Tennessee’s legislative Democrats are eternally optimistic. They don’t have much choice but to look on the bright side with 75-24 and 28-5 deficits in the House and Senate.

So when they put a nearly full slate of candidates on the ticket for November’s general election – about 110 districts – and say they’ve got a good chance of picking up seats, they almost have to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt.

2. After Disaster of 2017, New Year Looking Good for Vols - Friday, January 12, 2018

Vol Nation should celebrate. It’s a new year. It’s got to be better than 2017. Tennessee athletics had a bad year, one of the worst ever. It was rough for fans, alumni and boosters.

3. Poll: Tennessee Voters More Moderate Than Some Think - Friday, December 15, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennesseans are more moderate than their neighbors think they are, and their views of Congress and President Donald Trump have soured some in the past few months, according to a Vanderbilt University poll released Thursday.

4. Democrats Hope Bredesen Run Will Reinvigorate Party - Thursday, October 26, 2017

Tennessee Democrats are canvassing the state to find candidates at every political level, but their next star is a well-known veteran who has people of all political stripes holding their breath.

Phil Bredesen, the former mayor of Nashville and a two-term governor, could alter the landscape of Tennessee politics if he enters the race for U.S. Senate to fill the void by departing Republican Sen. Bob Corker in 2018.

5. A Million Reasons Not to Jump Into the Tennessee Governor’s Race - Thursday, August 10, 2017

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mae Beavers is banking on the idea wealthy candidates won’t be able to buy voters in 2018.

6. Poll: 2 in 3 Tennessee Voters Favor Immigrant Tuition Break - Wednesday, May 31, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – About two out of three registered voters in the state think Tennessee students whose parents brought or kept them in the country illegally should be eligible for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities, according to a poll released by Vanderbilt University on Tuesday.

7. Road to WCWS Once Again Goes Through UT - Friday, May 19, 2017

Several of Tennessee’s athletic teams would just be glad to get an NCAA Tournament bid. UT’s softball team expects a lot more. Like getting to the Women’s College World Series.

8. Busiest Season for Sports Hits Big Orange Country - Friday, March 3, 2017

It’s the busiest time of the year for Tennessee athletics. There’s even some football to whet your gridiron appetite.

The Vols begin spring football practices March 21, and the DISH Orange & White Game is April 22 at Neyland Stadium. By then, much will have happened in Big Orange Nation.

9. UT Freshman Arnold Scorching Batters With 0.00 ERA This Season - Friday, February 24, 2017

Caylan Arnold never met a challenge she didn’t like, and she’s taking on a new one almost every day this spring. The 2016 Maryville High School graduate has emerged as one of the top pitchers for Tennessee’s softball team, ranked No. 15 in both major preseason polls.

10. What Lies Ahead for UT Athletics in 2017 - Friday, December 30, 2016

Hey Vols fans, Happy New Year. May your 2017 year in Tennessee sports be better than your 2016 year in Tennessee sports. Perhaps, a fresh start is what we all need. Let’s face it. The Music City Bowl wasn’t where Tennessee wanted the 2016 football season to end. The Vols were picked to win the SEC East Division in preseason and floundered to an 8-4 record in the regular season, 4-4 in the SEC. Their football season was about the norm for most UT sports in 2016: average. Here are some dates to mark in hope of better things ahead in 2017...

11. Poll: Tennessee Optimism Grows for Future of State, Country - Friday, December 9, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – In a state that heavily favored President-elect Donald Trump, a Vanderbilt University poll says optimism in Tennessee has grown about the future of the state and country since the spring.

12. Vanderbilt Poll Finds Support for Modest Gas Tax Increase - Monday, December 7, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – As Gov. Bill Haslam crisscrosses the state trying to build support for a gas tax increase, a new Vanderbilt University poll finds voters are willing to pay more to improve roads and bridges.

13. Fisher Joins Boy Scouts Chickasaw Council as CEO - Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Richard L. Fisher has joined the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America as chief executive officer. In his new role, Fisher will extend character development and leadership skills to youth who live in the Chickasaw Council territory, which includes the Mississippi Delta, Memphis, and Shelby and Crittenden counties.

14. Tennessee GOP Supermajority Struggles to Find Footing - Tuesday, June 18, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam began the year by dismissing what he called misguided predictions that the new Republican supermajority in state government would devolve into infighting.

15. Vanderbilt Poll: Tennesseans Oppose Online Tax - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – A majority of Tennesseans oppose the state enforcing online sales taxes, though respondents were split on whether the current system is fair to local businesses, according to a Vanderbilt University poll released Tuesday.

16. Vanderbilt Poll Shows Support for State-Run Health Exchange - Thursday, December 13, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – A majority of Tennesseans – including nearly three-quarters of those identifying themselves as Republicans – prefer a state-run health insurance exchange over one run by the federal government, according to a poll released by Vanderbilt University on Wednesday.

17. Analysts: Herron Has Slight Edge in 8th District - Monday, December 7, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - As a political battle begins taking shape in Tennessee's 8th congressional district, Democratic state Sen. Roy Herron's name recognition gives him a slight advantage over GOP newcomer Stephen Fincher, political analysts say.

18. Tennessee Voters Must Be in Line By Closing Time - Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Polls in Tennessee opened Tuesday to bright, sunny skies and long lines of voters waiting to cast ballots in what election officials expect to be a record turnout.

The advice to voters was this: Get in line before the polls close or you won't get in the door.

19. Ford's Behavior Affects Public Image, Analysts Say - Friday, June 29, 2007

NASHVILLE (AP) - State Sen. Ophelia Ford's absences from this year's legislative session and her continued poor health raise questions about the Memphis Democrat's effectiveness as a lawmaker, political analysts say.

20. Ford’s Behavior Affects Public Image, Analysts Say - Thursday, June 28, 2007

NASHVILLE (AP) - State Sen. Ophelia Ford's absences from this year's legislative session and her continued poor health raise questions about the Memphis Democrat's effectiveness as a lawmaker, political analysts say.