Early voting in advance of the Aug. 2 Election Day opens Friday, July 13, at five locations across Shelby County. On Tuesday, 22 additional sites will be open through July 28. Between the Shelby County Election Commission and Chancery Court there were three other sets of early-voting locations and hours in a three-week period before Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins signed off Tuesday afternoon on a fourth set.

2. 'Game of Thrones' Slays With a Leading 22 Emmy Nominations - Friday, July 13, 2018

LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Game of Thrones" roared back onto the Emmy battlefield, topping Thursday's nominations with 22 bids but with a formidable opponent in last year's winner "The Handmaid's Tale," while a streaming platform made history by earning the most bids for the first time.

3. Penny Mania - Saturday, May 19, 2018

Derek Jett was coming home from a business trip on the West Coast and making a connection at the airport in Dallas. It was football season, and because it was football season (and not basketball season), he was wearing his University of Memphis cap.

4. Last Word: About The Election Turnout, Luttrell's Last Budget and Gold Records - Thursday, May 3, 2018

It turns out election turnout in Tuesday’s county primary elections was up from the same election cycle four years ago – almost 19,000 more voters – a 14.9 percent turnout if you only go by the number of “active” voters – 13.4 percent if you go with combined active and “inactive”. Yes, when last we met, I said it was a decrease from 2014. It’s not. And here is how that happened.

5. Hardaway's First Memphis Recruiting Class a Winner - Monday, April 23, 2018

The latest recruiting rankings from 247sports.com for the college basketball Class of 2018 has the University of Memphis ranked No. 27 and first among American Athletic Conference teams, 23 spots ahead of No. 50 Wichita State.

6. Last Word: TNReady Blinks Again, Gov. Debate Thoughts and Mud Island's Museum - Friday, April 20, 2018

There was a point Thursday morning during the troubled TNReady testing at some Tennessee school districts when there was a “brief” slow down in the online testing, according to the Tennessee Education commissioner’s office. By noon that had been resolved and more than 250,000 completed tests had been submitted since testing began Monday. One can only imagine what some of the thoughts were in the office during the slow down and the gap between how long the slow down seemed and how long it actually was.

7. Trump, Abe to Meet Despite Strain Over North Korea, Tariffs - Wednesday, April 18, 2018

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Top Trump administration officials say that major concessions, including a possible exemption from steel and aluminum tariffs, could be on the table for Japan as President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meet in Florida to discuss trade issues and Trump's potential meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

8. Cordova’s Tyler Harris Chooses Tigers; Hardaway’s Staff in Flux - Monday, April 16, 2018

Cordova guard Tyler Harris on Friday signed a national letter of intent to play at the University of Memphis. Harris led the city in scoring this past season with a 30.3 average.

Harris joins East High’s Alex Lomax in new coach Penny Hardaway’s first wave of recruits. They’re the first local players to sign with Memphis in three years.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Tubby May Land at Alma Mater High Point - Monday, March 26, 2018

For a change, the breaking news isn’t about Penny Hardaway getting a new job. This time, it might be Tubby Smith.

Hardaway, of course, made the headlines last week when the University of Memphis, as expected, hired him to replace Smith.

13. Trump Picks Camera-Proven Kudlow as Top Economic Aide - Thursday, March 15, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has chosen Larry Kudlow to be his top economic aide, elevating the influence of a long-time fixture on the CNBC business news network who previously served in the Reagan administration and has emerged as a leading evangelist for tax cuts and a smaller government.

14. Turner to Retire From State House - Friday, February 16, 2018

Democratic State Rep. Johnnie Turner will not be seeking re-election to the House this election year, she announced Friday, Feb. 16.

15. Monument Bills Create State Heritage Battlegrounds - Friday, February 9, 2018

Legislative battles are looming over a spate of bills designed to hammer Memphis and any other cities accused of violating the Tennessee Heritage Protection Act.

Lawmakers filed several pieces of legislation aimed at punishing local governments in the wake of the Memphis City Council move to topple the Nathan Bedford Forrest statue in Health Sciences Park and two other Confederate monuments in another park by selling the property to a newly created nonprofit organization.

16. Caldwell and Miller File for August Ballot - Saturday, January 27, 2018

District 88 state Rep. Larry Miller and Shelby County Schools board member Chris Caldwell have filed for re-election on the August ballot.

