Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett has referred 42 possible non-U.S. citizens to the FBI for investigation into potential illegal voting. The group represents about 0.0001% of the state’s 4.3 million registered voters. According to the Tennessee Lookout, Hargett credited President Donald Trump for improving access to the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, which Tennessee uses to verify voter citizenship. In a letter posted on Facebook, Hargett thanked Trump for his administration’s collaboration. The Lookout reports that the Brennan Center for Justice has argued that information from SAVE is sometimes incomplete or old. It also has warned that expanding the amount of information accessible through SAVE could increase the risk of states erroneously purging eligible voters from their rolls.

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) will award grants to support the delivery of civil legal services to eligible low-income individuals in the state in 2026. Recipients will be announced in December. As part of the 2026 grants process, the LSC has  published a notice of intent to award grants and is allowing 30 days for public comment. The comment period will close Dec. 1. The list of potential awardees — including three organizations in Tennessee — can be viewed online. Questions should be directed to Christine Williams at 202-295-1602.

The Trump administration said it plans to partially fund food aid for millions of Americans after two federal judges ruled it must use contingency funds to pay November benefits during the government shutdown, Reuters reports. The administration outlined plans in a filing with U.S. District Judge John McConnell, who last week ordered the agency to use emergency funds to at least partially cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The U.S. Department of Justice said the USDA is complying with McConnell’s order and “will fulfill its obligation to expend the full amount of SNAP contingency funds today.” The administration said $600 million will cover states’ administrative costs, leaving $4.65 billion to fund 50% of eligible households’ current allotments. It also will look at tapping a separate $23 billion fund.

Two more inmates have died at the Shelby County Jail bringing the number of deaths at the facility to at least nine this year and more than 60 since 2019. The first inmate died on Oct. 30 and was identified as 24-year-old Dalton Goddard, who was arrested by a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper on Oct. 19 after a traffic stop for speeding. He was charged with several drug offenses, the Daily Memphian reports. An autopsy is being performed to determine the cause and manner of death. Additionally, another death at the jail was confirmed by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in an email this afternoon. A TBI spokesperson identified the inmate as 40-year-old Antonio First, who was convicted in 2024 on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse. First’s cause of death is still unknown but a TBI spokesperson said no foul play is suspected.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and law firm Gibson Dunn have launched the ADL Legal Action Network, a nationwide coalition law firms offering free legal assistance to victims of antisemitism. The initiative comes in response to rising antisemitic violence and harassment across the U.S, according to a release. With engagement from more than 40 law firms across the country, comprising 39,000 attorneys across 35 states, the network connects victims with attorneys through an online portal that uses AI technology to triage and route cases. Victims of antisemitic discrimination, vandalism or violence can submit reports for evaluation by a team of lawyers. The program builds on ADL’s growing litigation work and its campus-focused helpline, expanding access to pro bono legal support nationwide amid a surge of anti-Jewish incidents.

The DeKalb County Commission voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the county to apply for a Historic Development Grant of up to $500,000 through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), funding established for restoring and revitalizing some of the state’s most historic buildings. According to the Herald-Citizen, if approved, the grant would primarily fund preservation and renovation of the DeKalb County Courthouse, which was built in 1970. The County Commission discussed what costs the grant may cover, and decided to continue some of the most needed work, including a current bid to replace the courthouse's HVAC system. If awarded a grant, those funds will be used for other courthouse renovations.

Knox County General Sessions Judge Andrew Jackson VI announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31. Jackson has served Knox County for more than 40 years. Born in Knoxville and raised in Maryville, Jackson earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee (now Winston) College of Law in 1981. Jackson joined the law firm Wortley and Jackson and, in 1985, entered the Knox County District Attorney (DA) General's Office, where he served until his election to the bench in 2006. He has been re-elected twice. When asked about his decision to retire, Jackson said, “It has been my honor and privilege to serve the people of Knox County. I am grateful for the support I have received during my time as an assistant DA and as judge. I feel that now is the time to step down for the next generation of judges. Now I wish to spend time traveling with my wife and pursuing woodworking and photography,” Jackson said in a release. A retirement reception for Jackson will be held Dec. 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. CST in the City-County Building Small Assembly Room.

Fourteen years after a viral Facebook page turned Knoxville attorney Stephen A. Burroughs into a local meme legend, the story of “Swagfest” remains an East Tennessee iconic internet moment, Knox News reports. It began in 2011, when University of Tennessee freshman Ryan Clark created a page filled with memes featuring Burroughs’ billboard photo and exaggerated captions like “King of Knoxville; My Palace Is the Sunsphere.” After Burroughs promised a party if the page hit 10,000 likes, thousands gathered at the Sunsphere and Knoxville Convention Center for the free Swagfest, where Burroughs arrived in a Hummer limousine, handed out prizes and urged donations to United Way. What started as a college meme evolved into a real-world celebration of viral fame long before influencers and internet culture became mainstream. "What's unique is that everyone knew who he was, but they didn't know him, now, it's like they're friends with him. You cannot buy that advertisement," Internet Marketing Expert Group CEO Justin Jones told the news outlet.

An assistant professor at the University of Tennessee (UT) at Knoxville is suing the university for suspending her over a social media comment she made criticizing political activist Charlie Kirk after he was assassinated. Tamar Shirinian filed the complaint Oct. 29 in federal court, naming the university, Chancellor Donde Plowman, UT System President Randy Boyd and Faculty Senate President Charles Noble. The suit claims that the officials were under national political pressure to fire her and tried to protect the university against backlash from donors instead of defending her free speech rights under the First Amendment, Knox News reports. Shirinian says her comments were private political speech. She is asking to be allowed back in the classroom and for the university to drop termination proceedings against her. “As a matter of practice, the University of Tennessee System does not comment on pending or active litigation,” a UT System spokesperson told Knox News in response to the suit.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said 225 inmates have been moved to the Penal Farm as overflow pretrial detention to combat overcrowding at 201 Poplar amid a federal law enforcement surge in Memphis, The Commercial Appeal reports. Harris said there were about 80 inmates at the facility in October 2024. “We would like for the Penal Farm to be separate and set aside for federal detainees and for those convicted of state crimes. But, as needed, we are able to flex some beds to take care of some of the overflow,” Harris said during a press conference Oct. 30. Harris declined to comment on the current population of the intake area at the jail but said all male arrestees are booked at 201 Poplar before staying there or being moved to the Penal Farm.