SUMMARY: Tennessee’s first opportunity charter school, The Rock Academy, designed for at-risk students, was approved by the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, overturning Metro Nashville Public Schools’ prior denials. Opportunity charter schools must serve populations with at least 75% at-risk students, including those held back, chronically absent, or in foster care. The Rock Academy’s later start time and mastery-based learning model faced criticism from MNPS. The school, authorized by legislation passed last year amid Democratic opposition, aims to fill gaps in current education options. It will open in 2026-27 with 88 ninth graders, offering a new approach to support underserved students.

Read the full article

The post Tennessee's first charter school for at-risk youth approved following denial from MNPS appeared first on www.wkrn.com

SUMMARY: Three former Memphis officers—Teddarius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—convicted federally in the beating death of Tyre Nichols have been granted a new trial. Their initial sentencing was delayed and a new judge was assigned after Judge Mark Norris recused himself, citing potential bias. This arose from Norris’s post-trial conversations with federal prosecutors and his belief that one defendant’s gang ties linked to a shooting of his law clerk. Judge Cheryl Litman ruled the risk of bias was too high, necessitating a new trial. No trial date is set; a hearing is planned for late September.

Three former Memphis Police officers convicted federally in a trial related to the death of Tyre Nichols have been granted a new trial. Judge Sheryl Lipman, who took over the case after the abrupt recusal of Judge Mark Norris, said that Norris made comments after the trial implying that one of the former officers was involved in a gang and that he believed that the Memphis Police Department was “infiltrated to the top with gang members.” READ MORE: https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/former-memphis-officers-convicted-federally-in-tyre-nichols-case-granted-new-trial/article_cddd3007-e776-435c-92ce-5dfee7cd06b5.html

ABOUT FOX13 MEMPHIS:
FOX13 Memphis is your home for breaking news, live video, traffic, weather and your guide to everything local for the Mid-South.

CONNECT WITH FOX 13 MEMPHIS:
Visit the FOX13 Memphis WEBSITE: https://www.fox13memphis.com/
Like FOX13 Memphis on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fox13news.myfoxmemphis
Follow FOX13 Memphis on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/FOX13Memphis
Follow FOX13 Memphis on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fox13memphis

Source

SUMMARY: Tennessee State University President Dwayne Tucker announced the hiring of three senior leaders to advance the university’s transformation strategy. Eloise Abernathy Alexis returns as Vice President for Institutional Advancement with over 30 years in education philanthropy. Dr. Natasha Johnson joins as Chief Human Resources Officer, bringing 20 years of leadership across sectors and experience as a TSU professor. Cassandra Griggs, a TSU alumna with 25 years in alumni relations and fundraising, becomes Director of Fundraising. These appointments support TSU’s goals for growth, financial stability, and student-centered excellence under Tucker’s leadership. Founded in 1912, TSU offers diverse degree programs on a 500-acre campus.

Read the full article

The post TSU President Tucker Appoints Three New Leaders to Advance Transformational Change Agenda – The Tennessee Tribune appeared first on tntribune.com