17. Caldwell and Miller File for August Ballot - Thursday, January 25, 2018

District 88 state Rep. Larry Miller and Shelby County Schools board member Chris Caldwell have filed for re-election on the August ballot.

18. Akbari Pulls Petition To Run for State Senate - Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Democratic state Rep. Raumesh Akbari has decided to run for the District 29 state Senate seat being vacated by Lee Harris in the Shelby County legislative delegation.

19. Memphis Players See Football Program Continuing to Excel - Tuesday, January 2, 2018

(Editor’s note: This story was published before the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 30).

It was three days before the University of Memphis was to play Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Much of the talk was about going for what would be a program-record 11th win, and finishing with an undefeated record on the home turf this season.

20. Tigers WR Miller Adds Another All-America Award - Saturday, December 23, 2017

University of Memphis senior wide receiver Anthony Miller added to his list of accolades with a first-team All-America nod from the American Football Coaches Association.

21. Tigers WR Miller Adds Another All-America Award - Tuesday, December 19, 2017

University of Memphis senior wide receiver Anthony Miller added to his list of accolades with a first-team All-America nod from the American Football Coaches Association. Miller was also named the winner of the Paul Warfield Award, awarded by the Touchdown Club of Columbus to college football’s top receiver. The award, named for Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Warfield, is presented annually by the Touchdown Club of Columbus. Previous winners of the award include Amari Cooper, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Randy Moss.

22. The Press Box - Monday, December 4, 2017

During the worst of times for the Memphis football program, back before hardly anyone in this town had heard of Mike Norvell, Anthony Miller or Riley Ferguson, losing never felt like it did Saturday in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

23. Airline Defendants to Pay $95 Million in 9/11 Settlement - Thursday, November 23, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Insurers for American Airlines, United Airlines and other aviation defendants have agreed to pay $95 million to settle claims that security lapses led planes to be hijacked in the Sept. 11 attacks.

24. Raising The Ceiling - Saturday, September 2, 2017

Here’s the thing about expectations: You either embrace them, turning them into some divine combination of daily bread and rocket fuel, or they crush you.

There is no middle ground. Not when the statistical mid-point – a .500 season – would be an undisputed failure.

25. 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.

26. Memphis a ‘Football School’ In Fuente-Norvell Era - Friday, March 17, 2017

The first time Darrell Dickey was an assistant coach at the University of Memphis, way back in 1986, current head coach Mike Norvell was 5 years old.

So it is not an exaggeration to say that it has taken a lifetime for Tiger football to get where it is today. 

27. Last Word: Arnold's in the Alley, Haslam's Gas Tax Bill Wins A Round and Hershey - Thursday, March 2, 2017

A busy day in the City Hall list saga. The list is a lot shorter, but there is a second lawsuit over this in Memphis Federal Court. And the list itself seems to be giving way to a controversy that is all about whether police were unlawfully following and tracking protesters who broke no laws.

28. Miller’s Medical Pot Cards Bill Added to Marijuana Debates - Thursday, March 2, 2017

NASHVILLE – A measure by state Rep. Larry Miller requiring Tennessee to accept medical marijuana cards from other states met a cool response Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

29. State Democrats Introduce Bill of Rights, Looking For Every Win They Can Get - Wednesday, March 1, 2017

NASHVILLE – House Democrats introduced a People’s Bill of Rights in the State Capitol Monday, Feb. 27, a comprehensive legislative package to ensure rights of Tennesseans affecting everything from jobs to criminal justice to education.

30. 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.

31. Memphis Lawmakers Elected To Black Caucus - Saturday, December 10, 2016

Several Democratic state lawmakers from Tennessee, including four from Memphis, have been elected to leadership roles within the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Rep. Raumesh Akbari was elected treasurer of the national organization at its 40th annual legislative conference in New Orleans last week. Fellow Memphis Rep. Larry Miller was named regional vice chair.

32. Tenn. Lawmakers Elected To National Black Caucus Roles - Thursday, December 8, 2016

Several Democratic state lawmakers from Tennessee, including four from Memphis, have been elected to leadership roles within the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Rep. Raumesh Akbari was elected treasurer of the national organization at its 40th annual legislative conference in New Orleans last week. Fellow Memphis Rep. Larry Miller was named regional vice chair.

