A three-judge federal panel heard arguments Thursday for and against a preliminary injunction in the ACLU’s challenge to the state’s recently adopted redistricting map. Plaintiffs’ attorneys argued they only needed to prove that racial discrimination was a motivating factor behind the maps, even if there also was a political impetus. Defense attorney Taylor Meehan, who has represented the state in several maps-related suits, argued that the plaintiffs had not provided concrete evidence of race being the motivation for the redrawn maps and that the presumption of legislative good faith would render the rest of their argument moot. The panel said it would take the arguments under advisement, according to WSMV.

A new state law passed this year requires public school districts to provide age- and grade-appropriate human trafficking awareness and prevention education to students in kindergarten through 12th grade beginning in the upcoming school year. Advocates told News 2 the instruction could give children important tools to protect themselves and identify warning signs in others. The legislation also allows schools to bring in qualified healthcare professionals and social workers to assist with instruction. School districts must adopt an implementation plan by Aug. 1.

The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) has launched a number of mobile community supervision units aimed at “making it easier for individuals on probation and parole in rural areas to meet supervision requirements and access critical resources.” There currently are two mobile units in operation, with plans to add a third, according to a Nashville Banner newsletter. The units are large trucks equipped with workspace for up to four officers and a private meeting area, according to the department, which also released a video about the units. As of April, the state was supervising more than 75,000 people on probation or parole.

An employee at Knox County's juvenile detention center has filed a lawsuit in federal court, according to Knox News. Molly Mack alleges she faced discrimination from the center's new leadership because she was a longtime employee of former Superintendent Richard Bean. She also claims the center's current leadership is attempting to force longtime employees into retirement. Mack, who has worked at the detention center for 17 years, alleges she was reassigned from the front desk, where she has worked for the past six years, to a unit housing detained female teens. According to the lawsuit, Mack has a medical condition that limits her ability to perform physically demanding tasks. She alleges the center reassigned her despite being aware of those limitations and without providing proper training. According to the suit, Mack was physically injured in February 2026 after working a single shift in the unit.

The Tennessee Department of Correction is proposing a two-year contract to continue the state's Community Corrections program while maintaining a 15% funding reduction, according to the Tennessee Lookout. The program, created by the General Assembly in 1985 as an alternative to incarceration, provides intensive probation services through 15 agencies across the state. Lawmakers last year directed the department to use a $14 million fund balance to help stabilize the program, but the department instead applied those funds to support operations for the upcoming fiscal year on a one-time basis. Sen. Ed Jackson, R-Jackson, said he plans to continue advocating for full funding, calling the program effective in reducing incarceration and helping participants overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. The department has indicated it intends to offer two-year contracts, though long-term funding beyond the next fiscal year remains uncertain.

Gov. Bill Lee has signed legislation expanding eligibility for interment in state veterans cemeteries to include more members of the reserve components of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard. According to the Greenville Sun, under the new law, individuals who served honorably in those components for at least eight cumulative years or who were called to service under state orders, regardless of length of service, will be eligible for burial at no cost. The law preserves eligibility for veterans who already qualify under federal standards and maintains federal requirements governing the eligibility of spouses and dependents. It also prohibits implementation in any way that would jeopardize federal funding for the construction, expansion or operation of state veterans cemeteries.

The Chattanooga Airport Board of Directors has filed a lawsuit against Tennessee leaders seeking to block a state law that would dissolve the board and replace it with members mostly selected by state officials, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. Under the previous structure, all nine members were appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council. Under the new law, three of the nine members would be selected by local leaders, while the remaining six would be chosen by state officials. The complaint, filed Thursday in Hamilton County Chancery Court, states the legislation “effectively guts and wrests the governance and control” of municipality-created airport authorities in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board also filed a lawsuit against the state earlier this month. 

Free Legal Answers — the pro bono platform that allows clients to post legal questions online and receive answers from volunteer attorneys — is approaching its 10th anniversary and almost 500,000 questions answered. In an article published by the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Memphis lawyer and past TBA President Buck Lewis recaps the Tennessee origins of the platform and how it has expanded to 43 states nationally and several countries internationally. Lewis also highlights new and innovative capabilities, including an AI component, coming to the platform in the near future. Learn more in “Freelegalanswers.com: Then, Now, and Tomorrow” or in an interview Lewis gave to Memphis TV station WMC-TV, and watch for more information coming soon about how the ABA plans to celebrate these milestones.

Tennessee Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti has announced a $7 million settlement with property management company LivCor LLC over allegations that it participated in a scheme that used RealPage’s rent-pricing software and competitors’ confidential data to increase apartment rents. The settlement is part of a bipartisan lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice and nine states against RealPage and several large property managers. Subject to court approval, LivCor has agreed to stop using rent-pricing software that relies on competitors' nonpublic pricing information, cooperate with the states' ongoing case and strengthen its antitrust compliance practices. “Tennessee renters deserve a housing market driven by competition—not by secret agreements and shady algorithms that raise prices for everyday families,” said Skrmetti. Read more in a press release.

The Nashville School of Law (NSL) honored two distinguished members at its Annual Recognition Dinner on June 5. Professor Kimberley Reed-Bracey Johnson received the Faculty Honoree Award for her dual legacy as an inspiring teacher and humanitarian, having taken over 50 mission trips to Haiti, establishing a school there and helping two Haitian brothers relocate to the U.S. for greater opportunities. Alumni Honoree Tim Ishii was recognized for his remarkable resilience. After a training injury left him paralyzed from the chest down, he earned his law degree and built a distinguished career as a trial and appellate attorney, becoming known as much for his character and compassion as his legal skill, according to the school. Read more and see photos from the event.