Democratic Prospects for TN Governor. Dog-and-Pony at County Commission

In this week's Viewpoint , Tom Humphrey, retired from the Knoxville News Sentinel , where he earned a reputation as the dean of Tennessee political writers, and now my colleague as a contributing editor of The Tennessee Journal , contributes some informed - and likely definitive - thoughts on the Republican candidates who will be vying in a 2018 gubernatorial contest which is about to get started in earnest. As Humphrey points out, Tennessee is now about as deep-dyed red in its political sentiments as can be, and the GOP has a built-in advantage.

Here We Go! Pence Just Told Gop They Better Prepare- “Buckle Up!”

Since Trump has faced such staunch opposition from both sides of the aisle, he's going to need to prove himself very quickly when he finally moves into the White House. Vice President-elect Mike Pence has made it clear the the first 100-200 days of the Trump Presidency are going to move at warp-speed, and everyone needs to strap in.

Scott Walker moves forward with plan to drug test food stamp users

Wisconsin's plan was approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature more than two years ago, but it languished because it conflicts with federal rules prohibiting states from imposing additional eligibility criteria on Florida had a drug test requirement for food stamp recipients that a federal appeals court blocked in 2014, finding it violated constitutional protections against unreasonable searches. Walker filed a federal lawsuit in 2015 seeking approval to test food stamp applicants, but it was rejected because then-President Barack Obama's administration had not yet formally rejected the state's request to do the testing.

AP sources: Gingrich, Christie being vetted for Trump VP

The New York billionaire is considering former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie , among what he previously described as a short list of possible running mates. Their inclusion was confirmed by people with direct knowledge of the vetting process who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.