33. Ex-Lawmaker Hopes Community Support Will Help Probation Bid - Tuesday, December 6, 2016

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Church, community and political leaders are expected to appear in federal court next month to show their support for former State Rep. Joe Armstrong as he hopes to avoid prison time for filing a false tax return.

34. Cars Line Up to See Wildfire-Ravaged Tennessee City; 13 Dead - Monday, December 5, 2016

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) – People in cars and trucks rolled into the wildfire-ravaged city of Gatlinburg on Friday to get a first look at what remained of their homes and businesses, and a mayor raised the death toll to 13, including a woman who died of a heart attack during the firestorm.

35. Search Continues for Any Survivors of Tennessee Wildfires - Friday, December 2, 2016

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) – Crews made "significant progress" in their search for any survivors in the rubble of wildfires that torched hundreds of homes and businesses near the Great Smoky Mountains, and the death toll remains at seven, officials said Thursday.

36. Real Life Can Wait: Former Tiger Alan Cross Walks On in the NFL - Friday, October 14, 2016

The Cross family’s living room in Millington is something of a mini-museum. A living testament, really, to what can happen when someone lives out the clichés – keep trying, never quit, believe in yourself – and decides the best way to deal with doubters is to figuratively head-butt them.

37. Last Word: After The Fire, Hard Changes at Fred's and Durham Doesn't Go Quietly - Wednesday, September 14, 2016

The immediate questions have simple answers. It was a short in an air conditioner cord that caused the fire that killed 9 people – three adults and six children – before dawn Monday morning in South Memphis.

38. Last Word: Bearwater's Week, Deannexation's Return and City Hall's Transparency - Monday, August 22, 2016

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife and first lady Rosalynn Carter arrived in the city Sunday for a week of work in North Memphis on the Habitat for Humanity subdivision Bearwater Park.

39. Local Task Force Prepares For Return of Deannexation Issue - Monday, August 22, 2016

You might call it round two of the deannexation battle.

In Nashville Monday, Aug. 22, a summer study committee of legislators picks up where the debate on a deannexation proposal during the Tennessee Legislature’s regular session ended earlier this year.

40. Last Word: The Bible Veto Override Vote, Grizz Nostalgia and Kroger Goes Online - Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Tennessee Legislature hoped to end its 2016 session Wednesday at the end of an eventful day that included a failed attempt to override Gov. Bill Haslam’s veto of the bill that would have made the Bible the official state book.
But into Wednesday evening, the state House was still debating the Hall tax on dividends – specifically further roll backs of it. And the Senate had gone home for the night.
So Thursday looks like a good bet for the adjournment for the year and the formal start of the election season for incumbents.

41. Walking On in Memphis Is A Big Part of Tigers Turnaround - Thursday, December 24, 2015

They come from near and far, from Christian Brothers, Millington and Whitehaven high schools. From Atco, N.J., League City, Texas, and Newnan, Ga.

42. Longtime Tenn. School Needs Dropped From BEP Panel Report - Tuesday, November 10, 2015

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — A state panel that makes annual recommendations for improving Tennessee's school-funding formula has dropped longtime school needs costing millions from its latest report.

43. Hillary Clinton to Visit Memphis - Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Hillary Clinton is headed to Tennessee next month, with plans to make appearances in both Memphis and Nashville.

Campaign staff for the Democratic presidential frontrunner sent word Wednesday morning that she’ll make her first campaign stop in the state Nov. 20.

44. Clinton Campaign Names Tennessee Supporters - Saturday, October 17, 2015

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen and outgoing Memphis Mayor A C Wharton are among the Memphis Democrats who have formally joined former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

45. Clinton Campaign Names Tennessee Supporters - Thursday, October 15, 2015

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen and outgoing Memphis Mayor A C Wharton are among the Memphis Democrats who have formally joined former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

46. Lakeland Elects New Commissioners, Arlington Returns Incumbents - Friday, September 18, 2015

Lakeland voters elected Michelle Dial and Joshua Roman to the city’s board of commissioners Thursday, Sept. 17, in the town's second election of the year.

47. Election Day Arrives in Arlington and Lakeland - Thursday, September 17, 2015

Voters in Arlington and Lakeland go to the polls Thursday, Sept. 17, to decide two sets of municipal elections in the suburban cities.

