Early in his U.S. Senate campaign, former governor Phil Bredesen shied away from talking about his opponent, Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, preferring to focus instead on ideas.

2. Elizabeth Smart Kidnapper to be Released from Prison - Wednesday, September 12, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A woman convicted of helping a former street preacher kidnap Elizabeth Smart as a teenager in 2002 from her Salt Lake City bedroom and hold her captive will be freed from prison in a surprise move announced Tuesday by state authorities.

3. Leadership Holes in State Legislature - Thursday, September 6, 2018

With apologies to Robert Zimmerman, “the times they are a-changing.”

Unlike Bob Dylan’s 1964 song of rebellion, Capitol Hill isn’t turning into a bed of liberals, although someday the first could be last. In fact, it could turn more conservative this fall before things take a different direction. But leadership down the line in both parties is due for a big turnover.

4. White House Faces Brain Drain at Perilous Moment - Monday, September 3, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Increasingly convinced that the West Wing is wholly unprepared to handle the expected assault from Democrats if they win the House in November, President Donald Trump's aides and allies are privately raising alarm as his circle of legal and communications advisers continues to shrink.

5. Iowa Slaying Focuses Attention On Immigrants In Agriculture - Monday, August 27, 2018

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The arrest of a Mexican farmworker in the death of an Iowa college student renewed calls to change immigration laws, but it also focused attention on the immigrant workers whose labor is essential to the state's agricultural industry.

6. Touchdown Club Announces Some 2018 Speakers - Tuesday, August 21, 2018

The 43rd season of the Touchdown Club of Memphis will have speakers that include new Mississippi State head football coach Joe Moorhead, new University of Memphis head basketball coach Penny Hardaway, and former Ole Miss head football coach Hugh Freeze.

7. In a Comeback Season For Hollywood, a Summer Without Bombs - Monday, August 20, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) — Have you noticed something oddly tranquil about this summer movie season? For the first time in recent memory, there hasn't been one major bomb.

Usually by now, there would be blockbuster-sized craters left on the charred summer-movie battlefield, the inevitable toll of Hollywood's most high-stakes season. But this year, summer-movie bomb-watching, long one of the most dependable spectator sports of the season, has gone entirely without the sight of a "Lone Ranger"-sized mushroom cloud.

8. David Hawk Seeks Speaker post - Monday, August 20, 2018

Republican state Rep. David Hawk, an opponent of the 2017 IMPROVE Act and gas-tax increase, delivered the second shot for the House Speaker’s post, entering a race expected to hotly contested as the 111^th General Assembly prepares to convene.

9. State Rep. David Hawk Announces Tennessee House Speaker Bid in Contested Race - Friday, August 17, 2018

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Republican Rep. David Hawk has announced that he is running for state House speaker, setting up a contested race to succeed Speaker Beth Harwell.

10. Last Word: Colonial's New Plan, the Overton Square Hotel and American Way - Wednesday, August 8, 2018

And we are at that point of the post-county election period where those who leave office next month are announcing what’s next. This will soon start to blend with transition announcements for the incoming office holders. Shelby County commissioner Terry Roland is the new director of the Millington Chamber of Commerce. The announcement made at a luncheon in Millington Tuesday. Roland is among the eight Shelby County commissioners who leave office as of Sept. 1. Roland also vows he will be back in four years when the county elections just decided will be on the ballot once more. Roland ran in the May Republican primary for county mayor won by David Lenoir.

11. 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.

12. McKinney Assumes New Role Joining Greater Memphis Chamber - Thursday, August 2, 2018

David McKinney later this month starts his new job as senior vice president for public policy at the Greater Memphis Chamber.

The 36-year-old attorney succeeds Kelly Rayne, who left earlier this summer to become senior counsel for St. Jude ALSAC.

