Compass Points

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Ep. 152 03/09/2025 Mar 09, 2025

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This week Scott breaks down another week of budget hearings for the City of Knoxville and a public meeting of Sheriff Tom Spangler and Commissioner Damon Rawls to discuss Sheriff's Office policies. UT President Randy Boyd goes public on concerns over Federal Funding in the UT system, whileEnergy Secretary Chris White made a quick visit to ORNL. In this week's sports section, Scott talks about the announcement by Visit Knoxville on hosting the AAU girls basketball championships and a quick run-through of the promotional events schedule for the Knoxville Smokies' inaugural season in Covenant Health Park. Dont forget to share this free service of CompassKnox.com

Ep. 151 03/02/2025 Mar 02, 2025

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Knox County is moving to a two-year property tax reappraisal cycle. In this week's episode of Compass Points, Scott talks about what that means for taxpayers. He also talks about AMR's performance in the first year of its ambulance contract with Knox County and new KPD Deputy Chief Joe McHale. He also looks ahead to meetings this week of the Board of Education and Knoxville City Council. Don't forget to share this free service of CompassKnox.com

Ep. 150 02/23/2025 Feb 23, 2025

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This is a free service of CompassKnox.com spread the word by sharing today! Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon has established a formalized process for reporting waste, fraud and abuse in city government. In this week's installment of the Compass Points podcast, Scott looks at the details. He also talks about the city's financial health, a new composite materials facility at the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm and Knoxville Children's Theatre's new home in the Foundry.

Knox County school board member Katherine Bike joins the podcast to talk about her opposition to private-school vouchers and board Chair Betsy Henderson's testimony in a legislative committee in favor of them.

Scott also takes a look ahead to Knox County Commission and Knoxville-Knox County Sports Authority meetings.

Ep. 149 02/16/2025 Feb 16, 2025

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Knoxville officials say the Gay Street Bridge will reopen, but not to motor vehicles, and it will be replaced entirely within a decade. On this week's episode of Compass Points, Scott talks about the plans for the historic bridge, as well as the dispute that led to the city terminating its contract with Turn Up Knox and the sign plan for the new stadium. Knox County school board Chair Betsy Henderson joins the podcast to talk about her testimony in the Legislature in support of private-school vouchers and the angry reaction from opponents. Scott also takes a look ahead to Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission meetings. This is a free service of Compassknox.com. Please support Compass by sharing this with your friends.

Ep. 148 02/09/2025 Feb 09, 2025

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This podcast is a FREE service of Compassknox.com The Knox County school board approved a new K-8 school for northwest Knoxville last week, and Scott breaks down the project and its implications in this week's episode of Compass Points. He also talks about the return of the Bassmaster Classic to Knoxville in 2026 and touches on TVA CEO Jeff Lyash's retirement announcement, the Downtown Knoxville Alliance's decision to buy two horses for KPD's new mounted patrol and criticisms of school board Chair Betsy Henderson's testimony in the state Legislature in favor of private-school vouchers — plus her response. Scott also previews Gov. Bill Lee's State of the State address and the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission's monthly meeting on Thursday.

Ep. 147 02/02/2025 Feb 02, 2025

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Gov. Bill Lee got everything he wanted out of last week's special session on school vouchers, immigration enforcement and disaster relief. In this week's episode of Compass Points, Scott takes a look at the results. He talks about the dispute between the city of Knoxville and a violence interruption nonprofit, funding questions about an eviction prevention program, a new K-8 school near Western Heights and more. Also, he looks ahead to meetings of the school board, City Council and the UTK campus advisory board. Support Scott and CompassKnox.com by sharing this free service

Ep. 146 01/26/2025 Jan 26, 2025

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The Knox County Commission created the county's first residential infrastructure development district last week. Scott gives details on the district and talks about how it works to fund infrastructure in this week's episode of Compass Points. He also delves into the expansion of the Knoxville Police Department's co-response program. Other topics include Steven Matjijcio's first year as director of the Knoxville Museum of Art, a lawsuit Knoxville firefighters filed against the city and more. Scott also looks forward to this week's special session of the state Legislature and meetings of the Knox County Commission and the city-county Sports Authority. Please share this free service of CompassKnox.com today Link to Jennifer Owen on Almost in Agreement

Ep. 134 01/19/2025 Jan 19, 2025

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Share this free service of CompassKnox.com and go there and subscribe! U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has abruptly decided to run for governor in 2026, automatically becoming the frontrunner in the Republican primary. Scott talks about her intent — she has yet to make a formal announcement — and its ramifications in this week's installment of the Compass Points podcast. He also goes into detail on current Gov. Bill Lee's special legislative session on vouchers, Knoxville City Council's Procedures and Charter Task Force, and last week's leadership symposium on Rev. Martin Luther King's relevance in today's world. Plus, Scott touches on recent police-involved shootings, a mobility study for Choto and other topics. He also previews this week's Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission meetings.

Ep. 144 01/12/2025 Jan 12, 2025

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The City of Knoxville's quest to secure federal funding for the planned pedestrian bridge ended successfully last week with an award of $24.7 million from the Transportation Department. On this week's episode of Compass Points, Scott goes into the details of the project and the next steps. He also takes a deep dive into a $27.6 million contract for cameras, software, a records management system and the Real Time Information Center for the Knoxville Police Department — and the tumultuous City Council meeting where the agreement gained approval. Other topics include the school board's vote not to support vouchers as one of its legislative priorities.

Ep. 143 01/05/2025 Jan 05, 2025

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The city of Knoxville will learn the fate of two bridge projects in the coming weeks. In this week's episode of the Compass Points podcast, Scott takes a look at repairs to the closed Gay Street Bridge and a third bite at the federal funding apple for the proposed pedestrian bridge connecting the South Waterfront to UT. Also: We take a look at the year ahead in local government and education, the pending demolition of the historic Pryor Brown Garage, a "rails-to-trails" project and Knoxville's status as a "housing hotspot." Scott will also preview meetings of the Knox County Board of Education, City Council and the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission.

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