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. US Political Spending Getting More Secretive With IRS Change - Friday, July 20, 2018

Political spending in the U.S. is about to become even more secretive after the IRS this week dropped a requirement that many nonprofits have to provide lists of their major donors.

The federal government will stop collecting donor information from certain types of nonprofit groups, including business associations, labor unions and "social welfare" organizations, which have become major players in the nation's politics over the past decade.

3. Last Word: Soccer Names, Early Voting and a Censure and Ole Miss's Bowl Ban - Thursday, July 19, 2018

We will know the name of the United Soccer League Memphis team Sept. 1 as well as get a look at its logo. Will we go with something like the Rogues or Americans or go for a World Cup-style name suitable for craft beer consumption? Along with the answer to that, we will get an exhibition at the ballpark on that Saturday before Labor Day between the Colorado Rapids of MLS and the Tulsa Roughnecks FC of the USL. So if this is any indication, World Cup and craft beer.

4. Events - Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Memphis River Parks Partnership hosts Urban M: Considering the Future of Mud Island with Leslie Koch Tuesday, July 17, at 4 p.m. at Beale Street Landing, 215 Riverside Drive. Koch will discuss her work leading the transformation of Governors Island in New York and lessons that can be applied in Memphis. Visit facebook.com/memriverparks for details.

5. The Week Ahead: July 16-22 - Monday, July 16, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! The popular Roundhouse Revival at the Mid-South Coliseum returns this weekend, along with a retro skate night against the scenic backdrop of the Mississippi River at sunset. Check out those events and more happenings you need to know about in The Week Ahead...

6. Conservative Icon David Koch Leaving Business, Politics - Wednesday, June 6, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Billionaire conservative icon David Koch is stepping down from the Koch brothers' network of business and political activities.

7. Meredith Buying Time Inc. for About $1.8 Billion - Tuesday, November 28, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Magazine and broadcasting company Meredith is buying magazine publisher Time for about $1.8 billion, with help from the billionaire Koch brothers, to bulk up on readers as the publishing industry navigates the difficult transition to digital from print.

8. VA Exploring Idea of Merging Health System With Pentagon - Monday, November 20, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) – As part of its effort to expand private health care, the Department of Veterans Affairs is exploring the possibility of merging its health system with the Pentagon's, a cost-saving measure that veterans groups say could threaten the viability of VA hospitals and clinics.

9. Report: Time Inc. in Merger Talks With Meredith - Friday, November 17, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Time Inc. is considering a sale to fellow publisher Meredith Corp., according to media reports.

10. Activist Ogles Drops Bid to Succeed Corker - Thursday, November 16, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Conservative activist Andy Ogles announced Wednesday that he is dropping his bid for the Republican nomination to succeed Bob Corker in the U.S. Senate.

Ogles is the former state director of Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of conservative billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch's network. He had announced his candidacy before Corker's surprise decision not to seek another term representing Tennessee in the Senate.

11. Peyton Manning Rules Out Run for Corker's Senate Seat - Thursday, September 28, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Football star Peyton Manning ruled out a bid for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of Republican Bob Corker, saying in a sports radio interview on Wednesday that he is giving "zero consideration" to running.

12. GOP Donor Launches Super PAC to Support Corker Challenger - Wednesday, September 20, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A conservative Tennessee auto dealer is launching a super PAC to support Andy Ogles' bid for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Bob Corker.

Ogles is the former state director of Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of conservative billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch's network. He declared his candidacy last week, and his campaign on Tuesday announced the formation of the super PAC run by Lee Beaman, a Nashville Toyota dealer.

13. 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.

14. Last Word: Juvenile Court Return, Berlin Boyd's Week and Tony Allen Thoughts - Friday, September 15, 2017

Two weeks ago Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael was on Behind The Headlines in a half-hour conversation about the court and federal oversight that drew quite a bit of reaction to Michael’s strong opinions about the need to end that oversight. Even before that reaction we had planned to do a second part of the conversation with those who favor continued federal oversight of the court.

15. Activist Announces Bid for Corker's Tennessee Senate Seat - Friday, September 15, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Conservative activist Andy Ogles announced Thursday he will run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Tennessee Republican Bob Corker, who has so far refused to divulge whether he will seek a third term.

16. In Midst of Changes, ArchInc Becomes Woman-Owned Biz - Wednesday, June 21, 2017

The Memphis-based architecture firm formerly known as Architecture Inc. is in the midst of some major changes. The 23-year-old firm has rebranded as ArchInc; promoted Valentina Puppione Cochran to president and majority shareholder; and added preservation architect and urban designer Charles “Chooch” Pickard as a partner.
Cochran has been with ArchInc for 13 years, and her promotion makes the firm a woman-owned small business, which ArchInc says will boost the firm’s minority participation on projects.

