To commemorate Black History Month, Judge Curtis Collier, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, and three of his law clerks — Carrie Brown Stefaniak, Erienne Reniajal Lewis and Rachel Elaine Noveroske — wrote an op-ed for the Chattanooga Times Free Press highlighting historical cases that demonstrate some of the ways African American history is inextricably intertwined with American legal history. 

The federal Department of Education Department yesterday zeroed out loan balances for nearly 153,000 borrowers, who borrowed $12,000 or less, have been paying their student loans for at least 10 years and enrolled in the Biden administration's Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan which launched last summer, National Public Radio reports. Republican lawmakers have tried to stop the SAVE plan, arguing it is outside of the administration's authority and criticizing the president for campaigning for votes with the new policy. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the administration is "using the negotiated rulemaking process [under the Higher Education Act of 1965] to come up with a debt relief plan that will positively impact Americans and give them an opportunity to get back on their feet." 

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has named Jonathan Mayer as its first official focused on artificial intelligence (AI) as the department grapples with the potentially transformative affects of AI on federal law enforcement and the criminal justice system, Reuters reports. Mayer is a professor at Princeton University who researches technology and law and will advise Attorney General Merrick Garland and DOJ leadership on issues related to emerging technologies, including how to responsibly integrate AI into the department’s investigations and criminal prosecutions.

The federal Department of Education Department yesterday zeroed out loan balances for nearly 153,000 borrowers, who borrowed $12,000 or less, have been paying their student loans for at least 10 years and enrolled in the Biden administration's Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan which launched last summer, National Public Radio reports. Republican lawmakers have tried to stop the SAVE plan, arguing it is outside of the administration's authority and criticizing the president for campaigning for votes with the new policy. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the administration is "using the negotiated rulemaking process [under the Higher Education Act of 1965] to come up with a debt relief plan that will positively impact Americans and give them an opportunity to get back on their feet." 

The Beck Cultural Exchange Center in Knoxville will host a panel discussion at 6 p.m. EDT tomorrow on policing and police encounters as part of their Black History Month events and ongoing conversations on racial justice. The event name —"The Talk" — comes from the conversation that generations of Black parents have had with their children about what to do if they are stopped or questioned by police officers. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, 10 speakers are scheduled, including retired Knoxville Police Department Chief Nathaniel Allen, former NAACP President Dewey Roberts, former Knox County Commissioner Diane Jordan and attorney Dillon Zinser. In addition, Knox News Executive Editor Joel Christopher and reporter Angela Dennis will join a panel to discuss what their reporting has revealed about the effects of policing in the community. Nzinga Amani, a police reform activist, and community member Nahshon Bain-Greenidge also will share their experiences with local officers.

A bill sponsored by state Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, passed the House State Government Committee on Wednesday, despite legislative attorney Matt Munday cautioning that it might be unconstitutional. The bill in question would prevent local governments from sending General Assembly members who are expelled “for disorderly behavior” back to the same seat, reports the Daily Memphian. State Rep. Bryan Richey, R-Maryville, is sponsoring a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that is similar to Garrett’s bill. Richey’s resolution would go further, preventing the expelled member from holding office for four years after the expulsion. That resolution is expected to be heard next week.

Gov. Bill Lee and state Senate leadership this week announced differing proposals to introduce universal school vouchers to Tennessee. The key difference in the two plans is testing accountability. Chalkbeat reports that the governor's plan does not require participating students to take annual tests to measure whether the Education Freedom Scholarship Act leads to better academic outcomes. The Senate’s proposal requires recipients in grades three to 11 to take some type of norm-referenced tests approved by the state Board of Education. It also favors open enrollment across school systems. The House has released a third version, which would allow well-performing public schools to see more flexibility on student testing requirements, while the state would take on more costs to pay public school teachers and staffers’ health-insurance benefits, reports the Tennessee Journal.

Nashville's Metro Council on Tuesday unanimously passed Mayor Freddie O'Connell's $514 million capital spending package. The second phase of construction of a new Juvenile Justice Center will receive $60 million of that total, reports the Tennessean. The facility is slated to open in spring 2027. Other funded projects include upgrades and maintenance for Metro Nashville Public Schools and transportation-related initiatives.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) will host a power of attorney/advanced health care directives clinic on March 21 at 10 a.m. EST at the Jonesborough Senior Center, 307 E. Main St., Jonesborough 37659. Volunteering remotely is an option. Contact Caroline Rogers with questions or to volunteer.

The 2024 Elder Law Forum will take place in person July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT at the Belmont University College of Law. This annual staple for Tennessee attorneys provides insight from top professionals while allowing attendees to meet with other lawyers in the practice area. Topics will include litigation in elder law, dementia concerns, conservatorships, helping clients suffering from dementia, ethics, and much more.