Compass Points

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 103 3/31/2024 Mar 31, 2024

Show notes

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 mental health hospital in the Knoxville area. Plus: A low-barrier homeless shelter is closing because apparently nobody wants to run it; County Commission compromises on utility pole regulations; and the state Legislature is about to make you verify your age to use social media. The guys also look ahead to meetings this week of the Knox County school board and Knoxville City Council.

Ep. 102 3/24/2024 Mar 24, 2024

Show notes

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 Israel's military incursion into Gaza. Looking ahead, the guys preview this week's County Commission meeting. Compassknox.com

Ep. 101 03/17/2024 Mar 17, 2024

Show notes

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 to hold law enforcement agencies accountable. In an interview segment, the guys get an update on the Advance Knox planning process from Mandi Benedict, who is overseeing it for County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. And looking ahead, they preview meetings of County Commission (which will be talkinag about Advance Knox) and City Council (which will be talking about Gaza). CompassKnox.com Holleroo.co

Ep. 100 03/10/2024 Mar 10, 2024

Show notes

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 Laundry building; the school board's salary study suggests a $39 million pay increase; and the county's Comprehensive Land Use Plan passes its first test at Planning Commission. Looking ahead to this week, the guys anticipate a quiet spring break. Except for that pesky Legislature ... If you want 100 more episodes go to Compassknox.com and subsribe today!

Ep. 99 03/03/2024 Mar 03, 2024

Show notes

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 federal grant for the pedestrian bridge project; and some sad news from Sheriff Tom Spangler. The guys preview to a busy week ahead, with the primary election and meetings of the school board, City Council, County Commission and the Planning Commission. Don't forget to share this with our friends and CompassKnox.com election coverage is FREE

Ep. 98 02/25/2024 Feb 25, 2024

Show notes

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 Commission primaries in District 1 and an interesting school board race in District 8; City Council decides to leave most auxiliary dwelling unit restrictions in place; County Mayor Glenn Jacobs visits the Southern border; and Knox County Schools gets mostly good news from the state. They also look ahead to meetings this week of County Commission and the Sports Authority, and the final days of early voting.

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Ep. 97 02/18/2024 Feb 18, 2024

Show notes

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. Looking ahead, the guys preview meetings this coming week of County Commission and Knoxville City Council. Share this free service of CompassKnox.com with everyone you meet AND remember election coverage is FREE

Ep. 96 2/11/2024 Feb 11, 2024

Show notes

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, but the Knox County school board can't come to agreement on what it thinks about them; the Advance Knox planning update gets a generally favorable hearing from county commissioners; and a look at contested primaries for property assessor and the school board's District 3. In the Q&A section, the guys talk about an incident involving the Knox County Sheriff's Office and a Starbucks manager, and whether KCSO needs some kind of civilian review process. They also look ahead to early voting starting on Feb. 14, a City Council workshop on Mayor Indya Kincannon's housing plan, and a city budget retreat. Don't forget election coverage is outside the paywall at CompassKnox.com and it is a perfect time to share your favoirte news sorce with your friends...for FREE!

Ep. 95 02/04/2024 Feb 04, 2024

Show notes

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 section, the guys review the most recent local housing market forecast. And looking ahead to next week, they preview meetings of the school board, County Commission, City Council and the Planning Commission. If you like this free service of Compassknox.com test it to a friend. It easy and it is the best way to help Scott and Jesse cover more of the exciting news in Knoxville.

Ep. 94 01/28/2024 Jan 28, 2024

Show notes

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 commission candidates face off and more. The guys also look ahead this week to a school board candidate forum and a UT advisory board meeting. And don't forget to share this free service of CompassKnox.com

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