Compass Points

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 162 05/18/2025 May 18, 2025

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Ep. 161 05/11/2025 May 11, 2025

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Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs presented his $1.1 billion budget proposal last week. Scott breaks down the spending plan. He then looks at the local impacts of the Trump administration's efforts to slash the budgets of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the looming effects of tariffs. He also covers the Greenheck Group's groundbreaking at Midway Business Park and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville budget. Scott then turns his attention to this week's public meetings. The city and county are both holding public budget hearings, and County Commission and City Council are also holding voting meetings. This is a free service of CompassKnox.com please subscrie and share this podcast to help support Compass.

Ep. 160 05/04/2025 May 04, 2025

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The Trump administration's decision to gut Americorps resulted in 52 Knoxville members losing their jobs. Scott takes a look at the impact to nonprofits in the area. He also reports on a rare tie-breaking vote Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon cast at City Council, the city and school system's budgets, the initial effect of the new stadium on Old City business activity and a "We the People" rally calling out Congressman Tim Burchett. Kincannon joins Scott this week to talk about her budget proposal, and Compass co-founder Jesse Fox Mayshark drops by to talk about his new media venture, The Progressive South. Scott also looks ahead to Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs' upcoming budget announcement, plus meetings of the School Board and the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission. As always...Like and subscribe and go to Compassknox.com and subscribe!

Ep. 159 04/27/2025 Apr 27, 2025

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Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon unveiled her $477.3 million budget proposal last Friday, and Scott breaks it down in this week's episode. He also talks about philanthropists' funding of affordable housing projects, the county swapping contractors to guide its zoning ordinance overhaul, and more. Scott also previews meetings of the County Commission, City Council and School Board.

Ep. 158 04/20/25 Apr 20, 2025

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Pro baseball returned to Knoxville last week after a 25-year absence, and Scott has a review of the Knoxville Smokies' opening day at Covenant Health Park. He also looks into a state investigation of extravagant spending in the Knox County Trustee's Office, the proposed Knox County Schools budget for next year, and more. Scott also previews meetings of the city-county Office of Housing Stability and the Knox County Commission (a double header!). Share this free service of CompassKnox.com today!

Ep. 157 04/13/2025 Apr 13, 2025

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Clayton Home founder and philanthropist Jim Clayton has abandoned plans to build a science museum in East Knoxville. In this week's installment, Scott looks at the decision and what's next for the 11-acre site next to the Civic Auditorium and Coliseum. He also talks about the Justice Knox Nehemiah Action Assembly, a "rails to trails" lawsuit stemming from a proposed South Knoxville greenway, Stuart Hohl's election as Knox Dems Chair, and more. Scott also looks ahead to opening day at Covenant Health Park, where Knoxville Smokies owner Randy Boyd has honored members of the Knoxville Giants, the city's team in the Negro Southern League during the 1920s and 30s.

Ep. 156 04/06/2025 Apr 06, 2025

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Knox County school board Chair Betsy Henderson confirmed she's running for county mayor in 2026. Scott takes a look at what her entry into the Republican Party primary means in the race. Speaking of the GOP, he also talks about former state Rep. Martin Daniel's election as county Republican chair, as well as current Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs' warning to county commissioners about zoning decisions and the Tennessee Valley Fair search for a. future new home. Scott also previews meetings of the Knox County Board of Education and the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission.

Ep. 155 03/30/2025 Mar 30, 2025

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A group of prominent Democrats is circulating a petition in hopes of persuading Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon to run for Knox County mayor in 2026. In this week's episode, Scott looks at the effort and Kincannon's response. He also talks about Rural Metro's decision to charge a fee to non-subscribers for emergency responses, the regional draft mobility plan, the president's executive order on citizenship and voting, and the Big Ears Festival.

Ep. 154 03/23/2025 Mar 23, 2025

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The city of Knoxville's middle housing program is one year old, and in this week's episode Scott delves into a report from Knoxville-Knox County Planning on its progress. He also looks into a proposal to expand areas where festivals can serve beer in the city, a statewide business survey, and the importance of Black sororities and fraternities to politics and culture in the African-American community. Scott also previews meetings of the Knox County Commission and the city-county Sports Authority.

Ep. 153 03/16/2025 Mar 16, 2025

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The Knoxville Smokies and the City of Knoxville announced the parking plan for baseball games at the Covenant Health Park. In this week's episode, Scott breaks down the plan, which involves dedicated downtown parking garages and free shuttles. He also looks at the Education Department's scrutiny of an antisemitism complaint at UT, County Commissioner Terry Hill's criticism of school board Chair Betsy Henderson and the 13 private schools in Knox County that have signed up for the state's new voucher program. Scott also looks ahead to this week's City Council meeting.

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