Compass Points

As pro-Palestinian protests continued this week on the University of Tennessee campus, a well-known and respected community leader was among those arrested: Yassin Terou, owner of the popular Yassin's Falafel House restaurants. On this week's episode, Jesse and Scott talk about the protests and the ongoing tension between freedom of speech and institutional order. Also: the City of Knoxville recei...

To arm or not to arm? Teachers, we're talking about. That was a major point of discussion last week at the Knox County school board, and it led to a resolution that more-or-less says that the board would prefer not to have non-security personnel bringing concealed weapons to school. But the discussion again highlighted the partisan divide on the nine-member board, as Scott and Jesse discuss in thi...

Protests against Israel's military operations in Gaza escalated across the country last week, including in Knoxville. In this week's episode, Scott and Jesse talk about protesters speaking out at City Council and on the campus of the University of Tennessee. Also: an update on the new downtown stadium; Knox County's estimated population clears 500,000; and a look ahead at the Aug. 1 ballot. The gu...

As the state Legislature came to a close last week, the state House and Senate signed off on a bill that would allow some school employees to carry concealed weapons in the classroom. On this week's episode, Jesse and Scott talk about the reaction to the new law both statewide and local, including pending action by the Knox County school board. Also: County Commission approves Mayor Jacobs' new co...

Last week, County Commission considered several possible changes to Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs' proposed new comprehensive land use plan — and Jacobs fired back by urging them not to touch a thing about it. On this week's episode, Jesse and Scott talk about the complexities of the plan and the underlying politics between development interests and local residents and conservationists. Also: Cit...

The Town of Farragut completed a 180-degree turn on the Knox County growth plan last week, voting to approve changes proposed by County Mayor Glenn Jacobs just two weeks after first rejecting them. That sets the stage for updating the county's entire planning system, and it leads off this week's episode. Scott and Jesse also talk about Knox County Schools' proposed budget increase for next year, a...

The Farragut Board of Aldermen's whiplash-inducing reversals on the Knox County growth plan fueled local political drama last week. It leads off this week's episode as Jesse and Scott talk through the different parties and pressures brought to bear on the usually overlooked town legislature. Also: TDOT's big I-40 announcement; Knox County Schools wrestles with objections to library materials; and...

The holiday-shortened week ended with a bang last Thursday night when the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen torpedoed County Mayor Glenn Jacobs' changes to the county growth plan. This week, Jesse and Scott look at the vote, the underlying politics, and what could happen next. Also, in the interview segment, they talk to state Sen. Becky Massey about a study that shows a need for new state ment...

It's Big Ears week, but before Scott and Jesse get to talking about Knoxville's most unusual annual festival, they have other business to attend to: the city and county mayors host a summit on homelessness; County Commission considers whether to crack down on abandoned utility poles; Knox County Schools wrestles with how to use discipline data; and City Council once again declines to weigh in on I...

The City of Knoxville received a $42.6 million grant to provide better connections between East Knoxville and Downtown. In this week's episode, Scott and Jesse look at the major award and what it could mean for those communities. Also: a closer look at some of the March 5 primary results, a new golf attraction planned just north of Downtown, and the Legislature weighs in once again against efforts...

The primary topic this week is ... the primary! Jesse and Scott talk through the results of the March 5 Knox County primary races, including seats on County Commission, school board, and that razor-thin margin in the property assessor's race. They are joined by guest Mike Cohen for some analysis of what we learned — or didn't — from election day. Also: the plans to renovate the historic Sanitary L...

With the March 5 primary just around the corner, Jesse and Scott take a look at final early voting numbers and zoom in on the competitive Republican primary in the South Knox 9th District. Also: The county's new Growth Policy Plan wins conditional approval form County Commission; the city proposes a task force to study an alternative response model for mental health crises; another crack at a fede...

