Compass Points

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 73 09/03/2023 Sep 03, 2023

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Primary elections in the City of Knoxville top this week's podcast, as Scott and Jesse talk about the results and the coming runoffs, and memorialize Cameron Brooks, who died just a few days after finishing a strong second in a City Council race. They also take a look back at the scattered "special session," a shake-up in newly reelected Mayor Indya Kincannon's administration, and the legal dispute over this weekend's Blount Pride festival.

The Q&A segment answers readers' questions about the status of two endangered historic buildings, and then the guys look ahead to next week's meetings of the school board and City Council. Check out CompassKnox.com for more on these and other stories.

Ep. 72 08/27/2023 Aug 27, 2023

Show notes

Was a racist email behind Brooklyn Belk's departure from the Knoxville Police Department? Jesse and Scott dig into that question, along with the state Legislature's special session; mental health resolutions from City Council and County Commission; the final early voting and campaign finance numbers in the city election; and KAT's plan to drop the downtown trolley. They also look at the city's funding for the nonprofit Turn Up Knox, and look ahead to next week's city election. Don't forget CompassKnox.com's election coverage is free so click the link and share it with all your friends.

Ep. 71 08/20/2023 Aug 20, 2023

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Halfway through early voting for City of Knoxville elections, turnout remains low. Scott and Jesse talk about why that is, and they also look at a push to regulate short-term rentals in Knox County, the Knoxville Utilities Board's report on recovering from storm damage, requests from the city and county for state mental health funding, and some political wrangling on the county's Merit System Board. They also answer a reader question about conflicts of interest for elected officials, and they look ahead to next week's special session of the state Legislature, along with meetings of City Council, County Commission and the Sports Authority.

Ep. 70 08/13/2023 Aug 13, 2023

Show notes

This week Scott and Jesse talk about the unseasonal tornado that hit Knox County this week, the race for Knoxville mayor, the start of early voting in the city elections, a damning report from Knox County Schools' special education task force, and an unexpected visit from Sesame Street. They also answer a reader's question about what happened to state funding after Lakeshore Mental Health Institute closed, and look ahead to an interesting meeting next week of the Knox County Merit System Board of Directors. This is your change to help Scott and Jesse grow...share this podcast and the website because ALL CITY CAMPAIGN COVERAGE is now FREE at COMPASSKNOX

Ep. 69 08/06/2023 Aug 06, 2023

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This week Jesse and Scott talk about a candidate forum in the race for Knoxville mayor, some endorsements for City Council candidates, a conflict over a historic home on Magnolia Avenue, Knox County's rising rents and a big meeting on local mental health services. They also answer a reader question about the current status of COVID-19 in the community, and look ahead next week to the start of early voting, another candidate forum, and meetings of the school board and City Council.

Ep. 68 7/30/2023 Jul 30, 2023

Show notes

This week Jesse and Scott take a look at two contested races in the City of Knoxville primary: the fascinating three-way contest for At-Large Seat C, and the unexpectedly competitive race for municipal judge. They also review U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett's week of advocacy for UFO disclosure, changes to Knoxville development rules and a lawsuit filed by teachers against the state's "prohibited concepts" law. The interview this week is with Chris Thomas, chief administrative officer for the Knox County Regional Forensic Center, who discusses trends in drug-related deaths and suicides. And in the reader Q&A, what's the future of the free downtown trolleys? Finally, they look ahead to a forum among mayoral candidates next week, and a joint meeting of City Council and County Commission on mental health services.

And don't forget to share this free service of CompassKnox.com

Ep. 67 07/23/23 Jul 23, 2023

Show notes

This week Scott and Jesse take a look at the candidates for City Council at-large seats A and B, the county's decision to allow guns in libraries, and private development around the new downtown stadium. They also talk to City Councilwoman Seema Singh about "Missing Middle" housing, and ponder the age-old question, "Is Tennessee a Democracy?" Looking ahead to next week, they preview a candidate forum in the city judge race and meetings of County Commission and City Council. Don't forget to share this free service of Compassknox.com

Ep. 66 07/16/2023 Jul 15, 2023

Show notes

With Jesse on the road this week, Scott talks about campaign fundaising in the city election, religious instruction release time in Knox County Schools, some developments considered at planning commission and more news from the past week. He also looks ahead to election coverage in the coming week. CompassKnox.com

Ep. 65 07/09/2023 Jul 09, 2023

Show notes

This week, Scott and Jesse follow up on the sudden departure of a KPD deputy chief, a survey about freedom of speech on the UT campus, a study showing gun deaths in Tennessee hitting an all-time high, the possibility of passenger rail service returning to Knoxville, and the latest in city election news. They also look ahead to meetings next week of the Knox County school board, Knoxville City Council and the Planning Commission. Go to Compassknox.com for more information on these and other stories.

Ep. 64 07/02/2023 Jul 02, 2023

Show notes

This week Scott and Jesse talk about the sudden departure of KPD Deputy Chief Brooklyn Belk; the University of Tennessee's efforts to increase to diversity and whether the Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling will affect them; a couple of lawsuits challenging state restrictions on transgender medical care; City Council's two resolutions on creating an "alternative response" model for people in mental health crisis; and County Commission's endorsement of returning Clingmans Dome to its traditional Cherokee name. They also talk about the school system's plans to allow credit for outside religious instruction, and look ahead to expected fireworks next week. Compassknox.com

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