13. Following Merger, First Tennessee Executive Encourages Memphians to Embrace Change - Friday, July 20, 2018

Sometimes, your career chooses you. For Darin Johnson, he always knew he wanted to combine his love of numbers and people. “Since I was a kid, I’ve loved numbers,” Johnson said. “In fact, we didn’t have voicemail when I was a kid, so I would memorize everyone who would call and all of their numbers."

14. Bar Assn. Poll Recommends All Four Appointed Judges - Saturday, July 7, 2018

The Memphis Bar Association poll of the most qualified candidates in the special judicial races on the Aug. 2 ballot recommends all four of the judges appointed to those positions in the interim.

Just over 1,000 attorneys participated in the poll, which asked respondents to pick who is the most qualified among the contenders in those races as well as court clerks on the August ballot.

15. Bar Assn. Poll Recommends All Four Appointed Judges - Friday, July 6, 2018

The Memphis Bar Association poll of the most qualified candidates in the special judicial races on the Aug. 2 ballot recommends all four of the judges appointed to those positions in the interim.

Just over 1,000 attorneys participated in the poll, which asked respondents to pick who is the most qualified among the contenders in those races as well as court clerks on the August ballot.

16. McCormick: No Evidence of Any Scandal - Thursday, June 28, 2018

Mercurial Republican Rep. Gerald McCormick went from kicking ass to kicking back. Only three days after saying his now-former Democratic opponent, David Jones, would realize how little he has in common with District 26 in Chattanooga “when he gets his ass beat in November,” McCormick abruptly announced he would not seek re-election this year and would be leaving the House effective Oct. 1.

17. Last Word: Almost Fixed, Early Voting Flap and New Chandler Numbers - Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Less than 500 MLGW customers still without power Tuesday evening going into Wednesday when the utility’s goal is to have all power outages from the weekend storms fixed. Right after the storm and when this recovery effort began, 35,000 customers were without power.

18. Online sellers consider how to comply with sales tax ruling - Monday, June 25, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) — While a Supreme Court ruling on sales taxes will create more obligations and expenses for many small online retailers, owners are already thinking about how they'll comply.

19. Tennessee House Speaker Contender Won't Seek Re-Election - Tuesday, June 19, 2018

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A longtime Tennessee lawmaker who had expressed interest in running for House speaker says he won't seek re-election.

Republican Rep. Gerald McCormick of Chattanooga tells the Chattanooga Times Free Press he will withdraw from his House race Monday and will resign Oct. 1 to take a full-time job with Asa Engineering and Consulting in Nashville.

20. Last Word: Kiwanis Debate, Haslam on the Gov. Race and Street Work - Thursday, June 14, 2018

For the last couple of days there has been this brewing story that Kim Kardashian West was on her way to the city to meet with Alice Marie Johnson, the convicted drug dealer sentenced to life in prison who was pardoned by President Donald Trump last week after serving 21 years in federal prison. And that is just what happened Wednesday – almost. The meeting was in Southaven. And, according to People, it included lessons in how to use Snapchat. The meeting included an interview with the Today show that will air Thursday morning.

21. Johnson Wins Final FESJC, Takes Over No. 1 World Ranking - Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Dustin Johnson had a sizable lead. Only a couple of holes remained in the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind Sunday, June 10, and a victory would push Johnson from No. 2 in the world rankings to No. 1.

22. Dustin Johnson Wins Last FESJC and Takes Over No. 1 World Ranking - Monday, June 11, 2018

Dustin Johnson had a sizable lead. Only a couple of holes remained in the final round of Sunday’s FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind and a victory would push Johnson from No. 2 in the world rankings to No. 1.

23. Last Word: The Commutation, Tuition Freeze and Blackburn and Sundquist - Thursday, June 7, 2018

Alice Marie Johnson walked out of a federal prison in Alabama Wednesday after serving 21 years of a life prison sentence for dealing drugs and laundering money as part of a Memphis drug ring with Texas connections in the 1990s. Johnson’s release came the same day that President Donald Trump commuted her life sentence less than a week after he met with reality television personality Kim Kardashian West who appealed for Johnson’s release. Here is the Associated Press story.

