Compass Points

This week, Jesse fills in for Scott (with help from producer Lord Seth) to talk about ICE's search for a West Knox office, new immigration enforcement proposals at the local and state levels, the possibility of another site for Emerald Youth's sports complex in East Knoxville, ORNL's role in an ambitious scientific AI effort, falling homicide and car fatality rates in Knoxville, and a lawsuit agai...

It's 2026, but Scott and Jesse have a little unfinished business with 2025. They take a last look back at the just-finished year and some of the local stories that shaped it: City Council elections, the failed push for a city sales tax hike, the Chilhowee Park controversy, the new downtown stadium, investigations in the property assessor and trustee's offices, problems at the Juvenile Service Cent...

This week, Scott and Jesse break out the eggnog and take a look at the latest developments in the troubled saga of the Knox County Juvenile Services Center, which was the subject of another scathing report about its operations and also faces a lawsuit from a former employee claiming racial discrimination. Also: the reopening of the Gay Street Bridge to pedestrian and bicycle traffic; some cautious...

This week, Scott and Jesse talk about County Commission's appointment of a general sessions judge, controversy over a townhouse development in West Hills, state AG Jonathan Skrmetti's opinion on religious charter schools, and some significant developments for iconic local buildings. They also look ahead to this week's meeting of County Commission, and the swearing-in of five new City Council membe...

This week Scott and Jesse talk schools — the Knox County school board's vote to support educating immigrant students, some questions raised by a charter school evaluation, and a lawsuit by a group that wants to start an explicitly Christian charter school. Plus: TVA's $400 million nuclear grant, and County Commissioner Larsen Jay brings Gen. John Kelly to town. The guys also preview the agendas fo...

Scott and Jesse talk about the city's controversial changes to duplex ownership; the legacy of Randy Tyree, the former Knoxville mayor who died last week; Knox County Schools advances in state rankings; and some new developments kicking off around Covenant Health Park. They also look ahead to this week's school board meetings and assorted holiday events.

This week, Scott and Jesse talk about One Knoxville SC's championship season and what it means for the new downtown stadium; the political implications of County Commissioner Rhonda Lee's plans to seek a judgeship; the ongoing challenges at the county's Juvenile Services Center; and some national news about artificial intelligence efforts announced right here in East Tennessee. They also look ahea...

Scott and Jesse go deep on Knox County's debt and revenue challenges and its ongoing struggles with its Juvenile Service Center. They also touch on City Council's approval of food aid funding and a controversial change in duplex regulations, as well as good news for Seven Islands State Birding Park. Then they look ahead to this week's meetings of Knox County Commission, the Knoxville Transportatio...

In this week's installment of the Compass Points podcast, Scott and Jesse start off with a thorough debriefing on last week's City of Knoxville election, both the failed sales tax referendum and the five City Council races. They also hit on UT Professor Tamar Shirinian's lawsuit against the university, the plans for a Women's Suffrage Museum on Gay Street, and a drop-out in the sheriff's race. And...

              ***CITY ELECTION COVERAGE IS FREE AT COMPASSKNOX.COM *** Scott and Jesse talk about County Commission's vote on a controversial resolution honoring Charlie Kirk; delays in two county ordinances that would place local nonprofits under more scrutiny; early vote totals; and a scathing report about the county's juvenile detention center. They also look ahead to Election Day in the City o...

                        City ELECTION COVERAGE IS FREE at CompassKnox.com In this week's installment of the Compass Points podcast, Scott and Jesse talk about County Commission's consideration of some controversial items involving scrutiny of local nonprofits and the slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk; fundraising in the City Council races; the selection of a developer for the former St. Mar...

In this week's installment of the Compass Points podcast, Scott and Jesse talk about developments in the campaigns for and against the City of Knoxville's sales tax referendum; the ICE detention of local resident and immigrant rights' activist Alejandro Lozano; Knox County Schools' Annual Action Plan; a traffic study of the Gay Street Bridge; a planned greenway connection from Fort Sanders to Tyso...

With early voting in the Knoxville election beginning this week, Scott breaks down the City Council races and the sales-tax increase referendum. He also covers the Supreme Court's decision not to intervene in a lawsuit against the town of Farragut, Knoxville College's new interim president, plans to film 9-1-1 Nashville in Knoxville and next year's visit from the Savannah Bananas. Remember Compass...

