Compass Points

This week Jesse and Scott check on the KUB's progress on broadband rollout. The guys also discuss the approval of a massive development in north Knox County' called Belltown, and a look at some significant activities at school board this week including third grade reading, playgrounds, and custodial needs. They continue this discussion with this weeks guest, Kristi Kristy. Jesse responds to a read...

This week Jesse and Scott talk about the Knoxville Chamber's new focus on the "Imagination Economy" with Chamber CEO Mike Odom. The guys also discuss Knox County's generous new parental leave benefits, the first-ever formal agreement between the Knoxville Police Department and the Police Advisory and Review Committee, and an upcoming slate of state legislation focused on the LGBTQ community. They...

This week Jesse and Scott talk about the recriminations surrounding an encounter with sheriff's deputies at a local deli, the University of Tennessee's plans to expand its virtual degree programs, Knox County's settlement with its former parks director, and the ongoing saga of Greyhound's changing drop-off locations in Knoxville. Knox County Chief Financial Officer Chris Caldwell joins the guys fo...

This week Scott runs solo as Jesse is under the weather. Scott covers the discussion by City Council about short term rentals, Knox County finances ahead of a looming recession and the city has given KPD permission to seek a grant to assist in violence prevention. Scott and Jesse interview LaKenya Middlebrook about some of the efforts to reduce violence in Knoxville. Scott answers a question from...

This week Scott and Jesse take a look at the local results of the Nov. 8 election, especially the outcomes in state House districts 18 and 90, along with the unexpected surge in Election Day turnout. WBIR's John North joins in for some post-election analysis. Also on the podcast: the Knox County school board wrestles with a state law that could lead to a majority of third-grade students being held...

This week Jesse and Scott size up the political landscape ahead of the Nov. 8 election, with a look at early voting totals and some accusations and recriminations in the House District 18 race. Also up for discussion: the naming of a suspect in the Planned Parenthood arson, the school system's shift in its approach to racial disparities, and UT's food and drink vendor faces possible suspension of...

This week Scott and Jesse look at the trends in early voting so far (spoiler: it skews older), County Commission's request for a new mental health hospital, the expansion plans for UT's College of Business, progress on the downtown stadium, and racial disparities in medical debt. Also a look ahead at next week's City Council meeting. Don't forget ALL campaign coverage is outside the paywall at Com...

This week Jesse and Scott talk about early voting in the Nov. 8 election, an assessment of the culture inside the Knoxville Police Department, and why Republican legislative candidates aren't showing up for public forums. The guest in the interview segment is Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, who also weighs in on the KPD report, some Planning staff changes, development in South Knoxville, and whet...

This week Scott and Jesse talk about some changes in Knoxville-Knox County Planning, and with early voting starting on Oct. 19 they take a look at interesting races on the ballot as well as those state constitutional amendments. In the interview segment, they talk with Hancen Sale of the Knoxville Area Association of Realtors for an update on how rising interest rates are affecting the local housi...

This week Scott and Jesse talk about restructuring in the Knoxville Police Department, the Republican majority asserting itself on the school board, and a protest by UT professors against the state's "divisive concepts" bill. In this week's interview, county Engineering Director Jim Snowden updates us on the Advance Knox planning process. Also: Property tax bills are out. Why are some of them so h...

This week Scott and Jesse talk about some incentives for local governments in the Inflation Reduction Act, a huge expansion of Axle Logistics in North Knoxville, a zoning reversal for a martial arts academy in South Knoxville, and the persistent hoax about students using litter boxes in schools. The interview guest is Jack Neely of the Knoxville History Project, who talks about a new plaque honori...

This week Scott and Jesse discuss a County Commisson meeting where a lot of discussion on overcrowding at Young-Williams Animal Center, a look at what changed at UT's College of Arts and Sciences, Power Poll results on the changes to abortion law in Tennessee, and a Vanderbilt health clinic is under fire from a newly localized pundit.    compassknox.com Scott and Jesse chat with Holly McCall of th...

This week Scott and Jesse are working after dark to review a very busy week in education, from visit from the First Lady to UT student housing, a survey on dividing UT's College of Arts and Sciences and the annual U.S. News rankings. In Knox County Schools news, the boys chat about school board reorganization and data from the state showing the district at the lower end of its rankings. In non-edu...

