County Mayor-elect Lee Harris announced his resignation from the state Senate on Wednesday, a day before he is sworn-in for the county post he won earlier this month.

2. State Democrats Targeting Domestic Abuse With Bills - Thursday, February 15, 2018

Tennessee House Democrats are sponsoring legislation designed to bolster support for domestic violence victims amid a dismissive attitude toward abuse by President Donald Trump.

“We’re all familiar with the situation with Rob Porter and his former spouses showing pictures and reports about domestic violence, and the White House response has not been one that condemns the abuser but instead says we have to be careful with how we ruin someone’s reputation,” said state Rep. Raumesh Akbari during a Tuesday, Feb. 13, press conference. “So I think that shows a complete disregard for taking the complaints and the legitimate concerns of these abused women seriously.”

3. Run Women Run - Thursday, November 2, 2017

In 2018, Shelby County voters will be presented with a long ballot as candidates compete for most county offices, many school board and suburban government positions and congressional and legislative seats.

4. City Council To Take Up Monument Removal Resolution - Saturday, August 19, 2017

Memphis City Council members will discuss and possibly vote Tuesday, Aug. 22, on a resolution that directs the city to act on the “immediate removal and/or sale of Nathan Bedford Forrest statue from Health Sciences Park and statue of Jefferson Davis and related artifacts from Memphis Park.”

5. University of Memphis, UTHSC May Soon Face Outsourcing Decisions - Friday, April 21, 2017

Forty-one state lawmakers signed a letter requesting the state put a hold on its outsourcing plans until the General Assembly can scrutinize its effect on state workers and services.

The state is set to sign a contract April 28 with Chicago-based JLL for facilities management work that could be used by universities and departments statewide. Even local government jobs could be doled out to the contractor.

6. U of M Students, Faculty Do Social Work on the Hill - Friday, April 7, 2017

The University of Memphis Department of Social Work recently participated in the annual Social Work Day on the Hill.

More than 50 students and six faculty members in bachelor’s and master’s programs traveled to Nashville to gain practical experience in speaking to legislators, building interdisciplinary professional relationships, and advocating for policies primarily related to mental health and child welfare.

7. Senate Campaign War Chests Could Swell - Thursday, April 6, 2017

NASHVILLE – Legislation enabling state lawmakers to raise campaign funds during even-year session recesses evolved into a markedly different bill this week – one allowing significant contribution increases for Senate candidates.

8. Democrats Put Squeeze on Republicans To Defeat Outsourcing of State Assets - Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Legislative Democrats are calling on Republicans to join them in passing a slate of bills to combat Gov. Bill Haslam’s outsourcing plans for everything from state parks to facilities management at universities.

9. Democrats Put Squeeze on Republicans to Defeat Outsourcing - Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Legislative Democrats are calling on Republicans to join them in passing a slate of bills to combat Gov. Bill Haslam’s outsourcing plans for everything from state parks to facilities management at universities.

10. Last Word: The CA Marks A Year, Bike Lanes and Nicole Miller for Fashion Week - Wednesday, March 29, 2017

The city of Memphis is in a two-front legal fight in federal court over alleged surveillance of protesters that landed several dozen of them on the City Hall list – according to each of the two lawsuits filed this past month.

11. Senate Douses Memphis and Nashville Pot Ordinances - Wednesday, March 29, 2017

State senators are intent on striking down Memphis and Nashville marijuana laws giving police discretion to hand out citations for possessing small amounts of pot.

Despite opposition from Shelby County and Davidson County legislators, the Senate voted 26-5 Monday to clarify that state law overrides local government regulations involving drugs and similar substances.

12. Bill to Ban Outsourcing Sails Through Committee - Wednesday, March 29, 2017

A Senate panel approved legislation Monday prohibiting the outsourcing of jobs at state parks less than a week after the State Building Commission renewed plans for rebuilding and privatizing the inn at Fall Creek Falls.

13. View From the Hill: Outsourcing Win More About Turf Than Trends - Thursday, March 9, 2017

As Fall Creek Falls folks celebrate a state decision to postpone park privatization, the question is whether public opposition or failure to follow long-standing state protocol led to the plug-pulling.