The polls are open in both cities from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

48. Early Voting Begins In Lakeland, Arlington - Monday, August 31, 2015

Early voting began Friday, Aug. 28, in the Arlington and Lakeland municipal elections – Shelby County’s second and third elections of 2015.

But most of the early voter turnout in the two suburban towns won’t come until the last day of the early-voting period, Sept. 12. That day, the Shelby County Election Commission will open voting sites in both suburbs. Until then, Arlington and Lakeland residents can cast votes in Downtown Memphis, at 157 Poplar Ave.

49. Tennessee Lawmakers Spent $30K on Grizzlies, Titans Tickets - Tuesday, August 25, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A recent analysis of state campaign finance records show at least seven Tennessee lawmakers collectively spent more than $30,000 in campaign money on tickets to professional sporting events since 2003.

50. Haslam Cites Mixed Signals on Gas Tax Hike For Roads - Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam two weeks ago kicked off his statewide tour in Memphis, pushing for a better method of funding state road projects.

Some in the audience of business and civic leaders at the Greater Memphis Chamber had talked with Haslam and Tennessee transportation commissioner John Schroer before about the state’s fuel tax and had urged state officials to raise the tax. And some wanted to talk about it again Aug. 5 as Haslam emphasized the state’s $6 billion backlog of transportation projects.

51. Collierville Referendum Effort On $95M School Falls Short - Thursday, August 13, 2015

There won’t be a special election later this year in Collierville.

An effort to force a referendum on the $95 million bond issue for the new Collierville High School fell short of the 3,281 signatures it needed to take it to the ballot.

52. Haslam Makes Infrastructure Case In Memphis - Thursday, August 6, 2015

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam is traveling across the state to encourage change in how road projects are funded.

But Haslam insists it is not a prelude to a pitch for an increase in the state’s fuel tax. It’s been 26 years since Tennessee made any changes to its road project financing method, Haslam said.

53. Biblical Lessons Lost in Lack of Health Care Debate - Thursday, April 23, 2015

Tennessee’s legislators spent hours this session arguing over guns and whether to pass a law making the Bible the state book of Tennessee.

In fact, the Bible bill took two days of debate in the House, where it passed, and thorough discussion in the Senate, before it died – at least until next year.

54. Tennessee House Bogs Down Over Making Bible Official Book - Wednesday, April 15, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A small-town Republican's proposal to make the Bible the official book of Tennessee ran into opposition from top members of his own party as the House delayed a scheduled vote on the measure Tuesday.

55. Legislators Not Moved by Hymns, Reason - Thursday, April 9, 2015

The words of “We Shall Overcome” and “Wade in the Water” resonate through the halls as Insure Tennessee supporters descend on the Legislative Plaza for a key vote on the plan to provide coverage to 280,000 working Tennesseans.

56. Latino Political Profile Continues Rise - Monday, September 15, 2014

When Latino Memphis held its first annual Leadership Luncheon last week in East Memphis, the ballroom at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis included political and business leaders among the group of 800 people.

57. Supreme Court Justices Rally in Court Square - Thursday, August 7, 2014

The three Tennessee Supreme Court justices on the Thursday, Aug. 4, ballot spent the day before the election campaigning in Memphis for retention.

Chief Justice Gary Wade and Justices Cornelia Clark and Sharon Lee are countering a well-financed campaign by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and others, urging voters to vote against retaining the three justices.

58. Politicos Parse Early Voting Numbers - Tuesday, August 5, 2014

There is a category in voter turnout statistics that has long been debated by those running for office and those who work in their campaigns.

It is the closest Shelby County has to an official category for undecided voters or voters up for grabs by either side of the partisan divide.

59. Grizzlies License Plate Added to Specialty List - Saturday, August 2, 2014

Move over Growl Towels. The Grizzlies now have an official license plate.

The new Grizzlies License Plate will be added to the specialty license plates available for Tennessee motorists with the purchase of 1,000 plates through Grizzlies.com this upcoming season. The Tennessee Legislature added the Memphis Grizzlies License Plate to its stock of sports specialty plates with the help of approved legislation from Sen. Jim Kyle and Rep. Larry Miller and the Shelby County Delegation.

60. Grizzlies License Plate Added to Specialty List - Friday, August 1, 2014

Move over Growl Towels. The Grizzlies now have an official license plate.

