Compass Points

Compass Points Podcast provides news, insights and analysis of Knoxville and Knox County government, politics and business. Content is updated every Sunday.

Ep. 222 07/19/2026 07/19/2026

Ep. 222 07/19/2026 As early voting gets under way this week, Scott and Jesse talk elections: specifically, the county mayor's race and the fight for offices in Farragut. Also, Knoxville ponders "What's Next" for the city's growth, and a new apartment building is ready to go in near the downtown stadium. The guys also look ahead to meetings of County Commission and City Council. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/42135860

Ep. 221 07/12/2026 07/12/2026

Ep. 221 07/12/2026 This week, Scott looks at the Knox County school board's budget cuts and mild rebuke of County Commission, along with the Planning Commission's further delay of proposed apartments at the Kerbela Temple site. Also: City Council establishes a North Waterfront Improvement District and passes a one-year moratorium on new data centers. Plus, some questions about County Commission candidate Justin Cofer's work history. Scott looks ahead this week to the start of early voting in the Aug. 6 election, and a few related candidate forums. This is a free service of /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/42045375

Ep. 220 07/05/2026 07/05/2026

Ep. 220 07/05/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse look at Knox County Schools' plan to cut nearly $8 million from its budget, including by eliminating teaching positions. They also discuss the University of Tennessee's $1.9 million settlement with fired Professor Tamar Shirinian; the creation of new three-year degree programs at UT; and Republican outrage over Democratic county mayor candidate Beau Hawk's past visit to Venezuela. Looking ahead, they preview this week's school board, City Council, and Planning Commission meetings. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/41959165

Ep. 219 06/28/2026 06/28/2026

Ep. 219 06/28/2026 Synopsis: This week, Scott and Jesse talk about Knox County's moratorium on large new data centers; what this year's reappraisal means for your property taxes; Knox County Schools' TCAP scores; City Councilman Denzel Grant's appointment to chair the African American Equity Restoration Task Force; and the closure of Club XYZ, one of just two gay clubs in Knoxville. They also look ahead to this week's meetings of the University of Trustees Board of Trustees, as well as TDOT open houses on future interstate plans in Knox County, and two County Commission workshops. Plus, of course, the festivities on the 4th of July. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/41850960

Ep. 218 06/21/2026 06/21/2026

Ep. 218 06/21/2026 Synopsis: It's growth and development week! Scott and Jesse talk with local housing policy wonk Hancen Sale about why Knox Countians are so fired up against further growth, and what options local governments actually have to manage it. Topics include last week's 2025 development report from Knoxville-Knox County Planning, and County Commission's rejection of housing density in the Carter community. Plus, the guys look at County Commission's unprecedented raid on the Knox County Schools budget to provide larger raises to general government employees. Looking ahead, they preview this week's meetings of County Commission and City Council. (Also, here's Hancen's Substack: /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/41711235

Ep. 217 06/14/2026 06/14/2026

Ep. 217 06/14/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse talk about the state GOP's decision to not interfere with the Knox County sheriff's race; why Knoxville's 2026 homicide rate is remarkably low; UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman speaking for the SEC on pending college sports legislation; City Council's denial of one more attempt to block the CareCuts services center on Clinton Highway; and a couple of new restaurants at Covenant Health Park. Looking ahead, they also preview County Commission's vote on the 2026-27 budget. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/41635385

Ep. 216 06/07/2026 06/07/2026

Ep. 216 06/07/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse talk about the school board's wrangling over book bans in the wake of the removal and return of "Roots" to library shelves. They also look at the largest donor gift in University of Tennessee history (with a familiar name attached), the state Republican Party moving to weigh in on the Knox County sheriff's race, and County Commission's discussion of the 2026-27 budget. Looking ahead, they preview meetings of City Council and the Planning Commission, which will again take up the proposed development on the Kerbela Temple site. Support Scott and Jesse by TEXTING this FREE service of to that friend that is always asking you what's going on! /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/41557965

Ep.215 05/31/2026 05/31/2026

Ep.215 05/31/2026 Please share this free service of and support Scott and Jessee Synopsis: This week, Scott and Jesse track the banned/not-banned status of Alex Haley's "Roots," which was ordered returned to Knox County Schools libraries last week after having been removed just a few weeks before. Also, City Council passes the 2026-27 budget without much dissent — and bans smoking in 21-and-up bars with a whole lot more drama. Plus, the Knoxville Police Department rolls out its "Real-Time Information Center," and a study that shows KPD officers are (mostly) respectful when dealing with the public. Looking ahead, the guys preview this week's school board meetings — with more talk about the book-removal process — and County Commission's public budget hearing. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/41480110

