A Senate panel signed off Wednesday on a bill that would create an advisory task force to oversee fantasy sports websites, such as FanDuel and Draft Kings. The two major fantasy sports companies were accused last year of insider trading. The proposed nine-member force would be able to recommend any necessary statutory revisions to the state’s consumer protection laws, The Tennessean reports. The bill, presented by Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, now heads to the the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.

Nashville Scene shares highlights from one stop on Defend Nashville’s listening tour, part of a new initiative from the Metro Nashville Public Defenders Office to make defenders a more public part of the criminal justice reform debate. The majority of the discussion held at The Temple focuses on the overwhelming caseload carried by the office. "I think where I am at right now is let’s, number one, maybe not talk about asking for public defenders right now, but let’s see if there’s any way that we can not bring those individuals into the criminal justice system," said Dawn Deaner, Metro Nashville public defender. 

Two University of Tennessee football players – Von Pearson and Alexis Johnson – have been added to a federal sexual assault lawsuit filed against the university, WATE reports. The amendment to the suit includes the addition of two more “Jane Does” as plaintiffs and accusations that head coach Butch Jones called former team member Drae Bowles a “traitor” for helping a sexual assault victim.

Assistant District Attorney Stephen Jones told the Board of Professional Responsibility that he did not intentionally withhold information from an attorney during a 2009 murder trial and that his actions do not warrant punishment from the Board. Jones claimed he unintentionally failed to give a statement from a key witness to the defense attorney in the trial of convicted murderer Noura Jackson. The state Supreme Court ordered a new trial due to the oversight. The Memphis Flyer reports Brian Faughnan, attorney for Jones, laid out 12 arguments against the pending punishment, including that Jones’ health was impacted by the complicated nature of the case. The BPR is also seeking a censure of Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich for the incident.

Petitioner, Charles Everett Lowe-Kelley, appeals the denial of his petition for post- conviction relief, arguing that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. He also argues that his consecutive life sentences violate Miller v. Alabama, 132 S. Ct. 2455, 2469 (2012). We conclude that Petitioner has not proven that he received ineffective assistance of counsel and that his effective sentence does not violate Miller. Accordingly, the decision of the post-conviction court is affirmed.

Defendant, John W. Smith, appeals the trial court?s denial of his motion for correction of an illegal sentence under Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure Rule 36.1. Because Defendant has failed to state a colorable claim for relief, we affirm the dismissal of the motion.

The Washington Post reports President Barack Obama is considering Brian Sandoval, the centrist Republican governor of Nevada, as his pick to replace Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on the nation’s High Court. The review process is in its initial phases and White House press secretary Josh Earnest has not commented on the consideration of Sandoval, a former federal judge.

The Tennessee Supreme Court appointed TBA President Bill Harbison to serve another three-year term on the Board of Law Examiners. The term began the first of year and will expire Dec. 31, 2018. The Court also announced additional appointments to the Board of Law Examiners, along with appointments to the Advisory Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure, TN Lawyer's Fund for Client Protection, Board of Professional Responsibility and CLE Commission. The state Supreme Court last month announced appointments to the Access to Justice Commission. The Court yesterday also announced newly-appointed Justice Roger A. Page will serve as the Circuit Justice for 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 31st Judicial Districts. 

A House subcommittee today unanimously approved a bill that would reduce the punishment for those found guilty of carrying a small amount of drugs. The bill would make three or more convictions for simple possession of any drug a misdemeanor, The Tennessean reports. The bill now heads to the full House Finance, Ways and Means Committee.

The Senate passed SB2403 by Sen. Doug Overbey, R-Maryville, authorizing the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health to implement a state-wide collaborative pharmacy agreement specific to opioid antagonist therapy. The agreement would apply to any pharmacist licensed and practicing in the state. Tennessee leads in the number of prescription painkillers per person, and saw a record number of deaths from opioid overdoses in 2014, according to The Tennessean. The companion bill will be heard on the House floor tomorrow.