More than a year after a report was released that was highly critical of Tennessee State University's (TSU) senior leaders, Republican lawmakers are moving to remove and replace the members of its governing board. Axios Nashville reports that the Senate Government Operations Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would vacate the board. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, said, "It has been made abundantly clear over the past few years that Tennessee State University is in need of a reset. A new board and a new president working in tandem will give the university the fresh start it needs." Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, countered, saying many of the problems at TSU are tied to historic underfunding. A federal review found that TSU has been underfunded by billions of dollars. "We have wronged this university," Oliver said. "As a result of our failures, TSU's operations are in the state of affairs that they're in now."

The defendant, David Parr, appeals the Stewart County Circuit Court’s imposition of a fully-incarcerative sentence for his guilty-pleaded convictions of possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl with intent to sell or deliver, asking this court to remand to the trial court for consideration of Community Corrections under Code section 40-36- 106(2)(c). Because the superseding indictments violated the principles of double jeopardy and because the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hold the plea submission hearing, the judgments entered on the superseding indictments are void, and we dismiss the appeal.

The Defendant, Marcus Green, was convicted in the Shelby County Criminal Court of first degree premeditated murder, attempted first degree premeditated murder, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. After a sentencing hearing, he received a sentence of life plus one hundred five years in confinement. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support the convictions, that the trial court erred by refusing to bifurcate the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon from the remaining charges, and that his effective sentence is excessive. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

The Petitioner, Jimmiko Driskell, appeals the denial of her petition for post-conviction relief from her second degree murder conviction, arguing that she received ineffective assistance of trial counsel and was denied due process of law because she lacked the knowledge to enter a knowing, intelligent and voluntary guilty plea. Based on our review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

The Board of Judicial Conduct on Tuesday issued a public reprimand to Shelby County General Sessions Judge Bill Anderson Jr. The reprimand addresses two matters, the first that Anderson raised his voice and was sarcastic to a Memphis police sergeant who appeared in court for a bond hearing at the judge's request. The board pointed out that "a party who is the subject of overly harsh or intemperate words may reasonably perceive that the judge is biased." The second matter concerned Anderson's statements made in a September Shelby County Commission meeting during which he stated that he "detest[s] the bail bond system in Shelby County. I detest it across the state." The board expressed concern that the statements could "undermine public perception and confidence" that a judge would approach cases "fairly and impartially, as well as undermine public confidence in the judiciary." The court noted that Anderson cooperated with its review and took full responsibility for his actions.

John Howard Roe Jr., one of the founding partners of Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, died Tuesday after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Roe, 77, began his legal career in Atlanta and then moved back to Nashville in 1974 to be closer to his childhood home of Clarksville. In 1981, he and colleague Tom Sherrard opened the law offices of O’Hare, Sherrard & Roe. He remained active in the firm until his gradual retirement beginning in 2019 and ending recently. Throughout his 50-year legal career, Roe developed an expertise in commercial real estate, tax law, municipal finance and international law. He also co-wrote the Tennessee Condominium Act of 2008. A 1972 graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School, he was active in the Nashville community, supporting the local chapter of the Boy Scouts and serving on the board of the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. Services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday. Visitation will begin at 2:30 p.m. with a celebration of life service to follow at 4 p.m. CST. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville.

The TBA will hold an afternoon conversation with Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly Kirby and Justice Dwight Tarwater at Burch, Porter & Johnson in Memphis on March 7 from 2:30-4 p.m. CST. Moderated by attorneys Will Perry and Buck Wellford, the panel will discuss each justice's path to the bench, the importance of mentors, the manner in which the justices interact, the importance of the Rule of Law in our society, and more. The event will wrap up with a networking reception from 4:30-6:30 p.m. CST. Make plans today to attend this unique program and reserve your spot soon as space is limited. All members of the legal community are invited to attend the free reception. No reservation for the reception is required.

Join the TBA's Tort & Insurance Law Section on Feb. 13 for its annual forum, presented virtually this year. The three-hour general, one-hour dual CLE program will feature sessions on health care liability, how to read and understand medical reports, updates on the Anti-SLAPP statute and ethics. Get more info or register.

Gov. Bill Lee has nominated Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Mary L. Wagner to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court. “Mary is a highly qualified judge who will bring significant experience to the Tennessee Supreme Court,” Gov. Lee said in making the announcement. Wagner will fill a vacancy that will occur when Justice Roger A. Page retires on Aug. 31. Wagner, 39, is a TBA member and alumna of the association's Leadership Law Program. She earned her law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and was appointed to the circuit court in 2016 by then-Gov. Bill Haslam. She won reelection in 2018 and 2022. Her nomination now must be approved by the General Assembly. The Tennessean has more on the process.

Seniors on Medicare’s Part D drug plan will see additional savings this coming year, The New York Times reports. The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, capped Part D out-of-pocket spending for 2024 at $3,300, which will drop to $2,000 in 2025. Beneficiaries next year also will be able to spread out their out-of-pocket costs by setting up a monthly payment plan with their Part D insurance companies. Another key change expands access to subsidies that help low-income seniors with their premiums, deductibles and other costs by increasing income limits. The subsidy, Extra Help, is worth about $5,300 per year for those who enroll.