Knoxville is marking the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with events running throughout the month, including art exhibits, educational programs, an interfaith prayer service, youth programming and the MLK Basketball Classic. Organized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, the 2026 celebration carries the theme “One Community, One Purpose, One Dream: A Call to Action” and is intended to promote civic engagement, equity and community building. Events began Jan. 2 with a Gallery of Arts Tribute at The Emporium Center, where the exhibit honoring King’s legacy will remain on display through Jan. 31. Programs will conclude with a memorial tribute service on Jan. 19. Knox News has a full schedule of events taking place throughout the month.

Two Cocke County businesses received state grants Thursday to help retain and retrain employees after Hurricane Helene, WSMV reports. State and local officials announced the awards for Eastern Plating and American Appliance Products, with each company receiving more than $2 million from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Both businesses were damaged by the hurricane and are either in the early stages of reopening or have not yet reopened. The plants, which are located next to each other, were flooded during the storm. “Of all the things we get to do across the state and our agency, working in rural Tennessee is what we see as the most impactful,” said Stuart McWhorter, Tennessee deputy governor and commissioner of economic and community development.

Tennessee’s 28th Judicial District, which includes Crockett, Gibson and Haywood counties, reported no murders in 2025, the Commercial Appeal reports. District Attorney Frederick Agee said in a Jan. 6 news release that it is the first time in at least 20 years the district has recorded zero homicides, and that it was the only judicial district in the state without a murder last year. Tennessee has 32 judicial districts, and the 28th District serves a population of about 85,000. “We have aggressively sought revocations of offenders out on bond or on probation when they continue to violate,” Agee said. “We believe this record year illustrates the fruits of our office policy and labor.”

Tennessee schools’ curricula soon will cover social media and internet safety. The Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Act bans students from accessing social media over school internet except for educational purposes. According to WPLN, new state guidelines on social media safety direct schools to cover how information is distributed on social media, how social media manipulates behavior, the permanence of sharing materials online, spotting online predators, cyber bullying and recognizing potential misinformation when using AI, among other lessons. The new law comes on the heels of Tennessee banning the use of cellphones during classroom instruction.

A free legal clinic is set to open in Grundy County, offering residents access to legal advice regardless of income, according to the Grundy County Herald. The clinic will be operated by attorney Charlie Trost, a Beersheba Springs resident who retired two years ago after a 60-year legal career. Trost says he views community service as a responsibility of holding a law license. The clinic office will be located inside the Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic, where Trost will be available on Fridays to provide assistance on civil legal matters. The clinic will not handle criminal cases, divorces or child custody disputes. Trost cited rising costs and a shortage of lawyers in rural Tennessee as key reasons for the clinic, noting that many residents cannot afford legal services despite steady employment.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Jan. 7 directed Loudon County attorney William Anthony Paxton to inform the court within 30 days why the imposition of a one-year in suspension in Ohio should not also be imposed in Tennessee. The court states that if Paxton does not respond, it will impose the identical discipline imposed by the Supreme Court of Ohio on Nov. 25, 2025.

Georgia lawyer Heather Renee Hicks was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on Jan. 6. She had been placed on inactive status more than five years ago, on May 11, 2017. The Board of Professional Responsibility reviewed the petition for reinstatement and determined it to be satisfactory.

Members of the Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL) and the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division's (TBA YLD) Diversity Committee held a networking mixer this month in Nashville, sponsored by Spencer Fane LLP. TABL and YLD members in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Memphis should be on the lookout for networking mixers coming near them soon! See photos from the event. 

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) recently held its annual pro bono celebration in Chattanooga. This year’s event recognized Hall of Fame inductees Nadia Oliver with the Orange Grove Center and Charles Sereebutra with CBL Properties, both of Chattanooga, for their dedication to serving neighbors in need. The Charles W. “Buz” Dooley Pro Bono Attorneys Hall of Fame Celebration also featured Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Dwight Tarwater as the 2025 distinguished guest. The event also was attended by local attorneys, judges, firm partners, paralegals and donors. See photos from the celebration.

The Memphis Bar Association (MBA) held its Annual Meeting last month. During the event, leaders presented a number of awards. Shea Wellford, a shareholder with Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, received the MBA’s highest award, the Judge Jerome Turner Lawyer’s Lawyer Award. The award recognizes a Memphis attorney who has practiced law for more than 15 years and embodies professionalism, civility and courtesy. In addition, Natalie Bursi, a shareholder with Lewis Thomason, received the Sam A. Myar Jr. Memorial Award, which honors an attorney under 40 years old who has shown dedication and commitment to the legal profession and local community. Finally, outgoing president Lauran Stimac presented President’s Awards to Lucie Brackin and Terrence Reed for their service as co-chairs of the MBA’s Leadership Forum and for revitalizing the mentorship program. See photos from the event or read more in a press release from the group.