Compass Points

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Ep. 133 10/27/2024 Oct 27, 2024

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Don't forget ELECTION COVERAGE IS FREE TO SHARE FOR FREE at compassknox.com It's election season! On this week's episode, Scott and Jesse take a look at early voting numbers at the halfway point and talk about developments in two state legislative races, for the 15th and 18th districts. Also, some competing endorsements for the City of Knoxville's contentious Amendment 2. Plus: A look at the new political math of Knox County Commission, after some fascinating fights at last week's zoning meeting; and the city's Vision Zero effort to eliminate traffic deaths. Looking ahead, the guys preview meetings in the coming week of County Commission and City Council, plus the conclusion of early voting — on Halloween!

Ep. 132 10/20/2024 Oct 20, 2024

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Early voting kicked off this week in Knox County, with a big first-day turnout. In this week's episode, Jesse and Scott look at a few major items on the ballot, including the race for state Senate District 6. Also: the Knox County Sheriff's Office is hit with a civil rights lawsuit by a Muslim woman. In an interview segment, the guys hear contrasting opinions on the controversial and possibly confusing City of Knoxville Amendment #2, from the Rev. Sam Brown and state Rep. Sam McKenzie. Looking ahead to the coming week, they preview County Commission's Monday zoning meeting, where Commissioner Andy Fox is attempting to rezone several pieces of property against the owners' wishes. NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO HELP SCOTT AND JESSE BY to sharing this free service of CompassKnox.com AND ALL ELECTION COVERAGE IS NOW OUTSITE THE PAYWALL

Ep. 131 10/13/2024 Oct 13, 2024

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A citizens' group has come together to push for a climate action plan in Knox County. But the county's leadership under Mayor Glenn Jacobs denies that there's any such thing as climate change. Nevertheless, both the City of Knoxville and Knoxville-Knox County Planning are working on long-term efforts to mitigate East Tennessee's climate impact. Scott and Jesse talk about them on this week's episode. Also: Aid and recovery efforts continue for communities hit by Hurricane Helene; the school board considers rolling back specific language protecting minority groups from harassment and discrimination; a look at the race in state House District 14 between Republican state Rep. Jason Zachary and Democrat Amanda Collins; and the Tennessee Theatre is undertaking the largest expansion in its 96-year history. The guys also look ahead to the start of early voting, a City Council meeting and a candidate forum in the state Senate 6th District.

Ep. 130 10/06/2024 Oct 06, 2024

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The devastating floods from Hurricane Helene that swept through East Tennessee and Western North Carolina dominated the thoughts and efforts of people across the region last week. On this week's episode, Scott and Jesse talk about the local response to our neighbors' suffering, from political leaders to grassroots community groups. Also: City Council approves big plans for Sevier Avenue in South Knoxville; a look at the state House District 18 race between Elaine Davis and Bryan Goldberg; an overview of the city's ballot referendum to reconfigure Council elections; and a recap of Startup Day and Knoxville's ongoing commitment to its entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Ep. 129 09/29/2024 Sep 29, 2024

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You can still use cash on the bus. After a proposal to move Knoxville Area Transit buses to an all-cashless system drew concern from some riders and transit advocates, KAT decided last week to continue accepting dollars and coins — at least for now. Scott and Jesse look at the cashless controversy on this week's episode. Also: A look at the closely watched race for state House District 18, where Republican incumbent Elaine Davis faces well-funded Democrat Bryan Goldberg; the Knoxville Police Department's "Tender Loving Care" approach to focused patrols in East Knoxville appears to be reducing violent crime; and UT Chancellor Donde Plowman announces she'll stay for another five years. Looking ahead, the guys preview election forums in the coming week, along with meetings of the school board and City Council.

Ep. 128 09/22/2024 Sep 22, 2024

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Should County Commission rezone property against the property owners' wishes? That was the question raised last week by new County Commissioner Andy Fox. His attempt to put a proposal to downzone multiple properties in South Knox County did not make it onto the agenda of this month's zoning meeting, but he can bring it back next month. Flying solo on this week's episode, Jesse breaks down Fox's unprecedented effort. Also: City Council denies a last-ditch effort to block a new riverfront high-rise; an $850,000 contract to assess the damage and needed repairs to the Gay Street Bridge; and Congressman Tim Burchett has another colorful week. Looking ahead, Jesse previews meetings this week of County Commission and the Knoxville Transportation Authority board — which is considering a move to totally cashless payments. Compassknox.com

Ep. 127 09/15/2024 Sep 15, 2024

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Local law enforcement spent all last week arresting Knox County Schools students — many of them middle-schoolers — for making or circulating violent threats. The wave of online rumors about planned attacks at local schools followed the murders at Apalachee High School in Georgia, where a 14-year-old boy is charged with killing four people and wounding many others. On this week's episode, Scott and Jesse talk about the increased tension around online threats by young people, and how school and law enforcement officials are handling it. Also: Knox County Schools are gearing up for a different kind of threat — cardiac emergencies at sporting events; the Big Ears Festival releases its lineup for 2025; an update on the joint city-county effort to combat opioid addiction; and two former City Council members clash over a rezoning. Looking ahead, the guys preview Monday's County Commission meetings — including a proposal by new Commissioner Andy Fox to impose unwanted rezonings on several properties; and City Council will talk bridges on Tuesday.

Ep. 126 09/08/2024 Sep 08, 2024

Show notes

Meet the new bosses — same as the old bosses? Well, some of them. With a new slate of county officials sworn in last week, the partisan makeup of both Knox County Commission and the school board shifted a bit, and Commission chose new leadership at the helm. In this week's episode, Jesse and Scott look at what's changed on our two county legislative bodies, and what's stayed the same. Also: Developers have been buying up land around the new downtown stadium; the county Republican Party creates a new "Victory" fund to counter Democratic gains; the city has more than $17 million to spend on making Chapman Highway safer; and that Tennessee-based Russian propaganda mill. Looking ahead, the guys preview next week's Planning Commission agenda, and some informational meetings about the city charter amendments on changing City Council elections.

Ep. 125 09/01/2024 Sep 01, 2024

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What's in a name? When it comes to the new downtown Knoxville stadium, that's a good question. In this week's episode, Scott and Jesse take a look at the naming rights deal between Covenant Health and Boyd Sports — including why we know so little about the financial details. Also: The huge Prosperity Crossing development at the county's western edge moves forward; new population estimates show a growing but aging Tennessee; and Gov. Bill Lee visits the L&N STEM Academy. The guys also look forward to next week, when new county officials will be sworn in, County Commission and the school board will elect chairs for the coming year, and City Council will meet. Compassknox.com

Ep. 124 08/25/2024 Aug 25, 2024

Show notes

Emails and documents from the University of Tennessee provide some context for the departure of WUTK General Manager Benny Smith — including tensions over programming and the structure of the student radio station. Jesse and Scott dig into the backstory on this week's episode, including the on-air promotional spot that sent Smith's new supervisor into a tizzy. Also: Knox County Schools is outing transgender students to their parents, in accord with a new state law; City Council approves a new kind of assistance for affordable housing; County Commission overrides community concerns in approving the Thunder Mountain development in South Knox County; and a presidential preference update from the Compass Power Poll. The guys also look ahead to this week's County Commission meeting.

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