Williamson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) announced this week that the 4th Annual Voices for Children fundraiser raised more than $130,000, money that will serve its mission to find safe and permanent homes for abused and neglected children in the court system. Director of Public Relations and Development Danielle McMorran estimates that nearly $120,000 will go straight toward program support. Williamson Herald has the story.

District Attorney Brent Cooper is reviving the Drug Task Force in the 22nd Judicial District that includes Maury, Giles, Lawrence and Wayne counties, News Channel 5 reports. According to Cooper, at least 60 percent of the cases he prosecutes has something to do with drugs, from shoplifting to murders. The Drug Task Force specifically benefits the smaller cities by providing more collaborative resources from surrounding areas. The task force is partially funded through a federal grant and will begin operations July 1.

Author Keel Hunt will discuss his book, Coup, about the early ouster of former Tennessee governor Ray Blanton in 1979 at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum near Dickson. Blanton is the only governor in United States history to be replaced in this manner. It occurred two days after Blanton pardoned or commuted sentences for 52 convicted criminals. The Tennessean has more.

Seven people passed Washington state’s exam to become the nation’s first limited license legal technicians, the ABA Journal reports. Washington is the first state with a program to allow limited license legal technicians to help litigants prepare legal documents and provide advice on legal procedures without a lawyer’s supervision.

Another $4 million in federal money would be available to help Memphis and other cities cut the backlog of untested rape kits under an amendment U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen has successfully pushed through the U.S. House. Lawmakers decided by voice vote yesterday to accept Cohen’s amendment to the House commerce, science and justice appropriations bill for the upcoming fiscal year. The additional money means $45 million will be available for the grant program created last year to focus on reducing the backlog, up from last year’s $41 million budget. The Commercial Appeal has the story.

Chattanooga attorney Emily O'Donnell is offering free advice to residents affected by bed bugs in a low-income housing complex, News Channel 9 reports. People living at Whiteside's Faith Manor said they have been dealing with bed bugs for more than three years, and that management has been little to no help in fixing the problem. Those who need help can call Legal Aid at (423) 756-4013, ext. 1109, before June 8.

The Tennessee Bar Association today welcomed new attorneys to the practice of law with an open house and luncheon following Admission Ceremonies conducted by the Tennessee Supreme Court. View photos from the event.

The top priority for juvenile court is rehabilitation, Judge Daniel Swafford tells the Cleveland Banner. While some youth and parents who appear before Judge Swafford are sentenced and detained, most are referred to some sort of intervention program such as the Drug Court, LEAF boot camp or an interventionist from the Camelot Care Center.

More and more employers now ask employees to sign non-compete agreements, but what does that really mean? According to attorney and Knoxnews columnist Chris McCarty, it means that our courts don't like non-compete agreements, but they will still enforce reasonable ones. And determining "reasonable" comes down to two t's: time and territory. Read more at Knoxnews.com

Senior U.S. District Judge Curtis L. Collier will be the recipient of the fifth annual Thurgood Marshall Freedom and Justice Advocate of the Year Award, the Chattanooga Hamilton County NAACP announced. This annual award is bestowed upon the individual who has best demonstrated and exemplified the tradition and lasting societal impact first established by Justice Marshall. The Chattanoogan has more.