McKenzie tries again with HB2437

Rep. Sam McKenzie will be introducing HB2437 this week in Finance subcommittee. This legislation will end the grocery tax on generic, store-brand food items. Rep. McKenzie believes the legislation, if passed, is essential to help families put food on the table. The current state portion of the grocery tax is 4% with a local tax that can be as high as 2.75%. This legislation removes the 4% that the state takes for each purchase.

Tennessee is currently one of only 10 states that taxes groceries. Rep. McKenzie believes that removing this tax is a modest first step in removing the grocery tax in Tennessee. To read the legislation, follow this link

SPIF stipend boosts public interest internships

Duncan School of Law at LMU in downtown Knoxville has a program that subsides low- or no-pay internships for students.

Eric Rouse

Eric Rouse took advantage of a 2025 Student Public Interest Fellowship (SPIF) to intern with the Buncombe County Public Defender’s Office in Asheville, North Carolina. That put Eric on the front line of public interest law just months after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina.

During his internship, Rouse gained extensive courtroom experience and worked directly with clients navigating the criminal justice system.

“I have bolstered my confidence through experience and applied the knowledge I gained while at DSOL in a real and impactful way,” said Rouse, “This experience will shape my career as an attorney for the rest of my life.”

Rouse said the opportunity would not have been possible without SPIF funding.

Supporters can help sustain and grow the program by participating in the upcoming SPIF Auction on March 26. RSVP here. Those interested in sponsoring the SPIF Auction and supporting more students like Rouse can learn more here.

Ansley Letsinger provided information for this report

In Memoriam

Judge Blackwood

Jon Kerry Blackwood, 78, of Mentone, Alabama, passed away on February 16, 2026, at his residence. Born in Memphis, Judge Blackwood attended public schools in Fayette County, Tennessee. He obtained a degree in history from Tennessee Tech University and his Juris Doctor at the University of Memphis. He served as an assistant DA before his appointment by Gov. Lamar Alexander in 1985 to Circuit Court judge for the 25th Judicial District covering five counties in East Tennessee. He then became senior judge for 10 years, covering all 95 counties, until his retirement.

Judge Blackwood probably is best known in the Knoxville area for his efforts as senior judge to clean up the mess left by a former judge, the late Richard Baumgartner. Four defendants, already convicted in the January 2007 kidnapping, rape, torture and murder of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom, petitioned for new trials following Baumgartner’s resignation. When then-Atty. Gen. Randy Nichols asked him to recuse himself, Blackwood gave an emotional statement, preserved on YouTube here.

Judge Blackwood is survived by his wife, Julia, and others including a sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Wayne Keller of Maryville, Tennessee. Read the full obituary here.

Dustin Pedigo

Dustin Matthew Pedigo, 35, of Rockwood, passed away in the line of duty on Wednesday, February 24, 2026. He was an officer with the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) at the Morgan County Correctional Complex in Wartburg, Tennessee.

Mr. Pedigo was a graduate of Heritage High School and was currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in sociology at East Tennessee State University.

“He was bright, warm and caring, with a goofy spirit that brought joy to those around him,” his family wrote. “Dustin was a devoted pet parent to his beloved cats and dogs and loved his family deeply.” The full obituary is here.

Survivors include his wife, Bethany “Jade” Bowman-Pedigo; parents, Ken and Karen Pedigo; and others. The public is welcome to sign the register book and pay respects today (03/02/26) from 9-4 at Smith Funeral Services in Maryville, Tennessee.

The inmate responsible has been identified as a 35-year-old Nashville man serving a 27-year sentence for assault and attempted voluntary manslaughter for two incidences in 2015.

“The facility was immediately secured following the homicide and remains on lockdown. … TDOC continues to investigate the homicide,” according to a February 25, 2026, press release. “There is no ongoing threat to staff or the public. Visitation at MCCX has been canceled this weekend.”

Notes & Quotes

All eyes on Texas: Tomorrow (03/03/26) is a big day for both parties in the state of Texas. Polls are open 7-7 CT. The Democratic race is between state Rep. Jim Talarico, 36, and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, 44. The winner should exceed 50% and move on to the November general election. On the Republican side, incumbent John Cornyn, 74, is challenged by state Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton, 63, and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, 44. Most observers expect a run-off as no candidate exceeds 50%. President Trump has refused to endorse, saying he likes all three. Meanwhile, Paxton’s wife has filed for divorce and says “not so much.”

Quote: “Doing whatever feels good in the moment has never been a substitute for constitutional order, … especially when it comes to war.” – Joyce Vance in The Law of War.

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