SITE MAP  |  MOBILE  |  EMAILS  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  ARCHIVES  |  CONTACT US  |  ADVERTISE  |  PROMOTIONS  |  SUBMIT EVENTS  |  FEEDBACK  |  PLACE AN AD  |  RSS FEEDS

Home | Staff Reporter List | Andy Sher | Story Archive

Andy Sher Stories

Posted: Saturday - Nov. 7, 2009
1 Comment
Alexander helps speaker mend fences within GOP
KNOXVILLE — Tennessee’s senior elected Republican, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, said Friday night that when it comes to state House Speaker Kent Williams, who was booted out of the party earlier this year, GOP leaders should remember Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, a wayward figure who ultimately was forgiven.
Posted: Saturday - Nov. 7, 2009
Corker, Fleischmann weigh in on elections
Though there were no major Tennessee races in Tuesday’s elections, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and attorney Chuck Fleischmann, a Republican candidate for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District, commented on the day’s significance.
Posted: Friday - Nov. 6, 2009
Tennessee: Alexander attending Rep. Williams fundraiser
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander will attend a fundraiser organized by Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams, who's on the outs with the state GOP.
Posted: Friday - Nov. 6, 2009
Tennessee: Ramsey wins straw poll vote at conservative event
Lt. Gov. Ramsey’s gubernatorial campaign says the candidate “handily” won a straw poll conducted Thursday night by the Tennessee Conservative Union.
Posted: Friday - Nov. 6, 2009
Tax credit program involves Lupton
NASHVILLE — State officials Thursday selected six venture capital firms, including one with Chattanooga ties, that will split $120 million in tax credits intended to spark investment in new Tennessee companies.
Posted: Thursday - Nov. 5, 2009
Tennessee: Chattanooga firm part of new state investment program
State officials today selected six venture capital firms, including one with Chattanooga ties, to split $120 million in tax credits.
Posted: Thursday - Nov. 5, 2009
Haslam, Gibbons to skip conservative event
NASHVILLE — When the state’s largest organization of conservatives hears from 2010 Republican gubernatorial hopefuls at its annual Reagan Day Dinner in Knoxville today, Knoxville mayor — and GOP candidate — Bill Haslam will not be there.
Posted: Wednesday - Nov. 4, 2009
Haslam won’t attend Reagan Day dinner Thursday
Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, a 2010 Republican candidate for governor, will not be attending a major gathering of conservatives in Knoxville on Thursday, his campaign confirmed today, citing a previously scheduled fundraising event in Sumner County.
Posted: Wednesday - Nov. 4, 2009
Tennessee: Rep. Brooks says he won’t run for Senate
NASHVILLE — State Rep. Kevin Brooks, R-Cleveland, said he will seek re-election to the House District 24 seat he now holds.
Posted: Wednesday - Nov. 4, 2009
2 Comments
Sen. Watson calls increase expense reimbursements 'ludicrous'
Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, said today he thinks an 8.1 percent increase in Tennessee legislators’ expense reimbursements that took effect Oct. 1 is “ludicrous.”
Posted: Wednesday - Nov. 4, 2009
1 Comment
‘I believe in term limits’
NASHVILLE — U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., said he continues to think term limits are a good thing and that he never felt “whole” after he broke a 1994 campaign pledge to serve no more than 12 years in Congress.
Posted: Wednesday - Nov. 4, 2009
1 Comment
Lawmaker expense pay rises $14 a day
NASHVILLE -- Tennessee legislators now will get another $14 a day in expenses as they come to the Capitol to wrestle with drastic state budget cuts that could force layoffs.
Posted: Tuesday - Nov. 3, 2009
3 Comments - Audio
Feds: stimulus saved or created 35,200 jobs so far in Georgia, Tennessee
NASHVILLE — More than 24,000 jobs in Georgia have been created or saved so far through the federal stimulus, according to federal government estimates which gauge the impact on Tennessee employment at nearly 9,600 jobs.
Posted: Sunday - Nov. 1, 2009
1 Comment - Audio
Recognition issues may kill Indian Affairs panel
NASHVILLE -- Nearly 180 years after President Andrew Jackson forcibly began uprooting American Indians from the Southeast, a Tennessee commission that deals with Native American issues may die amid a fight involving groups wanting state recognition.
Posted: Friday - Oct. 30, 2009
Watson says he won’t seek Senate seat
NASHVILLE — One potential 9th Senatorial District candidate took himself out of the running for the seat Thursday.
Posted: Friday - Oct. 30, 2009
Questions raised about pre-k gains
NASHVILLE -- Children attending state-funded prekindergarten programs do better academically than their peers, but the gains appear to diminish by second grade, a new state comptroller's report says.
