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Former Clarksville Attorney Sentenced for Embezzling Over $85K

Former Clarksville Attorney Sentenced for Embezzling Over $85K

Joel David Ragland, a former attorney from Clarksville, Tennessee, has been sentenced to eight years for embezzling over $85,000 from his law firm's client trust account. Ragland, who was permanently disbarred in October 2025, admitted to writing unauthorized checks from the trust account to his personal bank account and using some of the funds to pay off a personal loan. The theft was discovered following an internal audit by Apex Title, leading to a police investigation. Ragland will serve one year in jail, with the remaining seven years on supervised probation, and must pay $70,250 in restitution. The case has caused significant financial and personal strain on the firm's partners and their families.
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Dalton Eatherly Held on $1.25M Bond After Courthouse Shooting Incident

Dalton Eatherly Held on $1.25M Bond After Courthouse Shooting Incident

Dalton Eatherly, known online as 'Chud the Builder,' is being held on a $1.25 million bond following a shooting incident outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee. Eatherly, 28, was involved in a physical altercation that escalated to gunfire, resulting in both him and another man sustaining gunshot wounds. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office reported that Eatherly was charged with attempted murder, employing a firearm during a dangerous felony, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon. During his arraignment, Judge Reid Poland III emphasized the need to protect public safety due to the severity of the charges. Eatherly, who has gained notoriety for livestreaming confrontations with Black individuals, has a pending case in Davidson County. His next bond hearing is scheduled for May 21, with a preliminary hearing set for May 26.
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Supreme Court Decision Sparks Rollback of Black Representation in Southern States

Supreme Court Decision Sparks Rollback of Black Representation in Southern States

The Supreme Court's recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais has significantly weakened the Voting Rights Act, leading to a rollback of Black political representation in the South. This ruling allows Southern states to redraw district maps, potentially eliminating Black-majority districts and replacing them with white-majority ones. States like Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee are already moving forward with plans to eliminate Black-majority seats. This decision is seen as a major setback for Black and Latino representation in various elected offices across the South, reminiscent of the Jim Crow era. The ruling has sparked criticism from civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers, who view it as a regression to past racial injustices.
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What to know about a Tennessee man known for making racist videos now charged with attempted murder

What to know about a Tennessee man known for making racist videos now charged with attempted murder

A Tennessee man who goes by the moniker Chud the Builder and is known for posting racist videos is charged with attempted murder
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Man pleads guilty in shooting death of rapper Young Dolph at a Memphis bakery

Man pleads guilty in shooting death of rapper Young Dolph at a Memphis bakery

A Tennessee man has pleaded guilty in the 2021 shooting death of Young Dolph during a daytime ambush at a Memphis bakery
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Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges Celebrate Wedding at Tennessee Waterfall

Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges Celebrate Wedding at Tennessee Waterfall

Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges Celebrate Wedding at Tennessee Waterfall
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Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen ending campaign after redraw of his Memphis district

Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen ending campaign after redraw of his Memphis district

Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee is ending his bid for reelection
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Republicans Gain Edge in Gerrymandering Battles, Impacting Congressional Control

Republicans Gain Edge in Gerrymandering Battles, Impacting Congressional Control

The ongoing gerrymandering battles in the United States have seen Republicans gaining a significant advantage, potentially affecting the control of Congress. Despite President Trump's unpopularity and polling favoring Democrats, Republicans are poised to maintain their narrow House majority due to strategic redistricting efforts. This development follows recent court decisions that have favored Republican redistricting plans, particularly in Southern states like Tennessee and Alabama, where new maps are being drawn to dilute minority voting power. Democrats have attempted to counter these moves with their own gerrymandering efforts in states like California and Virginia, but recent legal setbacks have hindered their progress.
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Supreme Court Ruling on Voting Rights Act Sparks Redistricting Chaos in Southern States

Supreme Court Ruling on Voting Rights Act Sparks Redistricting Chaos in Southern States

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in the case of Louisiana v Callais, effectively dismantling the 1965 Voting Rights Act by deciding that states cannot consider race in redistricting. This decision has led to a swift response from Southern states, including Tennessee and Alabama, which have begun to eliminate majority Black districts. The ruling has created significant upheaval as these states prepare for the upcoming midterm elections. Stacey Abrams, a prominent voting rights activist and former Georgia House Minority Leader, has voiced strong opposition to the ruling. She argues that the decision fractures communities and undermines democratic participation. Despite the setback, Abrams emphasizes the importance of continued voter engagement to counteract the effects of the ruling.
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Federal Judge Upholds Tennessee's New Congressional Map

Federal Judge Upholds Tennessee's New Congressional Map

A federal judge has denied a temporary restraining order that sought to block Tennessee's newly drawn congressional map. This decision allows the map to remain in effect, despite challenges that it may not adequately represent certain communities. The ruling is part of ongoing legal and political debates surrounding redistricting efforts in the state. The map's approval is seen as a victory for its proponents, who argue it reflects demographic changes and complies with legal standards.
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Rep. Steve Cohen Ends Reelection Campaign Amid Tennessee Redistricting

Rep. Steve Cohen Ends Reelection Campaign Amid Tennessee Redistricting

Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee has announced the end of his reelection campaign following the redrawing of his Memphis district. This decision comes after Tennessee Republicans enacted a new U.S. House map that significantly alters Cohen's majority-Black district, favoring the GOP. Cohen, who has served his Memphis-based district for nearly two decades, expressed his dismay at the redistricting, which he believes was designed to defeat him. He is currently challenging the redistricting in court and has stated he would reenter the race if the lawsuit succeeds in restoring his old district. Cohen's departure could lead to Tennessee having an entirely Republican congressional delegation, potentially isolating the state from Democratic influence if the party regains the White House.