This podcast is a free service of CompassKnox.com  support Compass by sharing this with EVERYONE you know.  This week, Scott and Jesse talk about City Council's rejection of the sale of part of Chilhowee Park to Emerald Youth Foundation; the Office of Housing Stability's new plan to address homelessness; the kerfuffle with school board member Betsy Henderson and County Commissioner Terry Hill at t...

In this week's installment of the  Compass Points podcast, Scott and Jesse talk about Knox County's progress toward a Unified Development Ordinance, City Council's upcoming vote on Chilhowee Park , County Commissioner Larsen Jay's campaign against abandoned utility poles, last week's unusual City Council candidate forum, and more. Share this FREE SERVICE of CompassKnox.com to help Scott and Jesse...

The wrangling over the proposal to sell a chunk of Chilhowee Park to Emerald Youth Foundation continues. Scott and Jesse talk about the latest developments, plus the political jockeying around the city's proposed sales tax increase, Knox County Commissioner Kim Frazier entering the county mayor's race, proposed changes to Knoxville City Council's public forum rules and more.

This week, Scott and Jesse talk about Emerald Youth Foundation's ongoing efforts to win public support for their purchase of property at Chilhowee Park; the attendance and, more importantly, tax receipts for the Knoxville Smokies' first season in their publicly-owned ballpark; the return of Kristi Kristy to her former position as school board chair; a civic gadfly's lawsuit against the Town of Far...

The Tennessee Valley Fair got underway last Friday with an uncertain future. Scott and Jesse talk about the strained relationship between city officials and fair organizers. They also review recent developments regarding the proposed sale of a portion of Chilhowee Park to Emerald Youth Foundation, the Knox County Commission's leadership votes and the organized opposition to the city's proposed sal...

Knoxville City Council primary Election Day arrived last Tuesday. In this week's installment, PR pro and political observer Mike Cohen joins Scott to break down the results and preview the upcoming general election. They also talk about the delayed Chilhowee Park-Emerald Youth Foundation land sale, the criminal case involving misuse of the Knox County Sheriff's Office's drug fund and Knoxville May...

                    FREE CONTENT   Free Content FREE CONTENT              Go to CompassKnox.com for profiles on ALL CANDIDATES FOR FREE   Knoxville City Council approved a deal for Muse Knoxville to move into the Jacob Building last week, while delaying action on Emerald Youth Foundation's proposal to buy city property for a sports and activity center. In this week's episode, Scott and Jesse talk...

Compass co-founder and former podcast co-host Jesse Mayshark returns to talk with Scott about last week's local events. They talk about the Tennessee Comptroller's report that led to the indictment of Knox County Property Assessor Phil Ballard and another county employee. Scott and Jesse also look at two major investments in East Knoxville that City Council will consider next week — Muse Knoxville...

                                                        *** SPECIAL INFORMATION*** ALL CITY ELECTION COVERAGE 2025 is FREE at CompassKnox.com share this podcast and this election coverage with WITH EVERYONE, share the great service that IS Compass!                                                         ***SPECIAL INFORMATION*** A Knox County grand jury charged Property Assessor Phil Ballard with...

Supply-and-demand isn't the only metric out of whack in Knoxville's housing market. In this week's episode, Scott looks at other disparities that East Tennessee Realtors has identified. He also covers a City Council candidate forum in Knoxville's 1st District, funding challenges for the region's public broadcasters, Congressman Tim Burchett's encounter with a horse's hoof, nuclear education for yo...

City Council election activity has been gearing up with early voting set to begin on Aug. 6. This week, Scott goes through profiles of a trio of 6th District candidates and reports on candidate forums involving the 2nd, 3rd and 4th districts. He also talks about prominent West High School boosters attempting to get Rebels coach Lamar Brown reinstated, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn's calling out UT fo...

Some trends emerge when you take a close look at campaign finance reports. In this week's installment, Scott identifies some in the most recent disclosures in the Knoxville City Council election, including one tongue-in-cheek contribution. He also reviews the 3rd District candidates, the impact of federal budget cuts on Knox County Schools, the inventor of the parking meter, and much more. Scott a...