The new Grizzlies License Plate will be added to the specialty license plates available for Tennessee motorists with the purchase of 1,000 plates through Grizzlies.com this upcoming season. The Tennessee Legislature added the Memphis Grizzlies License Plate to its stock of sports specialty plates with the help of approved legislation from Sen. Jim Kyle and Rep. Larry Miller and the Shelby County Delegation.

61. Harris Files Ford Challenge at Deadline - Thursday, April 3, 2014

Memphis City Council member Lee Harris is challenging Democratic state Sen. Ophelia Ford in the August primary for District 29, the Senate seat held by a member of the Ford family since 1975.

62. State Legislators to Gather in Memphis - Saturday, December 14, 2013

More than 600 state legislators from across the country gather in Memphis starting Wednesday, Dec. 11, for the four-day annual meeting of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

The national group is led by Tennessee State Rep. Joe Armstrong of Knoxville. State Rep. Larry Miller of Memphis is president of the Tennessee caucus to the group.

63. Black Caucus of State Legislators to Meet in Memphis - Tuesday, December 10, 2013

More than 600 state legislators from across the country gather in Memphis starting Wednesday, Dec. 11, for the four-day annual meeting of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

The national group is led by Tennessee State Rep. Joe Armstrong of Knoxville. State Rep. Larry Miller of Memphis is president of the Tennessee caucus to the group.

64. Troubled Beale Nightspot Changes Hands - Tuesday, April 9, 2013

It’s been almost four months since Club Crave, the Beale Street nightspot with a history of violence under several names, was closed as a public nuisance under state law.

As the legal question of whether the building at 380 Beale St. is off limits for any future nightclub leases works its way through Shelby County General Sessions Environmental Court, the ownership of the club has changed in the last four months.

65. Club Crave Ends, Larger Beale Dispute Continues - Friday, January 18, 2013

Club Crave, the latest nightclub at 380 Beale St. with a history of violence, is dead.

But the Shelby County General Sessions Court order that ended it is not the endgame for a property at Beale and Fourth streets that has had many names over the decades.

66. Club Crave Nuisance Case Moves Slowly - Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Shelby County District Attorney General’s office and attorneys for the owners of Club Crave have been talking privately since prosecutors got the court order that closed the Beale Street nightspot during the Christmas holidays as a public nuisance.

67. Obama Carries Shelby, Cohen Over Flinn and Two Tax Hikes Defeated - Wednesday, November 7, 2012

President Barack Obama carried Shelby County in unofficial Nov. 6 election returns as his Republican challenger Mitt Romney took the state’s 11 electoral votes.

Voter turnout in the most popular election cycle among Shelby County voters was 61.9 percent, about the same percentage as four years ago. But the 371,256 voters is fewer than 2008 when more than 400,000 Shelby County voters cast ballots. The percentage is about the same because there are fewer registered voters in Shelby County than there were four years ago after a purge by election officials.

68. Shelby Early Vote Shows Cohen Winning - Two Tax Questions Losing - Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Early vote totals from Shelby County were released just before 10 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6, after the vote count was delayed in part by long lines of voters waiting to vote at the 7 p.m. closing of polls.

69. Economic Dev. Conference Slated for Saturday - Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Home for the Holidays Summer Conference 2012 is slated for Saturday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Union Avenue Campus of Southwest Tennessee Community College in the Verties Sails Gymnasium (Building E).

70. Deadline Looms for Complex Aug. Elections - Thursday, March 29, 2012

The August elections were already going to be more complex than usual. There are the changes from this year’s drawing of new district lines for the Tennessee Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives.

71. House Panel OKs 1 Voter ID Change, Balks at Others - Thursday, March 15, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – A House panel on Wednesday advanced one Democratic proposal to change Tennessee's new voter ID law, but rejected a second bill and delayed a third.

The House State and Local Government Subcommittee voted 4-3 in favor of a measure that would allow people without government-issued identification to vote after being photographed at the polling place.

72. Following Primary, Races Point to August - Monday, March 12, 2012

Two days after all the votes were counted in the Tennessee presidential primary, state Republican Party leaders had already worked out how many of the state’s at-large delegates would go to their top three candidates.

73. Peppers Joins Lifeblood To Grow Donor Base - Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Jeanie Peppers has joined Lifeblood as senior donor relations account manager.

Hometown: Drummonds, Tenn.