Posted: Thursday - Oct. 29, 2009
State’s pre-kindergarten program benefits limited, report says
Children who attended Tennessee’s state-funded pre-kindergarten program before going to kindergarten did better academically over their kindergarten peers, but those higher achievements appeared to putter out by second grade, a new report says.
Posted: Thursday - Oct. 29, 2009
Several eyeing Sen. Bunch's seat
NASHVILLE -- Former state Sen. Lou Patten confirmed Wednesday he is weighing a run in the Senate District 9 GOP primary now that Sen. Dewayne Bunch has decided not to seek re-election.
Posted: Tuesday - Oct. 27, 2009
- Audio - Photo
Accelerated by stimulus
While most of its lawmakers didn’t vote for the stimulus package, Tennessee still is among the top states in jobs generated through stimulus-funded federal contracts, according to an early report on the program’s progress.
Posted: Monday - Oct. 26, 2009
Greener, more friendly welcome to the state
NASHVILLE — A newer, greener welcome center soon could greet visitors traveling to the Volunteer State.
Posted: Monday - Oct. 26, 2009
2 Comments
States’ rights push for ‘sovereignty’ hits state Capitol
NASHVILLE — Some legislative Republicans hope to put Tennessee government at the forefront of a national state “sovereignty” movement aimed at defending states’ rights from what conservative critics say are intrusions by the federal government.
Posted: Friday - Oct. 23, 2009
Disaster declaration granted for Hamilton, surrounding counties
NASHVILLE — The U.S. Small Business Administration has granted Gov. Phil Bredesen’s request for a disaster declaration for Hamilton and contiguous counties after severe storms and flooding in September.
Posted: Thursday - Oct. 22, 2009
Disaster declaration request granted for Hamilton, surrounding counties
The U.S. Small Business Administration has granted Gov. Phil Bredesen’s request for a disaster declaration for Hamilton County and adjoining counties in Tennessee and Georgia after recent severe storms, the governor said today.
Posted: Monday - Oct. 19, 2009
1 Comment
Traffic cameras on radar of lawmakers
NASHVILLE -- The use of cameras by Chattanooga and other Tennessee cities to nab speeders and red-light runners may be limited but not eliminated by the General Assembly, according to local lawmakers.
Posted: Friday - Oct. 16, 2009
3 Comments - Audio
State eyes $1.1 billion in budget cuts in ’10
NASHVILLE — Tennessee may have to slash as much as $350 million more from its budget next year on top of $753 million in already planned reductions.
Posted: Thursday - Oct. 15, 2009
1 Comment - Audio
Use of traffic-camera enforcement money for take-home vehicles criticized
NASHVILLE — Chattanooga City Council members’ recent move to use $400,000 from a traffic-camera enforcement fund to continue providing take-home vehicles for city workers left top officials spinning their wheels Wednesday before a state House Transportation Committee hearing.
Posted: Thursday - Oct. 15, 2009
4 Comments
Survey: Rumors about Obama find acceptance among Tennesseans
NASHVILLE — Nearly half of Tennesseans believe President Barack Obama is a socialist, while one out of three think he wasn’t even born in the United States, according to a poll released Wednesday.
Posted: Wednesday - Oct. 14, 2009
Tennessee: Health care reform important, Tennesseans say
A majority of Tennesseans believe health care reform is important, a new poll shows.
Posted: Wednesday - Oct. 14, 2009
1 Comment - Audio - Photo
Bredesen warns cost to state could exceed $3 billion
NASHVILLE — Gov. Phil Bredesen warned Tuesday that pending federal health care legislation could cost Tennessee far more than the $735 million “best estimate” his administration previously has cited.
Posted: Tuesday - Oct. 13, 2009
2 Comments
State report trumpets jobs created, saved by stimulus
NASHVILLE -- Bredesen administration officials reported Monday that Tennessee has spent $203.7 million in federal stimulus funds that so far have created or retained an estimated 7,710 jobs.
Posted: Monday - Oct. 12, 2009
Tennessee: State spends about $204 million in stimulus
State has spent about $204 million in federal stimulus money.
Posted: Sunday - Oct. 11, 2009
- Audio
Two legislative oversight panels reassert themselves
NASHVILLE -- Two of the Tennessee General Assembly's potentially more powerful oversight panels, which have helped eliminate or revamp at least 100 state government agencies since 1977, once again are cracking the whip, lawmakers say.
Posted: Friday - Oct. 9, 2009
Turner won’t seek TSEA post
NASHVILLE — House Democratic Leader Mike Turner said Thursday he no longer intends to seek the top job at the Tennessee State Employees Association.
Posted: Thursday - Oct. 8, 2009
Tennessee: Rep. Turner won’t seek TSEA post
House Democratic Leader Mike Turner said today he no longer intends to seek the top job at the Tennessee State Employees Association.
