WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh repeatedly stressed the importance of judicial independence on the second day of his confirmation hearing Wednesday as he faced questioning from senators, including Democrats who fear he would be President Donald Trump's man on the high court. But he declined to address whether Trump could be subpoenaed or could pardon himself.

2. Kavanaugh: Watergate tapes decision may have been wrong - Monday, July 23, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh suggested several years ago that the unanimous high court ruling in 1974 that forced President Richard Nixon to turn over the Watergate tapes, leading to the end of his presidency, may have been wrongly decided.

3. Trump Slams Rate Increases by Independent Federal Reserve - Friday, July 20, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump on Thursday cast aside concerns about the Federal Reserve's independence, saying he was "not happy" with the Fed's recent interest rate increases.

4. Early-Voting Challenge Touches On Other Issues of Open Government - Tuesday, July 10, 2018

The local Democratic Party’s political and legal challenge of early-voting sites and hours is also part of a larger challenge of how decisions are made in city and county government.

In one of the two Chancery Court lawsuits over early voting filed Friday, July 6, former city council member Myron Lowery and Shelby County Democratic Party chairman Corey Strong claim the election commission violated the state’s open-meetings law by meeting in secret to plan the addition of more sites for the July early-voting period.

5. Rev. Billy Graham, Known as 'America's Pastor,' Dies at 99 - Thursday, February 22, 2018

MONTREAT, N.C. (AP) – The Rev. Billy Graham, the magnetic, movie-star-handsome preacher who became a singular force in postwar American religious life, a confidant of presidents and the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history, died Wednesday at 99.

6. Conyers Resigns From Congress Amid Harassment Allegations - Wednesday, December 6, 2017

DETROIT (AP) – Besieged by allegations of sexual harassment, Democratic Rep. John Conyers resigned from Congress on Tuesday, bringing an abrupt end to the civil rights leader's nearly 53-year career on Capitol Hill.

7. Roger Ailes, Media Guru and Political Strategist, Dies at 77 - Friday, May 19, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Roger Ailes, the communications maestro who transformed television news and America's political conversation by creating and ruling Fox News Channel for two decades before being ousted last year for alleged sexual harassment, died Thursday, according to his wife, Elizabeth Ailes. He was 77.

8. Comey Sought More Russia Probe Resources Before Firing - Thursday, May 11, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) – In the days before his firing by President Donald Trump, FBI Director James Comey told U.S. lawmakers he had asked the Justice Department for more resources to pursue the bureau's investigation into Russia's interference in last year's presidential election, three U.S. officials said Wednesday.

9. 3 Women to be Honored at Legends Luncheon - Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Three women who have made huge contributions to local women and families will be honored at the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) 2017 Annual Tribute Luncheon on Thursday, April 27, at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.

10. 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.

11. Voter Registration Deadline is Tuesday - Tuesday, October 11, 2016

The deadline to register to vote in Tennessee in the Nov. 8 presidential general election is the end of the business day Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Those registering to vote must have their applications at the Shelby County Election Commission’s two locations – 150 Washington Ave. Downtown or 980 Nixon Drive in Shelby Farms – by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, or postmarked Oct. 11 if the applications are mailed in.

12. October 7-13, 2016: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, October 8, 2016

2015: City Council member Jim Strickland upsets incumbent Memphis Mayor A C Wharton, taking 42 percent of the vote in the mayor’s race to 20 percent for Wharton. Wharton becomes only the second incumbent mayor to lose a re­election bid in the history of the mayor-council form of government. And Strickland becomes only the second mayor elected from a seat on the council.

13. Tuesday is Last Day to Register to Vote - Tuesday, July 5, 2016

The final day to register to vote in the Aug. 4 elections is Tuesday, July 5.

The Shelby County Election Commission’s two offices, 150 Washington Ave. Downtown and 980 Nixon Drive near Shelby Farms Park, are taking applications in person up to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The offices open at 8:30 a.m.

14. Last Word: Memphis Gets Busy, Elections Future and Past and Dad Rock In C-Y - Tuesday, April 26, 2016

While their folks are still getting settled over in the front office at The Commercial Appeal, Gannett announces Monday an $815 million offer to buy Tribune Publishing which would put The Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Tribune in the expanding USA Today family.

15. Last Word: Budget Basics, A Peak At Greensward Mediation and Elvis & Nixon - Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Spurs 94 – Grizzlies 68 in game 2 of the NBA playoffs. The TNT post-game show just showed the highlights of the game while Shaq and Charles Barkley talked about how big the women are in San Antonio. I’m not making this up. They didn’t even try to talk about the game. This is just grim.

