Aides to Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul say that footage of him praising Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander in a campaign advertisement is not an endorsement for a third term in the Senate. Paul, a tea party favorite who praises the senator in Alexander’s statewide ads, said through a spokesman his remarks should be viewed in a very narrow context. "The footage that Sen. Alexander's campaign is using is from a public press conference in regards to a bill they both co-sponsored," spokesman Sergio Gor said. "At this time Senator Paul has not made an endorsement in this race." The Chattanooga Times Free Press has more.

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey said he will “probably” support an anticipated push to change the state’s “guns in parking lots” law next year to clarify that permit holders cannot be fired solely for having their guns in a locked car in their employers’ parking lots. In May, Attorney General Bob Cooper issued a formal legal opinion that said the new law— while forbidding any criminal prosecution of permit holders complying with its provisions — will have no impact on Tennessee law that otherwise generally allows a company to fire an employee “at will,” for any reason or no reason. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that Ramsey stated Cooper “muddied the waters” on the issue and he has received complaints from employee’s who were upset that their company’s prohibition on guns in parking lots remains unchanged.

As law schools shrink and face cash problems, many believe online LL.M programs are “the next big thing” and a good way for the schools to tap into new markets, the JD Journal reports. Schools shed their staff and faculty and ramp up enrollment with their virtual arm in order keep expenses low and avoid the fate of Seton Hall, Pacific McGeorge School of Law and Vermont School of Law, which had to dramatically downsize. Pepperdine Law professor Paul Caron added that the law degree does not significantly improve a job candidate’s resume, however, and that it doesn’t justify the costs.

Democrats took steps toward dramatically limiting Senate filibusters by threatening to use the so-called "nuclear option" to jam through rules changes. Republicans warn the move would destroy bipartisan cooperation in the chamber. "The vast majority of my Democratic caucus wanted to move forward and change the rules," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid following a closed meeting in which Democratic leaders advocated banning filibusters of executive branch appointments, which they argue Republicans have abused. Democratic leaders said they have votes to force the change using a parliamentary tactic that Republicans complain violates Senate rules. WCYB has the story.

The Knox County Criminal Court is soliciting written comments regarding the proposed amendments to the Criminal Court Local Rules from judges, lawyers, bar associations, members of the public and any other interested parties. The deadline for submitting written comments is July 31. Written comments should be addressed to: Marsha S. Wilson, KBA Executive Director Knoxville Bar Association P.O. Box 2027 Knoxville, TN 37901. Visit www.knoxbar.org for more information. 

Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols said Wednesday he is asking the TBI to proceed with an investigation into whether someone broke state anti-harassment laws by sending repeated automated calls to voters asking their opinion of Sen. Stacey Campfield. Knoxnews reports that Byron Dodson, Campfield’s executive assistant at the state Senate, said his Nashville office logged 53 calls from Knoxvillians angry over receiving repeated calls from “Citizen Opinion Research.” Campfield contends the calls appeared programmed to keep calling back the same number until the respondent gave an unfavorable opinion of the lawmaker.

Hewitt Chatman has been elected as the first black president of the Madison County Bar Association, the Jackson Sun reports. Chatman, a public defender, was vice president of the association and served on the board for several years. A graduate of the University of Michigan at Flynt, Chatman also graduated with a degree in personnel management from Central Michigan University and was licensed to practice law in Michigan in 1985.

Gov. Bill Haslam appointed Tim Gobble of Clevelend to the state Board of Parole, filling the remainder of the term left vacant by the resignation of Charles Taylor. Mr. Gobble’s appointment becomes effective next Tuesday, and the term expires Dec. 31, 2015. “Tim has demonstrated his commitment and responsibility throughout an extensive career in public service, and we are fortunate to have him on the Board of Parole,” Governor Haslam said. The Chattanoogan has the story.

The Chattanooga Juvenile Court is moving from paper files to digital record keeping, the Chattanoogan reports. The firm DigiPoint Solutions has been hired to scan 11,900 files at the Third Street main office and 13,550 files at the child support center at a cost of $149,000. "We no longer will have to roll carts with massive files into the courtrooms," Juvenile Court Clerk Gary Behler said. "The judge and magistrates will have laptops where they can quickly access records."

The Manchester-based nonprofit organization CASA Works needs more volunteers to assist children in Franklin, Bedford and Coffee Counties’ juvenile court systems. "Judge Thomas Faris has let us know that there are 200 kids in Franklin County who could potentially use the assistance of a CASA volunteer,” development coordinator Mindon Whalen told the Herald Chronicle. “Only 10 percent of those children are currently being served.” If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer for CASA Works, call (931) 728-0126 or visit www.casaworks.org.