Three more states have announced they will adopt the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). Law.come reports that Alabama, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania have joined the growing number of states agreeing to utilize the new exam. This brings to 43 the total number of jurisdictions adopting the NextGen UBE, which aims to assess practical legal skills and ethical decision-making, preparing new lawyers for the realities of modern legal practice. Also recently, one state rejected the new exam. Nevada has announced that its bar exam will include three components: a multiple-choice section, a performance examination and a supervised practice component.

Make plans now to join colleagues on July 31 for a panel discussion outlining how attorneys can serve nonprofit organizations. Produced by the Tennessee Bar Association and West Tennessee Legal Services, this program is the first in a three-part series to equip attorneys with the skills and confidence to create, strengthen and support the work of nonprofit organizations. Presenters first will provide an overview of nonprofit law, including the formation, governance and tax implications associated with operating a nonprofit organization. Next, a panel of nonprofit experts will discuss their experiences and recommendations for creating a nonprofit. Although the event is designed for legal professionals, all are welcome to join. Registration for this webcast is free but 1.5 hours of general CLE credit is available for a $50 processing fee.

Tennessee state Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, who previously filed paperwork to launch a bid for the 7th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, has decided not to run. Clarksville Now reports that Reedy dropped out of the contest, saying, “At this time I feel God has placed me in the Tennessee state House and the job is not yet finished. His departure leaves these five Republicans and two Democrats to face off in their respective party primaries. The field also includes former state Rep. Brandon Ogles and health executive Mason Foley on the Republican side and state Rep. Vincent Dixie on the Democratic side. Former Nashville mayor Megan Barry and state Republican Sen. Bill Powers of Clarksville, who originally had expressed interest in the seat, have decided not to run.

Testimony continued into a second day on what impact death row inmate Byron Black’s cardioverter-defibrillator will have once pentobarbital is administered to him during his Aug. 5 execution. On Wednesday, the state made its case. Two expert witnesses testified that the device will not cause additional pain. Both were in direct opposition to Monday’s testimony from witness who asserted the pentobarbital will cause the device to repeatedly shock Black. Davidson County Chancellor Russell Perkins has said a ruling can be expected by Friday. The Nashville Banner reports on the proceeding in its latest newsletter.

Metro Nashville Police have charged Phaitoon Sean Viryasiri for sending threatening letters to four judges, the Nashville Banner reports. Viryasiri, an inmate in the Davidson County Jail, was charged with a Class E felony for threatening Criminal Court Judge Khadija Babb with retaliation for decisions made when he was a defendant in her court. He also was charged with Class A misdemeanor for harassing threats in 17 letters sent to Babb, Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton, Criminal Court Judge Cynthia Chappell and General Sessions Court Judge Ana Escobar. Viryasiri has been in jail since last October for probation violations related to felony assault and burglary convictions. The police department previously announced it was investigating the threats.

The TBA’s Summer CLE Event continues next week with a one-hour webcast focused on the legal writing rules you should be breaking to become more persuasive. Make plans to join the CLE Performer Stuart Teicher on July 23 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT to learn more. Can’t make this time? The program also is available on demand. Looking for something else? Check out all our July offerings.

R. William “Bill” Ide III, former president of the American Bar Association (ABA), died July 8. Ide served as ABA president from 1993 to 1994, was a member of the ABA Board of Governors from 1987 to 1990, and spent 12 years in the ABA House of Delegates as an assembly delegate. Most recently, he served as vice chair of the ABA Task Force for American Democracy. As president, Ide focused on strengthening judicial integrity, expanding access to legal services and reforming legal ethics. Under his leadership, the ABA launched initiatives to protect judges from political pressure and interference and promoted transparent, fair legal processes to maintain public trust in the judiciary. Ide earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Nashville lawyer Jefferson Cooper Orr died May 21 at the age of 64. A graduate of Cumberland School of Law, Orr began his career at Manier, Herod, Hollabaugh & Smith until co-founding Smith Cashion & Orr in 1997. He practiced there for the remainder of his career. A memorial service was held in May at Christ Presbyterian Church. Donations in Orr’s memory may be made to Christ Presbyterian Academy, 2323-A Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville, TN 37215, or Fellowship Bible Church, 1210 Franklin Rd., Brentwood, TN 37027.

A story in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today incorrectly stated that U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, is stepping down from his congressional seat early to run for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Rose’s current term, like all members of the U.S. House of Representatives, runs through the end of 2026. Tennesseans will elect a new governor in November that year with the winner taking office in January 2027.

Environmental groups, including the Southern Environmental Law Center and the NAACP, have filed an appeal challenging the Shelby County Health Department’s decision to grant Elon Musk’s company xAI an air emissions permit for 15 natural gas turbines in Southwest Memphis. According to the Daily Memphian, the groups argue the permit, granted July 2, violates federal law and fails to account for 35 unpermitted temporary turbines previously installed at xAI’s Colossus data center. The appeal, filed with the Shelby County Air Pollution Control Board, also contests the department’s interpretation of the federal Clean Air Act and raises concerns over the adequacy of air modeling, existing local smog conditions, and the precedent the permit sets for future turbine installations — including potential developments at xAI’s second Memphis site, Colossus 2.