakers Try Again for Welfare Drug Testing - Monday, October 24, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee lawmakers are once again proposing legislation that would require drug testing for welfare recipients.

The measure has stalled in the Legislature, mainly because it would cost millions of dollars to implement.

87. Marlo Thomas Among Jefferson Award Recipients - Wednesday, June 22, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actress Marlo Thomas and sports team owner Jerry M. Reinsdorf are among the people being honored with a national prize for public service.

88. Former D.A. Stanton Dies at 83 - Monday, May 30, 2011

Hugh W. Stanton Jr., the district attorney general for Shelby County from 1974 to 1990, died Monday, May 23, at age 83.

Stanton was elected to two eight-year terms as Shelby County’s chief prosecutor after his appointment to the job in March 1974 by then-Gov. Winfield Dunn. His second full term in 1982 was a victory over then-Shelby County public defender A C Wharton Jr.

89. Tenn. House Passes Evolution Bill - Monday, April 11, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Teachers who allow students to critique scientific theories would be shielded from discipline under a proposal that passed the House 70-23 on Thursday despite some opponents who said it was unnecessary.

90. McWherter Had Local Reach - Wednesday, April 6, 2011

As Tennessee governor, Ned McWherter always did well politically in Memphis, the largest base of Democratic voters in a single county in the state when they turn out.

His death this week from cancer ends the story of one of the state’s most powerful and influential Democrats. The power and influence was forged during 20 years in the Tennessee Legislature.

91. State Bill to Protect Critique of Scientific Theories - Thursday, March 31, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal that protects teachers in Tennessee from being disciplined for allowing students to critique scientific theories – such as evolution – is headed for a full House vote.

92. Cosmic Coconut to Add Juicy Fare to Memphis Dining Scene - Thursday, March 17, 2011

In a city renowned for pulled pork sandwiches and slow-cooked ribs, opening a vegan juice bar and cafe might seem like an entrepreneurial gamble.

But Ashley Dunn, owner of the Cosmic Coconut, scheduled to open in East Memphis’ Sanderlin Center in April, said she believes now is the perfect time.

93. Research Consortium Tops Haslam’s Memphis Visit - Wednesday, March 16, 2011

With his first state of the state address delivered to the Tennessee Legislature Monday, Gov. Bill Haslam now takes the message on the road this week with a series of stops including one Thursday on the University of Memphis campus.

94. Memorial Service Tuesday for Justice Fones - Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A memorial service for retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice William H.D. Fones Sr. of Memphis is Tuesday at Christ United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. in Wilson Chapel.

Fones died Thursday at the age of 93 after a long illness.

95. Out of the Gate - Friday, October 15, 2010

On the first day of early voting, Jack Sammons and Keith McDonald were together again.

96. Gibbons Considers Snafus In Governor Quest - Tuesday, March 30, 2010

In the end it was about money, not message, Bill Gibbons said last week as he ended his bid to become only the state’s third governor from Shelby County.

97. Gibbons Seeks Local Support in Governor’s Race - Thursday, March 18, 2010

Bill Gibbons told several dozen Young Republicans Tuesday evening that he needs a big turnout in Shelby County to have a chance in the August GOP primary for governor.

98. 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.

99. 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)

100. Ramsey: Lifting Fundraising No Longer Top Priority - Tuesday, December 29, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - State Senate speaker and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey said lifting an in-session fundraising ban is no longer among his top priorities.