24. Dustin Johnson Heads FESJC Field - Wednesday, June 6, 2018

The last FedEx St. Jude Classic will not be without star power. In the tournament’s final year under the current format before converting to the World Golf Championships - FedEx St. Jude Invitational in 2019, the field will feature World No. 2 Dustin Johnson, No. 9 Brooks Koepka and No. 15 Henrik Stenson (rankings through June 3).

25. Few Teeth in Trump's Prescription to Reduce Drug Prices - Monday, May 14, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump's long-promised plan to bring down drug prices, unveiled Friday, would mostly spare the pharmaceutical industry he previously accused of "getting away with murder." Instead he focuses on private competition and more openness to reduce America's prescription pain.

26. Around Memphis: May 7, 2018 - Monday, May 7, 2018

The Daily News offers a weekly roundup of Memphis-related headlines from around the web, adding context and new perspectives to the original content we produce on a daily basis. Here are some recent stories worth checking out…

27. Inner Fortitude - Saturday, May 5, 2018

Amid a teacher shortage attributed partly to economic opportunities luring away candidates, local educators are creating urban teaching programs and adopting new recruitment strategies.

Rhodes College is launching a master’s program in urban education in June and is offering a $10,000 scholarship to each student. If the student receives a Stafford federal loan of $15,000 and commits to teaching at a “high-need” school, the degree essentially will be free.

28. Harris, Lenoir to Battle for County Mayor - Thursday, May 3, 2018

Republican David Lenoir and Democrat Lee Harris will meet in the Aug. 2 county general election to decide who will be the next Shelby County mayor. Lenoir and Harris won their respective primaries easily Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

29. Lenoir and Harris Advance in County Mayor's Race - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Republican David Lenoir and Democrat Lee Harris will meet in the Aug. 2 county general election to decide who will be the next Shelby County Mayor. Lenoir and Harris won their respective primaries easily Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

30. First Primaries Kick Off Busy Election Year - Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Shelby County voters go to the polls Tuesday, May 1, in the first of three elections this year that will take in county, state and federal offices by the time the last vote is counted in November.

The primary elections Tuesday for 23 Shelby County government offices are being watched closely by local Republican and Democratic leaders. They are watching the turnout and what the results say about the political temperament and activism of a county Hillary Clinton carried with 60 percent of the vote in the November 2016 presidential general election won by Republican Donald Trump.

31. Memphis Site of One of Golf’s Greatest Events - Friday, April 13, 2018

The hugs, the handshakes, the slaps on the back, the big smiles and loud, lengthy applause. All things normally saved in the golf world for that moment when a 75-foot eagle putt settles in the bottom of the hole.

32. Third Tigers Basketball Player Transferring - Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Guard Malik Rhodes has joined David Nickelberry and Jamal Johnson in announcing his intention to transfer out of the University of Memphis basketball program.

33. Grizzlies Set to Pick in Top Five; Bickerstaff’s Future Cloudy - Tuesday, April 10, 2018

On Wednesday, the Memphis Grizzlies will play their last game of this difficult season at Oklahoma City. They are on track to finish with the second-worst record in the NBA and to have just under a 20 percent chance in the NBA Lottery to wind up with the overall No. 1 pick.

34. 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.

35. Tigers Coach Hardaway Lands First Commitments - Saturday, April 7, 2018

Penny Hardaway’s first commitments as head coach at the University of Memphis are his son, Jayden Hardaway, and East High point guard Alex Lomax.

36. 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.

37. Outside the Box - Friday, April 6, 2018

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra wants audiences to be “challenged” and introduced to new people and ideas via its programming choices and performance series, a philosophy that informed how the symphony’s upcoming season, which kicks off in September, was put together.

38. Lomax Commits to Memphis Tigers, Hardaway Staff Hire May be Near - Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Penny Hardaway’s first commitments as head coach at the University of Memphis are his son, Jayden, and East High point guard Alex Lomax. Jayden announced his commitment Tuesday, April 3, and Lomax made his official through social media early Wednesday morning.

