Tennessee will receive approximately $40 million to distribute to charitable purposes after reaching a settlement agreement with National Health Investors (NHI) and National Healthcare Corporation (NHC), the Nashville Business Journal reports. In 2007, the receiver for nonprofit organizations SeniorTrust and ElderTrust filed suit against NHI and NHC for selling financially troubled nursing homes to nonprofits at prices significantly above fair value. “We believe this settlement is in the best interest of the public and upholds the appropriate use of Tennessee charities,” said Attorney General Bob Cooper. “The Court will ultimately determine how these funds can be used for charitable purposes, and the Office of the Attorney General will seek and welcome public input in that process.”

A new bill to require ignition interlocks for first time offenders and lower the intoxication rate awaits Gov. Bill Haslam’s signature, WATE reports. The ignition interlock device requires drivers to blow into the device and if there is no alcohol present then they will be able to start the vehicle. The new law also requires a camera attachment to ensure the person taking the test is the person driving. According to state lawmakers, the bill could result in up to 10,000 more drivers with this safe guard on their vehicle. Since 2011, there have been 7,670 ignition interlocks ordered, although the number is only about a quarter of the number of people convicted of DUIs.

Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark testified Tuesday that ongoing production of nuclear weapons at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge could be considered unlawful because it violates some tenets of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty aimed at eliminating weapons. Clark testified on behalf of the three protestors, known as the Transform Now Plowshares, who are facing multiple felony counts for breaking into Y-12 in July, cutting through security fences and defacing the exterior of the plant’s storage center for bomb-grade uranium. The trial is set to begin May 7, Knoxnews reports.

In the ongoing debate on voter IDs regulations, a new amendment approved by state legislators will now prevent IDs issued by other states from being used to vote. In a statement, Secretary of State Tre Hargett said, “This change mirrors similar laws in other states, including Indiana. Indiana’s photo ID law has been upheld by the United States Supreme Court.” WREG also notes that the Tennessee Supreme Court has said that Memphis public library photo ID cards can be accepted until it makes a final ruling on an appeal.

Nine Hendersonville High School students and two students from the Paralegal Education program at Volunteer State Community College participated in the Sumner County Bar Association’s seminar, A Re-Examination of the Mary Surratt Trial. The students viewed the film “The Conspirator” and listened to a panel discussion on the constitutional rights that Surratt was denied during her trial. The panel was moderated by Judge Tom E. Gray and included Judge Dee David Gay, attorneys James E. Mackler, David Raybin and Justice Penny White. The Tennessean has the story.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) has launched an innovative web-based system to improve access to applicants for civil legal services. The system allows persons seeking legal assistance to be able to apply for legal aid 24-hours a day, seven days a week. “Legal Aid of East Tennessee is very aware that eligible persons facing civil legal crisis cannot always contact us during normal business hours without risking loss of wages or even employment itself,” says David R. Yoder, LAET Executive Director. “Other personal conflicts they might have, as well as LAET’s constantly busy phones, can make it extremely difficult to apply for services.” To access the new system, users should visit www.laet.org

Knox County Criminal Court Judge Steven Sword is testing a new video teleconferencing system for suspect arraignments, WBIR reports. In the past, he says it could take weeks just to get the initial hearing with the courts if a suspect is being held in a jail across the state. The new system, which cost about $10,00 in equipment, wiring, and technology upgrades, has been showing benefits, Judge Sword said. "The time that it saves is one thing. But on top of that, if you're not transporting prisoners across the state, think about all the gas money that you're saving," he added. "This is going to save, at a minimum, tens of thousands of dollars."

Law Week activities kick off tomorrow with the 6th Annual Law Week Launch Party in Memphis' Court Square, from 5 p.m. to 7p.m. Attendees will enjoy free drinks, food by Central BBQ, Lickity Split Ice Cream and music by WALRUS. Attendees are also encouraged to bring a canned good item for the Mid-South Food Bank.

The new Lincoln Memorial University Center for Leadership and Community Advocacy will focus on conflict resolution and mediation, and was modeled after a similar facility at Pepperdine University in California, LMU president B. James Dawson said Tuesday. The center will offer an educational doctorate in executive leadership, a master’s in education in community agency counseling, a master’s of business administration and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. According to Knoxnews, officials hope the new center will bolster its John J. Duncan Law School by offering the joint MBA-law program, attracting more students and boosting job placement for graduates. The law school also is making a second effort to win accreditation from the American Bar Association after being denied approval in 2011.

Attorney Ken Paulson has been hired to be the new dean for the College of Mass Communications at Middle Tennessee State University, the Daily News Journal reports. Paulson served as USA Today’s top editor from 2004 to 2009, as well as having served as president and chief executive officer of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University and the Newseum in Washington, D.C. “We were impressed by the breadth of Ken’s experience,” MTSU president Sidney McPhee said. “He has led a national news organization, traveled the country with a rock ’n’ roll band to tout the First Amendment and hosted a national television program. His career has touched all of our college’s disciplines.”