Celebrated

Remembering Phyllis Laws: A Life Celebrated at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home & Crematory – 2024

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Smithville, Tennessee – Phyllis Laws, a lifelong resident of Smithville, passed away on February 9, 2024. She was known for her notable contributions to the community and her dedication to promoting education and arts. Her passing leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered by many. Laws was an active member of the Smithville community, serving as a teacher for over three decades. She deeply believed in the transformative power of education and worked tirelessly to instill a love for learning in her students. Known for her compassionate and patient nature, Laws was beloved by … Read more

Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Promotes Openness in Courtrooms: 40th Anniversary of Press-Enterprise I Celebrated

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RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The 40th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Press-Enterprise I is approaching. The ruling, which affirmed the public’s right to observe jury selection during trials, set a high bar for closing courtrooms during the process. The decision, hailed as a victory for press freedom and public access to courtrooms, requires judges to limit closures and provide justification in case of appeals. In Press-Enterprise I, attorney Jim Ward represented The Press-Enterprise, a Riverside-based newspaper, before the Supreme Court in 1984. The case centered around the closure of the courtroom during … Read more