39. Events - Friday, March 23, 2018

David Lusk Gallery-Memphis will hold an opening reception for Libby Johnson’s “Tempest” and Rob Matthews’ “Peace Like a Fever” Friday, March 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at DLG, 97 Tillman St. Johnson and Matthews will also give an artist talk Saturday, March 24, at 11 a.m. Visit davidluskgallery.com.

40. Sexual Misconduct Allegation at Playhouse Could Trigger Report to Authorities - Thursday, March 22, 2018

Playhouse on the Square will not be making public the details of its investigation or a report it commissioned on an allegation of “sexual misconduct” by theater founder Jackie Nichols. But the theater’s board could be required to report the allegation to authorities if it hasn’t already, Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich confirmed Tuesday, March 20.

41. Last Word: Nichols Out at Playhouse, Sickle Cell Research and Heels 4 Healing - Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Tubby Smith's meeting with the University of Memphis take two is Wednesday after some waiting by reporters Tuesday. There was a false alarm later in the evening around a rumor that Smith and U of M President David Rudd were meeting that sent a few folks with cameras scrambling. But nothing there either.

42. Wiuff Looks to Boost Engagement As MAAR Board President - Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Lauren Harkins Wiuff, a broker at Marx-Bensdorf Realtors, has begun her tenure as the 2018 president of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors board of directors. Wiuff, who will serve a one-year term as board president, is also a lifetime member of MAAR’s Multi Million Dollar Club. At Marx-Bensdorf, she leads a team that includes her sister, Stephanie Sheahan.

43. Tigers Bounced from AAC Tourney; Was the Game Tubby's Last at Memphis? - Monday, March 12, 2018

The No. 5 seed Memphis Tigers opened the American Athletic Conference Tournament doing what they were supposed to do by beating No. 12 seed South Florida. Then they upset No. 4 Tulsa on buzzer beater.

44. Last Word: Forrest and Slavery, The Tariff Blitz and Angus McEachran - Tuesday, March 6, 2018

The report on poverty in Memphis over the last 50 years is on its way to a Greater Memphis Chamber breakfast meeting Thursday. And Terri Lee Freeman, the president of the National Civil Rights Museum and Elena Delavega, the University of Memphis lead researcher of the report, say their message is that as goes Memphis in this regard so goes the nation. And if employers start with lower pay at hiring with percentage raises across the board they feed the racial income gap and bonuses do as well.

45. Investors are Winners as Companies Lay Out Tax-Saving Plans - Wednesday, February 21, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – It's just what the GOP said we'd hear from a CEO after being handed a big tax break.

But when Charles Scharf announced plans last month to spend his company's tax savings on higher wages and technology, investors began selling.

46. 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.

47. Around Memphis: Feb. 19, 2018 - Monday, February 19, 2018

The Daily News offers a weekly roundup of Memphis-related headlines from around the web, adding context and new perspectives to the original content we produce on a daily basis. Here are some recent stories worth checking out...

48. 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.

49. Digest - Monday, January 29, 2018

Memphis Toys R Us

To Remain Open

A representative with Toys R Us has confirmed to The Daily News that the retailer’s Memphis location, at 7676 Polo Ground Blvd., won’t close after all.

50. Another Memphis Football Assistant Moving On - Saturday, January 20, 2018

David Johnson, who had been wide receivers coach at the University of Memphis the past two seasons, has left for another coaching opportunity. Multiple media reports say Johnson is about to be hired at the University of Tennessee.

51. Pruitt’s SEC-Heavy Staff a Recruiting Coup - Friday, January 19, 2018

It was early December, 2012, and Butch Jones stood in front of a podium after being named Tennessee’s 24th football coach.

“I can assure you,” Jones said at his introductory press conference. “We will put together the best football staff in the country. Not just in the Southeastern Conference, but the entire country.”

