State Sen. Katrina Robinson, D-Memphis, could be removed from the General Assembly if she does not resign from her District 33 seat, even before court appeals are exhausted, Tennessee Lookout reports. Robinson was convicted on felony fraud charges last week. Based on her own statements and support from legislative colleagues, it looks like she does not intend to leave her seat immediately. This could potentially force the hand of Senate leaders as rules for the body prohibit anyone convicted of a felony from serving.

With 10 months before voters choose the next Shelby County district attorney, the push to unseat incumbent Amy Weirich has heated up with a new public education campaign designed to bring attention to Weirich’s “controversial” record. Flyers and a mobile billboard calling Weirich a “repeat offender” were seen near the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center on Wednesday. The campaign is coordinated by Memphis Watch, a newly formed organization that does not appear to have a web presence or be led by Memphians, according to a joint report from Report for America and MLK50: Justice Through Journalists published in the Memphis Flyer. The messages are similar to the website AmyWeirichFiles.com, which offers a blistering assessment of Weirich’s actions.

Tennessee Republicans are eyeing Oct. 27 as the tentative start date for a special session aimed at loosening COVID-19 restrictions in the state, The Tennessean reports. According to a message obtained by the paper, the session would extend into the week of Nov. 1. Senate Republicans had been cool to the idea, but after Gov. Bill Lee called for a special session to approve incentives for Ford Motor Company, Senate Speaker Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, voiced support for the fall session. 

A recent spike in harassment, intimidation and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers and staff has led the Department of Justice to commit new resources for countering those actions, WJHL reports. Attorney General Merrick Garland has instructed each U.S. attorney to convene meetings with federal, state and local law enforcement within 30 days to address threats. Reaction in Tennessee has been mixed. State Rep. Vincent Dixie, D-Nashville, says he welcomes an investigation and would like to see the department quickly examine who is behind the rise in threats. By contrast, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said the federal government should not use politics to go after innocent people. 

The Nashville Public Library is launching a new community history project that explores the historical conflict over lynching, race and racism between two American Reformers. "Truth-Telling: Ida B. Wells and Frances Willard” will include a film screening and conversation with Michelle Duster, great-granddaughter of Wells and author of “Ida B. the Queen,” and Lori Osborne, director of the Frances Willard House Museum. It will also include a panel discussion on “The Role of Journalism in Documenting the Truth.” The virtual event will take place Oct. 23 at 10:30 a.m. CDT. Find out more about the program and register here.

Hamilton County commissioners last night voted 5-4 to pull a measure that would have cut funding for the district attorney’s office after DA Neal Pinkston answered questions about the budget, the Chattanoogan reports. Commissioner Tim Boyd sponsored the effort, which sought to withhold funds being used to pay Melydia Clewell, an employee in the DA’s office and Pinkston’s wife. Pinkston told commissioners that, at the time of the original budget question, his relatives were state employees and he later moved them to being county employees after concerns were raised at the DA’s conference. Pinkston also said none of his relatives answer to him, but to an administrator.

The Chattanooga City Council last night voted to suspend Division II of City Court next year, the Chattanoogan reports. The resolution, sponsored by Council Chairman Chip Henderson, was passed with seven votes. Henderson and other members of the council have been in favor of closing Division II, saying the court has been hearing few cases and that its closure could save roughly $500,000 per year. The court will be suspended next year after Division II Judge Russell Bean retires.  

Former Vanderbilt Law School student and VU Board of Trust member Justin Ishbia has given his alma mater $10 million, the Nashville Post reports. Ishbia is founder and managing partner of Shore Capital Partners, a private equity firm with offices in Chicago and Nashville. He also is a member of the Vanderbilt Law School Board of Advisors, which in 2015 established the Justin R. Ishbia Scholarship to provide financial support for VU law school students. Ishbia earned his law degree from the school in 2004. According to law school dean Chris Guthrie, the gift will support “key strategic priorities" within the law school and "strengthen its position as one of the nation’s premier institutions for legal scholarship.”

U.S. District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw yesterday extended a temporary order blocking Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order that allows parents to opt their children out of school mask mandates, the Tennessean reports. Crenshaw has not yet ruled on the underlying legal issues in the lawsuit but extended the temporary order through Oct. 27 after hearing hours of testimony. The suit against Lee’s opt out order was brought by two Williamson County families under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability laws. The extension to Crenshaw’s original temporary order, which was issued last month, allows schools to enforce mask mandates while the case continues. Crenshaw will continue to hear testimony on Oct. 13.

Former Knox County Law Director Richard “Bud” Armstrong last week kicked off his campaign for the county’s Chancery Court Part II, the Knoxville Focus reports.  Armstrong, who served as the county’s law director from 2013 until 2021, is one of two candidates who have challenged incumbent Chancellor Clarence Pridemore for the seat. The publication says Knoxville attorney Deno Cole is in the running as well.