14. Last Word: The Governor's Race, Beale Street Complications and Southern Avenue - Monday, February 27, 2017

A close one for the Tigers Sunday at the Forum but Houston still wins 72-71. One more home game Thursday against Tulane and a road game Saturday against SMU before March Madness begins. As that was happening here, better results in Denver Sunday where the Grizz beat the Nuggets 105-98.

15. Transit Portion of Sara Kyle’s Bill Adopted by Governor - Monday, February 27, 2017

NASHVILLE – Part of a plan by Sen. Sara Kyle and Rep. John Ray Clemmons to help local governments raise funds for mass transit projects is being adopted by Gov. Bill Haslam for his IMPROVE Act.

16. Last Word: Lovell's Fall, Critical Focus Debut and Super Lice - Wednesday, February 15, 2017

That didn’t last long – the political career of state Representative Mark Lovell. About six weeks into a two-year term of office six months after he upset veteran Republican state Rep. Curry Todd, Lovell resigned Tuesday in Nashville. But the Legislature probably isn’t done with him yet. Even if it turns out the Legislature is done in terms of dealing with him directly, it will probably be talking about him for longer than the six weeks he was a legislator.

17. Sara Kyle, Clemmons Push Alternative Fuel-Tax Bill - Wednesday, February 15, 2017

NASHVILLE – State Sen. Sara Kyle of Memphis and Nashville Rep. John Ray Clemmons are pushing a plan to raise fuel taxes for transportation funding, similarly to Gov. Bill Haslam’s, but also to give local governments more options for bringing in their own money for mass transit.

18. Kustoff, Cohen Win Seats in Congress And the Rest of Shelby County's Ballot - Saturday, November 12, 2016

Shelby County voters re-elected all but six incumbents seeking re-election on the Nov. 8 election ballot.

And the biggest upset on the local ballot gave Democrats a gain of one seat in the state House delegation from Shelby County.

19. County Has Lowest Voter Turnout in 12 Years - Thursday, November 10, 2016

Voter turnout in Shelby County for the 2016 presidential general election was 59.7 percent, according to unofficial returns posted by the Shelby County Election Commission early Wednesday, Nov. 9. That marks the lowest showing since the 2004 presidential general election, when turnout was 57 percent.

20. Shelby County Vote Count Stalls For Third Presidential Contest - Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump won Tennessee’s 11 electoral votes Tuesday, Nov. 8, in unofficial statewide election returns while Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton carried Shelby County in the popular vote.

21. Election Day Ends Contentious Presidential Contest - Tuesday, November 8, 2016

In a contentious national campaign for president that has tested the boundaries of what is considered proper political discourse and what should be public, local Democratic and Republican partisans have mostly been spectators as the 2016 presidential campaign comes to an end Tuesday, Nov. 8.

22. Kustoff Victory Caps TV, Outsider Heavy Congressional Campaign - Monday, August 8, 2016

Former U.S. Attorney David Kustoff claimed the Republican nomination for Tennessee’s 8th Congressional district Thursday, Aug. 4, in a 15-county contest in which the eastern parts of Shelby County played a decisive role.

23. Last Word: Election Wrap Up, Crosstown's Momentum and GMF's Court Report - Friday, August 5, 2016

For an election that only 14 percent of us turned out for, the Thursday elections in Shelby County delivered in terms of political drama.

David Kustoff, whose bid for Congress in the old 7th Congressional District 14 years ago ended in frustration amidst too many primary candidates from Shelby County, claimed the Republican primary in the 8th amidst an even larger field with even more Shelby County rivals.

24. Kustoff Claims 8th GOP Primary, Todd Upset by Lovell, Jenkins Over Newsom - Friday, August 5, 2016

Former U.S. Attorney David Kustoff claimed the Republican nomination for Tennessee’s 8th Congressional district Thursday, Aug. 4, in a 15-county contest in which the eastern parts of Shelby County played a decisive role.

25. Last Word: The One Before November, Defining The Outsider and Stock Exchange - Thursday, August 4, 2016

Election Day arrives in Shelby County.

And this election cycle, in the shadow of the November Presidential general election, has turned out to be pretty interesting.

