NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 10 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 9, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * '3-Strikes' Bill Fails in Senate Judiciary Committee Legislation championed by Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, to adopt a "three-strikes" system for repeat offenders was defeated in the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. Before voting the bill down, committee members adopted an amendment to substitute the original language of SB2137. The Tennessee Journal reports t more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 10 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 9, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * 2 Tennessee Law Schools Improve U.S. News Rank Vanderbilt University Law School has moved up two spots from 14 to 12 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings released April 7. The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law also rose from 146 in 2025 to 140. Two Tennessee schools slipped slightly. The University of Tennessee Winston College of Law ranked 57 this year (down fr more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 10 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 9, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * 6th Circuit: Federal ERISA Preempts Tennessee PBM Laws The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has delivered a blow to efforts by Tennessee lawmakers and state Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to force companies to open their employee pharmacy benefit manager plans (PMB) to other providers, the Tennessee Journal reports. On April 7, a three-judge panel held that the federal Employee Retireme more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 10 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 9, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * ABA Opinion: Duty to Report Information Related to Judicial Disqualification The American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released a formal opinion on April 8 clarifying the ethical obligations of lawyers who possess information that could lead to a judge's disqualification. Opinion 522 establishes that a lawyer's role as an officer of the c more PR

NEW YORK, April 9 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The American Civil Liberties Union, an organization that works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the U.S., posted the following news release: * * * ACLU Demands DNA Testing That Could Prove Innocence of Tony Carruthers, Man on Tennessee Death Row * MEMPHIS - The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Tennessee filed a motion in the Tennessee Supreme Court today seeking DNA testing that in the case of Tony Carruthers that co more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary on April 9, 2026, by Dennis Hull and Jack Guidi: * * * Georgia Passes Legislation Moving to 3.99% Flat Income Tax, Moving Closer to Zero Republican lawmakers in Atlanta passed legislation last week moving Georgia closer to a 0% income tax, a win for taxpayers and businesses across the state. Thanks to Georgia's adoption of a flat income tax in 2022, every Georgian family and small business will see a tax cut as a result of this year's marquee income tax cut. H more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 10 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 9, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Appeals Court OKs $125M PACER Settlement The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently approved a $125 million settlement resolving claims that the federal judiciary overcharged users of its PACER electronic court records system for downloading documents. The appeals court determined that the settlement, approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in March 2 more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 [Category: Health Care] -- Ascension, a faith-based healthcare organization, posted the following news release: * * * Ascension Saint Thomas physicians warn of rising colorectal cancer cases in younger adults * Physicians with Ascension Saint Thomas are raising concerns about a growing trend across Middle Tennessee and the United States. Younger adults are receiving colorectal cancer diagnoses more often without realizing they are at risk. Colorectal cancer is now the deadliest cancer for Americans younger than 50, acc more PR

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, April 9 -- Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Griffin Announces Two Arrests and One Conviction Made by His Medicaid Fraud Control Unit * Griffin: 'When individuals commit Medicaid fraud, they take advantage of a system designed to serve vulnerable Arkansans. That kind of conduct will be investigated and prosecuted' LITTLE ROCK - Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement announcing two arrests and one conviction for Medicaid fraud: "On M more PR

CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee, April 9 -- Austin Peay State University posted the following news: * * * Austin Peay invites community to 'Plant the Campus Red' on April 23 * Volunteers meet at the Morgan University Center Plaza to brighten up APSU during Plant the Campus Red 2025. | Photo by Robyn Jacobs CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University is inviting the community to continue one of its longest-running traditions when Plant the Campus Red returns at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. Volunteers will plant 4,000 flowers and new tre more PR

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, April 10 [Category: BizBizHospital] -- Baptist Memorial Health Care posted the following news release: * * * Baptist Art of Caring returns to Shelby Farms * The Mid-South is in full-bloom, and spring's arrival marks the perfect time to join Baptist for a lively lakeside soiree to support a vital community resource. Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation is gearing up for the 2026 Art of Caring auction, benefiting the Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief. It's slated for Thursday, April 16, 6-8:30 p.m., at the F more PR

