Former speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives Glen Casada has been sentenced to 36 months in prison for his role in a scheme using the state’s constituent mailer program, WKRN reports. He was also sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to pay a $30,000 fine. Casada was convicted alongside his former chief of staff Cade Cothren of secretly running Phoenix Solutions, a company that funneled taxpayer-funded mailer business for profit. Cothren was sentenced last week to 30 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson handed down the sentence after rejecting defense objections, finding Casada used “sophisticated” money laundering to conceal the scheme. The Tennessean also reports on the sentencing.

The Tennessee Attorney General’s (AG) Office reportedly is investigating Deloitte, the contractor managing TennCare’s eligibility system, over potential “unlawful discrimination” tied to its hiring practices and former diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The Tennesseean reports that the AG's office ordered Deloitte to turn over records related to applicant evaluations, compliance with anti-discrimination laws and its decision to end DEI initiatives earlier this year. Deloitte, which holds a nearly $1 billion contract with TennCare, has not commented. Critics argue the probe is politically motivated and a misuse of taxpayer resources.

Kentucky-based Cornbread Hemp has sued Tennessee over new hemp regulations set to take effect in 2026, arguing they unfairly discriminate against out-of-state businesses by requiring wholesalers and retailers to be physically located in Tennessee and banning direct-to-consumer shipping. The Tennessean reports that the company, which made nearly $1 million in Tennessee sales last year, says the law violates the U.S. Constitution’s Interstate Commerce Clause and also infringes on the First Amendment by banning all health-related claims in marketing hemp-derived products. Cornbread Hemp is represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation, which argues the rules force companies to either abandon customers or incur costly in-state operations.

Law firms are increasingly adopting generative AI tools and law schools are under pressure to prepare students for this shift. Cat Moon, professor and founding co-director of Vanderbilt Law School’s AI Law Lab, tells Inside Higher Ed: “Law schools have to prepare students to be intentional users of this technology, which will require them to have foundational knowledge and understanding in the first place. We have to preserve that core learning process so that they remain the human expert and this technology complements and supports their expertise.” About 30% of law offices now use AI, while 62% of law schools have integrated AI into first-year courses and 93% are considering further updates, though many programs remain basic. Experts stress that lawyers need not just access to AI but training to use it responsibly, since early misuses have shown the risks. Reuters reports that some schools, including Suffolk University, Washington University in St. Louis and the University of San Francisco, have embedded AI instruction into required introductory legal writing and research courses.

The frame of Nashville's new juvenile justice center off of Brick Church Pike was completed last week, marking a milestone celebrated by city leaders. The Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment is designed to reimagine how the city cares for young people in trouble with the law, News Channel 5 reports. Organizers said the trauma-informed campus will focus on healing, restoration and rehabilitation. “What we’re going to have here is something more restorative. We will be able to house up to about 64 youth if we need to. Hopefully, we will not have to need that many. They will have space where they can do job training. They will do their schooling in an actual building part that looks like a school. They will have counseling services,” Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway said. The campus also will provide resources for families, with partner organizations operating on site. The facility is expected to open in 2027.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced last week in a press release that it had dismantled an MS-13 cell operating within Nashville. After a nine-month investigation, a series of court-authorized search warrants were conducted in the metropolitan Nashville area, resulting in the arrests of at least 17 members and associates of MS-13 across three states, including Tennessee, California and Oklahoma. In addition, investigators also seized bulk quantities of marijuana, counterfeit pills, cocaine, THC vapes, liquid psilocybin and multiple firearms, including assault rifles. DEA officials said the operation, carried out with local, state and federal partners, marked a significant step in efforts to disrupt MS-13’s drug trafficking and violent activities.

Rural hospital management company Java Medical Group has named former circuit court judge Craig Johnson as chief legal officer to oversee risk compliance, contract management, liability and risk for the Nashville-based company, the Nashville Post reports. Johnson brings more than 30 years of judicial and legal experience to the role. He previously served as circuit judge of the 14th Judicial District in Tennessee until his retirement in 2021. Johnson continues to hear cases as an ad hoc judge and also serves as attorney for the city of Manchester. Johnson earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee. “For the rural hospitals we serve, having access to experienced legal leadership is critical. The addition of Craig Johnson as chief legal officer gives our facilities a trusted advisor who understands the complexities of healthcare compliance and provider retention,” said Java CEO Bappa Mukherji.

Tennessee’s unemployment rate held steady last month at 3.6%, seven-tenths of a percentage point below the national rate, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in August was unchanged from the previous month. Tennessee’s unemployment rate continues to track well below the U.S. rate, which was 4.3% in August. Over the past year, Tennessee employers added 34,400 jobs, with the biggest gains in government, the professional and business services sector, and leisure and hospitality.

The TBA is accepting applications from candidates interested in the position of Education and Professional Development Coordinator. This position manages projects and logistics for continuing legal education (CLE) programs, section/committee meetings and special events. The role oversees communication, scheduling, vendor coordination, volunteer management, budgeting and follow-up to ensure programs run smoothly and meet member needs. To apply, send a cover letter explaining interest in the position and a resume by email to Director of Education and Professional Development Jennifer Vossler. Access the full job description here.

Gov. Bill Lee today appointed Judge Jim Todd to the 20th Judicial District Criminal Court, covering Davidson County. Todd currently serves as a judge in the Davidson County General Sessions Court. He will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Cheryl Blackburn. Todd earned his bachelor’s degree at Vanderbilt University and law degree at the University of Memphis. “I am proud to announce the appointment of Judge Todd to the 20th Judicial District Criminal Court. Jim brings significant experience to the bench, and I appreciate his leadership and willingness to serve Tennesseans with integrity,” Lee said according to the Nashville Post.