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.

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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

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SUMMARY: New developments have emerged in the nearly 60-year-old murder case of Pauline Pusser, wife of legendary Tennessee sheriff Buford, known for his tough crime crackdown. Pauline was shot and killed in an ambush reportedly targeting her husband, who died over 50 years ago. The case has remained a mystery, with questions about Buford’s involvement lingering. On Friday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and District Attorney Mark Davidson plan to reveal significant new details, including sealed autopsy results from a recent exhumation. This announcement offers hope of closure for Pauline’s family and may shed new light on the decades-old investigation.

McNairy County Sheriff Buford Pusser died more than 50 years ago, but the legend surrounding him is still alive and well, as is the investigation into his wife’s murder.

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