74. Tennessee Legislators Make Summer Trip to China - Tuesday, August 30, 2011

NASHVILLE – The organizer of a trip by 15 state legislators to China this summer says he returned with a "verbal commitment" from Chinese officials to match up to $5 million in state money for establishing educational ties between the nation and Tennessee.

75. Analysts Raise Estimates on CVS After New Buyback - Friday, August 26, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Analysts raised their profit estimates for CVS Caremark Corp. Thursday, a day after the drugstore chain and pharmacy benefits manager said it will buy back another $4 billion in stock.

76. Bill to Close Economic Development Records Stalls - Thursday, May 12, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – A bill to close access to public records in local governments' economic development deals has stalled in the Tennessee House.

Democratic Rep. Larry Miller of Memphis on Wednesday indefinitely delayed a vote on his bill before a floor vote could take place.

77. State Rep. Jones Dies - Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Veteran state Rep. Ulysses Jones Jr. of Memphis has died. Details of his death early Tuesday were not immediately available. His death was confirmed by legislative colleague and fellow firefighter Larry Miller.

78. State Rep. Ulysses Jones Jr. Dies - Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Veteran state representative Ulysses Jones Jr. of Memphis has died.

Details of his death early Tuesday morning were not immediately available. His death was confirmed by legislative colleague and fellow firefighter Larry Miller.

79. Analysts Pan Medtronic Fiscal Q1 Performance - Thursday, August 26, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Medtronic Inc., the world's largest medical device maker, reported fiscal first-quarter earnings Tuesday that left several analysts following the company disappointed and wary of problems like pricing pressure and a utilization slowdown.

80. Criminal Court Candidates Lined Up for August Ballot - Wednesday, June 16, 2010

A total of 21 candidates are in the race for General Sessions Court Judge Division 7.

The field remained at 21 at Monday’s deadline for candidates to withdraw. It is the largest field of any election, primary or general, on the Aug. 5 ballot.

81. 21 In Field for General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Race - Tuesday, June 15, 2010

A total of 21 candidates are in the race for General Sessions Court Judge Division 7.

The field remained at 21 at Monday’s noon deadline for candidates to withdraw. It is the largest field of contenders of any election, primary or general on the Aug. 5 ballot.

82. Plush Club Closed as Attempt Made to Be Declared Nuisance - Thursday, June 10, 2010

Plush Club at 380 Beale St. was closed by Memphis Police Tuesday as the Shelby County District Attorney General’s office filed court papers to have the nightspot declared a nuisance under state law.

83. Plush Club Closed as Nuisance - Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Plush Club at 380 Beale St. was closed by Memphis Police Tuesday as the Shelby County District Attorney General’s office filed court papers to have the nightspot declared a nuisance under state law.

84. Ford Name Plays Into Election Victory - Thursday, May 6, 2010

It didn’t work for Myron Lowery in last year’s special election for Memphis mayor.

But Joe Ford won the Democratic nomination for Shelby County mayor this week by running from the office.

85. Ford Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary - Wednesday, May 5, 2010
 

Interim County Mayor Joe Ford became the Democratic nominee for mayor in the August county general elections Tuesday night.

And the August sheriff’s race will be a contest between Democrat Randy Wade and Republican Randy Wade.

All three were among the winners in Tuesday’s low turnout county primaries.

Approximately ten percent of Shelby County’s nearly 600,000 voters cast ballots in early voting and election day polling.

Ford, who was appointed interim mayor in December, beat County Commissioner Deidre Malone and General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson in the Democratic primary. He will face Republican Mark Luttrell who had only token opposition in the Republican primary from perennial contender Ernie Lunati.

Luttrell has raised more money than all three of the Democratic primary contenders combined and began running television ads in the last week runup to election day.

The final unofficial totals in the Democratic mayoral primary are:

Ford 20,360 57%

Malone 12,916 37%

Jackson 2,168 6%

The pair of primaries for Sheriff featured eight candidates, seven of whom either currently work for the sheriff’s department or are past employees. Only Reginald French, in the Democratic primary was not a former or current department official.

Wade was the 2002 Democratic nominee, losing to Luttrell who is leaving as Sheriff after serving two terms. French was the Democratic nominee in the 2006 elections.

Oldham is Luttrell’s chief deputy, the number two position in the department. He is also a former director of the Memphis Police Department.