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, April 9 [Category: BizBizHospital] -- Baptist Memorial Health Care posted the following news release: * * * Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation to host 2026 Art of Caring * WHAT: Baptist Memorial Health Care will host the 27th Art of Caring, benefiting the Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief. The event will include live music, food, a photo booth and the opportunity to create personal works of art. An online auction featuring original works of art by local and regional artists will open on April 9 and close d more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Blackburn, Rosen Introduce Bipartisan and Bicameral Legislation to Support & Expand Cybersecurity Apprenticeships * NASHVILLE, Tenn. - U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced bipartisan and bicameral legislation to support and expand cybersecurity apprenticeships. The Cyber Ready Workforce Act directs the U.S. Department of Labor to establish a grant program to support the creation, implementation, and exp more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * Blumenthal, Takano & Colleagues Blast VA Secretary for Ignoring Authority to Help Recruit & Retain Doctors * [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and House Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) are demanding Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins utilize an existing authority to pay certain doctors above the Department's $400,000 salary more PR

SACRAMENTO, California, April 10 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on April 9, 2026: * * * California's economy leads again, grows another 5% in 2025 to record $4.25 trillion GDP What you need to know: California's economy continues to dominate, growing 5% to reach a record nominal GDP of $4.25 trillion in 2025. California outperformed every other state in the nation -- continuing a 16-year growth streak, growing faster than the second-largest state, Texas, in 2025. * California continues to outperform e more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 10 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on APRIL 9, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Chapman Suspends Campaign for 3rd District Judge Morristown attorney Aaron Chapman is suspending his campaign for 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court judge and withdrawing from the appointment process to fill the seat in the interim, the Citizen Tribune reports. Chapman qualified to run in the Aug. 6 Republican primary to replace Judge William Erwin Phillips II of Rogersville, who was appointe more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Cohen Introduces Volume II Transparency Act * Public deserves to see evidence of Trump's obstruction in classified documents case WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today introduced the Volume II Transparency Act, requiring disclosure of Volume II of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on the classified documents retained by Donald Trump that a federal judge in Florida has sealed. more PR

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, April 10 -- The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences issued the following news release: * * * Dorothy Snider Foundation Awards $110,000 Grant to UAMS College of Medicine for Scholarships The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine received a $110,000 grant from the Dorothy Snider Foundation, a fund managed by the Memphis Medical Society, for student scholarships. "This is an exciting development in our efforts to generate more scholarships, and the effects will be life-changing fo more PR

CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee, April 9 -- Austin Peay State University posted the following news: * * * Dr. Robert Baron named associate dean for APSU's College of Arts and Letters * CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -Austin Peay State University's College of Arts & Letters has named Dr. Robert Baron as associate dean, starting Aug. 1. Baron, a professor of communication and former department chair, has spent over a decade building programs and partnerships at Austin Peay. Since arriving in 2012, he has grown the university's footprint in social and digital me more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 9 -- Vanderbilt University posted the following news release: * * * Finding the person I want to be: Heartfelt reflections from graduate and professional students * Choosing to pursue a graduate degree is a life-changing endeavor-professionally and personally. In honor of Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week, we asked graduate and professional students to share what they've learned about themselves and the person they've become while at Vanderbilt. Jon Bergamo, MBA candidate Owen Graduate Schoo more PR

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, April 9 -- East Tennessee State University posted the following news: * * * Great Lecture Series to honor Dr. Randy Wykoff * ETSU will host a Great Lecture Series event on April 24 featuring public health leader Dr. Randy Wykoff, highlighting his legacy and impact on public health in Appalachia. East Tennessee State University will host a special installment of its Great Lecture Series featuring Dr. Randy Wykoff, whose distinguished career has helped shape public health education and outreach across the region and more PR

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, April 9 -- East Tennessee State University posted the following news: * * * How Nancy Lazo shows up intentionally * For Nancy Lazo, going to college was something she excitedly looked forward to for most of her life. "In middle school, I would always say I was ready to go to college. Despite being told to slow down and enjoy life by teachers, that excitement never went away," said the Murfreesboro native. Finding the Robertson Center She started her ETSU journey with the Roan Scholars Leadership Program class  more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 10 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 9, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * NBA Releases Poll Results for 2026 Judicial Races The Nashville Bar Association (NBA) recently released the results of a member poll for candidates running this year for judicial seats in Davidson County. Members evaluated three candidates for Criminal Court Division III, three candidates for Circuit Court Division III and two candidates for General Sessions Court Division VI. The group repo more PR