26. Early Voting Opens For The Aug. 4 Election - Friday, July 15, 2016

Early voting opens Friday, July 15, in advance of the Aug. 4 election day in Shelby County and across Tennessee.

The first day of early voting will be at a single location, the Shelby County Office Building, 157 Poplar Ave., but expands to 21 satellite locations across Shelby County on Monday.

27. The Week Ahead: July 11-17 - Monday, July 11, 2016

Time to get your week started, Memphis! Our look at the week ahead includes several chances to indulge your inner art patron – from hanging out with a local comic book artist to being on stage at the Orpheum – plus other need-to-know happenings you’ll want to check out…

28. The Rest of the August Ballot - Saturday, July 9, 2016

If all goes according to plan on the Aug. 4 election day, Linda Phillips hopes the result is that you don’t see her in any of the reporting on election night.

29. August Ballot Known for What’s Not at the Top - Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Just before the Memorial Day weekend, candidates in the most hotly contested races on the Aug. 4 ballot got the packages they’ve been waiting on – yard signs.

And social media messages were out by Friday afternoon urging supporters to sign up for them.

30. Only One School Board Seat Contested - Saturday, April 16, 2016

It’s usually filing too close to the deadline that ends up shedding potential candidates from local election ballots.

That is the case with two would-be challengers to a pair of Shelby County Schools board incumbents on the Aug. 4 ballot.

31. Two More August School Board Races Go Uncontested - Thursday, April 14, 2016

It’s usually filing too close to the deadline that ends up shedding potential candidates from local election ballots.

That is the case with two would-be challengers to a pair of Shelby County Schools board incumbents on the Aug. 4 ballot.

32. August Primaries Feature Intra-Party Challenges - Monday, April 11, 2016

Two years after a disastrous slate of races for countywide offices, there is a move among younger Democratic partisans in Memphis to shake up the Democrats who represent the city in the Tennessee Legislature.

33. 8th Congressional District Primaries Draw 22 Contenders, 13 Republican - Friday, April 8, 2016

The Republican primary race to fill the 8th District Congressional seat Republican incumbent Stephen Fincher is giving up drew a field of 13 contenders – seven from Shelby County and four from Jackson, Tennessee – at the Thursday, April 7, noon filing deadline for the Aug. 4 ballot.

34. Basar Out in 8th District Race, Luttrell Pulls Petition, Cohen Could Have Easy Ride - Thursday, March 31, 2016

Shelby County Commissioner Steve Basar has called off his plan to run in the crowded Republican primary for the 8th Congressional District, but Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell has pulled his petition to join the same crowded field.

35. Minority Leader Harris Confident Even on Wrong Side of Supermajority - Thursday, February 4, 2016

Lee Harris says he ran for state Senate because he felt Memphis could do better on Capitol Hill, defeating Ophelia Ford in 2014.

36. Candidates Already Gearing Up For August Elections - Friday, January 8, 2016

The ballot for the March 1 Tennessee presidential primaries and county primaries for General Sessions Court Clerk was set while many voters were focused on the holidays and preparations for the new city leaders taking office in January.

37. Bipartisan Brakes for Governor Haslam’s Privatization Push - Thursday, October 29, 2015

Plans to put Tennessee’s real estate and government operations in the hands of private business are much further along than Gov. Bill Haslam would like people to think.

A master of downplaying big issues, Haslam says he’s simply looking for ways to make government run more efficiently and save money.

38. 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.

39. Haslam Defends Recommendation for Advisers to Avoid Email - Monday, October 19, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam is defending a practice among his outsourcing advisers to avoid email correspondence to prevent information getting out to the public.

The Republican governor told reporters after an economic development conference this week that it's a standard practice of "sharing some wisdom" with new employees who have come to government from the private sector that all of their correspondence is subject to Tennessee's open records laws.

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. Southern Heritage Defined Differently Across Tennessee - Thursday, July 2, 2015

Tennessee’s loyalty was divided in the Civil War, and 150 years later, little is changed as the debate over Confederate symbols arises in the wake of the racist-fueled South Carolina church massacre.

