Former Millersville officials have filed a series of federal lawsuits accusing activists, former city leaders and journalists of conspiracies ranging from defamation to racketeering and even international terrorism. Defendants say the claims are frivolous and unsupported. According to The Tennessean, the lawsuits stem from years of turmoil in the small town, including mass firings, resignations, accusations of secret meetings and a botched 2024 sex-trafficking sting that later led to the indictment of a police captain. Five former employees — including ex-assistant police chief Shawn Taylor and former city attorney Bryant Kroll — allege coordinated efforts by activists, commissioners and reporters to sabotage investigations, defame them and force them from office. News organizations and the city have moved to dismiss the cases, arguing the allegations lack factual basis and that reporting and public statements are protected by the First Amendment.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) on Monday announced the appointment of veteran attorney Rebekah Parkhurst as its general counsel. “With nearly two decades of experience in public sector law, litigation management, and regulatory compliance, Rebekah has demonstrated a track record of leadership that I know will benefit our department and, in turn, all Tennesseans,” said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. Prior to joining TDCI, Parkhurst served in various roles with Tennessee state government beginning in 2005, including serving as law clerk at the Tennessee Supreme Court, as an assistant attorney general, and as a deputy general counsel with the Department of Human Services. She earned her law degree from Appalachian School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Marshall University. Read more in a press release from the department.

Metro Nashville Council Member Joy Kimbrough has filed a $40 million defamation lawsuit against Ryan Moses and his liquor distribution company, Best Brands Inc., over a dismissed ethics complaint that accused her of demanding $500,000 in exchange for support of a rezoning proposal. The Nashville Post reports that the Metro ethics board dismissed the complaint after Moses failed to provide evidence. Kimbrough alleges the false claims severely damaged her reputation and caused emotional distress.

In addition to serving on the bench, District 29 Chancellor Tony Childress is a volunteer firefighter, and on Dec. 26, 2025, he assisted with a surprise delivery. Childress was hunting with friends when he received a text from the Bogata Volunteer Fire Department about a woman giving birth in her car. He was the first firefighter on the scene and was able to assist the mother and baby until an ambulance arrived. Of his work with the fire department, Childress says, “I was a volunteer firefighter before I was a judge. I just said that’s not one of the things I’m going to give up. I believe in serving the community in whatever capacity you can. Judges ought to serve their communities in more roles than just being a judge. If you’re a leader, and judges are leaders, at some point you need to lead if you can do something. That’s why I keep doing it.” Read more in this profile from the Administrative Office of the Courts. District 29 serves Dyer and Lake counties.

The 2026 Estate Planning & Probate Forum will take place at the Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin on March 6. This event provides seven hours of CLE, including one hour of dual credit, and offers sessions on litigation and estate planning, public receivership, a probate panel, and a legislative update. Speakers include Section Chair Robert Malin, Rebecca Blair, Chancellor William Cole, Arthur Cook, Jennifer Exum, General Sessions Court Judge Toby Gilley, Zachary Glaser, Rob Hazard, Lisa Helton, Robin Miller, David Parsons, Al Secor, Andrea Sinclair, Jared Smith and Ashley Stearns. Section members receive discounted registration. Get more information and register on the TBA's website.

The Petitioner, Zachary Thompson, appeals from the Shelby County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, arguing that the post-conviction court erred in finding that he failed to establish that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance. Discerning no error, we affirm.

This appeal stems from an extension and modification of an order of protection. Upon motion by Appellee, the trial court extended the initial order of protection between the parties for one year and modified the terms of the order. Appellant challenges the extension on procedural, statutory, and constitutional grounds. After careful review, we affirm the trial court’s extension and modification of the order of protection.

The trial court dismissed a prisoner’s petition for a writ of certiorari on the basis that no verified petition was timely filed. On appeal, the prisoner concedes that his verified petition was filed at least one day late but contends that this Court should adopt an exception permitting the late filing due to obstruction by prison staff that prevented the prisoner from filing a timely verified petition. We affirm the decision of the trial court.

January 5, 2026 - January 9, 2026.

Vice President JD Vance announced Thursday that the Trump administration is establishing a new Department of Justice (DOJ) Division for National Fraud Enforcement to be lead by a new assistant attorney general, The Hill reports. The move follows the DOJ's investigation into allegations of mass welfare fraud in Minnesota. It has charged 85 defendants in that case and the administration said it is increasing prosecution resources and attorneys assigned to the investigation. Vance said the new position will “focus primarily” on the Minnesota fraud case, but also will have “nation-wide jurisdiction over the issue of fraud.” Following the news, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the new role on the social platform X. Read more about the new fraud division from this White House fact sheet.