Circuit Court Judge Michael W. Binkley is defending a request by Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, in which he asked for leniency for a former pastor convicted of child porn possession, The Tennessean reports. Binkley said in a Facebook post that the decision showed “moral courage” and “guts.” The post has since been deleted.

The Daily Times asserts overcrowding issues in big city jails highlighted Tuesday by the Associated Press are plaguing Blount County. The story said small counties are driving up the country's jail population based on incarceration trends from the Vera Institute of Justice. The AP reported U.S. jails now hold nearly 700,000 inmates on any given day, up from 157,000 in 1970.

A Hawkins County Commission meeting on Dec. 21 will decide who will complete the final year of Rep. Mike Harrison's term. Harrison, R-Rogersville, announced his resignation in October. Hawkins County Commissioner Gary Hicks resigned from the commission earlier this month in anticipation of being appointed to succeed Harrison. Hicks has served as Budget Committee chair for the past six years. A new chair will be appointed to his position in February 2016. Read more from the Kingsport Times-News.

A former Clarksville teen was convicted today in Massachusetts of raping and killing his high school teacher, the Associated Press reports. Philip Chism, now 16, was tried as an adult and faces life in prison on the first-degree murder charge. As a juvenile, he cannot by law receive a life sentence without parole. A status hearing is set for Dec. 22 to discuss sentencing.

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey predicts Ted Cruz will win the the Republican nomination for presidency, Nashville Scene reports. While he admits that the race will likely come down to two candidates, Cruz and Donald Trump, Ramsey says he is unsure if the primary season will produce a clear winner. “I could see a case where nobody gets a majority and it goes to a brokered convention for the first time in years. I think that’s a real possibility. It’ll be interesting. I suppose I’ll be there.” 

Who would Justice Stephen Breyer like to have dinner with? The U.S. Supreme Court member sat down with NPR for a chat (the answer in Alexander Hamilton) while promoting his new book, “The Court and the World.” Justice Breyer discusses what he learned from working with Sen. Ted Kennedy and how the justices approach questions in oral arguments. “It's horrible for the poor lawyers! Because we do not think that that half hour, each side, is for them to make their argument,” Justice Breyer said. “We think we know the argument.”

An order from Eight Judicial District Circuit Court Judge John McAfee awarded $33 million to the children of Jean Johnson, a Scott County woman who was murdered by her ex-husband in 2007. Douglas V. Whisnant, who pled guilty to murder charges in 2010, refused to answer questions during a video disposition last month. The refusal resulted in the cancellation of a jury trial in the case, the Independent Herald reports. “We have sent a message that domestic violence will absolutely not be tolerated,” Campbell County attorney Kathy Parrott said.

Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, introduced on Monday legislation to increase the amount of time served for those convicted of especially aggravated burglary. Those convicted of the crime would be ineligible for parole to ensure no less than 85 percent of the sentence is served. “This is when someone breaks into your home and beats you," Kelsey said. "The idea that these violent offenders could be eligible for release after a few years for a crime that will affect his or her victims for the rest of their lives is astounding." Read more from The Chattanoogan.

A new ordinance sponsored by Metro Nashville Councilwoman Burkley Allen would make it illegal for Airbnb and other short-term rental hosts to advertise a rental property for more occupants than is permitted. A violation of the proposed rule would result in a violator’s short-term rental permit getting revoked. “There are now probably somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 [short-term rental properties] in Nashville and I hear very few complaints,” Allen said. “The only complaints I hear are about the large [homes] that are being used for party houses.” Read more from The Tennessean.

The Tennessean reports Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn, earned millions more from investments than he previously disclosed. Corker’s office outlined “technical errors” in a letter sent Friday to the secretary of the Senate. The amended financial disclosures include new sources of income and higher minimum amounts for the potential value of the senator’s income and transactions. “I am extremely disappointed in the filing errors that were made in earlier financial disclosure reports, and after completing a full, third-party review, we have corrected this oversight,” Corker said in a statement.