This week Scott and Jesse discuss their respective bouts with COVID and check in on some top events from the past weeks. Scott discusses the appointment of fellows for the new Civics Institutes at UT, Jesse covers the unexpected election of Courtney Durrett to Commission Chair, Scott explains the city's tree saving compromise on the Cradle of Country Music Park art project and resolution on aborti...

This week on the podcast, Scott and Jesse discuss the final vote on the BZA, a Super Tuesday of meetings and votes on changes to the multi-use stadium funding plan, the abortion "trigger law," and changes to how the county acquires right-of-ways. The guys speak with County Mayor Jacobs' policy adviser Andrew Davis about the BZA and more. In this week's listener question Scott and Jesse discuss Kno...

This week on the podcast, Scott and Jesse discuss KPD's internal affairs investigation into the shooting of Anthony Thompson Jr, the most recent dust up over the county's BZA, and a HUGE planned development on the Cumberland Avenue 'Strip.' The guys speak with outgoing city administrator Stephanie Welch about a number of items, including the changes to the funding plan for the multi-use stadium pr...

This week Scott and Jesse dig deeper into August 4th election analysis, look back at a number of development and zoning issues that went before planning commission, and talk about an interesting planned Town Hall meeting and its cancellation. The guys chat with outing going Commissioner Randy Smith on development, his reasoning for wanting to change some appeals to the BZA, and a look back at his...

This week Scott and Jesse dive deep into the 2022 Knox County General Election to discuss how much this election is the same as previous yet at the same time significantly different. A big announcement on the stadium and what it means, as well as a check in on Knox County Schools as they prepare for the first day of classes. The guys chat with departing school board member Evetty Satterfield about...

This week Scott and Jesse tackle the newest information on the ever-changing BZA discussion, an update on what's happening with the Sports Authority and rising stadium construction costs, a possible shake-up in leadership at the East Tennessee Foundation, and new schools for a new school year. Scott and Jesse also address a reader question about greenways and subdivision developments, and take a l...

This week Scott and Jesse discuss Chief Noel's first real test of discipline at KPD, Mayor Jacobs' "Parents' Bill of Rights," an update on early voting and a look into efforts to make up for a shortfall in stadium funding. Also, the guys chat with 1st District City Councilman Tommy Smith about all the activity going on south of the river. In the reader Q&A, they talk about the City's plans for KAT...

This week Scott and Jesse talk Knox County elections as early voting begins (see full coverage for free at compassknox.com ). Also on the episode: the City of Knoxville's proposed "real-time crime center," the school board ponders public forum, and the Planning Commission weighs in on industry in Vestal. They talk about pandemic stresses and Hillsdale President Larry Arnn with veteran Knox County...

This bonus episode includes the full interview with Phyllis Nichols of Knoxville Area Urban Leauge. We thank Phyllis for both the time she took with us and the time she has spent as Urban Leauge CEO. Please share this podcast and go to our website to learn more about us.

This week Scott and Jesse discuss fallout from the controversial remarks from Hillsdale President Larry Arnn, a push poll in the 4th District school board race, a shake up in Mayor Kincannon's administration and rising local COVID numbers.   In our interview we talk to retiring Knoxville Area Urban Leauge CEO Phyllis Nichols; keep an eye out for a bonus epiosde wiht the complete interview.  This w...

This week Scott reviews Councilwoman Amelia Parker's attempt to add 8 ballot items to the November election, Jesse breaks down the changes to Knox County's Meritt System Council, the guys talk about their recent interview with Mayor Jacobs. We check in on a new project supporting and expanding on the urban wilderness. The guys speak with Matthew Kellogg from AMBC (Appalachian Mountain Bike Club) t...

This week Jesse looks back on more Commission discussion of Merit system council, Scott recounts his two day adventure with the UT board of trustees, and we chat about the finally to the Un-Mask of Kids Lawsuit. Than an interview with new KPD Chief Paul Noel followed by; A listener question about candidate forums and debates or lack there of, and a look ahead to County Commission meeting, Sports A...