52. Another Memphis Football Assistant Moving On - Wednesday, January 17, 2018

David Johnson, who had been wide receivers coach at the University of Memphis the past two seasons, has left for another coaching opportunity. Multiple media reports say Johnson is about to be hired at the University of Tennessee.

53. 'Mississippi Burning' KKK Leader Killen Dies in Prison at 92 - Monday, January 15, 2018

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Edgar Ray Killen, a 1960s Ku Klux Klan leader who was convicted decades later in the "Mississippi Burning" slayings of three civil rights workers, has died in prison at the age of 92, the state's corrections department announced Friday.

54. Roland Pulls Petition For Mayor, Running As ‘Uniter’ - Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Shelby County commissioner Terry Roland has been campaigning for Shelby County mayor since last year.

When he pulled his qualifying petition Thursday, Jan. 11, to formally enter the May Republican primary for mayor, Roland did so with a slogan of bringing “positive change to Shelby County.”

55. Tigers Coach Norvell Adjusts Football Staff - Saturday, January 6, 2018

Three new coaches are joining Mike Norvell’s staff at the University of Memphis.

Keith Patterson and TJ Rushing will immediately fill the spots recently vacated by Dan Lanning and Marcus Woodson. In addition, Will Hall will join the coaching staff as associate head coach and tight ends coach when the new NCAA rule allowing a 10th assistant coach goes into effect Jan. 9.

56. Tigers Coach Norvell Adjusts Football Staff - Thursday, January 4, 2018

Three new coaches are joining Mike Norvell’s staff at the University of Memphis.

Keith Patterson and TJ Rushing will immediately fill the spots recently vacated by Dan Lanning and Marcus Woodson. In addition, Will Hall will join the coaching staff as associate head coach and tight ends coach when the new NCAA rule allowing a 10th assistant coach goes into effect Jan. 9.

57. 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.

58. Improving Tigers Will Get Tested Facing Louisville in Madison Square Garden - Friday, December 15, 2017

Already, the Memphis Tigers had survived to beat Northern Kentucky by two points, Mercer by two points (in double-overtime) and Samford by one point. All on their home floor at FedExForum.

So with score tied 45-45 vs. Albany midway through the second half, the Tigers looked to be on their way to another one-possession outcome. But after junior guard Jeremiah Martin anticipated a pass by Albany’s Joe Cremo and intercepted it like a safety reading the quarterback’s eyes, Martin raced down the court for a dunk that gave Memphis a 53-48 lead with 6:30 left in the game.

59. Last Word: Bredesen's Return, Ford's Exit and Otis Redding 50 Years On - Friday, December 8, 2017

Former Tennessee Gov. and Nashville mayor Phil Bredesen formally entered the 2018 race for the U.S. Senate Thursday via a YouTube video. AP on Bredesen’s entry and his background. Republican partisans are already assuming Bredesen is the Democratic nominee and Democratic partisans are already assuming U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn is the Republican nominee. And the expectation of such a match up automatically went on the list of midterm races that those on both sides and pundits inbetween will be watching to get a read on national trends.

60. Not a Final Ruling, But Justices OK Travel Ban Enforcement - Wednesday, December 6, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) – It's not a final ruling, but the Supreme Court is letting the Trump administration fully enforce a ban on travel to the United States by residents of six mostly Muslim countries.

61. County Primary Filing Opens With Paperwork Flurry - Monday, November 20, 2017

A total of 37 prospective candidates in the May 2018 county primaries pulled qualifying petitions last week on the first day of the filing period Friday, Nov. 17.

And the first contenders through the doors at the Shelby County Election Commission in a period that extends to a February deadline confirms a few trends.

62. The Next Four Years - Saturday, November 18, 2017

A week before candidates for the 2018 Shelby County elections could pull qualifying petitions to run, Shelby County Commissioner David Reaves was thinking out loud on Facebook.

“Next four years,” was how it began.

