A number of events are planned in Chattanooga to celebrate Black History Month. The Bessie Smith Cultural Center will host an art contest and community day on Feb. 7, a documentary on the history of Black representation in children’s toys on Feb. 12, a celebration of Black spirituals on Feb. 19 and the unveiling of a new historical marker honoring those affected by lynchings on Feb. 26. The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center will host a workshop for teachers and a session on Medal of Honor recipient George Jordan on Feb. 16. The Chattery will host an interactive art cafe with Black artists on Feb. 19 and a night market on Feb. 27. From Feb. 13-21, Crabtree Farms will host a play offering alternative perspectives not featured in the “Hamilton” musical. Access more information about these and other events from Nooga Today.

Joey Aguilar, the University of Tennessee’s starting quarterback this past season, received a 15-day temporary restraining order allowing him to practice with the team, Knox News reports. Aguilar is suing the NCAA over rules that would deny him additional eligibility to play. His argument is partly based on the fact that he began his career at a non-NCAA junior college. The next step for Aguilar is to seek a preliminary injunction. A hearing on that issue is set for Feb. 13.

A jury has convicted a man for threatening to kill a federal judge and two prosecutors in Memphis last year. Justin Stiger, 34, was convicted after a two-day trial and just 2.5 hours of jury deliberation, according to the Daily Memphian. Stiger was indicted in 2022 on an unrelated drug case. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years. He later requested a change to his plea, which broke the original plea agreement. U.S. District Judge Mark Norris denied the request and ordered a new sentencing hearing. At that proceeding, Norris sentenced Stiger to a decade behind bars and Stiger allegedly threatened to kill Norris and two prosecutors. The threat case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee with East Tennessee’s U.S. District Judge Travis McDonough presiding. Sentencing is set for June 18.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals has ruled that Metro Nashville must consider releasing certain records related to the Covenant School shooting, the Nashville Banner reports. Authoring Judge Kristi Davis wrote that “no record in Metro’s file should be deemed exempt simply because it contains some exempt information.” The appeals court remanded the case back to the Davidson County Chancery Court to resolve which of the shooter’s writings should be exempt from disclosure. A number of news outlets are seeking access to the shooter’s journals and writings while the school and several parents are seeking to stop the disclosure. After Metro denied all requests — arguing the investigation was ongoing — Chancellor I’Ashea Myles agreed that Metro could deny all requests. According to Fox 17 News, police department attorneys now acknowledge the investigation is complete.

Among the projects included in Gov. Bill Lee’s budget is $4.9 million to create a 10-person rapid DNA unit. According to Axios, the technology would allow for a two-hour turnaround on tests, would be portable and could be done on site during disasters. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has had testing lags for rape kits and other DNA evidence for years. A state review recently recommended that lawmakers adjust DNA testing laws to allow for rapid DNA technology during booking.

In honor of the upcoming March Madness extravaganza, TBA brings you a breakdown of the ways in which college mascots represent their schools with pride, loyalty and unwavering standards — qualities every attorney should embody. Professional legal educator Stuart Teicher — “The CLE Performer” — reveals how these iconic figures demonstrate core principles of legal ethics. From the tiger's protective instincts to the eagle's soaring integrity, mascots show us what it means to represent something bigger than yourself while maintaining consistent character, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes. The webcast will air Feb. 6 from noon to 1 p.m. CST. Can't make that time? The program also is available on demand. Learn more and register on the TBA website.

On Nov. 15, 2024, Shelby County lawyer Javier Michael Bailey filed a petition to reinstate his Tennessee law license after being disbarred on April 26, 2012. A Board of Professional Responsibility hearing panel conducted a review and the majority recommended placing several conditions on reinstatement, including that Bailey retake and pass the bar exam, have a practice monitor for five years, limit the number of cases accepted, complete additional continuing legal education courses, and make every effort to pay in full the restitution and costs he was ordered to pay in 2012. One member of the panel objected to reinstatement. On Jan. 30, the Tennessee Supreme Court determined that reinstatement would be detrimental to the integrity and standing of the bar and subversive to the public interest, and therefore dismissed the petition.

On Nov. 20, 2025, Georgia lawyer Meredith Gardial filed a petition to reinstate her Tennessee law license. The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a response in opposition to the petition stating that she has outstanding requirements with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility and the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education. On Dec. 15, 2025, the Tennessee Supreme Court filed an order directing Gardial to satisfy these outstanding obligations by Jan. 27 or face dismissal of her petition. The court reported on Jan. 30 that Gardial had not responded to its request and thus dismissed the petition.

JULIA SMITH GIBBONS, Circuit Judge. Defendant Omar Wala pled guilty to conspiracy and substantive counterfeiting after manufacturing and selling 16.1 million counterfeit alprazolam pills on the dark web over a five-year period. On appeal, Wala challenges the district court’s methodology for calculating loss and its application of that methodology under § 2B1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines. Wala also challenges the district court’s imposition of two sentencing enhancements because it found his offense involved (1) 10 or more victims or mass-marketing and (2) the conscious or reckless risk of death or serious bodily injury. We affirm the district court’s sentence.

The defendant, Nolan T. Williams, pled guilty to rape. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court ordered the defendant to serve an eight-year sentence in confinement with the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the defendant contends the trial court erred in sentencing him to confinement. Following review, we dismiss the appeal as untimely.