The final unofficials totals in the Republican primary are:

Bill Oldham 13,821 48%

Dale Lane 7,981 28%

Bobby Simmons 5,886 21%

James Coleman 943 3%

In the Democratic primary:

Randy Wade 22,643 67%

Reginald French 6,777 20%

Larry Hill 2,738 8%

Bennie Cobb 1,814 5%

Voters in the primary elections decided to return six Shelby County commissioners to new four year terms with Tuesday’s results. They also elected six new commissioners. The winner of the thirteenth commission seat will be decided on the August general election ballot in a contest between district 5 Democratic incumbent Steve Mulroy and Republican challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos. The winner of the match up will determine whether the commission remains majority Democrat or goes majority Republican.

Mulroy easily defeated Jennings Bernard in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

Republican incumbent Mike Ritz ran unopposed as did new Democratic commissioner Walter Bailey.

In the remaining ten contests, the primaries decided who gets the seats since no one ran in the opposing party’s primary.

The most hotly contested contest among the commission races was for District 4 Position 1. Outgoing Probate Court Clerk Chris Thomas beat John Pellicciotti, appointed to a commission seat last year but running for a different position in the same district. Jim Bomprezzi, the former mayor of Lakeland, was the third contender in the contest.

The final unofficial totals in the Republican primary:

Thomas 7,631 52%

Pellicciotti 4,871 33%

Bomprezzi 2,298 15%

In position 2 of the same district incumbent Republican Wyatt Bunker easily overcame two challengers with former Lakeland alderman John Wilkerson finishing second and Ron Fittes finishing third.

Millington businessman Terry Roland claimed the third position in the district that takes in all six of Shelby County’s suburban towns and cities.

Roland beat George Chism to take the seat Pellicciotti was appointed to but opted not to run for in deference to Roland.

Heidi Shafer, an aide to outgoing County Commissioner George Flinn, claimed Flinn’s District 1 Position 2 seat over Albert Maduska.in the GOP primary.

District 1 incumbent Republican Mike Carpenter easily beat businessman Joe Baier.

In the Democratic commission primaries, Melvin Burgess claimed Malone’s District 2 Position 3 seat in a field of six contenders. His closest contender was Reginald Milton. Burgess, a city school system audit manager, had run for the seat before. He brought in 54 percent of the vote.

The other hard fought Democratic commission primary saw Justin Ford, son of the interim mayor, claim his father’s District 3 Position 3 seat.

Ford beat Edith Moore, a retired IBM executive, whom the commission appointed to the seat after the elder Ford became mayor.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Ford 7,342 66%

Moore 3,822 34%

Democratic incumbent commissioners Henri Brooks, Sidney Chism and James Harvey were all re-elected over primary challengers.

The county-wide primaries for seven clerk’s positions saw the return of former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican 16 years after Republican challenger Bill Key took her job. Johnican decisively beat Ralph White and Vernon Johnson in her first bid for office since the 1994 defeat. She will face Republican Kevin Key, the son of Bill Key in the August general election.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Johnican 16,381 51%

White 10,170 31%

Johnson 5,954 18%

Former Juvenile Court Clerk Shep Wilbun easily won the Democratic primary with 76 percent of the vote to face Republican Joy Touliatos in August for the office being vacated by Republican Steve Stamson. Touliatos was unopposed in the primary.

Democrat Coleman Thompson is back for another go at incumbent Republican Register Tom Leatherwood.

Aside from Leatherwood, Jimmy Moore is the only other of the seven clerks seeking re-election. Moore ran unopposed in the GOP primary. He will face Democrat Ricky Dixon in August.

Trustee Regina Newman was appointed to her office following the death last year of Paul Mattila. Newman easily overcame M LaTroy Williams in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. She will face David Lenoir, who beat former Shelby County Commissioner John Willingham in the Republican contest.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Lenoir 15,922 58%

Willingham 11,569 42%

The other six candidate field on the ballot was in the Democratic primary for Probate Court Clerk. Sondra Becton posted impressive vote totals over her rivals, bringing in 35 percent of the vote with Peggy Dobbins her closest rival. Becton, who is making her fourth bid for the office, will face Republican Paul Boyd, who ran unopposed in his primary.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Becton 10,929 36%

Dobbins 5,366 18%

Annita Hamilton 4,848 16%

Clay Perry 3,549 12%

Danny Kail 3,120 11%

Karen Tyler 2,782 9%

The closest contest of the evening was in the Democratic primary for County Clerk. Wrestling promoter and television personality Corey Maclin won his political debut by less than 1,400 votes over Charlotte Draper and LaKeith Miller. He will face Republican Wayne Mashburn who beat Steve Moore in the companion primary.

