Forrest bust protesters clash with House speaker
African-American students want a bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest removed from State Capitol, spurring a debate on the legacy of the Confederate general whose statue also created controversy in Memphis.
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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February 2019
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State Government -
State Government Rep. Vaughan backs Republican CARE plan for ‘patient-centered’ approach
State Rep. Kevin Vaughan, a Collierville Republican, and other GOP lawmakers say legislation would give patients more information about treatment and medical procedure costs to lower health-care expenses.
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State Government Vaughan working on funding for more medical residencies in rural areas
State Rep. Kevin Vaughan, a Collierville Republican, hopes for $5 million to create 40 to 50 medical residencies in Tennessee's economically distressed areas.
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State Government Kyle, Hardaway want schools to provide feminine hygiene products to girls
State Sen. Sara Kyle and state Rep. G.A. Hardaway, both Memphis Democrats, contend free hygiene items are necessary in schools to ensure girls come to class each day.
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State Government Lamar leading the fight against passage of fetal heartbeat bill
State Rep. London Lamar, a Memphis Democrat, argues abortion restriction is "unconstitutional and inhuman" and would cost state taxpayers in litigation fees.
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City of Memphis Tennessee Court of Appeals hears Memphis monuments case
The city of Memphis and Memphis Greenspace Inc. locked horns with the Sons of Confederate Veterans again Tuesday , this time before the Tennessee Court of Appeals in their dispute over the removal of Confederate statues from former city parks.
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State Government Shelby lawmakers take opposite sides on fetal heartbeat bill
Legislation prohibiting abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected passed a key committee Tuesday, but Shelby County lawmakers on the panel are split on the bill.
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State Government Leatherwood’s nonpartisan election bill fails
State Rep. Tom Leatherwood of Arlington called his proposal to make local election nonpartisan in Shelby and Davidson counties a "good government" bill, but it died in a House subcommittee Wednesday.
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State Government Governor won’t budge on Forrest bust despite Cohen request
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen sends Gov. Bill Lee a second letter urging him to call for removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from the State Capitol in light of Lee's "stated regret" for glorifying the "Old South" while in a fraternity at Auburn.
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March 2019
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State Government Memphis advocates back Lee’s plan to drop expungement fee
Gov. Bill Lee calls for eliminating the $180 state expungement fee to make it easier for people to wipe their records clean, advocates say. The move drew wide praise from those in Memphis.
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State Government Two protesters arrested in Capitol clash over Forrest bust
Two students are expected to be charged in connection with an incident with legislators at the State Capitol over the controversial Nathan Bedford Forrest bust. The bust prompted a letter from U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis to Gov. Bill Lee asking for its removal.
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State Government Kyle hopes to restrict lawsuits funded by sale of Confederate tags
Legislation would prohibit proceeds from the sale of specialty tags from being used to pay for lawsuits against local or state governments.
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State Government Memphis Democrats seek removal of Forrest bust
Memphis Democratic House members G.A. Hardaway and London Lamar are calling for the removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from the State Capitol as well as a probe of 30-year-old sexual misconduct allegations against a Republican House member.
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State Government Towns sounds off on Memphis monuments lawsuit
State representatives say monuments caused consternation among black community for years in Memphis.
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State Government Robinson seeks help for incarcerated women
Legislation by state Sen. Katrina Robinson of Memphis would require detention facilities to make hygiene, healthcare products available to female inmates for free.
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State Government Camper hammers Lee on vouchers proposal in State of the State
Gov. Bill Lee proposes putting $25 million into education savings accounts, a program that would affect low-income students in Shelby County Schools.
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State Government Women urge embattled House member to resign
Enough is Enough is calling out state Rep. David Byrd for alleged sexual misconduct with high school girls basketball players he coached in 1980s. Memphis lawmakers have supported calls for an investigation.
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State Government Medicaid block grant bill advances despite opposition from Shelby Democrats
Legislation requiring Gov. Bill Lee’s administration to seek a federal block grant for funding TennCare advanced in the House this week in spite of Shelby County lawmakers’ efforts to attach guidelines.
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State Government United Campus Workers from Memphis rally for better pay
The United Campus Workers put a strong Memphis presence to work Wednesday, rallying for higher wages for adjunct faculty, who teach a third of the courses at Tennessee colleges and universities.
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State Government Coley: Embattled Byrd needs to bring ‘closure’ to sexual misconduct allegations
Shelby representative says former Wayne County coach, principal should explain apology he made to woman who accused him of sexual misconduct.
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State Government House passes fetal heartbeat bill
The Tennessee House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed legislation Thursday prohibiting abortion procedures once a heartbeat is detected.
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State Government Senate to take judicious approach on fetal heartbeat bill
Constitutional questions and the likelihood of expensive litigation will likely cause the state Senate to slow-walk a fetal heartbeat bill passed by the House this week.
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State Government Kelsey proposing increases in Senate campaign fundraising
Legislation by state Sen. Brian Kelsey that could dramatically increase Senate candidate fundraising could be heard in a committee this week.
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State Government Shelby lawmakers leery of governor’s education savings accounts plan
Gov. Bill Lee says this is the year to pass his “school choice” plan, putting $25.4 million in his budget plan to pay local systems if they lose students.
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State Government Republicans back tobacco, vaping age of 21
Legislators contend cutting the age will make it harder for teens to vape or smoke, keeping them from getting addicted.
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