43. React: Supreme Court’s Gay Marriage Ruling - Friday, June 26, 2015

A divided U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States. Here is a roundup of local reaction to the landmark ruling.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam:

44. Tennessee Senate Passes 48-Hour Waiting-Period Abortion Bill - Thursday, April 16, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Women would have to wait 48 hours before an abortion, under legislation approved by the Senate on Wednesday after lawmakers rejected an amendment to exempt cases of rape or incest.

45. Tenn. Senator Says Vasectomy 'More Stringent' Than Abortion - Thursday, April 9, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A Tennessee state senator says a vasectomy is a "more stringent" medical procedure than an abortion.

Republican Sen. Todd Gardenhire of Chattanooga made the comment Tuesday while speaking in favor of a measure that would require a 48-hour waiting period for an abortion during a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which passed the legislation on a 7-2 vote.

46. Harris Chosen to Lead Tennessee Senate Democrats - Monday, December 1, 2014

Newly elected state Sen. Lee Harris of Memphis is the new leader of Tennessee Senate Democrats.

Harris was chosen Tuesday, Nov. 25, by the group of five Democratic senators. Three of the five Democrats in the 33-member state Senate are from Memphis: Harris and Sens. Sara Kyle and Reginald Tate.

47. New Lawmakers Trace Likely Abortion Legislation - Tuesday, November 11, 2014

The two newest state legislators from Shelby County say they hope to find ways to work across party lines and even with the Shelby County Commission and the Memphis City Council.

“We may not be in the majority, but there is a lot we can do,” said incoming state Sen. Sara Kyle, who will be one of five Democrats in the 33-member Senate when next year’s legislative session in Nashville begins.

48. Voters Approve Wine, Amendments - Thursday, November 6, 2014

Shelby County citizens voted 2-to-1 Tuesday, Nov. 4, against a proposed amendment to the Tennessee Constitution that gives the Tennessee Legislature the power to regulate abortion, including in cases of rape or incest.

49. Voters Approve Wine, Constitutional Amendments - Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Shelby County citizens voted 2-to-1 Tuesday, Nov. 4, against a proposed amendment to the Tennessee Constitution that gives the Tennessee Legislature the power to regulate abortion, including in cases of rape or incest.

50. Shelby Early Vote Shows "No" Carry On Abortion Amendment - Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Shelby County’s early vote totals show a defeat for the amendment to the Tennessee Constitution involving abortion and passage of the other three amendments.

The vote count for Shelby County only during the early voting period in advance of the Tuesday, Nov. 4, election day show:

51. Amendments, Wine Dominate Election Day - Tuesday, November 4, 2014

The last of 2014’s three elections promises to be defined just as much by the questions on the ballot as it is by the choices among candidates.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, across Tennessee, with polls open in Shelby County from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

52. No On One - Friday, October 10, 2014

NO. IT’S HER DECISION, NOT YOURS. The Tennessee General Assembly is 83 percent male – and those big, strong men in the majority are convinced they know what’s best for the little ladies in the minority, in fact, what’s best for all the women of Tennessee.

53. Sara Kyle Claims Democratic Senate Nomination - Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Tennessee Democratic Party chairman Roy Herron came to Memphis Monday, Sept. 8, armed with 77 Bible verses on unity to use as Shelby County Democrats gathered to pick their nominee in a November special general election for state Senate District 30.

54. Kyle Gets Democratic State Senate Nod - Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Shelby County Democratic Party leaders chose former Public Service Commissioner and Tennessee Regulatory Authority Commission Sara Kyle Monday, Sept. 8, as the Democratic nominee for State Senate District 30.

55. Democrats Choose State Senate Nominee - Monday, September 8, 2014

When Shelby County Democratic Party leaders gather Monday, Sept. 8, to pick their party’s nominee in the November special general election for state Senate District 30, it will also be an indication of how deep the wounds run from the party’s disastrous August election outing.

56. Flinn Gets Republican State Senate Nomination - Friday, September 5, 2014

Fresh from running in the August U.S. Senate Republican primary, George Flinn is back on the Nov. 4 ballot as the Republican nominee in the special general election for state Senate District 30.

