Following deadly flooding in Middle Tennessee this past weekend, the federal government reports it is in discussion with state leaders to help victims in Humphreys County, WKRN reports. At a press conference yesterday, President Joe Biden said the federal government stands “ready to offer ... support.” Gov. Bill Lee said his team is working on a request for an emergency declaration, which would bring federal assistance. After touring damaged areas, U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty said the devastation he saw was "absolutely heartbreaking.” Photo by AP

Landlords who have been challenging the Biden administration's eviction moratorium have again asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block the latest version, WSMV reports. The request was filed Friday evening with Chief Justice John Roberts. The court has since asked the Biden administration to respond to the motion by noon today. This is the second time the Supreme Court has been asked to weigh in on the matter. In June, on a 5-4 vote, it allowed a similar moratorium to continue. At the time, Justice Brett Kavanaugh indicated he would not support an additional extension unless enacted into law by Congress.

Madison County attorney Steve Maroney resigned from that post last week to prepare to take over as 26th Judicial District chancellor, the Jackson Sun reports. He received a standing ovation for his nine years of service. Maroney also will have to vacate two other positions he holds: attorney for the town of Three Way and Bolivar city attorney. The Madison County Commission and board of aldermen for Three Way will select new officers, while Bolivar Mayor Julian McTizic will appoint a replacement. Gov. Bill Lee appointed Maroney to the chancery court on Aug. 13. He replaces retired judge Jimmy Butler. Maroney will serve the rest of Butler’s term but also has said that he will run for his own term in 2022.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. attorney’s office for the Middle District of Tennessee are launching a joint campaign to remind residents of the importance of reporting hate crimes. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 117 hate crimes were committed in Tennessee during 2019, WKRN reports. “There has been a trend, and it’s slightly trending upwards,” says FBI Supervisory Special Agent Richard Baer. The offices will be conducting awareness sessions around the region. To report a hate crime, call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

The early returns on this year’s entering 1L classes confirm earlier predictions of a roaring fall 2021 law school admissions season. Data also shows that median LSAT scores are up, Pepperdine Law Dean Paul Caron writes in his Tax Prof Blog. The statistics were collected by Spivey Consulting Group and examined by Caron, who focuses on 13 schools on the U.S. News’ Top 50 Law Schools list.

Greeneville Pastor Casey Nicholson last week announced he will run for the Democratic nomination for governor. Nicholson previously ran for state representative in 2008 and served as chair of the Greene County Democratic Party. He indicated his primary issue will be current Gov. Bill Lee's leadership, which he describes as lacking during the COVID crisis. Nicholson joins Dr. Jason Martin, a pulmonary and critical care specialist in Nashville, who also made his run official last week, and Democrat Carnita Atwater of Memphis, according to the Nashville Post.

Sparta lawyer and former judge Gary Wayne Dodson died on Aug. 12 at 72. A 1973 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Law, Dodson practiced law in White County for more than 46 years. He served as general sessions judge for White and Van Buren counties for 10 years, as White County delinquent tax attorney for 40 years, and as White County attorney for 16 years. At his death, he was serving as Sparta city judge. Funeral services were held Aug. 16 at the West Sparta Church of Christ. Memorial donations may be made to the Stepping Stones School Parents-Day-Out program at West Sparta Church of Christ, the White County Library or the White County Humane Society, 5600 Gum Springs Mountain Rd., Sparta, TN 38583.

The U.S District Court in Chattanooga has released reservation details about the upcoming portrait unveiling and reception for retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marcia Phillips Parsons. The event will take place on Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. EDT. Those who would like to attend are asked to RSVP by Sept. 7 to 423-783-2508. Judge Parsons retired in September 2020.

The YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley has launched a new resource for Oak Ridge families who have experienced domestic violence, the Oak Ridger reports. The new Justice for Families Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Center will provide a safe place for families to receive services. The YWCA will hold an open house on Wednesday beginning at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Tours will take place from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. RSVP to Karlyn Reel. The YWCA also is expanding its signature violence prevention program, Gamechangers, to Oak Ridge and Anderson County. The program pairs adult male mentors with middle-school-aged boys to educate them on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, consent and bystander intervention.

To mark the closing of the Tennessee State Museum exhibition "Ratifed! Tennessee Women and the Right to Vote" and the 101st anniversary of ratification of the 19th Amendment, the museum will host a special event featuring author Elaine Weiss and noted historian Carole Bucy on Sept. 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. CDT. Limited seating will be available. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. The event also will be livestreamed on the museum’s website at TNMuseum.org/Videos. After the discussion, Weiss will sign copies of her book "The Woman’s Hour." Weiss was the keynote speaker at the TBA’s 2020 Virtual Convention.