The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal targeting an agreement among major U.S. meat suppliers to apportion potential liability for price-fixing claims brought by chicken purchasers Target, Campbell Soup Company and others. Also on Monday, the court declined to hear R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company's challenge to a voter-approved measure in California that banned flavored tobacco, upholding a lower court's ruling holding that California's law did not conflict with a federal statute regulating tobacco products. On Tuesday, the justices heard arguments in a case over an inconsistently applied increase in bankruptcy fees, with at least three justices appearing hesitant to force U.S. taxpayers to foot a $326 million refund to debtors who paid higher rates. Reuters has the full story on all three decisions.

The U.S. Justice Department is issuing new guidance to police to ensure more care and accountability in specialized law enforcement teams like the Memphis Police Department's (MPD) SCORPION unit. NPR reports that one year after Tyre Nichols' death, federal officials are calling for mayors and police chiefs to assess whether specialized units are necessary to solve community problems, to take care that members assigned to such units have clean work and disciplinary histories, and to ensure that members are properly supervised. In related news, a Memphis City Council committee Tuesday split 7-6 in a non-binding vote calling for the replacement of MPD Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis. New Memphis Mayor Paul Young has stated publicly that he supports Davis' reappointment, but acknowledged that he would make a change if she does not produce the results the city needs.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot topic in law, and the TBA is creating a new AI Task Force to educate and provide guidance to Tennessee lawyers on issues surrounding this technology. Some of the goals of the task force will be to help inform lawyers about the proper use of AI in the substantive practice of law, the potential risks of using AI, and the beneficial use of AI in the administrative practice of law. The group also will review AI tools and contribute new information to the TBA's online practice management resources. If you are interested in participating in this new task force, please email TBA Coordinator Chelsea Bennett before Jan. 31.

The Tennessee Senate’s joint working group studying the possibility of rejecting federal education funding has released its report, stating there were “more questions than definitive answers” on the feasibility of rejecting billions of dollars in federal education funding. An issue with the federal funding, according to House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, who in November contemplated the idea of rejecting the funding, was the concern that federal funds came with too many strings. The report concluded that there are already prohibitions on federal overreach within the large programs that provide funding for education. In addition, the report notes that Tennessee could potentially replace federal education funding with recurring state revenues, but it would do so “at the expense of other potential investments.” WKRN has the story.

The Chattanoogan reports that Chattanooga attorney Kisha Cheeks picked up papers to run in the Democratic primary, seeking to be the party's nominee to replace retiring Circuit Court Judge Marie Williams in Division III. Two are seeking the Republican nomination: General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeagh and attorney Michele Coffman. The primary will be March 5 and the general election in August.

The Tennessee House of Representatives today adopted a new rules package in a vote of 70-19 for the 113th Session. Tennessee House members may not use papers or visual aids while they discuss legislation but spectators watching legislative proceedings can still hold 8.5-by-11-inch signs this year. Additionally, House members approved a new rule to temporarily silence members ruled out of order by the speaker. For a first out-of-order offense, the member will not be able to participate in any further discussion of that current subject. If found out of order a second time, the member will have their speaking time reduced from five minutes to two minutes. On a third violation, the member will be barred from speaking on the floor for two legislative days. Guns will continue to be allowed in hearing rooms and banned from the House floor, and bill presentations in committee will be limited to five minutes. The Tennessean has more coverage of the rules package. In other action, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, implemented a new policy governing access to one of the chamber's public galleries. The West Gallery is now accessible only to those who receive a ticket from a legislator, reports WPLN. Public access to the East Gallery remains on a first-come, first-served basis, Sexton's office tells the Tennessean. The House parliamentarian says the rules allow Sexton to enact policies that address decorum without needing a vote of the members.

The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY) on Monday released the “State of the Child in Tennessee 2023” report. The report provides a comprehensive look at the lives and deaths of Tennessee’s children and the economic and social forces that shape their childhoods, from poverty to educational achievement, access to health care and housing. With regard to childhood deaths, the Tennessee Lookout reports that Tennessee has one of the highest overall rates of child homicide in the nation and ranks even higher for the rate of kids killed by guns. Read highlights from the report.

Nashville-based law firm Thompson Burton has acquired Huntsville's Maples Law Firm and opened its first out-of-state office. The acquisition adds two attorneys to Thompson Burton’s existing 39 attorneys and a third office to its current spaces in Nashville and Franklin, reports the Nashville Business Journal. The joining of the two firms grows Thompson Burton’s existing bankruptcy and distress practice and expands services to existing clients for both firms in the rapidly growing North Alabama area.

Memphis events scheduled to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy include Volunteer Memphis' 2024 MLK Days of Service, which will take place between Jan. 11-15 and include a youth and education day and a community clean up. King Day at the National Civil Rights Museum will be celebrated on Jan. 15 with free admission to the site. The museum also will accept donations of money and food for the Mid-South Food Bank and Vitalant will host a blood drive. Also on Monday, the Memphis Grizzlies, National Civil Rights Museum, City of Memphis and Shelby County will host the 22nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Game as the culmination of other events, which include a community service day and a panel on the intersection of race and sport.

The Board of Judicial Conduct issued a public reprimand for Rutherford County Judge Toby Gilley on Jan. 4. The board found that Gilley violated Rule of Judicial Conduct 2.9(C) when he used an online calculator to determine the value of property at issue in a case before him, and used the information to question a witness. The rule prohibits judges from independently investigating facts. The board noted that Gilley accepted the reprimand, took full responsibility and acknowledged that resorting to extrajudicial information is inconsistent with the proper role of a judge. Read the reprimand here.