Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett has referred 42 possible non-U.S. citizens to the FBI for investigation into potential illegal voting. The group represents about 0.0001% of the state’s 4.3 million registered voters. According to the Tennessee Lookout, Hargett credited President Donald Trump for improving access to the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, which Tennessee uses to verify voter citizenship. In a letter posted on Facebook, Hargett thanked Trump for his administration’s collaboration. The Lookout reports that the Brennan Center for Justice has argued that information from SAVE is sometimes incomplete or old. It also has warned that expanding the amount of information accessible through SAVE could increase the risk of states erroneously purging eligible voters from their rolls.

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) will award grants to support the delivery of civil legal services to eligible low-income individuals in the state in 2026. Recipients will be announced in December. As part of the 2026 grants process, the LSC has  published a notice of intent to award grants and is allowing 30 days for public comment. The comment period will close Dec. 1. The list of potential awardees — including three organizations in Tennessee — can be viewed online. Questions should be directed to Christine Williams at 202-295-1602.

Knox News reports that 138 Knoxville voters cast their ballots for the first time during early voting this year while 11,722 people in all early voted in the local election, which represents about 12% of eligible city voters. The early voting turnout of 10,855, excluding absentee and nursing home ballots, far exceeds early voting in the 2023 general election of 6,474. Knox County Elections Administrator Chris Davis told Knox News the high turnout is driven largely by a proposed half-percent sales tax increase on the citywide ballot. City Council seats in Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 are also up for election, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST on Election Day.

The Trump administration said it plans to partially fund food aid for millions of Americans after two federal judges ruled it must use contingency funds to pay November benefits during the government shutdown, Reuters reports. The administration outlined plans in a filing with U.S. District Judge John McConnell, who last week ordered the agency to use emergency funds to at least partially cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The U.S. Department of Justice said the USDA is complying with McConnell’s order and “will fulfill its obligation to expend the full amount of SNAP contingency funds today.” The administration said $600 million will cover states’ administrative costs, leaving $4.65 billion to fund 50% of eligible households’ current allotments. It also will look at tapping a separate $23 billion fund.

Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, has announced she will not seek another term representing District 78 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. The Post Local News reports she has represented Cheatham and Dickson counties since 2012. As a freshman legislator, Littleton passed one of the nation’s first laws allowing the termination of parental rights when a parent is convicted of sex trafficking their own child. Since 2019, she has served as chair of the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee, overseeing legislation related to child custody, domestic violence, juvenile crime and foster care. “It’s been a true blessing to represent Cheatham and Dickson counties and one of the greatest honors of my life to serve. I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together to make Tennessee a safer, healthier state for children and families,” Littleton said. She will continue to serve through the remainder of her term.

Two more inmates have died at the Shelby County Jail bringing the number of deaths at the facility to at least nine this year and more than 60 since 2019. The first inmate died on Oct. 30 and was identified as 24-year-old Dalton Goddard, who was arrested by a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper on Oct. 19 after a traffic stop for speeding. He was charged with several drug offenses, the Daily Memphian reports. An autopsy is being performed to determine the cause and manner of death. Additionally, another death at the jail was confirmed by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in an email this afternoon. A TBI spokesperson identified the inmate as 40-year-old Antonio First, who was convicted in 2024 on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse. First’s cause of death is still unknown but a TBI spokesperson said no foul play is suspected.

The TBA will host a free webcast this Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST to celebrate the launch of its new Pro Bono Portal, powered by Paladin. The event will introduce attorneys and legal aid organizations to the innovative platform designed to make pro bono work across the state more accessible and efficient. Speakers include Chelsea Bennett of the TBA, Justin Cole of West Tennessee Legal Services and Danielle LoMastro of Paladin. Attendees will see a live demonstration of the platform and learn how to search for and sign up for pro bono opportunities in their area. To register for this event, visit the TBA website.

It's not too late to register for the TBA’s 2025 Health Law Primer and Health Law Forum, taking place next week in Nashville. The primer will take place Nov. 12 at Barnes & Thornburg. Designed for those new to health practice, the program will provide a general health law overview and practical tips to avoid the pitfalls in the heavily regulated health care industry. Then on Nov. 13 and 14, the forum will take place at the Music City Center. The two-day event will dig deeper into topics such as regulatory fraud and abuse, medical malpractice, controlled substances enforcement, legislative action, AI contracting, ethics and more. The premier program for Tennessee health care lawyers, the forum provides all necessary CLE requirements for the year — 12 general hours and three dual hours — while providing opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the state. Get more information and register here.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) has selected members for the 2026 Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI) class. This year's invited participants represent law school students from across the state.

Congratulations to Sara Ali-Amghaiab and Carole Rizkallah from Belmont University College of Law; Naimad Delgado, Sierra Dennis, Charleston Pritchett, Cayla Scott and Carlee Sullins from Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law; Ronal Bueso, Marilyn Harrison-Bates and Cecilee Tinajero from Nashville School of Law; Abigail James from University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law; and Dimend Little from UT Winston College of Law.

Starting in January, class members will embark on a six-month leadership and networking program designed to develop skills to succeed as law students and attorneys, build relationships among students of diverse backgrounds, and encourage involvement in the TBA and the legal community. Special thanks to DLI Co-Chairs and Nashville attorneys Morgan Hanna and John Murphy for their work preparing for this new class.

As criminal cases get more complicated, both the state and defense counsel are more likely to rely on expert witnesses. Wade Davies explains the differences in disclosures in federal and state cases in Crime & Punishment.