NASHVILLE (AP) — The nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization on Wednesday urged Tennessee Republican leaders to repudiate what they consider a racist Facebook post by a GOP state lawmaker.

2. How Tennesseans voted in key races - Friday, October 31, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) — A look at some of the state's top races in Tuesday's general election in Tennessee:

U.S. SENATE: Republican Lamar Alexander, a former governor who ran for president twice, defeated Democratic nominee Gordon Ball, a Knoxville attorney. Ball called the incumbent out of touch with Tennessee voters, while Alexander labeled his challenger as beholden to the policies of President Barack Obama.

3. Guide to top races on Election Day in Tennessee - Friday, October 31, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) - Here is a look at some of the state's top races in Tuesday's general election in Tennessee:

U.S. SENATE: Republican Lamar Alexander, a former governor who ran for president twice, is seeking a third term in the Senate. The Democratic nominee is Gordon Ball, a Knoxville attorney. Ball has called the incumbent out of touch with Tennessee voters, while Alexander has labeled his challenger as beholden to the policies of President Barack Obama.

4. Sen. Summerville charged with public intoxication - Friday, September 12, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) - Outgoing state Sen. Jim Summerville, whose behavior has often drawn the ire of his Republican colleagues, has been charged with public intoxication.

5. Summerville resigns from Republican Caucus - Friday, August 8, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) - Sen. Jim Summerville has resigned from the Republican Caucus following a loss in last week's election primary.

In an August 9 letter to Republican Caucus Chairman Bill Ketron, Summerville said he will be serving as an independent member of the Senate for the remainder of his term and asked that his resignation be effective immediately.

6. State Sen. Stacey Campfield loses seat in primary - Friday, August 8, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) — After losing his seat in Thursday's election primary, Republican Sen. Stacey Campfield posted a blog that simply said "that was fun" and featured a YouTube video of Frank Sinatra singing "My Way."

7. GOP lawmakers in tight Tennessee primary races - Friday, August 1, 2014

NASHVILLE (AP) - More than two dozen incumbent Republican and Democratic state lawmakers face challengers in Thursday's primary elections, and several could swing on narrow margins.

Of the 25 incumbents, probably the most contentious races involve Republicans, who control the Tennessee General Assembly.

8. Tennessee lawmaker to propose tuition freeze - Friday, July 19, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - A Republican state lawmaker says he wants to freeze tuition at Tennessee's colleges and universities despite criticism from education officials that such a proposal would eliminate funds needed to sustain essential programs and basic operation.

9. Bill to ban hiring preferences dead this session - Friday, April 19, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — A proposal seeking to ban basing government hiring preferences on race, gender or ethnicity is dead this session.

Members of a special committee formed to work out differences in the House and Senate versions of the proposal failed to do so on Thursday.

10. State Sen. Summerville recovering from surgery - Friday, March 29, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) - State Sen. Jim Summerville is recovering after undergoing an unexpected surgery.

Senate Republican Caucus spokeswoman Darlene Schlicher said in a news release this week that the Dickson Republican became ill at his home on Wednesday and was transported to Nashville.

11. Anti-affirmative action bill fails this session - Friday, February 22, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — The sponsor of a proposal to eliminate affirmative action initiatives from higher education institutions in Tennessee said fellow Republicans who contributed to the failure of his bill on Wednesday could face repercussions in next year's election.

12. Anti-affirmative action bill stalls in Senate - Friday, February 8, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) — A proposal to eliminate affirmative action initiatives from higher education institutions in Tennessee slowed in the state Senate on Wednesday after lawmakers and educators said they were uncomfortable with the bill's language.

13. Dems call for diversity training for lawmakers - Friday, August 31, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — Democratic leaders point to insulting comments made by two Republican lawmakers to the Legislature's black caucus in calling for legislators to undergo diversity and sensitivity training.

14. Summerville steps down from education committee - Friday, August 24, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - State Sen. Jim Summerville on Friday resigned from the Senate Education Committee after being stripped of his subcommittee chairmanship over an email that insulted the Legislature's black caucus.

15. Senator loses post over expletive to black caucus - Friday, August 17, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - A state senator who headed a panel investigating allegations of grade fixing at Tennessee State University has lost his chairmanship for using an expletive to dismiss concerns from the caucus of black lawmakers.

16. Senate to hold hearings on TSU grade changes - Friday, July 13, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - The state Senate plans to hold hearings to investigate allegations that officials at Tennessee State University changed more than 100 students' grades without instructors' permission.

17. Bill would allow teachers to pray with students - Friday, March 23, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Senate passed a proposal Thursday that would allow teachers and other school workers to participate in prayer groups and other religious activities on school grounds, so long as they are initiated by students.

18. Bill OKs school prayer participation of personnel - Friday, March 16, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - The Senate has passed a proposal that would allow school personnel to participate in student-initiated religious activities on school grounds.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Jim Summerville of Dickson was approved 29-1 on Thursday. The companion bill unanimously passed the House 93-0 earlier this month.

19. Panel approves training critics call anti-Muslim - Friday, February 17, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) - A state panel on Friday unanimously approved credits for a law enforcement training course that critics have called anti-Muslim.

The Muslim civil rights organization Council on American-Islamic Relations is among those that have publicly denounced the "Understanding the Threat to America" course by the Strategic Engagement Group, a Virginia nonprofit.

20. Lawmakers want more time on redistricting plans - Friday, January 6, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — State lawmakers opposed to legislative redistricting plans are questioning the desire of Republican leaders to pass them so quickly.

GOP leaders hope their redistricting plans can come up for a vote early as Thursday after the judiciary committees in both chambers passed the plans on to the House and Senate floors.

21. Senate plan places Kyle, Republican in same district - Friday, December 30, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) - Senate Republicans have released a redistricting proposal that would place Senate Democratic Leader Jim Kyle of Memphis into the same district as a GOP incumbent.

22. House redistricting plan draws 5 black lawmakers into 3 seats - Friday, December 30, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican plans for Tennessee legislative redistricting released Wednesday would draw five black House members into three seats and place the top Senate Democrat into the same district as a GOP incumbent.