Knoxville lost a civil rights leader and invaluable community resource last week with the death of Bob Booker. Scott and Jesse kick off this week's episode with a remembrance and appreciation of Booker, who after a career of activism and government service became the de facto voice of local Black history. Also: As the March 5 primary approaches, they look at early vote #s and zoom in on County Com...

It's election time in East Tennessee! Early voting has begun for the March 5 primary, and in this week's episode Jesse and Scott talk about turnout in the first days of voting. They also take a deeper look at a few contests in particular: Republican primaries in the law director's race and the 5th and 8th County Commission districts. Plus: Mayor Indya Kincannon's new comprehensive housing plan. Lo...

Rep. Gloria Johnson's decision to seek re-election to her legislative seat while also running for U.S. Senate created some political stir on both sides of the aisle last week. In this episode of Compass Points, Jesse and Scott talk through the implications and possible legal battles set up by Johnson's double campaign. Also: School vouchers feature prominently in Gov. Bill Lee's proposed budget, b...

The announcement of the closing of a low-barrier homeless shelter illustrates the ongoing challenges in meeting the needs of the chronically homeless. Scott and Jesse talk about the forces affecting the operation of the Foyer shelter on this week's episode, and the city's plans to replace it. Also: UT once again under NCAA scrutiny, and coverage of county elections in Districts 4 and 6. In the Q&A...

The snow's finally gone, and on this week's episode Jesse and Scott look back at the local response to the record-setting winter storm — including a first-time effort to provide community warming centers for the homeless population. Also: Rep. Jason Zachary's new abortion bill, a challenge to the state education commissioner's qualifications, City Council acts on the Middle Housing plan, county co...

There's no business like snow business! The weather inevitably takes center stage this week, as Scott and Jesse review the events surrounding the great winter storm that buried Knox County in snow and ice. They talk about the city and county government responses, efforts to keep the unhoused warm, how local utilities fared, and a little controversy over Mayor Jacobs' absence while campaigning for...

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs moved his proposed changes to the county's growth plan one step forward this week, in the face of questions and opposition from an array of county residents who fear it will open the way for development to overrun rural areas. Jesse and Scott talk about that, along with two controversial development proposals in Choto and South Knox County. Also: The school system tr...

It's a new year, and Scott and Jesse devote this episode to previewing major initiatives, projects and challenges to come for our city, county and state governments, as well as our local education institutions. 2024 promises to be a lively year for all. They also look ahead to meetings this week of the Knox County school board, Knoxville City Council, the county's Growth Policy committee and the P...

This week Scott and Jesse look back at the top stories from 2023. Share this free service of CompassKnox.com and help Scott and Jesse have a great 2024.

Mayor Indya Kincannon officially began her second term last week, and Scott and Jesse take a look at her upcoming priorities in this week's episode. Also, opposition grows to proposed changes in Knox County's growth plan; a detailed makes 41 recommendations to improve culture and accountability at the Knoxville Police Department; and the state finally releases its school-by-school letter grades, t...

The City of Knoxville took significant steps last week toward encouraging redevelopment of the Magnolia Avenue corridor in East Knoxville. Scott and Jesse take a look at the plans in this week's Compass Points podcast, along with progress on the city's "Middle Housing" plan. Also: School board members prepare for the coming fight over school vouchers, a moderate forecast for the state's economy in...

There's a lot of talk about energy in this week's Compass Points podcast, as Scott and Jesse talk about the Tennessee Valley Authority's plans for small "modular" nuclear reactors, as well as alternative fuel steps by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Pilot/Flying J. They also follow developments in discussion of controversial books in school libraries and how the district handles challenges to th...

Debate continued to swirl around proposed changes to Knox County's long-term Growth Plan, with critics fearing the loss of valuable agricultural land to development. Jesse and Scott look at this in this week's episode, along with Gov. Bill Lee's push for statewide school vouchers; the City of Knoxville's change to its Animal Control services; new studies on the state of the uninsured population in...