Andy Sher is a Nashville-based staff writer covering Tennessee state government and politics for the Times Free Press. A Washington correspondent from 1999-2005 for the Times Free Press, Andy previously headed up state Capitol coverage for The Chattanooga Times, worked as a state Capitol reporter for The Nashville Banner and was a contributor to The Tennessee Journal, among other publications. Andy worked for 17 years at The Chattanooga Times covering police, health care, county government, politics and general assignment beats. He was won public service, investigative, deadline and project awards from the Tennessee Press Association, Common Cause of Tennessee, the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists and Remove Intoxicated Drivers. Andy grew up in Chattanooga. A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Andy is a past chairman of the Tennessee Capitol Hill Press Corps and served as an acting director of the Regional Reporters Association while in Washington. Contact Andy at 615-255-0550 or asher@timesfreepress.com
Tennessee Republican lawmakers this week forced a delay on a House Democrat's effort to replace the state Capitol's prominently displayed bust of controversial Confederate cavalry general and slave trader Nathan Bedford Forrest.
by Andy SherTennessee House Finance Committee Vice Chairwoman Patsy Hazlewood says she intends to press forward with her proposed two-month sales tax holiday on grocery food purchases despite fellow Republican and Gov. Bill Lee's resistance to the idea.
by Andy SherWhile Gov. Bill Lee is proposing to spend an additional $117 million on educators' pay in his new budget, with his administration projecting it would generate a 4% salary increase, Tennessee Education Association officials say the percentage increase will be less.
by Andy SherA proposed $21.9 million new advanced manufacturing building for the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) at Chattanooga State has found a home in Gov. Bill Lee's recommended Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget.
by Andy SherTennessee Gov. Bill Lee proposed Monday night in his State of the State address what he's calling the state's "largest investment in K-12 teacher salaries in Tennessee history" with $117 million more for teacher pay.
by Andy SherTennessee Gov. Bill Lee is expected to announce increases in teacher pay and other education improvements during his annual State of the State address Monday evening.
by Andy SherAs Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers his second State of the State address and unveils his annual spending priorities Monday, the Republican businessman faces challenges not just from Democrats but even from his fellow majority Republicans.
by Andy SherAs football fans eagerly anticipate Sunday's opening kickoff in Superbowl LIV, Tennessee gamblers are still waiting for implementation of the state's online sports-gaming law that will allow them to make legal bets on such events.
by Andy SherNearly six out of 10 Tennessee voters say they oppose the U.S. Senate removing President Donald Trump from office, according to a new survey conducted by the Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy firm.
by Andy SherNASHVILLE — Calling Medicaid block grants illegal, more than 30 U.S. House Democrats are warning the Trump administration in a letter against providing any guidance on them to states such as Tennessee, let alone approving them.
by Andy SherThere was no doubt that the Republican-dominated Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday would easily approve a resolution that seeks to enshrine Tennessee's "right to work" law in the state constitution.
by Andy SherA bill weakening homeowners associations' ability to ban rentals of corporation-owned houses cleared a Tennessee Senate panel Tuesday despite questions about whether it violates the state and U.S. constitutions.
by Andy SherA Tennessee legislator is questioning the legality of a controversial bill seeking to wade into a battle between Tennessee homeowner associations and absentee corporate landlords over short-term rentals.
by Andy SherA Tennessee legislative panel on Monday approved rules for the state's controversial school voucher-like program following a fierce debate in which one Republican critic charged proponents last year deployed "every dirty trick in the book — bribes, threats, everything else to get it passed."
by Andy SherA photo emerged this month of a silver carp at Chickamauga Lake in Chattanooga and officials are now acknowledging the possibility that a "few more" may be in local waters.
by Andy SherWhile it's President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, the national spotlight in the U.S. Senate this week is likely to shift at least briefly this week to a senator from Tennessee.
by Andy SherDuring the U.S. Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, senators have at times ignored decorum guidelines by talking among themselves, snacking, wandering and possibly dozing during marathon sessions.
by Andy SherCalling it a "monumental step forward," Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday announced plans to push a comprehensive abortion-restriction proposal he believes "puts Tennessee at the forefront of protecting life."
by Andy SherRepublican U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty hauled in more than $1.5 million for his effort during the last three months of 2019, according to his campaign.
by Andy SherRepublican state attorneys general from Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama joined 18 GOP colleagues from across the country in a Wednesday letter slamming U.S. House Democrats' impeachment articles of President Donald Trump, charging it is a "legally flawed" partisan effort that creates a "dangerous historical precedent."
by Andy Sher