Early voting in advance of the Aug. 5 election day begins July 16. The August ballot will also feature state and federal primary elections including the statewide primaries for governor and the primaries for all nine of the state’s Congressional districts.

86. Filing Deadline Hits for August Primaries - Thursday, April 1, 2010

The stage is set for the county’s most anticipated political showdown in the Aug. 5 state and federal primary elections.

Noon today is the deadline for candidates in the primaries, as well as those vying for nonpartisan seats on the Shelby County school board and the three judicial positions, to file their qualifying petitions for the ballot.

87. Hoop Dreams - Friday, March 26, 2010

The name “John Paul Jones” is etched on the newsroom office door of The Daily News building in Downtown Memphis and also on the main entrance of a 16,000-seat arena at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

88. Bedside Matter - Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A year ago, Kent Williams came to The Regional Medical Center at Memphis. He wasn’t a patient, but some doubted how long his political life would last.

89. 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.

90. 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)

91. Once-Embattled Wilbun to Run for Juvenile Court Clerk - Thursday, December 17, 2009

The invitations urged political supporters to “Return Shep Wilbun” to the Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court Clerk’s office.

At a club on South Main Street this month as FedExForum began to fill up a few blocks away, Wilbun hosted an evening fundraiser at $100 a head. It drew State Reps. Ulysses Jones, Larry Miller and Joe Towns as well as Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy.

92. Service Sector Activity, Retail Sales Disappoint - Friday, December 4, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) – Further evidence that the economic recovery will be a slow and bumpy one emerged Thursday with reports service sector activity and retail sales unexpectedly shrank in November as consumers held back on purchases.

93. Banks Make Strengthening Moves - Monday, November 9, 2009

A few months ago, First Horizon National Corp.’s then-chief investor relations officer was named by an industry magazine as the best IR officer among banks with a market capitalization less than $5 billion.

94. Legislature Works to Bolster Anti-Blight Law - Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Two Memphis-area lawmakers are proposing amendments to Tennessee’s Neighborhood Preservation Act, which allows homeowners to sue owners of nearby rental properties that fall into disrepair and cause home values to decline.

95. Election Totals: Better Late Than Never - Monday, November 10, 2008

Two days after the Nov. 4 elections, the final unofficial totals were finally posted by the Shelby County Election Commission. The long vote count involved absentee ballots whose count was delayed because of problems with an optical scanning machine.

96. Shelby Goes Obama; Conrad To Council; All 10 Charter Amends Pass - Wednesday, November 5, 2008

These are the unofficial election results for Shelby County. The state-wide results in the Presidential election as well as the U.S. Senate races in Tennessee and Mississippi are also included.

The results become official after an audit and certification by the Shelby County Election Commission as well as state election officials.

97. Restaurants May Change Menus, Hike Prices in 2009 - Tuesday, October 14, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) - Beef may not be what's for dinner at your favorite restaurant come 2009.

Restaurants, now working to secure supply and price contracts for meat and other commodities for the upcoming year, are expecting big increases in food costs – increases that will likely lead to menu changes and price hikes.

98. Events - Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Talk Shoppe will present “How to Buy and Sell 108 Investment Properties in 180 Days” today from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South, 3693 Tyndale Drive. For more information, call Jo Garner at 759-7808.

99. Back-to-School Rally To be Held Saturday - Thursday, July 31, 2008

Freedom From Unnecessary Negatives (F.F.U.N.) hosts its fifth annual Stop the Killing Back-to-School rally Saturday at the Hollywood Community Center, 1560 Hollywood St.

The rally will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

100. Production Shows Humorous Side of Theater - Friday, April 25, 2008

Stage actors, directors and producers probably know all too well the chaos that erupts backstage before a new play takes the limelight. Theatre Memphis will explore and celebrate the glorious, if somewhat disorganized, lives of theater people, with a quick-witted tale of pre-production disasters when "Room Service" debuts today.