57. Kyle Senate Replacement Process Slows - Monday, August 25, 2014

Shelby County Democratic Party Chairman Bryan Carson has slowed down the process of picking a Democratic nominee for the state Senate seat Jim Kyle is giving up effective Sept. 1 to become a Chancery Court judge.

58. 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.

59. Hats in the Ring - Friday, January 3, 2014

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam will be seeking a second term as governor, and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander will be running for re-election – both starting with the Aug. 7 statewide primaries that open for filing Friday, Jan. 3.

60. Carr Brings US Senate Bid to Memphis - Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Republican state Rep. Joe Carr brought his challenge of incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander to Memphis Saturday, Sept. 7, in the latest of a series of closed meetings with tea party partisans that amount to a tea party primary.

61. Shelby County to Play Key Role in 2014 State Election - Monday, August 26, 2013

As prospective candidates weigh special election races in the next three months for a state House seat and suburban school boards, there are also signs of life in Shelby County in the statewide races on the 2014 election ballot.

62. Sara Kyle Resigns From Tennessee Regulatory Authority - Thursday, March 14, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Sara Kyle has resigned from the board of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority, citing the panel's diminished role under a restructuring of the agency by Republican Gov. Bill Haslam.

63. Utility Regulatory Agency Missing Staff - Friday, July 6, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The state agency responsible for setting rates and service standards for privately-owned utilities is lacking an executive director and board quorum.

Among new laws that took effect July 1 is a statute that revamps the Tennessee Regulatory Authority. Gov. Bill Haslam backed the legislation that created a part-time board and requires a fulltime executive director.

64. TRA Chief Quits as Haslam Contemplates Reform of Agency - Wednesday, September 14, 2011

NASHVILLE – The announcement of Chairman Eddie Roberson's resignation from the Tennessee Regulatory Authority comes as Gov. Bill Haslam is engaged in a study on how to overhaul the agency that oversees many utilities in the state.

65. Sen. Kyle Keeps Focus On Law Career - Thursday, July 22, 2010

Jim Kyle has spent a long time in the Tennessee Senate, but a longer time as a lawyer.

And what he wants to remind people is that, “I am a lawyer who is in the Senate, not a senator who happens to be a lawyer.”

66. Memphis Bar Assn. Elects New Officers, Board Members - Monday, December 7, 2009

At the Memphis Bar Association’s Annual Meeting Thursday at The Peabody hotel, the MBA announced its 2010 officers and new members of its board of directors.

Immediate past president Art Quinn passed the gavel to incoming president Ricky E. Wilkins of the Law Offices of Ricky E. Wilkins. John Cannon of Shuttleworth Williams PLLC and Gary K. Smith of Apperson Crump & Maxwell PLC automatically move to the positions of vice president/president-elect and treasurer, respectively. Linda Warren Seely, director of pro bono projects at Memphis Area Legal Services Inc., was chosen as secretary.

67. Kyle Crafts Run for Governor in Common Terms - Wednesday, August 12, 2009

A few minutes before noon Tuesday, the voices of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell burst out of loudspeakers, launching into “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

When state Sen. Jim Kyle mounted the podium amid those speakers arrayed in front of the McWherter Library at the University of Memphis, he and his supporters outlined different versions of that same idea in announcing Kyle’s 2010 gubernatorial bid.

68. Roberson Reappointed To TN Regulatory Authority - Tuesday, February 19, 2008
     Tennessee Regulatory Authority chairman Eddie Roberson has been reappointed by Gov. Phil Bredesen to the four-member regulatory body.
     The TRA sets rates and service standards for privat

69. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, May 12, 2004
MEMPHIS AD-FED PRESENTS PYRAMID AWARDS

Memphis Symphony Orchestra Adds to Staff

Barbara Frederick joined the Memphis Symphony Orchestra as director of corporate sales. Frederick formerly was president of the Memphis Symphony League. She has a ...

70. Archived Article: Area Codes (lead) - Monday, June 19, 2000
By LAURIE JOHNSON Overlay may be best option for area code exhaustion By LAURIE JOHNSON The Daily News Within the next two years, the supply of three-digit phone number prefixes within the 901 area code is expected to run out. The Tennessee telecomm...