16. Last Word: Pro Day, Hardwood Patios in C-Y and Memphis' Contested Convention - Thursday, April 7, 2016

It was a windy Pro Day Wednesday at the University of Memphis for Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch. And if the wind wasn’t for you, you could watch Lynch work out for NFL teams and their representatives on the NFL network.
Don Wade was there to watch in person.

17. Former Senator Fred Thompson Dies - Monday, November 2, 2015

Former U.S. Sen. and one-time presidential contender Fred Thompson was in many ways a reluctant politician. But he was also a lobbyist with an envious arsenal of political skills honed both by his calling as an attorney and by his service as a lawyer during unprecedented political crises.

18. From Costumes to Candy, Halloween Means Green for Select Retailers - Monday, October 26, 2015

Halloween is big business for the retail industry, whether it’s costumes, candy or party supplies.

The National Retail Federation reports more than 157 million Americans plan to celebrate Halloween this year. Its Halloween Consumer Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics reports the average person will spend $74.34, with total Halloween spending expected to reach $6.9 billion.

19. Tennessee Board of Education Names Heyburn Director - Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Sara Heyburn, the assistant state commissioner of education, becomes the new executive director of the Tennessee State Board of Education with the new year.

Heyburn’s selection by the board was announced Monday, Nov. 3.

20. Election Commission to Certify August Results - Monday, August 25, 2014

Shelby County Election Commissioners meet Monday, Aug. 25, to certify the results of the Aug. 7 county general and state and federal primary elections. The unofficial results from the election night count have been audited since then and election commissioners will review those results and vote on certifying them.

21. AIA Tennessee Honors ANF’s Pounders - Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Memphis architect Louis R. Pounders of ANF Architects has been awarded the William Strickland Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Institute of Architects Tennessee. ANF is formerly Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects.

22. We’re All Invited - Friday, July 11, 2014

MEMPHIS, SERVED IN THE SHELL. Following up last week’s column, this from a reader:

“We have no civic pride, half the population is intent on killing as many as they can and the other part lives behind walls or gates. There was a time in the fifties when you could leave your front door unlocked and keys in the car.”

23. Ex-Senator Baker Remembered for Crossing the Aisle - Wednesday, July 2, 2014

HUNTSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Former Senate Majority Leader Howard H. Baker Jr. was remembered Tuesday for his ability to bridge political divides in Washington while also establishing the Republican Party as a statewide force in Tennessee.

24. 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.

25. Memphis Economic Indicator Presents Latest Snapshot - Friday, May 9, 2014

On the qualitative side of the latest Memphis Economic Indicator, a survey measuring general business sentiment produced jointly by The Daily News and Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, respondents tended to put Memphis at a kind of inflection point at the moment.

26. Bill to Allow School Staff to Get Insulin Training - Friday, March 14, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) – Missy Gaw's 10-year-old daughter has to have a dose of insulin each time she eats. If no nurse is available to administer the dosage at the girl's Nashville elementary school, then Gaw or her husband drive there to do so.

27. Coley Works Tirelessly To End Human Trafficking - Tuesday, February 18, 2014

You may not know it, but human trafficking is a problem in Tennessee. It’s such a problem that Rep. Jim Coley, R-Bartlett, chairman of the House Civil Justice Subcommittee, has dedicated his career in office to fight against the crime in his home state.

28. Luttrell Begins Re-Election Bid for Mayor - Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell made it official Tuesday, Feb. 11, filing his qualifying petition with the Shelby County Election Commission to run for a second term of office.

29. Tennessee Democrats Struggle With New, Old Factions - Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Roy Herron realizes the party faithful in Memphis see some challenges in keeping the faith these days.

30. Overton Park Playground Comes With Risk - Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The new playground near Rainbow Lake in Overton Park features something not seen on modern playgrounds in awhile – a metal merry-go-round or roundabout.

The playground, parts of which are still being built, got a good test Saturday, June 8, during what the Overton Park Conservancy billed as a “day of merrymaking.” It was a test of the playground, the renovation around Rainbow Lake and the one-year anniversary of the opening of the nearby Overton Bark dog park.

31. Maximizing Madison - Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Downtown strip of Madison Avenue from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law to Fielder Square Apartments in its prime was the city’s financial hub.

It’s seen some successes in recent times – new businesses opening, building renovations and the removal of the makeshift wall at Main and Second streets that interrupted traffic for two years.

32. Polls Set to Open for Early Voting - Friday, July 13, 2012

Shelby County voters start deciding Friday, July 13, general election countywide races for assessor of property, General Sessions Court clerk, district attorney general and a race for a Shelby County Commission seat. The ballot also includes seven races for district seats on the countywide school board.

