A federal judge in Texas ruled Friday that the federal DACA program can continue, at least temporarily, the Associated Press reports. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen — who last year declared the DACA program illegal — says the policy, which is set to proceed under new regulations at the end of the month, can continue with limitations he previously set. During a hearing Friday, Hanen ordered government attorneys to provide more information on the new regulations but no timetable was set for future hearings. Last week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Hansen’s decision that the program was illegal but sent the case back to him for further review in light of the new procedures.

After 32 years in private practice and eight years as a prosecutor, Gary Howell is set to retire, according to 22nd Judicial District Attorney Brent Cooper. Howell graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1981 and began practicing law with the Columbia law firm of Jack and Edwards. He opened a solo practice in Columbia in 1987 and moved his office to Mt. Pleasant in 2000. He joined the district attorney’s office in 2014, and served his entire tenure in the Lawrence County office, handling a number of high profile murder cases. “Having prosecuted several cases with Gary on the opposing side certainly made me better as an attorney and a prosecutor," Cooper said in a release. “Because of that, I didn’t hesitate to offer him a job when he asked to close out his career as a prosecutor.” The Daily Herald has more on Howell’s career.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced two new grant programs to support local law enforcement on Friday, Chattanoogan.com reports. The move comes after the recent launch of the $100 million Violent Crime Intervention Fund and continued Proven Crime Prevention investments. The initiative includes $24 million to support basic training and $30 million for recruitment bonuses. Gov. Lee also announced these additional steps to fight crime: funding for 100 additional Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers; increased frequency of training for new recruits; creation of a statewide network of correctional officer training programs; more than $4 million in professional development programs for correctional officers; and more than $25 million for jails to operate crime and recidivism reduction programs.

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has informed County Attorney Rheubin Taylor that he will not be reappointed, Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. In a news release issued late today, Wamp says he came to the decision based on concerns about private legal work Taylor was conducting during business hours, a breach of attorney-client privilege with the mayor's office, and previous admissions from Taylor that his office had “systematically destroyed thousands of documents related to open records requests." In the release Wamp says, "I respect Mr. Taylor and appreciate his service to Hamilton County, however my transition team recommended we pursue a new direction in the County Attorney's office as we seek to increase transparency and accountability in county government."

The Tennessee Board of Law Examiners filed a petition with the Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday to amend Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 6, which governs the admission of attorneys, and Rule 7, which governs the licensing of attorneys. The board said that the proposal reflects changes adopted during the pandemic that “positively impact the licensing and admissions process.” The petition includes a red-line copy of the proposed changes.

Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell has expanded its operations to Martin, Tennessee, and Fulton, Kentucky, with the acquisition of Whitledge & Biehslich. It is the firm’s first foray into Kentucky. With the acquisition, the business and litigation firm now has more than 50 attorneys in seven offices serving clients in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana and Georgia. Read the full release from the firm.

The U.S. Department of Labor proposed a rule this week that would make it more difficult for companies to treat workers as independent contractors, a change that is expected to shake up ride-hailing, delivery and other industries that rely on gig workers, Reuters reports. The proposal is the latest effort by the Biden administration to reverse a Trump-era rule on the issue. In a separate article, Reuters looks at how the rule would affect workers and businesses.

In a “first-of-its-kind” ruling, the Tennessee Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that public housing landlords cannot bar tenants from possessing guns in their residences. The decision came in a case in which the Columbia Housing and Redevelopment Corporation in Maury County evicted tenant Kinsley Braden after discovering he had a gun inside his apartment. The circuit court had sided with the housing corporation, stating that Braden had voluntarily signed away his rights when he agreed to the lease. The appellate court rejected that approach, saying constitutional rights cannot be waived as a condition of housing. Tennessee Lookout has the story.

Some Middle Tennessee families will soon receive assistance to battle addiction and keep children out of foster care, Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. Earlier this week, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse announced a five-year, $3 million program that will provide intensive, in-home crisis intervention, and life skills education to help parents fight addiction and create better home lives for their children. Funding for the program came via a regional partnership grant through the Federal Administration for Children and Families. The program will operate in nine counties: Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marshall and Maury counties.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares met face to face for the first time in their current roles on the state border, WJHL reports. The men visited with local businesses on State Street in Bristol, learning more about the current state of the economy and how businesses are overcoming COVID-19 challenges. Both Republicans, Skrmetti and Miyares have been outspoken about transgender issues, specifically as they relate to laws involving minors. Skrmetti said he looks forward to working with his Virginia counterpart. “We have a lot of common interests and a lot of the work that the AG’s do both on the constitutional cases and on the consumer protection cases,” Skrmetti said.