Undocumented Tennesseans are no longer able to access basic reproductive services like family planning and birth control at health clinics that formerly relied on federal Title X funding. According to the Commercial Appeal, Tennessee lost millions in federal money due to noncompliance with a key Title X requirement that providers had to offer information on all options for pregnant patients, including information about abortion access. Tennessee's post-Dobbs policy stated patients "must be provided information and counseling regarding all options that are legal in the State of Tennessee." While the state has budgeted funds to replace the lost federal dollars, its policies do not allow the money to be used to provide services for undocumented families and individuals.

Nashville’s Metro Council has approved $6.5 million to improve radio communications between Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and police and install shatter-resistant protection on glass across the district. WPLN reports that at a meeting last week, MNPS officials highlighted several ways the council could support the district’s safety goals. An updated radio system will help ensure seamless communication between schools and police in case of an emergency. The glass protection will make it more resistant to breaking if an intruder attempts to force their way in.

Mark your calendar for Dec. 1 and plan to attend the Annual Environmental Forum! More details will be available soon on the CLE website.

Daniel Ellsberg, the military analyst who became infamous for leaking the Pentagon Papers to news outlets in 1971, has died, according to his family. He was 92 years old. As a military analyst working on a Pentagon project in 1971, Ellsberg chose to release to the public an extensive, documentary record of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Known as the "Pentagon Papers," Ellsberg's mammoth disclosure helped end the longest U.S. war of the 20th century. Read the obituary from NPR.

State Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti's office has engaged external attorneys to help defend at least one federal lawsuit. The Tennessean reports that Cameron Norris with Virginia law firm Consovoy McCarthy PLLC, and Adam Mortara with Nashville-based Lawfair LLC are now representing Tennessee in an ongoing lawsuit against the state's new law banning gender transition treatments for minors. The attorneys, and any other attorneys at their firm, have been engaged at a $400 hourly rate, with a $100 hourly rate allotted for any non-attorney staff who may bill hours, according to documents obtained by The Tennessean.

The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators held the first of four town halls on Thursday in Hamilton County. The Chattanoogan reports that the lawmakers answered questions about new third-grade testing requirements, juvenile justice and marijuana. Next, caucus members will travel to Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis. Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, was joined Thursday by caucus members and Memphis Democrats Sen. Raumesh Akbari, Rep. Joe Towns, Rep. Antonio Parkinson and Rep. Jesse Chism, as well as caucus Chair Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville. The Black Caucus is a nonpartisan group, though there have been no Republican members join yet, Akbari said Thursday.

Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, have both won their special primary elections after being ousted from the state House of Representatives in April for their roles in gun violence protests. WKRN caught up with Jones after he voted. “Quite frankly, it’s a waste of taxpayer money," Jones said. "But it is part of the process to undo what happened on April 6th.” The general election will be held in August.

Five Memphis education advocates have filed suit against the Shelby County Board of Education and the district’s chief safety and security officer, alleging their First and 14th Amendment rights have been violated after they were banned from attending school board meetings. The Tennessee Lookout reports that the group, known as the “School Board Five,” was prohibited from school board meetings following a May 9 meeting focused on the search for a new superintendent of Shelby County schools. Banning the group members for an indefinite time period without giving them the opportunity to appeal violates their constitutional rights, lawyers for the group say.

Two main candidates are emerging to succeed the late state Rep. Bill Beck, D-Nashville, who died earlier this month. The Nashville Post reports that former Metro Council Member Anthony Davis could be appointed by the council as soon as next week to temporarily fill the vacancy, a move deemed necessary in the event that a special legislative session on gun control moves forward as planned in August. Davis also will run in the special election to fill the remainder of the term while Nashville organizer Aftyn Behm also has declared her candidacy. The Democratic primary is scheduled for Aug. 3, on the same ballot as the mayoral and Metro Council elections. The general election will be held Sept. 14, when Metro runoffs are scheduled. The qualifying deadline for the race is June 22.

The process of decertifying Memphis police officer Preston Hemphill for his role in the death of Tyre Nichols has been suspended, but he may not serve as an officer in Tennessee in the interim. According to the Daily Memphian, Hemphill, one of the officers involved in the Jan. 7 traffic stop that led to Nichols’ death three days later, appeared before the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) Thursday. The panel was considering decertifying Hemphill at the request of the Memphis Police Department, but put the matter on hold pending completion of a federal investigation.