17. Civil Asset Forfeiture: 'It's a State License to Steal' - Saturday, December 5, 2015

The drugs in Kathy Stiltner’s car were over-the-counter antacids. The $12,000 in cash was from an inheritance. Still, police took the money – quite legally – and are still fighting to keep it, even after the drug charge was dropped.

18. More Tennessee Lawmakers Come Out Against Gas Tax Hike - Thursday, September 3, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Add the chairman of the state Senate transportation committee to the list of opponents of raising Tennessee's gas tax in 2016.

Republican Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville, who heads the transportation panel in the upper chamber, said Tuesday that there isn't enough time to put together a comprehensive road funding proposal for the upcoming legislative session.

19. Haslam Strikes Defiant Tone Toward Critics of Gas Tax Hike - Thursday, June 18, 2015

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam has a defiant message for groups lining up to oppose him on efforts to raise Tennessee's gas tax for the first time in 25 years: "Have at it."

20. Jack Daniel's Turns Back Latest Tennessee Whiskey Challenge - Wednesday, April 8, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Jack Daniel's has turned back the latest challenge to a state law that determines which spirits can be marketed as "Tennessee Whiskey," but upstart distillers hoping their brands make the cut vow the fight isn't over for good.

21. Both Sides Dig In for Insure Tennessee Special Session - Monday, February 2, 2015

Battle lines have been drawn for a Feb. 2 special session of the state Legislature to determine the fate of Gov. Bill Haslam’s Insure Tennessee proposal, which would use federal funds to catch some 280,000 working people falling through a health insurance coverage gap.

22. Both Sides Dig In For Insure Tennessee Special Session - Saturday, January 31, 2015

Battle lines have been drawn for a Feb. 2 special session of the state Legislature to determine the fate of Gov. Bill Haslam’s Insure Tennessee proposal, which would use federal funds to catch some 200,000 working people falling through a health insurance coverage gap.

23. Anti-Medicaid Expansion Lawmaker Criticizes Radio Ads - Monday, January 26, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – State House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada, a staunch opponent of Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to extend health coverage to 200,000 low-income Tennesseans, on Friday decried what he called "dishonest scare tactics" by a conservative group running radio ads targeting GOP lawmakers.

24. RNC Changes Debate Rules for 2016 - Monday, May 12, 2014

MEMPHIS (AP) – Lunging for control of the GOP ahead of high-stakes elections, the Republican National Committee on Friday took steps to end free-for-all presidential debates and vowed to punish potential contenders who participate in rogue forums.

25. Combined Net Worth of America's Richest Rises - Tuesday, September 17, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – Life is good for America's super wealthy.

Forbes on Monday released its annual list of the top 400 richest Americans. While most of the top names and rankings didn't change from a year ago, the majority of the elite club's members saw their fortunes grow over the past year, helped by strong stock and real estate markets.

26. Arkansas Steel Mill Proposal Gains Traction - Tuesday, April 2, 2013

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Gov. Mike Beebe's plan to provide $125 million in state financing to help a new company build a steel mill in Mississippi County is gaining bipartisan support among legislators – though some conservatives still object to having the government help fund one of Arkansas' largest economic development projects.

27. Gates, Buffett Again Top Forbes' Billionaires List - Thursday, September 20, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates remains the nation's richest man by far, as the tech and philanthropy giant took the top spot on the Forbes 400 list for the 19th year running, with a net worth of $66 billion.

28. Unions Gearing Up to Spend Big in 2012 Election - Thursday, February 23, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Unions are gearing up to spend more than $400 million to help re-elect President Barack Obama and lift Democrats this election year in a fight for labor's survival.

Under siege in state legislatures around the country – and fearing the consequences of a Republican in the White House – union leaders say they have little choice as they try to beat back GOP efforts to curb collective bargaining rights or limit their ability to collect dues.

29. Bill Gates Tops Forbes List of Richest Americans - Thursday, September 22, 2011

LOS ANGELES (AP) – America's economic woes don't appear to be hurting philanthropist Bill Gates, who tops Forbes' list of the 400 richest Americans for the 18th year in a row.

30. Obama Raises More Than $86M for Campaign, Party - Thursday, July 14, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Off to a huge early lead in the money race, President Barack Obama hauled in $86 million for his re-election campaign and the Democratic Party in the past three months. It's better than he did in his victorious first presidential campaign, despite the sluggish economy and constant criticism from Republicans who hope to replace him.

31. IRS Asked to Examine Big-Spending GOP-Allied Group - Wednesday, October 6, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – Two organizations that advocate for tougher campaign finance rules are asking the Internal Revenue Service to investigate the tax-exempt status of a Republican-allied group that has been airing millions of dollars in political advertising.