Posted: Thursday - Oct. 8, 2009
- Audio
State cuts 84,000 from TennCare rolls in 2009
NASHVILLE — State officials so far have cut an estimated 84,000 people from TennCare rolls since a federal judge ruled in January the state once again could act to reverify the eligibility of enrollees who originally qualified for the program through a federal Social Security Administration benefit.
Posted: Monday - Oct. 5, 2009
Berke ranked high on environment issues
Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, has one of the highest pro-environment rankings in the state Senate, according to Tennessee Conservation Voters’ annual evaluation of lawmakers’ votes and sponsorship of legislation votes.
Posted: Monday - Oct. 5, 2009
Rep. Turner eyes employees group leadership
NASHVILLE -- The chairman of the state House Democratic Caucus said he sees no conflict of interest if he becomes the paid head of the Tennessee State Employees Association, a group that frequently lobbies the General Assembly.
Posted: Friday - Oct. 2, 2009
Ideas differ on spending Pfizer money
NASHVILLE -- With Tennessee government facing its worst fiscal situation in decades, some lawmakers and the Bredesen administration have different ideas on how to spend the state's expected share of a $2.3 billion national settlement with Pfizer Corp.
Posted: Thursday - Oct. 1, 2009
1 Comment
Frist backs limited requirement to purchase health insurance
NASHVILLE — Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s endorsement of a limited individual insurance mandate as part of health care reform isn’t going down well with some conservatives.
Posted: Monday - Sept. 28, 2009
State relies on local collections to close revenue gap
NASHVILLE — Tennessee won’t formally take over local business tax collection from city and county governments until Jan. 1, but Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr said oversight compliance for businesses required to file by Nov. 30 will begin sooner.
Posted: Friday - Sept. 25, 2009
3 Comments
Smith says Obama called her racist, terrorist, extremist
NASHVILLE — Republican congressional hopeful Robin Smith says that, when she was state GOP chairman last year, then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama labeled her as “everything from racist to terrorist to extremist” after the state party posted a video criticizing Michelle Obama.
Posted: Thursday - Sept. 24, 2009
Hospice gets OK for Chattanooga, Cleveland projects
NASHVILLE -- The Chattanooga area will get its first residential facilities for end-of-life care after state regulators on Wednesday agreed to allow Hospice of Chattanooga to operate two 16-bed bed projects in Hamilton and Bradley counties.
Posted: Wednesday - Sept. 23, 2009
Hospice of Chattanooga approved for two residential facilities
Hospice of Chattanooga was given approval this afternoon to operate the area’s first two residential hospice facilities.
Posted: Wednesday - Sept. 23, 2009
Cleveland, Tenn.: Company loses bid to buy MRI
A Cleveland, Tenn., company wanting to buy an MRI for its outpatient clinic was shot down today by a state agency.
Posted: Wednesday - Sept. 23, 2009
1 Comment
BlueCross, Cigna slow to back Baucus health care legislation
NASHVILLE — U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus’ decision to eliminate a “public option” from a health care overhaul doesn’t mean insurers such as Chattanooga-based BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee now are clamoring to get aboard the bill.
Posted: Wednesday - Sept. 23, 2009
1 Comment
Businesses come out against new guns bill
NASHVILLE -- Major Tennessee businesses and handgun-carry permit advocates squared off in a General Assembly committee meeting today over whether to let workers with permits keep loaded weapons in their locked vehicles on company parking lots.
Posted: Tuesday - Sept. 22, 2009
Tennessee: Opponents clash over guns in company parking lots
Opponents clashed today in a legislative committee on whether to to let workers with permits keep loaded weapons in their locked vehicles on company parking lots.
Posted: Sunday - Sept. 20, 2009
States concerned over impact on Medicaid of Baucus' plan
NASHVILLE -- Some U.S. senators and governors remain worried about the fiscal impact of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus' health care proposal on state Medicaid budgets despite the Montana Democrat's attempts to soothe their fears.
Posted: Friday - Sept. 18, 2009
State No. 3 in getting federal stimulus road projects under way
NASHVILLE -- Tennessee ranked No. 3 among states when it comes to getting federal stimulus funds for highway and bridge projects out for bid, put under contract and work actually under way, according to a U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure report issued this month.
Posted: Friday - Sept. 18, 2009
Watson named chairman of Senate Government Operations panel
NASHVILLE -- Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey has named state Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, the new chairman of the Senate's Government Operations Committee and appointed Sen. Jack Johnson, R-College Grove, to head the Senate Commerce, Labor & Agriculture Committee.
Only In Tomorrow's TimesFreePress
Minimum drinking age gets wide support, even among teens
Featured Business

© Copyright, permissions and privacy policy Copyright ©2008, Chattanooga Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Publishing Company, Inc.