Sam Stockard
Reporter
Sam Stockard is a Nashville-based reporter with more than 30 years of journalism experience as a writer, editor and columnist covering the state Legislature and Tennessee politics for The Daily Memphian.
There are 1058 articles by Sam Stockard :
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November 2018
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State Government Tennessee netted the nation’s highest score for child trafficking laws from a national advocacy group for the second straight year, an area state Rep. Jim Coley makes a priority in the Legislature. -
State Government Casada wins House Speaker race
State Rep. Glen Casada vaulted to victory Tuesday in a three-way House Speaker race, giving Williamson County a bit more power in Tennessee politics. -
Real Estate Memphis to take bids for Fairgrounds hotel-retail site and Mid-South Coliseum
Buoyed by a state-approved tourism development zone, the city of Memphis will take bids for a hotel-retail developer on the Fairgrounds site as part of a $161 million public-private project and go after a private operator as well to repurpose the Mid-South Coliseum. -
North Memphis State approves TDZ for Fairgrounds redevelopment
A state panel approved Memphis’ request Monday for a Fairgrounds Tourism Development Zone to help fund an estimated $150 million project complete with a youth sports and events complex that will depend on construction of a privately developed hotel. -
State Government DiPietro goes out with head high
University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro is leaving the system on a high note – amid strong financial reports and growth of facilities – after surviving some bumps and bruises, mainly dealing with student diversity. -
Education UT Health Science Center completes strong year
With finances in good shape, key positions filled and building projects reshaping the Memphis campus, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is wrapping up a strong 2018 and looks toward long-term major improvements such as a Biotech Research Park. -
Metro Shelby legislators want state recruiting incentives spread to Memphis
With Amazon set to net nearly $77 million in state funds for a Nashville logistics headquarters, Shelby County state legislators say they’d like to see Tennessee spread the love to Memphis. -
State Government State panel to consider Fairgrounds TDZ and youth sports complex in $100M project
A state panel is set to consider Memphis’ request for a Fairgrounds Tourism Development Zone in which tax revenue would be used to pay off the debt for construction of a youth sports and events complex and connected improvements, an estimated $100 million project. -
State Government Kelsey entering race for Senate Republican Caucus chair
State Sen. Brian Kelsey is putting his name in the hunt for the Senate Republican Caucus chairmanship, creating a three-person race for the leadership post. -
Education Tennessee education commissioner McQueen leaving for nonprofit group
Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen will leave her post in January to take a job as CEO of a nonprofit organization that helps schools attract and keep top-notch teachers. -
Real Estate Shelby sites placed in state industrial development program
Seven Shelby County tracts with industrial development potential are being targeted as part of a state program to build the county’s portfolio of marketable property. -
State Government Covington’s Rose to enter 32nd District Senate race
Covington businessman Paul Rose is joining the race for the 32nd District Senate seat vacated by Mark Norris, possibly making it a four-person battle for the job. -
State Government State Building Commission approves Megasite contract
With an eye toward prepping the Memphis Regional Megasite for its next potential suitor, the State Building Commission has approved a $500,000 site consulting contract to ensure it doesn’t miss out on another jobs deal. -
State Government Three consider running to fill Senate vacancy left by Norris
At least three Shelby Countians are weighing candidacy for a special election to fill the District 32 Senate seat vacated by Mark Norris for a U.S. District Court judgeship. -
State Government Legislators try to get handle on Lee’s potential policies
Shelby County lawmakers are trying to figure out what direction Gov.-elect Bill Lee will take on everything from criminal justice reform to health care and school vouchers. But at least one legislator says the next governor could face tough sledding with the General Assembly even from those in his own party. -
State Government Gov.-elect Lee recognizes veterans’ service at York VA parade
Gov.-elect Bill Lee, in one of his first public appearances since winning the gubernatorial race, honored the sacrifice of veterans during a Veterans Day parade at the York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro. -
State Government Salinas comes up short on provisional ballots
Senate District 31 Democratic candidate Gabby Salinas, down by 1,520 votes to Republican incumbent Brian Kelsey, is falling well shy of the number of provisional ballots needed to put her on top. -
State Government Dems see gains, but Haslam calls election ‘mixed’ night
Democrats took a thrashing statewide in the midterm elections as a potential “blue wave” hit a “red wall” in Tennessee. But nationally, the tone was more middle of the road, and Memphis Democrats take solace in making some senatorial history. -
State Government Kelsey files legislation to expedite ‘Green Alert’ for missing veterans
A day after narrowly winning re-election, state Sen. Brian Kelsey filed legislation designed to speed up searches for missing veterans and active service members who have mental or physical problems. -
State Government Haslam prepares to hand governor’s office keys to Lee
The day after Republican Bill Lee’s landslide win over Democrat Karl Dean, Gov. Bill Haslam said he is committed to making the switch to the governor-elect “the best transition in the history of Tennessee.” -
State Government Lee makes history; Blackburn rolls over Bredesen
Republican Bill Lee roared to victory Tuesday as the next Tennessee governor, making history by becoming the state’s first GOP governor-elect to follow a Republican governor in office. -
State Government Lee, Dean approach final day at the polls
At nearly every stop, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee recalls a moment in his campaign when he introduced himself to a Cumberland County man and got an unexpected response. -
State Government Blackburn rallies with Trump; Bredesen speaks to faith leaders
Driving home their final points in the waning days of the U.S. Senate campaign, Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn rallied with President Donald Trump while former Democratic governor Phil Bredesen spoke at an interfaith prayer lunch Sunday, Nov. 4. -
State Government Blackburn, Bredesen clash over immigrant caravan but agree on birthright citizenship
The immigrant caravan of thousands of people walking through Mexico to the U.S. border is creeping into Tennessee’s U.S. Senate race and, predictably, putting the candidates at odds in an already contentious race, this time over whether federal troops should be used there. -
State Government United Campus Workers endorse Salinas in state Senate race
With less than a week until the state election, the United Campus Workers union is endorsing Democratic candidate Gabby Salinas in the District 31 Senate race.
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