Retired Knox County Sheriff's Office Assistant Chief Brian Bivens took over leadership of the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center this month, launching reforms after longtime superintendent Richard Bean stepped down amid allegations of outdated practices and staff retaliation. According to Knox News, Bivens has begun implementing tighter security, new staff training, a facility management system and mental health screenings, while a temporary oversight board made up of county commissioners monitors operations until the Knox County Sheriff's Office assumes control in January. The facility, operating with a $5 million budget, had been under state scrutiny following investigations that revealed improper use of solitary confinement and inadequate care.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Tennessee and attorney Daniel Horwitz have filed a lawsuit challenging the Bartlett Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s denial of a permit requested by the Bartlett Muslim Society to build a mosque. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, the suit alleges the city’s decision violates the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUPIA), Tennessee’s Preservation of Religious Freedom Act and the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause. According to the ACLU, mosque officials have met permit requirements, including conducting a traffic study that showed no adverse impact. The group is asking the court to find that the city’s actions violate RLUIPA and mandate approval of the permit.

Vanderbilt University has hired the Nashville office of Baker Donelson to conduct an independent review of what the university described as “recent incidents” involving recorded comments by employees on the status of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. According to a statement issued by the university, the firm “will be tasked with reviewing the specific circumstances related to the recordings and identifying steps the university can take to ensure all employees fully understand the university’s policies and consistently act in accordance,” The Nashville Post reports. The review comes as Tennessee lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, examine DEI practices at major state universities, alleging that some institutions merely have renamed DEI programs rather than make meaningful changes. According to WZTV, covert recordings of employees at Belmont University and the University of Tennessee also allegedly indicate that DEI practices have not been eliminated as directed in federal guidance.

The City of Memphis is taking its legal battle against the Memphis police union to the Tennessee Supreme Court, asking the justices to pause court-mandated demotions of officers, The Commercial Appeal reports. The request follows rulings by an arbitrator, Shelby County Circuit Court and the Tennessee Court of Appeals that the city violated its memorandum of understanding with the union by establishing the rank of second lieutenant outside the bargaining agreement. The arbitrator directed to the city to demote all those given the rank and remove the rank from further usage. The city argues the demotions would cause "chaos" on the street and damage public safety initiatives. The Memphis Police Association claims continued use of the rank causes harm to officers excluded from union representation.

The TBA is offering a webcast replay of the popular “Essential Presentation Skills for Attorneys” on Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. Led by Mimi Bliss of Bliss Communications, the session provides practical techniques attorneys can immediately apply in trials, meetings, networking events and speaking engagements, both virtual and in person. Topics include sharpening messages, using storytelling with data, engaging audiences, and improving delivery through voice, gestures and eye contact. For more information and to register visit the TBA website. Can't make Thursday's broadcast? The course also is available on demand.

Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, has joined the growing list of candidates seeking to replace former 7th Congressional District Rep. Mark Green. Bulso announced his candidacy at a Republican forum held this weekend at the Humphreys County Fairgrounds in Waverly, the Nashville Post reports. He is the second state representative from Williamson County to enter the race, following Rep. Lee Reeves, R-Franklin, who announced earlier this month. “If I’m elected to this office, I will serve no more than three terms, or however long it’s necessary to get this federal government back to what our founders intended — to get to a balanced budget,” Bulso said Saturday. Green resigned from Congress July 20. The primary election will take place Oct. 7, with the general election set for Dec. 2.

Gov. Bill Lee's office is accepting applications to fill the office of district attorney general for the 18th Judicial District following the retirement of Ray Whitley. The appointment will last until the next biennial election in August 2026. Applicants must have been residents of Tennessee for five years and of the judicial district for at least one year. The 18th Judicial District serves Sumner County. Interested attorneys should submit a resume and cover letter to Erin Merrick, chief counsel to the governor, by emailing her assistant at Katelin.Brown@tn.gov no later than 5 p.m. CDT on Aug. 4. Learn more in the official announcement from the governor's office.

Knoxville attorney John Thomas Greene died Jan. 30 at age 83. Greene earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and began his legal career with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., working at its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, and later as a company lawyer in New York City. He eventually returned to Knoxville, where he represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases with the Law Offices of J.D. Lee. Funeral services were held Feb. 22 in Knoxville. Memorial donations may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306.

BLOOMEKATZ, Circuit Judge. Davariol Marquavis Taylor sued several members of the correctional staff at the Marquette Branch Prison (MBP) and moved to proceed in forma pauperis. The district court denied his motion under the Prison Litigation Reform Act’s (PLRA) “three-strikes” rule, and then dismissed his suit. But Taylor has only two PLRA “strikes,” not three. So we vacate and remand.

BLOOMEKATZ, Circuit Judge. Monica Gray helped a colleague secure an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The colleague’s supervisor opposed the accommodation and, a few months later, reported Gray for timecard falsification. State Farm investigated the report and fired Gray. Gray then sued for retaliation under the ADA and Ohio law, claiming that the supervisor singled her out for conduct widespread in the agency because she had helped her colleague advocate for an accommodation. But the district court granted State Farm summary judgment, reasoning that the company had an honest belief that Gray had engaged in misconduct. Because Gray can proceed on a theory of vicarious liability based on the supervisor’s alleged bias, we reverse.