OAK RIDGE, Tennessee, April 9 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory issued the following news release: * * * New ORNL electrolyte lets the ions flow * Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have uncovered a path to design superionic polymer electrolytes for solid-state batteries and other energy applications that could help ensure a future of abundant and reliable energy for the United States. The scientists demonstrated that by carefully controlling the chemical composition of a l more PR

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, April 9 -- Pennsylvania State University posted the following news: * * * Piazza Center releases hazing prevention report * UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -Penn State's Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research has issued a new policy and practice report, titled the " Charge for Change: Building Safer Campuses Now with Research-Informed Hazing Prevention." The report provides high-impact, data-informed policies and evidence-based prevention strategies in response to the Stop All Campus Hazing Act - more PR

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, April 10 -- The Southern Environmental Law Center posted the following news release: * * * Safety, drinking water sources at risk as Trump administration caves to coal ash polluters Proposal eliminates protections against coal ash fought for by southern communities after contaminated water and disastrous spills * CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--Granting the wishes of politically powerful polluters, the Trump administration issued a proposed rule to eliminate common-sense, nationwide minimum safeguards that protect clean water more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 10 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 9, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Spencer Fane to Merge With Southwest Law Firm Spencer Fane, which has offices in Hendersonville and Nashville, will merge with the Southwest firm Conner & Winters, according to a news release from the firm. The deal will expand the firm by 75 lawyers and add offices in Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas. The firm says the move reflects industry trends in which clients are looking for larger firm more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following news release: * * * Statistical Summary of 12-Month Campaign Activity of the 2025-2026 Election Cycle * Congressional candidates collected approximately $1.5 billion and disbursed $851.9 million, political parties received $834.1 million and spent $664 million, and political action committees (PACs) raised $4.6 billion and spent $3.4 billion, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission that cover activity from January 1, 2025 thr more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, issued the following news release on April 9, 2026: * * * Burchett Announces Roundtable to Review IRS Operations Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) Chairman Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) today announced a roundtable titled "The IRS Under Audit: A Review of Operations at the Nation's Tax Collector." During the roundtable, members will examine the Internal Revenue Se more PR

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 10 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on April 9, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * Supreme Court Blocks Expanded Media Access to Executions The Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily blocked a lower court's order allowing media to view more parts of state-run executions, the Associated Press reports. In January, a Nashville chancellor issued an injunction favoring a coalition of news organizations suing for greater access to execution proceedings. The high court' more PR

COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, April 9 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release: * * * Tennessee Tech to host statewide AI conference focused on turning research into real-world impact * Tennessee Tech University will host a statewide gathering of leaders in artificial intelligence this spring, bringing together experts from academia, industry and government for a day focused on accelerating innovation and economic growth. The conference, titled "From Lab to Market: Accelerating AI Innovation," will be held May 19,  more PR

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, April 9 -- The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture issued the following news release: * * * TSUAg and UTIA Collaborate to Enhance Tennessee Agriculture and Forestry * Joint research efforts offer potential support for Tennessee producers and industry NASHVILLE, Tenn. -The Tennessee State University College of Agriculture (TSUAg) and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) have launched a joint seed funding program to support collaborative research projects focused on some of agricultu more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The U.S. International Trade Commission issued the following news release: * * * USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Over-the-Counter Topical Lidocaine Patches * News Release 25-057 Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1498 Contact: Claire Huber, 202-205-1819 The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain over-the-counter topical lidocaine patches. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission's notice of investigation.  more PR

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, April 9 -- The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture issued the following news release: * * * UTIA Researchers Focus on Cattle Genetics, Rumen Cells and Microbes to Improve Feed Efficiency * NIFA awards five-year grant to animal science faculty KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Beef production depends heavily on how efficiently cattle convert feed into energy. By winning a federal award, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture researchers are studying this process at the genetic, cellular and microbial levels.  more PR

HERNDON, Virginia, April 10 -- Volkswagen Group of America issued the following news release on April 9, 2026: * * * Volkswagen Updates Chattanooga Production Strategy Atlas becomes plant's primary model as U.S. ID.4 assembly concludes * Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant to prioritize launch of all-new Atlas * ID.4 will remain available to customers in the U.S. through current inventory, future models are planned * Volkswagen is exploring pathways for a new vehicle model to be assembled in Chattanooga * Chattanooga, TN -- Volkswagen Group more PR