63. Despite Massive Turnover, GOP Owns Legislature - Thursday, November 16, 2017

2018 will be a year of change for the Tennessee General Assembly, and 2019 will bring even more, especially in leadership – much depending on the popularity of President Donald Trump.

Not only is the Legislature moving to the Cordell Hull Building, vacating the Legislative Plaza after 45 years or so, a number of legislative faces are changing, too, even before next year’s election.

64. Do The Hustle - Saturday, November 11, 2017

A lot can change in six years. Consider: In early November of 2011 the NBA was in the midst of a lockout. Rudy Gay, then a Memphis Grizzlies player, put together a charity game at what was then known as the DeSoto Civic Center.

65. Events - Saturday, November 11, 2017

The Whitehaven Partnership will meet Friday, Nov. 10, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Whitehaven branch library, 4120 Millbranch Road. The organization seeks to clean up Whitehaven and address community concerns. Open to the public. RSVP to Calvin Burton at cburton615@hotmail.com or 901-345-3695.

66. Events - Friday, November 10, 2017

The Whitehaven Partnership will meet Friday, Nov. 10, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Whitehaven branch library, 4120 Millbranch Road. The organization seeks to clean up Whitehaven and address community concerns. Open to the public. RSVP to Calvin Burton at cburton615@hotmail.com or 901-345-3695.

67. Tigers Eager to Prove the Skeptics Wrong - Wednesday, November 1, 2017

The question was pretty direct: “Jimario, what do you think is the biggest question facing this team?”

Said Jimario Rivers, even more to the point: “Probably, how many games we’ll win.”

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

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

69. Tennessee Sen. Corker Meets With Trump Following Spat - Monday, September 18, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Republican Bob Corker, who has yet to say whether he will seek a third term representing Tennessee in the U.S. Senate next year, met with President Donald Trump on Friday for the first time since their public spat.

70. ‘Divisive Symbols’: Mississippi Case Offers Hope for Forrest Bust Removal - Thursday, September 7, 2017

State Sen. Lee Harris is encouraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s request for the state of Mississippi to respond to a lawsuit seeking to remove the Confederate battle flag from its state flag.

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

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

72. 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.

73. Cohen Defines Gap Between Trump and Republicans - Tuesday, August 15, 2017

There is a distinction to be made between the Republican majorities in the U.S. House and Senate and President Donald Trump, says U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, one of Trump’s most vocal and virulent critics.

74. Jones Has Definitely Proven He Can Recruit - Friday, July 14, 2017

When in doubt, do what you do best – recruit. That seems to be the approach of Tennessee Vols coach Butch Jones. While many UT fans, and some in the media, are portraying this as a make-or-break season, Jones is planning for his future by stockpiling commitments for 2018 and beyond.

75. Saturday Legal Aid Clinic To Celebrate 10 Years - Saturday, July 8, 2017

A ceremony and reception will be held Saturday, July 8, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2nd Saturday Legal Aid Clinic, or 2SLAC, serving the Memphis community.

The event will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave.

76. Local Democrats Set Reorganization Convention - Thursday, July 6, 2017

Shelby County Democrats will start the reorganization of the local political party July 22 at a countywide convention that will dramatically change its structure to a pair of groups totaling around 130 people.

77. Last Word: No Deal, Ivan Rabb and Intermodals in Overton Park - Friday, June 30, 2017

And the winner is … not Fred’s. After months of speculation about the Memphis-based discount retail store’s transformation into a pharmacy-based enterprise with the purchase of hundreds of Rite Aid stores in a third-party divestment move, Fred’s was nowhere to be found when Walgreens announced a deal Thursday to buy the Rite Aid stores. The corporation told investors it will still pursue its strategy but acknowledged its trajectory is “stunted” – that as Fred’s got hammered on Wall Street.

