The U.S. Census Bureau released the first set of results from the 2020 census today, The Hill reports. Tennessee’s number of congressional seats will remain unchanged. The results had been held up for months due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Trump administration's efforts to change how people were counted. Information about race, ethnicity, age and sex, as well as population numbers for counties, cities and towns is expected to be released starting in August. The new Electoral College map will take effect for the 2024 presidential race. National Public Radio reports on the process.

The Shelby County Criminal Court began its first jury trial today after a more than 13-month hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commercial Appeal reports. The case was heard in one of two brand new courtrooms in the Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar. The new courtrooms, started before the pandemic, were altered to accommodate new restrictions. They are large enough for 12 jurors, alternates, attorneys and court personnel to socially distance. Witnesses sit behind a clear plastic shield while a video screen helps jurors see the witnesses up close. The court will use these new courtrooms for all trials until further notice.

The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office has created a new juvenile service division to support local children and teens. The division is designed to create positive connections between juveniles and law enforcement, while also developing programs that hold juveniles accountable for their actions. In the coming weeks, the sheriff also will create a Juvenile Task Force that will be made up of law enforcement agencies and a Youth Services Coalition that will be made up of those that provide juvenile services within the county. These groups will use professional networking to identify current issues, problem solve and share resources to address the needs of our local youth, the Tennessean reports.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on Friday reinstated a 48-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions in Tennessee while the state appeals a ruling from the district court that the law serves no legitimate purpose, the Associated Press reports. U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman ruled in October that the law places a substantial burden on women who seek abortions in the state. The law, enacted in 2015, requires women to make two trips to an abortion clinic — first for mandatory counseling and then for the abortion at least 48 hours later. In February, a three-judge panel of the appeals court rejected the state's request to keep the waiting period in place during the appellate process. Read the opinion and a statement from Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H Slatery III.

The U.S. Department of Justice last week approved $1.3 million in emergency funds for critical law enforcement needs in the aftermath of the Christmas Day bombing in Nashville, Fox 17 reports. “These funds are a welcome relief and come at a most critical time for our partners at the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Mary Jane Stewart. “The number of critical incidents responded to in 2020, all of which required a sustained and long-term response, greatly impacted the operational budget of our district’s largest municipal police department. These funds will help offset deficits and allow police operations to continue without major interruption.”

Davidson County election commissioners agreed last week that a sufficient number of petition signatures have been filed by the 4 Good Government group to trigger a special election, Mainstreet Nashville reports. Commissioners have not yet voted to send the measure to the public on a special election ballot. The referendum effort seeks to limit Metro’s ability to raise property taxes.

Nobody wants to be THAT person. Learn how to avoid diversity, equity and inclusion faux pas during a live webcast with Kansas City, Missouri, attorneys Keith and Dana Cutler on May 27 beginning at 1 p.m. CDT. The Cutlers will define and explain the concepts of microaggressions, non-binary bias, implicit biases and allyship, and share ideas for increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in your work environment and the legal profession. The couple are partners in the law firm of James W. Tippin & Associates where they practice in the areas of civil defense litigation, education law and small business representation.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will hold one phone clinic this week for members of the public with questions about housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. The clinic will take place Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT. To help answer questions, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131.

The Tennessee Bar Association is seeking to fill two new positions —  Special Projects Coordinator and CLE Coordinator II. These are both part-time positions that involve administration and coordination of programming for the Tennessee Bar Association, which was recently recognized by the Nashville Business Journal as a "Best Place to Work" in Nashville. Both positions will involve remote work and work at the Tennessee Bar Association offices. 

The TBA is seeking a part-time CLE Coordinator II to facilitate, coordinate and administer development of continuing education seminars.  The successful candidate will coordinate communications, meetings, initiatives and programs (including CLE and pro bono) for the sections and committees of the TBA. Learn more and find out how to apply.