Metro Nashville says it will audit its Arts Commission after reports that millions of dollars in operating grants, which should have been distributed to local arts nonprofits, have failed to materialize. The Nashville Banner reports that according to Metro Arts’ own published guidelines, 75 nonprofit organizations with annual revenue ranging from less than $25,000 to upwards of $3 million were slated to receive $3.8 million in grants by Nov. 1. Arts Commission Executive Director Daniel Singh has not publicly given an explanation as to the reason for the delay.

Former Tennessee State Architect Mike Fitts died Nov. 23 at age 88. A graduate of the University of Tennessee Knoxville School of Engineering, the University of Tennessee School of Architecture and the Nashville School of Law, Fitts served as state architect for 39 years. His most noted projects included the Legislative Plaza, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Bicentennial Mall, and restorations at the governor's residence and state capitol. Services will be held Dec. 30 at The Village Church, 7224 Old Burkitt Rd., Nolensville 37013 at 11 a.m. CST with a time of visitation with the family one hour prior to the service. Memorial donations can be made to the scholarship endowment founded in his name at the UT School of Architecture.

The Nashville Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) has announced a transition plan as Executive Director Sara Figal plans to retire in mid-2024 after leading the organization for eight years. NCRC provides free and low-cost mediation to individuals and groups throughout greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee. The Nashville Post reports that under Figal’s leadership, NCRC created a remote mediation program that now serves the courts and communities in 15 counties. Read the full press release from the group.

Eager to get away from it all for an hour (or maybe 12!!)? We see you, friend! Let your family know you need to complete your CLE hours before Dec. 31. View our programs at your convenience on your laptop or mobile device whenever you can sneak away and find some peace on earth with one of our wellness programs! Try our Attorney Wellness Package and earn 5+ hours of CLE or check our individual wellness titles such as Coping Skills that Come From the Ethics Rules, The Positive Psychology Hour and more!

The TBA today announced the selection of 35 attorneys from across the state for its 2024 Leadership Law (TBALL) program. Now in its 21st year, Leadership Law is designed to equip Tennessee lawyers with the vision, knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders in their profession and local communities. The class will meet for its first session in January at Henry Horton and spend the next six months learning about leadership in the legal profession, issues in the courts, policymaking in state government and the importance of community service. Read more about the 2024 class.

Wearing your favorite winter sweater and have hot cocoa in hand? You are ready to enjoy the holiday and don’t want to worry about CLE between shopping and cookie decorating. Our offerings are always weather appropriate and applicable whether you live in the big city or a small town. Get an hour in here or there with our a la carte CLE. Search by topic! And don’t forget to use the three free hours that come with your TBA Membership. Not a member? Join today.

A new Tennessee Bureau of Investigation report released this month shows calls and tips to the TBI's human trafficking hotline have jumped more than 400% since 2016, reports the Tennessean. TBI's human trafficking team received 1,291 hotline tips in 2023, up from 245 in 2016. The 10-page report provides a snapshot of how the TBI is working to address the issue.

State Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, yesterday requested two state bodies launch investigations into the professional behavior of Shelby County District Attorney (DA) Steve Mulroy and Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan, reports the Commercial Appeal. Taylor asked the Board of Professional Responsibility and the Board of Judicial Conduct to look into two cases in which Skahan altered a 162-year sentence for nonviolent offenses and changed a death penalty sentence to life in prison. Taylor told the paper that the judge and the DA had no authority to “collude to get a predetermined outcome to a hearing.”

Tennessee’s prison population is growing faster than the majority of states, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Justice, WKRN reports. The report found Tennessee saw almost an 8% increase in incarcerated people, adding 1,740 more individuals into state prisons. The only states with a higher percent increase were Colorado, Mississippi and Montana. Nashville criminal defense attorney David Raybin called the rise “alarming" noting it is likely due to the “Truth in Sentencing” bill enacted in 2022 requiring violent offenders to serve their full sentence.

Secretary of State Tre Hargett on Tuesday certified nine Republicans and one Democratic presidential candidate for the “Super Tuesday” presidential primary and county primary elections to be held March 5, 2024. On Super Tuesday, 15 other states will join Tennessee in helping decide each party’s presidential nominee. Presidential primary candidates have until Dec. 12 at noon to withdraw their name from the ballot. Early voting will run from Feb. 14-27. Read the full list of nominees as reported by the Chattanoogan.