Tennessee House of Representatives Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, recently announced a review of Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Bill Anderson’s cases, stating that the judge "stands with violent criminals rather than law enforcement, victims, families and protecting Memphis." The Daily Memphian reports that Anderson has been criticized for releasing several defendants on their own recognizance in recent months. Recently, Anderson released without bail a defendant accused of shooting at police during a 12-hour standoff and three other suspects charged in the shooting of a FedEx employee at a company facility near Memphis International Airport. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy says he will appeal some of those decisions. Anderson responded saying, "I will only say that Speaker Sexton or anyone else who wants to review my cases is certainly free to do so as much as they please. Mine is a court of public record and is open to the public." In April, a Shelby County commissioner also called on Anderson to resign.

The State Building Commission recently authorized $43 million in emergency funds to keep Tennessee State University (TSU) operational through the end of the year. The crisis allegedly stems from financial mismanagement under immediate past President Glenda Glover's administration. Interim TSU President Ronald Johnson has criticized the lack of oversight by the previous Board of Trustees, which was vacated earlier this year by the state legislature. According to Johnson, the board signed an $800,000 advisory contract with the outgoing president despite the university's financial struggles. Others point to historic underfunding as a major reason for the current financial straits. The commission has urged TSU to implement an emergency plan, restructure its leadership and consider selling property as a way to stabilize finances and enrollment. The Tennessee Lookout has the story.

The Tennessee Bar Association Academy offers an exciting opportunity for a limited number of Tennessee attorneys to be admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. The 2025 admission ceremony will take place March 4 at the court in Washington, D.C. In addition to taking part in the private ceremony, participants will be invited to a TBA President's Reception and a special celebration dinner, and will receive three hours of prepaid credits to use for future CLE programming. The group will stay at the Hay Adams Hotel, where a block of rooms has been reserved at the discounted rate of $395 a night. The cost to register is $750 for TBA members and $450 for guests. Those interested in participating should complete this online form by Dec. 3. Applicants will be considered on a first-come basis and will be contacted to confirm interest and complete the application process.

Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Tori Smith’s quest to become a judge started after watching an episode of "Saved by the Bell." "I wish so badly that I could quote some philosopher, but it was Jessie Spano," Smith says. "It was a flashback episode or a dream where she was a judge, and I just thought it sounded really cool and that’s how it started." She wanted a career that allowed her to serve her Native American community as a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Her tribe established an education scholarship, which she was able to advantage of in her journey to law school. Smith was appointed to the court to fill the vacancy left by Judge Alex McVeagh, who recently was elected to the 11th Judicial District Circuit Court. Read more about Judge Smith from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Earlier today a story ran in TBA Today based on an early 2024 Axios article regarding the governor’s budget for FY 2024-2025. To clarify, that budget is not the 2025-2026 budget, which is currently under development and has not been released. We regret the error and any confusion this may have caused.

An inmate died in intake at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center on Friday morning, the Daily Memphian reports. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner on Friday announced in a news conference that the inmate was found unconscious and medical aid was rendered but the man could not be saved. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the inmate's death. This is the “fifth or sixth” in-custody death at the jail this year so far, most related to medical reasons, according to the sheriff, the paper reports.

Around 60% of Tennessee third graders didn't meet the state’s reading standards last school year with less than 1% actually held back, as required under a state reading law that took effect last year, according to the Tennessean. The majority of students moved on to fourth grade because of exemptions to the law, including students who are English language learners or have learning disabilities. The law primarily determines children's reading proficiency by their English Language Arts scores on the standardized Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test. Of the students that didn’t qualify for exemptions, most of them agreed to an alternative plan that included either summer school or tutoring and allowed them to move on to the next grade.

A Tennessee man involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot has been convicted of planning to kill federal investigators. Edward Kelley, of Maryville, was found guilty of multiple counts after prosecutors outlined how the man created a “kill list” of FBI agents and others. He was arrested based on videos from the capitol and had his home searched by the FBI. According to WPLN news, an acquaintance helped investigators by recording phone calls in which Kelley discussed three dozen targets and how many weapons he’d have access to for an attack on the FBI office in Knoxville. Kelley faces up to life in prison and will be sentenced in May.

A new grant program aimed at lowering the cost of private adoptions and helping recruit more foster families in Tennessee was announced by Gov. Bill Lee and the state’s Department of Children’s Services (DCS). Starting Jan. 1, 2025, DCS will launch the Home Study Reimbursement Grant Program, which will reimburse families up to $1,000 for the cost of a home study for private adoptions. The state already covers home studies for foster families, according to WSMV news. DCS said there are currently more than 8,000 children in its care, with about 5,000 approved foster homes across the state.

The Tennessee Bar Association will be open Monday and Tuesday this week, but closed Wednesday through Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. TBA Today will be published Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Visit the TBA website at any time to access CLE offerings and contact information for individual staff members. The office will reopen Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. CST. Happy Thanksgiving!