The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) is asking organizations to join TIRRC and the ACLU in sending a letter to Gov. Bill Haslam in support of resettlement programs. "Tennessee and the United States have a critical and historic role to play in our current global refugee crisis, the largest displacement of people since World War II," TIRRC writes in its letter to the governor. Haslam announced yesterday he is asking the federal government to suspend the placement of Syrian refugees in Tennessee. The Republican governor also announced, according to the Murfreesboro Post, that the state’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security has been working with the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security and sharing information since the attacks in Paris on Friday.

University of Tennessee’s Faculty Senate voted unanimously Monday to condemn Gov. Bill Haslam’s proposed privatization plan based upon current information, The Daily Beacon reports. “There has been no evidence provided to support the benefits to campus life of any significant cost savings of further outsourcing the facility and management services,” read the resolution in part.

Tennessee Senate Caucus Chair Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, is considering a bill to find out the cost of refugee resettlement in Tennessee, WATE reports. Ketron would look at the cost of teachers for immigrants who do not speak English and state benefits for those eligible such as TennCare. Meanwhile, Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, wants the chamber’s State and Local Government Committee to hold hearings with the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and other groups to learn more about safeguards in place during resettlement. In the last year, 35 Syrians relocated to Tennessee, according to the Refugee Processing Center.

Chattanooga City Attorney Wade Hinton and Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher will attend the Chattanooga Hamilton County NAACP General Membership Meeting today at 6 p.m. at their branch office. "We are asking all our members and supporters to join our Ban the Box and Criminal Justice Reform Campaign," officials said in The Chattanoogan. The office is located at 756 E. MLK Blvd.

Two former Madison County Criminal Justice Complex nurses – Ovester Powell and Chloe Mercer – filed a lawsuit saying the county owes them unpaid “straight and overtime” compensation, The Jackson Sun reports. Powell and Mercer both worked in various county detention facilities, including the jail.

The Associated Press reports new trial dates have been set for ex-Vols football players A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams, who are facing aggravated rape charges. Williams’ trial has been moved to June 27; Johnson’s trial was moved to July 18. Knox County Criminal Court Judge Bob McGee said defense lawyers can still try to obtain social media communications from witnesses and the victim through the service providers. 

Former magistrate judge Elizabeth Gentzler filed a $500,000 lawsuit against Hamilton County and members of the Juvenile Court, The Times Free Press reports. Gentzler, whose employment was terminated in September 2014, claims Judge Rob Philyaw and administrator Sam Mairs created a hostile environment for her by making homophobic jokes and transferring her without warning to Child Support Court.

WREG reports Shelby County Judge Carolyn Blackett is taking a leave of absence. Blackett, who was asked by Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich to recuse herself from all cases, said she is taking the leave because her daughter is about to give birth and because of a personal matter. Weirich said she tabled her motion after hearing Blackett was taking a leave of absence. 

Gov. Bill Haslam says he is asking the federal government to “suspend” the placement of Syrian refugees in Tennessee, The Times Free Press reports. "We are currently working to get specifics from the U.S. Department of State on the status of any Syrian refugees currently slated to come to Tennessee," Haslam said in a statement issued following Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, and House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, request to block placements of Syrian refugees in Tennessee. However, USA Today reports governors have little power to stop refugees from entering states.

The Chattanooga Bar Association (CBA) invites its members to “An Evening with the Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society and the Tennessee Supreme Court” on Nov. 18 from 6-8 p.m. EST at the Hunter Museum in Chattanooga. CBA is hosting the event along with the Chattanooga Bar Foundation and the Brock/Cooper American Inn of Court. Please RSVP to CBA Executive Director Lynda Hood at 423-602-9429.