33. Students at Heart of Coley’s Legislative Work - Friday, May 4, 2012

It was a year of turmoil in American history and a turning point in the life of one junior student at Messick High School in Memphis.

As current state Rep. Jim Coley, Republican from District 97, remembers it: “(1968) was the year Dr. King was assassinated, I believe on April 4; then six weeks later Robert Kennedy was assassinated in California.”

34. Overton Bark Dog Park to Open In June - Friday, April 13, 2012

A dog park in Overton Park will be sponsored by the Hollywood Feed pet food company, the Overton Park Conservancy announced Thursday, April 12.

The “Overton Bark” dog park is to open in June on Old Forest Lane near the Rainbow Lake playground.

35. Events - Thursday, November 3, 2011

Leadership Memphis will host an information session about its fellows program Thursday, Nov. 3, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Junior League, 3475 Central Ave. For more information or to register, email Rod Moses at rmoses@leadershipacademy.org.

36. ICAA Tennessee Chapter to Hold Annual Meeting - Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Tennessee Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art will hold its annual meeting Thursday, Nov. 3, and Friday, Nov. 4.

The two-day event will kick off Thursday at 6:30 p.m. with a lecture and book-signing by architect Russell Versaci at the Madison Hotel, 79 Madison Ave. Versaci is author of “Creating a New Old House.” A social will follow.

37. Events - Wednesday, November 2, 2011

WKNO-FM will premiere a series by news director Candice Ludlow that will address the issue of gangs in Memphis Wednesday, Nov. 2. The series will air in the morning during “Morning Edition” over the next several weeks. The series examines the Street Crimes Unit program through the eyes of Shelby County Sheriff Sergeant Charles Eldridge, who leads the unit. The program is working to eliminate the presence of gangs and drugs on Memphis’ streets. Morning Edition airs from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekday mornings.

38. Musical Milestone - Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Mortimer Levitt was a businessman who built an empire of menswear stores around the country and who also had a deep love of the arts.

So much so that Levitt, who died in 2005, also is the namesake of a foundation set up to fund arts and community-related projects around the country.

39. Stocks Advance on Greek Austerity Vote Hopes - Wednesday, June 29, 2011

LONDON (AP) — Global stocks pushed higher Tuesday as investors grew hopeful that Greek lawmakers will pass a vote on another round of austerity measures that should stop any talk of the country imminently defaulting on its debts.

40. High-Style Dining - Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Southern country club meets Manhattan chic. Not exactly an everyday mix, but when designer Amy Howard set to work on the interior of John Bragg’s newly relocated restaurant, Circa, she wasn’t aiming for ordinary.

41. House: End Subsidies for White House Hopefuls - Thursday, January 27, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – The House has voted to abolish the system of partial federal funding for presidential campaigns.

The legislation passed 239-160. It would end the current system that allows people to check a box on their income tax return and dedicate $3 of their payments to presidential candidates.

42. Sheriff's Race Attracts Hard-Boiled Veterans - Monday, April 19, 2010

Most of the Democratic and Republican candidates for Shelby County sheriff gathered last month in the office of outgoing Sheriff Mark Luttrell.

43. Events - Monday, March 29, 2010

David Moore, real estate agent at Home Realty Co. of Memphis, will host “Understanding the Structure of Hard Money Financing for Real Estate Investors and the Law Changes of Purchase Money Notes for Sellers Under the SAFE Act” today and every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Home Realty, 3412 Park Ave. For more information, call 238-8909.

44. Race to the Top - Monday, January 11, 2010

The age of No Child Left Behind in national education is about to give way to another moniker.

The Race to the Top program is a race between states to get a share of $4.35 billion in federal stimulus money for an education reform effort.

45. TennCut: Why the state Medicaid program is slashing services to thousands of disabled people - Monday, November 2, 2009

Thyroid disease, congestive heart failure, blood clots, anemia and rheumatoid arthritis are just some of the health problems Memphian Ann B. wakes up to every day. For 11 years, she has been covered under a class of TennCare called Supplemental Social Security, or the “Daniels” class. Ann asked that her last name be kept anonymous.

46. Greenville, S.C., Publisher Elected SNPA President - Tuesday, October 20, 2009

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Steve Brandt, president and publisher of The Greenville (S.C.) News, was elected president of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association during the SNPA's annual convention Monday.

47. Jobless Hit with Bank Fees on Benefits - Monday, February 23, 2009

For hundreds of thousands of workers losing their jobs during the recession, there's a new twist to their financial pain: Even as they're collecting unemployment benefits, they're paying bank fees just to get access to their money.

