The Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office will receive $300,000 in federal funding for a program that supports victims of and witnesses to crimes, the Daily Memphian reports. The money will be used to provide support and resources to victims and witnesses, reduce the backlog of cases and of data processing such as forensic evidence, and update a data system that supports prosecutorial decision-making. District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said the funds will provide “tangible, concrete assistance to victims ... and witnesses.” U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, Democrat of Memphis, announced the award this week.

A federal indictment unsealed Wednesday alleges a Tennessee content creation company was the tool a team of Russian propagandists used to infiltrate U.S. audiences with Kremlin-backed messaging. The Tennessean reports that two employees of “Russia Today” were indicated for funneling nearly $10 million to an unnamed company to publish English-language videos on social media sites addressing issues such as immigration, inflation, and domestic and foreign policy. It appears the employees turned to the company after “Russia Today” was banned from operating in the U.S. following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The paper suggests that the company in question is Nashville’s Tenet Media.

Tami Sawyer took the oath of office last week as the new Shelby County General Sessions Court clerk. The oath was administered by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris in the Shelby County Board of Commissioners chambers where Sawyer served for four years. She took office officially on Sept. 1. Sawyer said her office would ensure that “victims of domestic violence receive their orders of protection immediately” and that new budgets will go toward “improving the morale” of the more than 200 employees. The Daily Memphian has more on the story. Sawyer upset incumbent Joe Brown in the March Democratic primary and then beat Republican nominee Lisa Arnold in the August county general election.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) agents executed a search warrant at the Millersville Police Department this week, News Channel 5 reports. Agents also executed a separate search warrant at the residence of assistant police chief Shawn Taylor. It is not known what agents were seeking but Taylor has been in the news for what critics say are bizarre conspiracy theories. He also has appeared in videos displaying a collection of electronic equipment. In addition, two local district attorneys have told the station that the TBI was asked to investigate the possible use of sensitive law enforcement data to “dig up dirt” on potential political enemies. In related news, the Tennessean reports that TBI blocked the police department’s access to a financial crime database last month. This past summer, a local district attorney asked the TBI to investigate possible perjury by a deputy following a child predator sting.

Dallas-based law firm Winstead has opened a Nashville office with five Tennessee attorneys. Commercial litigator Jeremy Oliver will be the office’s managing shareholder. Christopher Dunn, Emily Lamb and Keith Randall will join as shareholders. Dunn also will co-chair the real estate industry group. Dunn and Randall previously were with Epstein Becker & Green and Waller. Lamb previously was with Thompson Burton and Metro Nashville government. Will Stout will join as an associate. He previously was with Spencer Fane and Lewis Thomason. The office is located at the ONE 22 ONE building, 1221 Broadway, Ste. 2030, Nashville 37203 in the Gulch. It can be reached at 615-949-2350. Winstead CEO Jeff Matthews said the move is “just the beginning” of the firm’s strategic growth in Nashville. Read more in a release from the firm.

Save the date for the TBA’s 2024 Local Government Forum set for Nov. 1. The course will take place as a live virtual event starting at 9 a.m. and running until 1 p.m. CDT. This year’s forum will feature sessions on parliamentary procedures, local sustainability measures and the ethics of who government attorneys actually represent. Watch for more details coming soon.

Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Rob Philyaw has been elected president of the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (TCFCJ) by its members from across the state. He will serve a term of two years. He previously served in the roles of treasurer and vice-president, as well as a member of TCFCJ's Executive and Legislative committees. Reflecting on his selection Philyaw said, “This kind of service was engrained in me in my first year of practicing law and has never left me. I look forward to the opportunities that the next two years will bring to further our work locally and across Tennessee. We have the best professional staff in Hamilton County and the broader work helps me do a better job for our families here every day.” Chattanoogan.com has the story.

Sumner County General Sessions Judge Kee Bryant-McCormick was sworn into office on Aug. 30 at a ceremony at the Sumner County Courthouse. She made history as the first Black person to be elected to that position in the county. The Gallatin News reports that the ceremony included remarks by Tennessee Administrative Offices of the Courts Director Michelle Long and Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown, and a history of African American female trailblazers in Sumner County and Middle Tennessee by Gallatin native A’Niya Boone. Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell administered the oath of office to Bryant-McCormick.

In a TBA Today news item last week, the funeral information for Former Judge Anthony Andrew "Andy" Jackson was incorrect. A visitation with the family will be held on Sept. 13 from noon to 2 p.m. CDT at the Clement Railroad Museum, 100 Frank Clement Pl., Dickson 37055, with a Memorial Mass to follow at 2 p.m. at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 713 W. College St.

Tennessee Court Talk, a podcast produced by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts, offers insights into legal topics for judges, attorneys, law students and the general public. The latest episode features Justice Roger Page, who retired from the Tennessee Supreme Court at the end of August. He reflects on 25 years of judicial service. This and other episodes can be accessed at www.tncourts.gov or on popular podcast platforms.