78. Century Mark - Saturday, June 17, 2017

During a visit to Memphis in April, Andrew Young was talking with reporters about his lengthy public history – being part of Dr. Martin Luther King’s inner circle, a congressman, mayor of Atlanta, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. It was as he talked about King’s death in Memphis that Young, without any prompting, talked about a trio of Memphis attorneys – Benjamin Hooks, Russell Sugarmon and A. W. Willis – that were the key to his and King’s efforts to get things done in Memphis and the surrounding region.

79. RedRover Adds Will Cook As Design Architect - Wednesday, June 14, 2017

RedRover Sales & Marketing has added three new employees in recent months, including design architect Will Cook, who has more than 10 years of graphic design experience and comes to RedRover from The Commercial Appeal and Savant Learning Systems. In his new role, Cook primarily designs print and web collateral for RedRover’s clients while also assisting the sales and marketing teams in other ways, including participating in sales meetings and calls.

80. Wide Receiver U? That’s So 20 Years Ago - Friday, May 26, 2017

At the 2015 SEC Media Days, Tennessee coach Butch Jones referred to his school as “the original Wide Receiver U.”

The reference goes back to the days when the Vols were loaded with fast, talented pass receivers on the perimeter. In a heady stretch from 1982-91, UT had six wide receivers selected in the first round of the NFL draft – Anthony Hancock, Willie Gault, Clyde Duncan, Tim McGee, Anthony Miller and Alvin Harper.

81. Local Democratic Party Organizers Grapple With Activism - Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Once the new bylaws and a new executive committee is in place for the reconstituted Shelby County Democratic Party this summer, there will still be a fundamental question about the political strength of the new organization.

82. Murder Charges Raise Questions About Bounty Hunters - Friday, May 12, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – About three weeks ago, just after midnight, a group of seven bounty hunters surrounded a car in a Wal-Mart parking lot and blocked it from leaving, according to court documents. Authorities say the bounty hunters believed an ex-convict who had skipped out on several court appearances was one of four men in the parked car.

83. Robinson Gives Mariota Weapons for Success - Friday, May 5, 2017

Just when we think we’ve figured out Titans G.M. Jon Robinson, he reinvents himself.

On the first night of the recent NFL Draft, we assumed Robinson would play it safe, trading the No. 5 overall pick to acquire more draft capital.

84. 'Who is a Democrat?' - Friday, May 5, 2017

Through two meetings in less than a week, the leader of a reorganization of the Shelby County Democratic Party has heard one discussion more than any other issue raised in the gatherings.

“Who is a Democrat?” attorney and former local party chairman David Cocke said in defining the issue at the start of the second forum in Midtown Wednesday, May 3.

85. Parks Becomes Latest JUCO Prospect to Sign With Memphis - Thursday, May 4, 2017

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Memphis has added Southwest Mississippi Community College center Mike Parks Jr. to its roster.

Tigers coach Tubby Smith announced the signing of Parks on Wednesday.

86. Crosby Plants a Park in the Shadow of Skyscrapers - Friday, April 28, 2017

How do you repurpose a blighted old Burger King? That’s the question Scott Crosby was facing. “Initially we thought we’d make it a bar, or maybe a restaurant,” he says. “But the building was too dilapidated. Then we thought, maybe a parking lot, but the space was too small.”

87. Court Documents: Mother Had Abused Teen in Kidnapping Case - Thursday, April 27, 2017

COLUMBIA, Tenn. (AP) – A 15-year-old Tennessee girl who authorities say was kidnapped by her teacher had endured months of abuse at the hands of her mother, according to court documents, making her particularly vulnerable to an adult predator.

88. View From the Hill: IMPROVE Act an Insight Into Testy Election Ahead - Thursday, April 27, 2017

In case anyone’s keeping stats, Senate leadership soundly defeated House leadership this session in the gas tax/tax cut battle.

Whether this is a forerunner to a Republican gubernatorial primary remains to be seen as Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris and House Speaker Beth Harwell weigh decisions. It’s not as if they’d be facing off against each other, though, since businessman Bill Lee and former Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd are definitely in the race and not hurting for money.

