Free, advanced screenings of Peter Jackson’s documentary “West of Memphis” begin tonight in Memphis and will continue over the next several weeks throughout the Memphis area and Arkansas. The documentary covers the well-publicized case of the "West Memphis Three" who were released in 2011 after being wrongly imprisoned for murder for almost 20 years. The documentary is set for national release on Dec. 25. Read more in the Commercial Appeal.

The Tennessee Equality Project wants the Memphis City Council to include sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in a non-discrimination city ordinance now before the council, the Commercial Appeal reports. The ordinance, sponsored by councilman Lee Harris, bans discrimination in city employment based on age, ethnicity, national origin and disability. Harris has not decided whether or not to expand the ordinance, which is scheduled for final vote on Tuesday.

Nashville attorney Matt Hardin has petitioned the Tennessee Supreme Court to regulate what he called “outrageous and deceptive advertising” by area law firms, the Nashville Business Journal reports. Hardin states that advertisements using paid actors purporting to be injured clients diminish public trust by misleading audiences. Blair Durham, whose firm Durham & Dread utilizes television advertising, said he plans to file a response to Hardin’s petition stating that the firm's commercials comply with all state rules and ethics. 

A Rutherford County juvenile detention center's release policies are under review after a man allegedly signed for the release of his stepdaughter under false pretenses, the Daily News Journal reports. The man has been charged with criminal impersonation and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. According to Nashville attorney David Raybin, the center has a legal obligation to ensure only appropriate parental or legal guardians sign a child out of the facility in case the child is harmed upon release.

The office of the Public Defender will likely represent minors who cannot afford legal counsel in Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court proceedings, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell told the Memphis Daily News last week, but that funding issues are still being worked out. Appearing on Behind the Headlines, Luttrell said he believes it is a necessary and beneficial change and that staffing and funding issues can be overcome.

Federal prosecutors want the maximum penalty for award-winning horse trainer Jackie McConnell, who pleaded guilty in May to conspiring to violate the Horse Protection Act. In a sentencing memorandum filed last week, prosecutor Steve Neff recommends McConnell receive the maximum sentence of 5 years probation, in addition to a fine up to $250,000 and a ban from “owning, exhibiting, selling, transporting, working with or training horses, or even assisting the training of horses.” Sentencing in the case has been rescheduled to Sept. 18, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports.