Sunday - May 24, 2026
Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Tennessee Newsletter for Tuesday May 05, 2026 ( 40 items )  

"Festschrift" honors lifelong scholarship of Lynn Fuchs, renowned special education and psychological sciences scholar
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 -- Vanderbilt University posted the following news release: * * * "Festschrift" honors lifelong scholarship of Lynn Fuchs, renowned special education and psychological sciences scholar * By Jennifer Kiilerich In Germany, a Festschrift-literally "festival writing"-is an academic tribute that honors a scholar through collected works and new research from peers. On April 16-17, Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development hosted a unique event based  more

57 Housing Groups Urge HUD to Withdraw Proposed Work Requirements and Time Limits Rule
WASHINGTON, May 5 -- A coalition of 57 housing advocacy organizations submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development opposing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled "Establishing Flexibility for Implementation of Work Requirements and Term Limits." The coalition and partners argue that the proposal would jeopardize housing stability for millions of HUD-assisted residents, exacerbate homelessness, and impose undue burdens on housing providers. According  more

ACLU Seeks DOJ Transparency on State Capital Counsel Certification Amid Death Penalty Rule Changes
WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The American Civil Liberties Union has submitted a series of public comment letters and Freedom of Information Act requests to the U.S. Department of Justice concerning the DOJ's proposed amendments to the rule governing state capital counsel systems certification. The DOJ's Office of Legal Policy and other components, including the Office of the Attorney General, are involved in rulemaking aimed at revising the certification process. The ACLU, through its Capital Punishmen  more

After 20 years, MTSU student completes degree, earns Cornell MFA acceptance
MURFREESBORO, Tennessee, May 4 -- Middle Tennessee State University posted the following news: * * * After 20 years, MTSU student completes degree, earns Cornell MFA acceptance * MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -For more than two decades, Daniel Hartmann carried the weight of a decision he couldn't undo, leaving college just short of finishing his degree. Now, at 45, the Middle Tennessee State University student and longtime craftsman is preparing to graduate on Friday, May 8, at Murphy Center, turning   more

AG: $7.4 Billion Opioid Settlement Goes Into Effect
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * AG: $7.4 Billion Opioid Settlement Goes Into Effect * A $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, has taken effect, resolving years of litigation over their role in the opioid crisis and directing funds to states, communities and victims nationwide. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced in a press release, that Tennessee is  more

AI model delivers river temperature insights, strengthening US energy security
OAK RIDGE, Tennessee, May 4 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory issued the following news release: * * * AI model delivers river temperature insights, strengthening US energy security * Hydrology experts at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) used artificial intelligence and a physics-based understanding of streamflow to create a model that provides highly accurate predictions of river temperatures, even in waterways that   more

Colleen Hastings, MD, Appointed Chair of Department of Physician Assistant Studies
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, May 4 -- The University of Tennessee Health Science Center posted the following news: * * * Colleen Hastings, MD, Appointed Chair of Department of Physician Assistant Studies * Colleen Hastings, MD, has been appointed chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences College of Medicine, effective May 1, 2026. Dr. Hastings has led the department as interim chair since January 1, 2025. She assumes the role permanently,   more

Court Releases Regulatory Reform Comments Filed
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Court Releases Regulatory Reform Comments Filed * The Tennessee Supreme Court has released the comments submitted in response to its September 2025 order soliciting feedback on seven potential regulatory reforms, which according to the court, are designed to increase access to legal representation while also ensuring the competency of attorneys and safeguarding the p  more

Court Seeks Comments on Changes to Pro Bono Emeritus Attorney Program
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Court Seeks Comments on Changes to Pro Bono Emeritus Attorney Program * The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on May 1 seeking comments on proposed amendments to Rule 50A, which governs Tennessee's Pro Bono Emeritus Attorney Program. That program was created to improve access to justice by allowing retired attorneys to provide pro bono services through a sponso  more

Court Seeks Comments on Pro Bono Emeritus Program
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Court Seeks Comments on Pro Bono Emeritus Program * The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on May 1 seeking comments on proposed amendments to Rule 50A, which governs Tennessee's Pro Bono Emeritus Attorney Program. That program was created to improve access to justice by allowing retired attorneys to provide pro bono services through a sponsoring organization. T  more

DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene on Why GOP is Pursuing Their Corrupt Power Grab: "They're losing across the country, so they want to rig the system."
WASHINGTON, May 4 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene on Why GOP is Pursuing Their Corrupt Power Grab: "They're losing across the country, so they want to rig the system." * DelBene also weighs in on Supreme Court's recent decision to gut the Voting Rights Act: "This is judicial overreach and a sad day day for our country" In the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling to gut the Voting Rights Act and subsequent m  more

Del. A.G. Jennings, Coalition Secure Final Approval in $700 Million Google Settlement Over App Store Monopoly
DOVER, Delaware, May 5 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release on May 4, 2026: * * * AG Jennings, coalition secure final approval in $700 million Google Settlement over app store monopoly Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings has announced that a federal court will approve a $700 million settlement in a multistate antitrust lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit, first filed in 2021 by a bipartisan group of 52 Attorneys General, challenged Google's contro  more

Edfinancial Services Urges Standardization in Federal Direct Loan Servicing Manual
WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Edfinancial Services LLC, Knoxville, Tennessee, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid office regarding the development and implementation of a common manual for the Federal Direct Loan Program. The letter outlines suggestions to promote consistency, transparency, and effective servicing and collections processes across all servicers managing federal student loans. Edfinancial emphasized the need for standardization in   more

Former TBA President Buck Lewis to Receive 2026 Leech Award
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Former TBA President Buck Lewis to Receive 2026 Leech Award * NASHVILLE, May 4, 2026 -The 2026 William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award will be presented to Memphis attorney and former Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) President George Tolbert "Buck" Lewis next month by the Fellows of the TBA Young Lawyers Division. Named for former Attorney General William M. Leech J  more

Greater Memphis Housing Justice Project Urges HUD to Reinstate 30-Day Eviction Notice Rule
WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The Greater Memphis Housing Justice Project, Tennessee, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development opposing an interim final rule that revokes the 30-day notification requirement prior to lease termination for nonpayment of rent. GMHJP highlighted that the 30-day notice rule requires housing providers to give tenants a full month's notice before eviction for nonpayment and guarantees residents the right to cure outstanding rent  more

Lawmakers Try to Fill Hardaway's Seat for Special Session
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * Lawmakers Try to Fill Hardaway's Seat for Special Session * Lawmakers are seeking to fill the late state Rep. G.A. Hardaway's vacant seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives before the legislature returns for a special session Tuesday, the Daily Memphian reports. Hardaway, D-Memphis, died April 24, but his District 93 seat is not officially vacant unless Gov. B  more

Legal Aid Society Urges HUD to Withdraw Proposed Work Requirements and Time Limits Rule
WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Nashville, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development opposing the agency's proposed rule titled Establishing Flexibility for Implementation of Work Requirements and Term Limits. LAS, a nonprofit law firm representing low-income and vulnerable tenants across 48 counties in Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, has called for the withdrawal of the rule, arguing it  more

Lipscomb University Celebrates One of Largest Graduating Classes in School History With Over 1,000 May Graduates
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 5 -- Lipscomb University issued the following news: * * * Lipscomb University celebrates one of largest graduating classes in school history with over 1,000 May graduates Saturday, May 2 was an exciting day for the Lipscomb University community as degrees were conferred to over 1,000 students, marking the completion of their academic journey across two ceremonies on Saturday, May 2 in front of family, friends, faculty and staff in a packed Allen Arena. The day began  more

Lipscomb University: Hannah Fritsch's Book House Tells the Story of How Reading Opened a World of Wonder, Possibility
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 5 -- Lipscomb University issued the following news: * * * Hannah Fritsch's Book House tells the story of how reading opened a world of wonder, possibility Kim Chaudoin At 11 feet tall, Hannah Fritsch's Book House is hard to miss. Built from wood, thousands of pages and about 900 books once destined for a landfill, the structure rises inside the atrium of Lipscomb University's Beaman Library. Visitors can walk inside it and take in a world made almost entirely from   more

Local family makes transformational gift to support student success at Tennessee Tech College of Business
COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release: * * * Local family makes transformational gift to support student success at Tennessee Tech College of Business * A generous gift from a family of longtime Tennessee Tech University supporters will expand opportunities for students to develop professional skills needed for career success. Thomas Lynn, a two-time Tech graduate and member of the university's Board of Trustees, along with his  more

Manhattan Institute Issues Commentary to Daily Wire: Schools Received More Money Than Ever. Parents Aren't Seeing The Results.
NEW YORK, May 2 -- The Manhattan Institute issued the following excerpts of a commentary on May 1, 2026, by fellow Danyela Souza Egorov to the Daily Wire: * * * Schools Received More Money Than Ever. Parents Aren't Seeing The Results. Test scores and enrollment are falling, but schools keep hiring staff. * American K-12 public education spending reached $1 trillion for the first time in 2024. But what are students getting for that money? While spending grew by 56% since 2013, reading and   more

MSU's Rovey named NOAA Hollings Scholar
STARKVILLE, Mississippi, May 4 -- Mississippi State University posted the following news: * * * MSU's Rovey named NOAA Hollings Scholar * An aspiring coastal ecologist is Mississippi State's latest Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship recipient, a prestigious award given by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration providing financial support and practical experience to select undergraduates.  Leah Rovey, a junior wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture major from Franklin, Tennessee, will  more

MTSU students earn top honors, highlight strength of Japanese program
MURFREESBORO, Tennessee, May 4 -- Middle Tennessee State University posted the following news: * * * MTSU students earn top honors, highlight strength of Japanese program * MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -Students from Middle Tennessee State University earned top honors at this year's Tennessee Japanese Video Skit and Presentation Contest, with awards recently presented during the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival. Five students received recognition in the regional competition, which draws participan  more

National Health Care for the Homeless Council Opposes HUD Rule on Work Requirements and Term Limits
WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The National Health Care for the Homeless Council has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development expressing opposition to a proposed rule which would establish work requirements and term limits in HUD-assisted housing. NHCHC represents Health Care for the Homeless health centers, medical respite programs, and other organizations providing healthcare services to people experiencing homelessness across the country. The organizati  more

National Small Business Week: Lawmakers Must Protect Small Businesses and Cut Through the Red Tape
WASHINGTON, May 4 [Category: Political] -- The Independent Women's Forum posted issued the following news release: * * * National Small Business Week: Lawmakers Must Protect Small Businesses and Cut Through the Red Tape * To kick off National Small Business Week, Independent Women is celebrating the entrepreneurs and small business owners powering America's economy and welcoming a long-overdue shift in federal labor policy that restores clarity and protects freelance freedom.  Patrice Onwu  more

Night of Honor celebrates APSU business students' academic achievements
CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 -- Austin Peay State University posted the following news: * * * Night of Honor celebrates APSU business students' academic achievements * Awards and medals are displayed at the APSU College of Business' annual Night of Honor, celebrating student excellence. | Photo by Robyn Jacobs CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - The College of Business at Austin Peay State University hosted its annual Night of Honor on April 23 to recognize student accomplishments for the 2025-26 academ  more

Oak Ridge visit gives Kentucky State students firsthand look at advanced scientific research and instrumentation
FRANKFORT, Kentucky, May 4 -- Kentucky State University issued the following news: * * * Oak Ridge visit gives Kentucky State students firsthand look at advanced scientific research and instrumentation * Thirty participants toured national laboratory facilities tied to supercomputing, neutron science, advanced manufacturing, and transportation innovation FRANKFORT, Ky. -A recent spring visit to Oak Ridge National Laboratory turned classroom concepts into a firsthand look at some of the na  more

Okla. A.G. Drummond Urges CFTC to Recognize State Authority Over Sports Gambling on Prediction Market Platforms
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 5 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on May 4, 2026: * * * Drummond urges CFTC to recognize state authority over sports gambling on prediction market platforms Attorney General Gentner Drummond is urging federal regulators to reaffirm that jurisdiction over sports-related prediction markets belongs to States. Drummond and 40 other state attorneys filed a formal comment Thursday with the Commodity Futures Trading Commi  more

Property Insurers Are Inflating Premiums for Consumers and Businesses by $150 Billion, New VPA Reports Show
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 -- Vanderbilt Law School posted the following news: * * * Property Insurers Are Inflating Premiums for Consumers and Businesses by $150 Billion, New VPA Reports Show * Property insurance premiums are growing rapidly, now exceeding $1 trillion every year. Climate change is part of that story, increasing the cost of homeowners insurance to cover increasing natural disaster damage. But a new white paper and academic article released by the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerat  more

TBA to Host 'Real Estate Essentials 2026' June 3
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * TBA to Host 'Real Estate Essentials 2026' June 3 * The TBA will host its annual Real Estate Essentials program virtually on June 3 from noon to 3:15 p.m. CDT, offering an introductory overview of key topics in real estate law. The program will cover the fundamentals of commercial real estate in its first session, followed by a discussion of FIRPTA, FinCEN and cash re  more

Tenn. Division of Radiological Health Director Shelton Submits Comments on NRC Proposed Rule Amendments to Radiation Security Regulations
WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Division of Radiological Health Director Beth Shelton submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission addressing proposed amendments to 10 CFR Part 37 concerning the physical protection of Category 1 and Category 2 quantities of radioactive material. The letter conveyed TDEC's support for certain proposed changes while opposing others, emphasizing concerns regarding security and safety impac  more

Tenn. Financial Institutions Commissioner Greg Gonzales Reselected to the FFIEC's SLC
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 5 -- Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions issued the following news on May 4, 2026: * * * Greg Gonzales reselected to the FFIEC's SLC The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) today announced the reselection of Greg Gonzales to the FFIEC's State Liaison Committee (SLC) for the term that runs from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2028. This is Gonzales's second consecutive two-year term, and he previously served on the SLC as the CSBS-des  more

The EELU 2026 State of the Environment Conference
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 -- Vanderbilt Law School posted the following news: * * * The EELU 2026 State of the Environment Conference * The Fourth-Annual State of the Environment Conference, held by the Vanderbilt Law School's Energy, Environment, and Land Use ( EELU ) Program, took place on January 21 at Vanderbilt Law School. Faculty, policymakers, and experts discussed major environmental issues in the Southeast. Supported by the Sally Shallenberger Brown Program Fund, the conference co  more

The Moral Reckoning of AI
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 -- Vanderbilt University posted the following news release: * * * The Moral Reckoning of AI * As artificial intelligence gets woven into the fabric of everyday life, the human implications of AI demand thoughtful leadership. Vanderbilt is working to ensure that ethics-not just innovation-drive its future. Artificial intelligence is no longer an abstract frontier. Generative AI is reshaping the most human parts of our lives in ways both subtle and profound. A c  more

Trevecca Partners With State to Offer Certificate Program as Professional Development Opportunity for Teachers
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 5 -- Trevecca Nazarene University issued the following news: * * * Trevecca Partners with State to Offer Certificate Program as Professional Development Opportunity for Teachers Trevecca is helping expand support for educators across the state through a new professional development opportunity that's offered to teachers at no cost. In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, the Academic and Behavioral Learning Certificate (ABLC) program e  more

Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security Williams Testifies Before Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development released the following testimony by Brandon M. Williams, under secretary of Energy for nuclear security and administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, from an April 29, 2026, hearing on the fiscal 2027 budget request: * * * Chairman Kennedy, Ranking Member Murray, and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget Re  more

UWF IDT Students Earn Top Honors at ISPI Case Study Competition
PENSACOLA, Florida, May 5 -- The University of West Florida, a component of public state university system in Florida, issued the following news release: * * * UWF IDT students earn top honors at ISPI Case Study Competition Two teams from the University of West Florida's Department of Instructional Design and Technology, housed in the School of Education, earned top honors in the 2026 International Society for Performance Improvement Case Study Student Competition in Nashville, Tennessee, pla  more

Vanderbilt University School of Engineering: Biomedical Engineering Grad Student Receives Awards to Advance Epilepsy Research
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 5 -- Vanderbilt University School of Engineering issued the following news: * * * Biomedical engineering grad student receives awards to advance epilepsy research Ghassan Makhoul, a biomedical engineering graduate student at Vanderbilt, has received a prestigious grant - as well as three other awards - to advance his research in the study of epilepsy. The F31 grant provides predoctoral students with mentored research training to support dissertation research and car  more

WKU Libraries Recognizes 2026-2027 Connie Foster Student Scholarship Recipients
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, May 4 -- Western Kentucky University posted the following news: * * * WKU Libraries Recognizes 2026-2027 Connie Foster Student Scholarship Recipients * This year, WKU Libraries recognizes Skylar Vacanti and Taylor Niggl as recipients of the 2026-2027 Connie Foster Student Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes student library employees who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their academic pursuits while contributing meaningfully to the mission of Western Kentuc  more

YLD to Swear In New President, Present Awards at TBA Convention
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 4 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog: * * * YLD to Swear In New President, Present Awards at TBA Convention * Young lawyers should make plans now to connect with colleagues during the 2026 Annual Convention, set for June 10-13 at the Crowne Plaza Downtown Knoxville. The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) will hold events throughout the week, including the swearing-in of incoming president Jennifer Sneed-Perry an  more