Compass Points

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Ep. 123 08/18/20204 Aug 18, 2024

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Will a proposal to change the structure of City Council make it more responsive and representative — or less? That's the question facing city voters in a referendum set for the November election, which would change all nine Council seats to at-large positions. In this week's episode, Scott and Jesse sort through the arguments for and against the change. Also: an update on the structural problems with the Gay Street Bridge; a new effort to make period products available in county schools; and money from the national opioid settlements starts to make its way to East Tennessee agencies and nonprofit organizations. The guys also look ahead to meetings this week of County Commission and City Council.

Ep. 122 08/11/2024 Aug 11, 2024

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Knoxville voters will decide in November whether to change all nine City Council members to at-large representatives or keep local district seats. Which one would better represent the views of Knoxvillians? Scott and Jesse talk about that in this week's episode. Also, a look back at what exactly happened with voter turnout in the Aug. 1 election; some thoughts from Knox County Schools Superintendent Jon Rysewyk as the new year gets underway; and efforts to block a new high-rise building on the downtown waterfront fail at Planning Commission.

Ep. 121 08/04/2024 Aug 04, 2024

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Democrats flipped a seat on Knox County Commission and took two seats on the school board, but the balance of power remains in Republican hands. With Jesse out of town, Scott and Owen break down the election results this week. They also take a look at Turn Up Knox, the violence interruption nonprofit, and the low-power independent radio station WOZO FM. The guys also look ahead to meetings this week of the school board, City Council and Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission. Thank Compass for thier amazing coverage by sharing this podcast and CompassKnox.com with your friends today.

Ep. 120 07/28/2024 Jul 28, 2024

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This week, with Jesse across the pond, Scott and Owen recap early voting for the Aug. 1 election and review the candidates' financial situations heading into the campaigns' final days. They also take a look at the charter referendum questions on changes to the city election system that Knoxville voters are likely to consider in the November election. And they talk about a UT-Michigan State project to provide high-quality turf for the 2026 World Cup. Looking ahead, they preview Election Day, which comes up on Thursday. Don't forget to go to CompassKnox.com for FREE ELECTION COVERAGE...and SHARE Compass with your friends.

Ep. 119 07/21/2024 Jul 21, 2024

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ELECETION 2024 COVERAGE is free at Compassknox.com

Elections to the right of us, elections to the left, elections up ahead! This week, Scott and Jesse catch up on electoral news in both national and local races. They check in on Tennesseans with speaking slots at the Republican National Convention, survey the state of early voting in the Aug. 1 county general election, and look at some proposals that could — and could not — affect future races here at home. Also, updates on the situation with Benny Smith at WUTK; those controversial voting letters sent to naturalized citizens; and the state's anti-drag show law. Looking ahead, they preview meetings of Knox County Commission and Knoxville City Council.

Ep. 118 07/14/2024 Jul 14, 2024

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Early voting is under way in the Aug. 1 election, and Scott and Jesse take a look at some local races on this week's episode: School board races in districts 2 and 5, a County Commission contest in District 5, and primaries for House District 15 and state Senate District 6. Also: County Mayor Glenn Jacobs attempts to smooth out controversy over the future of South Knox County's Bower ballfields; a social media firestorm over the future of WUTK college radio and its longtime general manager, Benny Smith; and County Commissioner Larsen Jay posts some eye-popping fundraising numbers two years ahead of the 2026 county mayor race. Looking ahead, the guys preview a County Commission session on Monday.

Ep. 117 07/07/2024 Jul 07, 2024

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With early voting starting next week in the Aug. 1 election, Scott and Jesse look at local races for property assessor and County Commission's 9th District in South Knox County. They also check in on local Democrat Gloria Johnson's bid for U.S. Senate. Plus, the school board considers a new policy that could remove many books from school libraries. Looking ahead to the coming week, the guys preview meetings of the school board, City Council and the Knoxville/Knox County Planning Commission.

Ep. 116 06/30/2024 Jun 30, 2024

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With early voting for the Aug. 1 election starting in just a few weeks, in this week's episode Scott and Jesse look at two interesting County Commission races (in districts 2 and 4) and dig into some controversial letters sent to naturalized citizens by state election officials. Also: Randy Boyd is granted another five-year term as president of the University of Tennessee; the City of Knoxville falls short again in trying to procure federal money for a pedestrian bridge across the Tennessee River; and a look ahead to this week's 4th of July festivities.

Ep. 114 06/23/2024 Jun 23, 2024

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Growth and development dominated local news last week, with a report from Knoxville-Knox County Planning showing a surge in new residential construction. Scott and Jesse look at that report in this week's episode, along with its impact on the District 6 County Commission race and one controversial new downtown development in particular. Also: The woeful state of Knox County's road paving budget, and some data on where Tennesseans are going to receive abortion services. The guys also look ahead to meetings next week of County Commission and City Council, plus a County Commission candidate forum. Compassknox.com

Ep. 114 06/16/2024 Jun 16, 2024

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The City of Knoxville's African American Equity Restoration Task Force was set up largely to attract outside funding and investment to areas of East Knoxville that were devastated by urban renewal programs. But this past week, the task force took a small but significant step in awarding some small grants of its own to community groups. Scott and Jesse look at that shift in this week's episode and talk about why the task force remains controversial to some conservatives. Also: an attempt to remove a County Commission candidate from the ballot fails (and may backfire); a look at the District 3 school board race, which could tip the partisan balance on the board; some controversial proposed developments in South Knox County; and Knox County Schools sees improvements in its state reading scores. The guys look ahead to meetings next week of County Commission and a school board candidate forum. This podcast is a free service of CompassKnox.com, you should share it far and wide and help promote local journalism.

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