Ep. 188 11/16/2025
Compass Points
Scott and Jesse go deep on Knox County's debt and revenue challenges and its ongoing struggles with its Juvenile Service Center. They also touch on City Council's approval of food aid funding and a controversial change in duplex regulations, as well as good news for Seven Islands State Birding Park. Then they look ahead to this week's meetings of Knox County Commission, the Knoxville Transportation Authority, and the KUB Board of Commissioners.
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Ep. 187 11/09/2025
Compass Points
In this week’s installment of the Compass Points podcast, Scott and Jesse start off with a thorough debriefing on last week's City of Knoxville election, both the failed sales tax referendum and the five City Council races. They also hit on UT Professor Tamar Shirinian's lawsuit against the university, the plans for a Women's Suffrage Museum on Gay Street, and a drop-out in the sheriff's race. And they look ahead to meetings this week of County Commission, City Council and the Planning Commission. Look for Scott and Jessee at the Rocky Hill Christmas Parada on Dec. 6! Please share this...
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Ep. 186 11/02/2025
Compass Points
***CITY ELECTION COVERAGE IS FREE AT *** Scott and Jesse talk about County Commission’s vote on a controversial resolution honoring Charlie Kirk; delays in two county ordinances that would place local nonprofits under more scrutiny; early vote totals; and a scathing report about the county's juvenile detention center. They also look ahead to Election Day in the City of Knoxville, and this week's meetings of the Knox County school board.
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Ep. 185 10/26/2025
Compass Points
City ELECTION COVERAGE IS FREE at In this week’s installment of the Compass Points podcast, Scott and Jesse talk about County Commission's consideration of some controversial items involving scrutiny of local nonprofits and the slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk; fundraising in the City Council races; the selection of a developer for the former St. Mary's Hospital site; and the Town of Farragut's home business ordinance. They also look ahead to this week's meetings of County Commission and City...
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Ep. 184 10/19/2025
Compass Points
In this week’s installment of the Compass Points podcast, Scott and Jesse talk about developments in the campaigns for and against the City of Knoxville's sales tax referendum; the ICE detention of local resident and immigrant rights' activist Alejandro Lozano; Knox County Schools' Annual Action Plan; a traffic study of the Gay Street Bridge; a planned greenway connection from Fort Sanders to Tyson Park. They also look ahead to this week's meetings of County Commission and the UT Board of Trustees.
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Ep. 18310/12/2025
Compass Points
With early voting in the Knoxville election beginning this week, Scott breaks down the City Council races and the sales-tax increase referendum. He also covers the Supreme Court’s decision not to intervene in a lawsuit against the town of Farragut, Knoxville College’s new interim president, plans to film 9-1-1 Nashville in Knoxville and next year’s visit from the Savannah Bananas. Remember election coverage is FREE to share with all your friends who need help, starting with Early Voting.
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Ep. 182 10/05/2025
Compass Points
This podcast is a free service of support Compass by sharing this with EVERYONE you know. This week, Scott and Jesse talk about City Council's rejection of the sale of part of Chilhowee Park to Emerald Youth Foundation; the Office of Housing Stability's new plan to address homelessness; the kerfuffle with school board member Betsy Henderson and County Commissioner Terry Hill at the Karns Fall Festival; the cancellation of Pride Fest; and Visit Knoxville's new slogan.
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Ep. 181 09/28/2025
Compass Points
In this week’s installment of the Compass Points podcast, Scott and Jesse talk about Knox County's progress toward a Unified Development Ordinance, City Council's upcoming vote on Chilhowee Park, County Commissioner Larsen Jay's campaign against abandoned utility poles, last week's unusual City Council candidate forum, and more. Share this FREE SERVICE of to help Scott and Jesse reach more of your friends and neighbors.
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Ep. 180 09/21/2025
Compass Points
The wrangling over the proposal to sell a chunk of Chilhowee Park to Emerald Youth Foundation continues. Scott and Jesse talk about the latest developments, plus the political jockeying around the city’s proposed sales tax increase, Knox County Commissioner Kim Frazier entering the county mayor’s race, proposed changes to Knoxville City Council’s public forum rules and more.
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Ep. 179 09/14/2025
Compass Points
This week, Scott and Jesse talk about Emerald Youth Foundation's ongoing efforts to win public support for their purchase of property at Chilhowee Park; the attendance and, more importantly, tax receipts for the Knoxville Smokies' first season in their publicly-owned ballpark; the return of Kristi Kristy to her former position as school board chair; a civic gadfly's lawsuit against the Town of Farragut; and the just-announced lineup for the 2026 Big Ears music festival. They also look ahead to meetings this week of County Commission and City Council, as well as yet another public meeting on...
info_outlineCity Council members filed their 2nd quarter financial disclosure reports last week as campaigning is picking up. Scott takes a look at the numbers, and provides profiles of the candidates in the 4th and 2nd district contests. He also goes over the school board’s new cell phone policy, the city’s loss of a $42.7 million federal grant with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, and the Planning Commission’s recommendations that the city approve subdivided duplexes and cottage courts.
Scott also previews the first meeting of the Juvenile Service Center board of directors and a League of Women Voters forum for 6th District Council candidates.
Remember to share this Free Service of CompassKnox.com AND election coverage will soon be OUTSIDE THE PAYWALL at Compassknox.com