Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Students for Fair Admissions Inc. filed an anti-discrimination lawsuit today against the U.S. Department of Education and its Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) program. The lawsuit challenges the program’s eligibility criteria, which limits access to federal funding for needy students to colleges and universities where at least 25% of the undergraduate full-time equivalent student body is Hispanic. The plaintiffs argue that HSI program’s requirement is unconstitutional and are asking the court to strike down the enrollment-based limitation on access to grants.

Ozone pollution levels in Memphis and surrounding areas have exceeded national health standards for the past two years, prompting environmental groups to petition the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for stricter regulatory enforcement. The Southern Environmental Law Center and local partners argue that local and state agencies have failed to adequately reduce emissions, leaving vulnerable communities — particularly in South Memphis — exposed to harmful air quality. The Tennessee Lookout reports that four out of five regional air monitors now exceed federal ozone limits, but South Memphis still lacks a monitor despite its industrial growth and historical pollution concerns. The EPA is being urged to formally recognize the region’s noncompliance, which could lead to tougher permit requirements for polluting facilities.

Joshua J. Smith, a Knoxville businessman and prison reform advocate pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2021, has been appointed deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons — the first formerly incarcerated person to hold such a leadership role. Smith served five years in prison for federal drug convictions and went on to become a successful entrepreneur and founder of the Fourth Purpose Foundation, which focuses on prison reform. The Tennessean reports that his appointment has been praised for bringing a unique perspective shaped by lived experience, with priorities including supporting correctional staff and improving reentry programs. Gov. Bill Lee named Smith to the Tennessee Criminal Justice Investment Task Force in 2019, supported Smith’s pardon and expressed confidence in his ability to serve the nation effectively.

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A riot broke out Sunday at the CoreCivic-run Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility in Hartsville, renewing calls for an overhaul of prison leadership. Axios Nashville reports that a "large group of inmates from several housing units" got out of their cells and into part of the prison yard. The inmates started fires and tried to damage security camera and other property. One guard reportedly was attacked during the incident, and was treated and released at an area hospital, according to the facility. Three inmates were also treated for injuries. Among those calling for reforms are Trousdale County District Attorney Jason Lawson, who issued a statement obtained by WSMV, and state Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, who commented in a Facebook post. In 2024, the U.S. Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation into conditions at the facility. Earlier this month, an inmate sued prison officials alleging that they allowed gang members to repeatedly assault and extort him. In April, a former Tennessee state trooper sued CoreCivic after he was allegedly beaten by a cellmate at the facility. The Associated Press reports that a Kansas facility is also facing criticism.

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has provided a notice of intent to release a request for proposal (RFP) for a statewide court case management system and efiling solution for all of the state’s trial courts. According to the AOC, this initiative is a critical element of its strategic vision to modernize court technology and enhance data accessibility across the state's judicial system. The notice, which can be found here, provides early awareness of the RFP to "support broad and fair competition for this procurement and to allow vendors, including those who may desire to partner, adequate time to respond." Interested vendors are encouraged to monitor this link for the full RFP document and submission details, which is expected to be released in July.

A Tennessee law that requires some convicted felons to provide documentation proving they are eligible to vote can stand for now, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has said. The court found that the NAACP did not prove it had standing to bring the suit, Bloomberg Law reports. The group had argued that a state rule requiring some felons to file additional records with their voter registration form violated the National Voter Registration Act. The district court had agreed and blocked the policy. The appellate decision reversed that ruling and remanded the case for proceedings consistent with its opinion. Read the opinion.

A Chattanooga attorney pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to sexually exploiting a 14-year-old Pennsylvania girl. Patrick Bryant Hawley, 43, coerced the girl into engaging in sexually explicit acts for the purpose of producing images and videos from September to November 2024, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. The move comes after Hawley reached a plea deal that includes registering as a sex offender. The charge carries a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. Prosecutors dismissed six other criminal counts involving animal crushing, coercion, enticement and child pornography. Hawley was temporarily suspended from the practice of law in November 2024.

The Rutherford County Library Board has reversed its decision to ban books on transgender topics, according to the Daily News Journal. The change comes after board members were counseled they likely would lose any First Amendment-based legal challenges. Board member Cody York, who had presented the ban as a way of protecting children, said he will make it a priority to craft new policies on the issue when he assumes the board chair position next month. In 2023, the board voted to remove four young adult books. The Rutherford County Board of Education also has taken action against certain books in 2024 and 2025.

The University of Tennessee Winston College of Law has announced the appointment of Joan Heminway as director of the Clayton Center for Entrepreneurial Law, effective Aug. 1. Founded in 1995, the center was created to strengthen business law education the law school. Currently the Rick Rose Distinguished Professor of Law, Heminway joined the law school faculty in 2000 and has been closely involved with the center’s growth and success, according to a release from the school. She replaces George Kuney, who served in the role for 24 years and retired in 2024, and associate professor of law Brian Krumm, who served as interim director. KnoxTNToday has the story.