Victor “Torry” Johnson III, Davidson County’s longtime top prosecutor, today announced to staff and Metro leaders he will not seek re-election as district attorney general when his term ends in August. Johnson has been Davidson County’s district attorney general since 1987, with the majority of his career before that as a prosecutor, the Tennessean reports.

State Sen. Mae Beavers and three House Republicans today released a bill designed to stop President Barack Obama’s health care reform law, the Tennessean reports. The bill would block the state and local governments from buying health insurance through the federal website, Healthcare.gov, and possibly make it illegal for state contractors to buy insurance on the exchange, even for their own employees. The bill is sure to face formidable legal questions since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that the core of the Affordable Care Act is constitutional, and past attempts to stop the health care law in Tennessee have run aground because of the well-established constitutional principle that state laws cannot trump federal laws.

The Senate State & Local Government Committee asked correction officials to pause their work with the Vera Institute of Justice, a think tank focused on the criminal justice system. The institute has proposed studying the state's rising prison population, with a goal of finding ways to slow its growth, the Tennessean reports. The study would be done at no cost to the state, but senators said they would prefer to put off the work until the Senate Judiciary Committee and other panels with oversight of the department could review the arrangement.

The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry today received positive feedback and support from House Speaker Beth Harwell and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey when it unveiled its legislative priorities to a group of state lawmakers. The state business group’s policy agenda for this session puts a premium on continued Common Core implementation as well as aligning higher education programs with business needs, noting that the lack of qualified and skilled workers is the biggest concern among businesses in the state. The Nashville Business Journal has more.

Former Gov. Phil Bredesen and Herbert Slatery, counsel to Gov. Bill Haslam, today called on Nashville's business community to actively support a proposed amendment to Tennessee's Constitution regarding the selection of appellate judges. At a Tennessee Business Roundtable gathering, Bredesen and Slatery painted a picture of the amendment's alternative — politicized and paid-for judicial elections that would undermine the legitimacy of legal decisions. Slatery also told the group that Haslam's administration intends to run a public campaign on the issue tentatively called "Vote Yes on 2." The Nashville Post has more.

Sixteenth Judicial District Public Defender Gerald L. Melton has announced his candidacy for re-election. The public defender for Rutherford and Cannon counties is responsible for representing indigent persons who are accused of committing criminal offenses, “thereby fulfilling the right to counsel as provided by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article One Section Nine of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee,” Melton stated.

Judge Randy Kennedy announced his intention to seek re-election to Division 7 of the Davidson County Circuit Court. Kennedy was elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2006 after having been appointed by Gov. Phil Bredesen in 2003. “It has been my honor and privilege to serve our fellow citizens over 10 years," Kennedy in a press release. "I have endeavored to fulfill my duties with integrity, fairness and education. I hope to be given the opportunity to continue assisting our community in this vitally important area of law for many years to come."

Davidson County General Sessions Judge Gloria Dumas will not seek re-election to a third term for medical reasons, the Tennessean reports. Dumas, who was first elected in 1998, has been criticized in recent years for her record of absenteeism and tardiness, although her attorney said the controversy didn’t play any role in Dumas’ decision to retire at the end of this term. Attorneys Allegra Walker and Vince Wyatt have said they plan to run in the Democratic primary for Dumas’ Division IV seat in General Sessions Court.

Attorneys Rex Sparks and Larry Ables have picked up papers to challenge incumbent Hamilton County General Sessions Court judges Christi Mahn Sell in Division 1 and David Bales in Division 2, respectively. Incumbents Clarence Shattuck, Lila Statom and Gary Starnes do not have opponents thus far. Mark Rothberger, incumbent Signal Mountain judge, and John Higgason Jr., the Lookout Mountain judge, have also picked up papers. Ryan Hanzelik is the only one to pick up thus far for judge of East Ridge. The Chattanoogan has more.

Roane County circuit court clerk Kim Nelson announced plans to run for 9th Judicial District circuit court judge, the Roane County News reports. Nelson was elected circuit court clerk in 2010. Circuit Court Judge Russell Simmons Jr. announced his retirement from the post last year. His eight-year term ends on Aug. 31.