Tomorrow marks the 90th anniversary of the notorious Scopes “Monkey" Trial. During one sweltering week in July 1925, two of the 20th century's most famous lawyers — William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow — squared off in the Rhea County Courthouse to debate the theological and biological origin of man's connection to primates. First-year teacher John Thomas Scopes was 24 when he was thrust into the spotlight for violating the Butler Act, which banned the teaching of evolution in public schools. The publicity stunt went viral, early 20th century style, with the case gaining national coverage. Read more in the Nashville Scene.

The General Motors Foundation has awarded $75,000 in grant funds to 11 Tennessee organizations including Tennessee CASA, which will use the money to expand and strengthen its statewide network, and Maury County CASA, which will use the funds to train volunteers. This is the fifth consecutive year the Foundation’s Plant City Grants were awarded.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley today signed a bill to remove the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds at 10 a.m. tomorrow and place it in the state’s Confederate Relic Room. The push to remove the flag began after state Sen. Clementa Pinckney and eight others were gunned down during a Bible study inside a historic black church. Police said the shooting was racially motivated and photographs have emerged showing the suspect posing with the flag. WKRN has more.

Dickson County Judge Reese Holley has been publicly reprimanded and issued a cease and desist order by the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct, WKRN reports. The board investigated Holley and found he forced defendants to do public service work and give to his charities before he allowed them to be represented by a public defender. While Holley remains on the bench hearing cases, the cease and desist order means he will have to stop these practices, according to public defender Jake Lockert.

The federal government will make marriage benefits available to same-sex couples following a Supreme Court decision last month that legalized same-sex marriage, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced. Programs for veterans, the elderly and the disabled now will include couples in same-sex marriages. WREG has more.

The nominations of Waverly Crenshaw as U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee and Travis McDonough as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee have been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. If confirmed, McDonough, who now serves as the chief of staff to Mayor Andy Berke, will take the place of Judge Curtis Collier who is moving to senior status, the Chattanoogan reports. Crenshaw would replace U.S. District Judge William Joseph Haynes Jr., who took senior status in December.

For the first time in a legal battle that has stretched over 20 years, a federal judge on Wednesday ordered the cancellation of the Washington Redskins' trademark registration, ruling that the team name may be disparaging to Native Americans. While the ruling does not bar the team from using the Redskins name if it wishes, Redskins President Bruce Allen said the team will appeal. News Channel 5 has more from the AP.

The law license of Patricia Lynne Stolinsky was reinstated yesterday (July 8) by the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Stolinksy was temporarily suspended in April for failure to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. View the BPR notice.

Oklahoma's highest criminal court on Wednesday set execution dates for three death row inmates who challenged the use of a drug that will be used in their lethal injections. The move comes after the Supreme Court approved the use of the sedative midazolam. Execution dates were set for Sept. 16 for 52-year-old Richard Eugene Glossip, Oct. 7 for 50-year-old Benjamin Robert Cole and Oct. 28 for 54-year-old John Marion Grant. WRCB has the story.

The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference has elected new leadership for the year. Kim Helper, 21st Judicial District Attorney General, will serve as conference president; Fourth Judicial District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn will serve as vice president; and 25th Judicial District Attorney General Mike Dunavant will serve as secretary of the group. The Bulletin Times has more.