The number of Nashvillians killed, assaulted or robbed dropped sharply in 2025. Violent offenses were down nearly 14% from 2024, while reports of property crime fell by nearly 12%, the Nashville Banner reports. In some categories of serious crime, rates declined to their lowest levels in a decade or more. Nashville ended the year with 74 recorded homicides, nearly 28% fewer than in 2024, marking a reversal after five consecutive years with more than 100 homicides. The city also saw 35% fewer gunshot victims, and overall violent crime dropped to its lowest level since 2013. Police recorded 866 robberies, the fewest since 1969 and a nearly 26% decrease from 2024, while burglaries fell more than 13%, making 2025 a historic low year for that category as well.

A new report from Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower finds that most students using Education Savings Account (ESA) vouchers are leaving average or high-performing public schools rather than the lowest-performing ones, and overall are underperforming public school peers in both achievement and growth. The review also found that the state education department lacks clear standards for evaluating and removing low-performing private schools from the program, and did not adequately market ESAs to low-income families as required by law. In addition, despite high parent satisfaction and some score improvements over time, the program has been underused. Lawmakers are expected to consider proposals to expand the program when the legislature reconvenes. Chalkbeat has more on the comptroller's report.

Spencer Fane, which has offices in Nashville and Hendersonville, recently announced it has merged with the Washington, D.C., boutique intellectual property firm Global IP Counselors. More than a dozen patent and trademark attorneys from Global IP Counselors now join Spencer Fane’s Intellectual Property Practice Group in the Washington, D.C., office. Read more in a press release from the firm.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee Chief Judge Sheryl Lipman on Monday swore in 16 military lawyers to assist the U.S. Department of Justice prosecute cases brought by the Memphis Safe Task Force. According to the Commercial Appeal, none of the former Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps attorneys were previously admitted to the Tennessee bar and will work alongside assistant U.S. attorneys as they learn local rules and procedures. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Michael Dunavant said during the ceremony that the JAG attorneys primarily will work on violent criminal cases, with some also working on gun offense cases. He later announced that 20 military lawyers have joined the effort. Lipman said she was grateful for the assistance because the "caseload has exploded," stating that, compared to each respective month in 2024, cases were up 90% in September 2025, 338% in October 2025 and 325% in November 2025.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has named Jerri Green, his deputy chief of staff, as the county’s interim chief public defender. Phyllis Aluko, the current chief public defender, will retire at the end of January. The Daily Memphian reports that Green will begin transitioning to the new role on Jan. 12. Green holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and worked in the public defender’s office in 2009 and 2010. She currently serves on the Memphis City Council and is a Democratic candidate for governor. In a statement Green said, “My passion has always been public service, and I carry the lessons I’ve learned from Washington D.C. to Nashville to Shelby County, and everywhere in between, as I work to ensure fairness, dignity, and strong representation for every client we serve.”

Several high-profile court cases affecting Memphis are expected to be considered in 2026. These include ongoing federal litigation stemming from the death of Tyré Nichols, a lawsuit challenging Gov. Bill Lee’s authority to deploy the National Guard, and a legal battle between the city and the Memphis Police Association. While major criminal cases involving the murder of Eliza Fletcher and Young Dolph concluded in 2025, aspects of the Nichols case remain unresolved in federal court as does a civil lawsuit seeking more than $500 million in damages. Separately, officials are appealing a ruling over the legality of the National Guard’s deployment in Memphis, a case that could set precedent on executive power in Tennessee. And the city’s dispute with the police association over union authority and contract issues continues to move through the courts. The Commercial Appeal looks at next steps in these cases.

Part of a new law that took effect Jan. 1, requires different identification and driver licenses for legal permanent residents of Tennessee who are not U.S. citizens. Lawmakers who passed the measure during a special legislative session last January said the change is intended to make it easier to determine voter eligibility and prevent noncitizens from voting. Advocates and some lawmakers have raised concerns that the law could affect access to public education and enrollment. WKRN has more on the issue.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has announced the promotion of an existing staff member and the hiring of a new staff member to bolster the office's communications team. Kaki Carrigan, currently serving as deputy chief of staff, has been promoted to chief communications officer. In her expanded role, she will lead the office's communications team and direct both internal and external communications strategies. She will continue to serve as deputy chief of staff. In addition, Phil Buehler has been named press secretary. He will serve as the primary spokesperson for the office and manage day-to-day media relations. Read more about the moves in a news release.

The TBA is hiring for two positions: Data & Systems Specialist and Executive Assistant. Those interested in either job should send a cover letter explaining interest in the position and a resume by email to Human Resources & Administrative Coordinator Tanja Trezise. The Data & Systems Specialist will support the TBA’s daily operations by managing and optimizing the organization’s core platforms, including the association management system, learning management system, bulk email platform and website. This role ensures data accuracy, maintains functional system workflows, builds and updates website pages, and provides consistent support to staff who rely on these systems. The Executive Assistant serves as a trusted administrative and strategic partner to the Executive Director, supporting TBA’s leadership, governance processes and organizational operations. The position manages executive workflows, coordinates high-level communications, prepares critical documentation, and ensures the Executive Director’s work is well-organized, informed, and aligned with the association’s mission and strategic goals. Learn more about both of these positions on the TBA’s career webpage.

Nearly nine in 10 immigration-related arrests made by Memphis Safe Task Force officers began with traffic stops and were not tied to underlying violent crimes, The Daily Memphian reports. New data show the task force, which launched in Memphis on Sept. 29, made at least 662 “administrative” arrests — its internal term for immigration-related cases — over a 65-day period. Of those arrests, 580 were initiated through traffic stops, while the remainder stemmed from warrants, targeted operations or pedestrian encounters. As of the most recent report on Dec. 8, 2025, the task force had made 3,774 total arrests since it began, 650 of which were administrative in nature. In related news, President Donald Trump said on Saturday that crime in Memphis has dropped by 77% as a result of the Memphis Safe Task Force, according to the paper.