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.

DAVIS, Circuit Judge. Irene Michelle Fike appeals from the district court’s restitution award to the victim that Fike defrauded. She asks that we vacate the district court’s inclusion of prejudgment interest in that award. Fike argues that the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act of 1996, 18 U.S.C. § 3663A, does not permit courts to add interest as part of an award compensating a victim’s losses, and what’s more, the district court did not have a sufficient basis for calculating the interest awarded here. Because the district court did not abuse its discretion, we affirm.

A bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee, aims to increase transparency at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by requiring nearly all board and committee meetings to be public, with at least one week’s notice. The legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support, would amend the TVA Act of 1933 and includes exceptions for emergencies and sensitive competitive information. Burchett argues the change is necessary to restore public trust, while TVA maintains it already meets transparency standards and welcomes further input. The Chattanooga Times Free Press has the story. The Trump administration fired one TVA board member in March and fired the TVA chair in April.

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.

Renew your TBA membership online today to avoid receiving the final print membership dues statement. Attorneys not participating in the TBA's firm billing program can log in and renew through their MyTBA dashboard. Questions about member benefits? Reach out to membership@tnbar.org.

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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.

Tennessee Republican Rep. Mark Green on Monday announced that he would resign his position in Congress after a final passage vote on the party's "Big, Beautiful Bill." Green said he was leaving for a position in the private sector that "was too exciting to pass up." The Hill reports that Green's decision to stay until the House gives the GOP’s tax cuts and spending package a final stamp of approval is a relief for Republican leadership, who are contending with a razor-thin majority and passed the same bill by a single vote last month. This is the second time Green has announced his resignation from Congress. His departure will open a seat on the House Homeland Security Committee. Green represents Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Davidson, Montgomery and Williamson counties.

Retired Nashville attorney Dot Dobbins, age 77, died Monday after being struck by a vehicle while walking her dog in Nashville's Germantown neighborhood. Dobbins, a leader in the legal aid and family law communities, practiced law for over 40 years. She began working at the Legal Aid Society (LAS) as a law clerk while at Vanderbilt Law School. After graduation, she stayed on at LAS, practicing at the Matthew Walker Health Center office in North Nashville. According to a Facebook post from LAS, while in law school, Dobbins helped start a women’s center at Scarritt-Bennett and joined the YWCA Board where she helped to raise awareness of domestic violence, including playing a foundational role in opening Nashville’s first domestic violence shelter through the YWCA. She wrote the first order of protection legislation for Tennessee and worked with the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) to get the legislation passed. When LAS founder and former Executive Director Ashley Wiltshire created the Nashville Family Law Unit, Dobbins became its lead attorney, a position she held for 11 years before leaving LAS to become general counsel for the Tennessee Department of Human Services. Prior to retiring, Dobbins practiced family law, including collaborative divorce. Dobbins was featured in a May 2021 video interview as part of the Nashville Bar Association's Historical Committee. Service information is pending.