89. Memphis Democrats Prepare To Reorganize - Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Shelby County Democrats hope to have the local party up and running by the Fourth of July. The Shelby County Democratic Party was disbanded by the Tennessee Democratic Party in August after two disastrous county election cycles for the Democratic slate and increasing dysfunction by the local party’s executive committee.

90. Riding New Wave - Saturday, April 22, 2017

In 2007, about a half-dozen Memphis companies came together to found the Urban Land Institute Memphis chapter. It was a fine start. Six years later, ULI Memphis was convening a group of mayors from the tri-state area and, at least initially, trying very hard to make it informal and non-threatening.

91. Setting New Tax Rate After Reappraisal Becomes ‘Moving Target’ - Saturday, April 15, 2017

For local government leaders, the 2017 countywide property reappraisal is about resetting the property tax rate for Shelby County government and all seven of the cities and towns within the county.

92. Setting New Tax Rate After Reappraisal Becomes ‘Moving Target’ - Saturday, April 15, 2017

For local government leaders, the 2017 countywide property reappraisal is about resetting the property tax rate for Shelby County government and all seven of the cities and towns within the county.

93. Setting New Tax Rate After Reappraisal Becomes ‘Moving Target’ - Saturday, April 15, 2017

For local government leaders, the 2017 countywide property reappraisal is about resetting the property tax rate for Shelby County government and all seven of the cities and towns within the county.

94. Setting New Tax Rate After Reappraisal Becomes ‘Moving Target’ - Saturday, April 15, 2017

For local government leaders, the 2017 countywide property reappraisal is about resetting the property tax rate for Shelby County government and all seven of the cities and towns within the county.

95. Setting New Tax Rate After Reappraisal Becomes ‘Moving Target’ - Saturday, April 15, 2017

For local government leaders, the 2017 countywide property reappraisal is about resetting the property tax rate for Shelby County government and all seven of the cities and towns within the county.

96. Last Word: Derailed, The View From Pyramid Harbor and New History - Friday, April 14, 2017

“Do Not Occupy” notices posted Thursday afternoon on most but not all of the newly-opened Railgarten complex on Central Avenue east of Cooper in Midtown. Local code officers acted after questions about whether the owners of the complex had approval for intermodal containers being used as part of the structure. The restaurant part of the structure in what was once an ice house remains open. There was already a lot of grumbling from neighbors about the music volume and late hours as well as parking for the development

97. Mistreated GOP Legislators Only Want to Be Heard - Thursday, April 13, 2017

Word has it extra tissue will be placed on the desks of some House members in the coming weeks so they can dry their tears of pain.

It seems a faction of the Republican supermajority just hasn’t gotten a fair hearing – from their own party – on opposition to Gov. Bill Haslam’s IMPROVE Act, which contains a dreaded gas and diesel tax increase to rebuild the state’s roads and bridges. It’s the gas tax versus the surplus, which is pretty big at $1 billion in one-time money and another billion in extra recurring money.

98. Last Word: Busy Council Day, County Property Tax Cut Call and Gas Tax Vote Nears - Tuesday, April 11, 2017

The Lawsons – K.J. and Dedric – are on their way to Kansas after leaving University of Memphis basketball they announced Monday. And Markell Crawford confirmed Monday that he will be transferring too. Crawford is the sixth Tiger player to head for the door since the season’s end. What will Tigers basketball look like by the next season?

99. Lenoir Calls for Property Tax Cut Beyond New Certified Tax Rate From Reappraisal - Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir says there should be a cut in the county property tax rate beyond the new certified property tax rate to be set as a result of the 2017 countywide property reappraisal.

100. Judicial Independence Focus of Law Symposium - Saturday, April 8, 2017

The Cecil C. Humphreys University of Memphis Law School Symposium will examine the concept of judicial independence.

The daylong symposium Friday, April 7, is titled “The Fragile Fortress” and will feature four federal judges, four legal scholars, a former U.S. attorney general and the chief justice of the Costa Rican Supreme Court.