The trial to decide the constitutionality of Tennessee’s preferred method of executing prisoners concluded today in Davidson County Chancery Court. During closing arguments, attorneys for 33 death row inmates discussed technical aspects of theprocedure, including the role of compounding pharmacists in producing the lethal injection drug pentobarbital. The Daily Journal has more from the Associated Press.

Circuit Court Judge Ross Hicks will offer practice tips on presenting domestic trial cases during the Court Square Series in Clarksville on Sept. 10. Other presenters at this program include Nashville attorneys Nathan Ridley and Greg Grisham. This three-hour program is designed to provide attorneys with the latest developments in multiple areas of the law. Visit TBA CLE for more information. 

The Tennessee Court of Appeals has reversed former judge Russell E. Simmons Jr.’s decision denying a Roane County same-sex divorce, Roane County News reports. Frederick Michael Borman and Larry Kevin Pyles-Borman filed for a divorce in Roane County Circuit Court in 2014. The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office intervened, arguing the state laws on marriage didn’t permit the divorce. In an opinion filed Tuesday, the court said it was obligated to reverse Simmons’ ruling because of June’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage across the country.

Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush vowed Tuesday to cut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood if elected to the White House, but drew immediate fire from Democrats for adding, "I'm not sure we need half a billion dollars for women's health issues." Bush and fellow Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Mark Rubio spoke at a meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville. WRCB has more.

Knoxville City Council members voted unanimously to purchase the former state Supreme Court site on Locust Street for $2.47 million. The building has been vacant for more than a decade, and in that time the city has twice attempted and failed to find a developer for the site. This time around, the city plans to use a market study to find out what kind of use the area can support — including possible retail, residential, office and hotel space — before tailoring a more specific request for proposals. Knoxnews has more.

The Nashville School of Law recently received a 2015 State Impact Award from Habitat for Humanity for its community partnership with the group. A legal clinic at the school helps Habitat families with legal documents and problems. State Rep. John Ryan presented the award to Dean William Koch and professor John Lewis, who coordinates the clinic. See a photo from Habitat for Humanity or read more about the Habitat clinic.

A news item in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today erroneously reported from the Tennessean that “concealed carry permit holders” potentially could take firearms into the facilities where the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators play, due to possible conflicts with the recent opinion by Tennessee attorney regarding guns in parks. Tennessee does not require concealment of a handgun by a civilian handgun permit holder.

Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is currently soliciting proposals for competitive grants under the Veterans Pro Bono Program. LSC seeks proposals from non-profit organizations that provide free legal assistance to low-income individuals or the provision of free services to veterans and from private attorneys or law firms that seek to establish such a non-profit for these purposes. Applicants must submit a Notice of Intent to Compete by email by Aug. 28 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

A group of inspectors general is appealing to Congress to pass legislation that affirms their ability to conduct independent oversight, the Associated Press reports. The Council of Inspectors on Integrity and Efficiency represents 72 inspectors general. The group yesterday sent a letter to members of Congress saying new legislation is needed to shore up their authority following the release last month of a memo from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel. WRCB has the story.

Hank Sledge was voted the new General Sessions Court judge by the Loudon County Commission on Monday. Sledge, whose appointment will run from Sept. 1 until the March 2016 election, will serve with current General Sessions Court Judge Rex Dale. The new position will be funded by an increase in the litigation tax from $17 to $51. Knoxnews has the story.