48. Duncan Named Senior VP For Homewood Suites by Hilton - Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Bill Duncan has been appointed senior vice president of brand management for Homewood Suites by Hilton and the newly launched Home2 Suites by Hilton.

49. Shell’s Concert Season Begins Thursday - Wednesday, September 3, 2008

It was built for less than $12,000 in the 1930s by the city of Memphis and the Works Progress Administration.

But to relaunch the Levitt Shell at Overton Park – which the city closed a few years ago after years of inactivity and disrepair – it took a $1.3 million renovation plus the addition of new equipment, volunteers, staff, an office space and much more. That effort was years in the making, and it culminates Thursday night with the kickoff of the new shell’s inaugural concert season.

50. Rhodes College’s Stuart Receives Distinguished Service Award - Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Forrest Stuart, director of financial aid at Rhodes College, recently received the Distinguished Service Award at the spring conference of the Tennessee Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (TASFAA).

51. Lottery Money Would Be Used To Send Iraq, Other Vets to School - Friday, March 21, 2008

NASHVILLE (AP) - Members of a Senate lottery subcommittee say they support legislation that would use excess lottery funds to allow honorably discharged Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to attend school.

52. Fred Thompson Shakes up His Campaign Staff - Thursday, July 26, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson is shaking up his still-unofficial campaign, replacing his top aide with a former Michigan senator and a veteran Florida strategist.

53. Technology vs. Unique Resume - Tuesday, May 29, 2007

In the annals of Memphis mayoral elections, it seems no candidate has run a race quite like Herman Morris Jr.

Morris - Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division's former top executive - has built a campaign operation that boasts the technological edge and efficiency of a small corporation. His supporters can sign up for cell phone text alerts and Internet podcasts. Videos are posted to his Web site.

54. Startup Triumph Bank Works To Fill Desired Market Niches - Friday, December 1, 2006

If Memphis is a pond, and mega-banks such as SunTrust Banks, Wachovia Corp. and Regions Financial Corp. are whales, then local startup Triumph Bank is a goldfish.

Sometimes, a little fish can make its gargantuan counterparts look like fish out of water.

55. Archived Article: Govt Focus - Thursday, January 13, 2000
World-Class Music often starts World-class music in tune with Tennessee manufacturers By Carol Davis Special to The Daily News Each time country recording artist Chely Wright takes the stage, she is backed by more than her talented band she is buoye...

56. Archived Article: Standout St - Friday, July 2, 1999
By SUZANNE THOMPSON Outstanding officer Retired police chief Dennis Joyner puts his experience to work as head of the Mid-South Training Institute By SUZANNE THOMPSON The Daily News When Dennis Joyner was discharged from the Air Force in 1965, he ne...

57. Archived Article: Backpg - Thursday, June 18, 1998
By SUZANNE THOMPSON St. Georges Day School adds pre-kindergarten classroom By SUZANNE THOMPSON The Daily News Construction began June 8 on a classroom addition project at St. Georges Day School in Germantown. The classroom will be used for pre-kinde...

58. Archived Article: Real Briefs - Tuesday, January 21, 1997
City Grocery, a full-service specialty grocery store, has signed a lease with Belz Enterprises to occupy about 11,800 square feet in Peabody Place City Grocery, a full-service specialty grocery store, has signed a lease with Belz Enterprises to occu...

59. Archived Article: Govt Analys - Friday, October 18, 1996
Presidential debates Presidential debates By Berje Yacoubian Special to The Daily News For the past six elections, presidential debates have played a crucial role in crystallizing many voters predispositions about the candidates. Some debates have s...

60. Archived Article: Govt Analys - Friday, June 14, 1996
Politics and peace Politics and peace By Berje Yacoubian Conventional wisdom has it that unless there is a war, President Bill Clinton will be re-elected to a second term this November. Americans generally reward a second term to presidents who mana...

61. Archived Article: Gov Analysis - Friday, May 31, 1996
gov. anal Politics of scandals By Berje Yacoubian Whitewater is no Watergate! And as Ross Perot would say, "You know it, I know it, and the American people know it." What is whitewater anyway? The American Heritage dictionary defines white...

62. Archived Article: Govt Analys - Friday, December 29, 1995
12/29 Govt analys Presidential Campaigns: The Message By BERJE YACOUBIAN Special to The Daily News A clear and concise message is today more critical in winning the presidency than even the presidential candidate carrying the message. "Its the ...

63. Archived Article: Community Cntr Lj - Friday, December 1, 1995
lj 10/5 cates City sees 27th community center as 'money well-spent' By LAURIE JOHNSON The Daily News The Raleigh-Frayser area will be the site for the citys next community center, which will offer activities to citizens of all ages and supply kids w...