Ep. 214 05/24/2026 05/24/2026

Ep. 214 05/24/2026 This week Scott and Jesse talk a lot of politics — specifically, factional fighting within the Knox County Republican Party. It took multiple forms last week. from clashes at County Commission to a leaked text thread started by county GOP Chair Martin Daniel. Also, sheriff's candidate Mike Davis wants to throw out the May 5 primary results, and the city seeks South Waterfront developers. The guys also look ahead to Memorial Day and a City Council meeting the day after. Support by sharing this free service. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/41402065

Ep. 213 05/17/2026 05/17/2026

Ep. 213 05/17/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse talk about the arrests of multiple sheriff's employees — and two recent sheriff candidates; County Mayor Glenn Jacobs' no-frills budget; Knox County Schools' banning of Alex Haley's book Roots; more fallout from the legislative redistricting of Memphis; and Knoxville's move to ban smoking in 21-and-up bars. They also look ahead to this week's meeting of County Commission. Rememeber to share this free service of /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/41320020

Ep. 212 05/10/2026 05/10/2026

Ep. 212 05/10/2026 This week: Scott and Jessee look back at a very interesting Knox County Primary, breakdown the County wide re-appraisals, dig in to the special called session in Nashville and look over the plans for the new 'entertainment district' on UT's campus near Neyland Stadium. Also: The guys look ahead to ANOTHER busy week for the Knox area civic calander; County budget, meetings of the County Commoission Finance Commitee, City Council, and Planning Commission. Follw this podcat to get it downloaded directlly to your phone every week, and share this Free service of to support Scott and Jesse's stellar work. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/41237960

Ep. 211 05/03/2026 05/03/2026

Ep. 211 05/03/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse tally up the early voting totals for the May 5 primary election, along with candidate spending and fights over crossover voting. Also: Tennessee Republicans target Memphis' congressional district, City Council gets a first look at Mayor Indya Kincannon's proposed budget, TVA names an interim CEO, County Commission tries to sort out a dispute over domestic violence services, and former juvenile detention center director Richard Bean sues over his forced resignation last year. The guys also look ahead to this week's election, a City Council budget hearing, and meetings of the school board and UT's Board of Trustees. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/41128765

Ep. 210 04/26/2026 04/26/2026

Ep. 210 04/26/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse sort through turnout statistics at the midpoint of early voting, and talk through local primary races including county mayor, trustee, and clerk. They also look at Mayor Indya Kincannon's proposed City of Knoxville budget for the coming year, and the proposed Knox County Schools spending plan approved by the school board. Finally, they catch up on some of the bills that passed and didn't in the final days of the state legislative session. And they look ahead to this week's meetings of Knox County Commission and Knoxville City Council, as well as the conclusion of eary voting. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/41017205

Ep. 209 04/19/2026 04/19/2026

Ep. 209 04/19/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse talk about the Knox County primary election: a county mayoral candidate debate, the four Republican contenders for sheriff, some battles over who endorsed whom, and the turnout in the first few days of early voting. Also: Knox County Schools' proposed 2026-27 budget, Justice Knox's annual Nehemiah Action, and new statues of prominent Black Knoxvillians at Covenant Health Park. They also look ahead to this week's County Commission meetings, and the school board's special budget session. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/40921060

Ep. 208 04/12/2026 04/12/2026

Ep. 208 04/12/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse dig into the Republican primaries in races for Knox County mayor and County Commission's 7th District; real estate news involving downtown's Riverview Tower and the former St. Mary's Hospital property in North Knoxville; a leadership change at the public radio station WUOT; and a proposal to change Knoxville city election cycles. They also look ahead to meetings this week of Justtice Knox and Knoxville City Council, as well as a Knox Count Schools community budget meeting, a county mayor candidate forum, and the start of early voting. Remember to share this free service of by texting an episode to your friends. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/40812785

Ep. 207 04/05/2026 04/05/2026

Ep. 207 04/05/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse talk about City Council's refusal to push forward with an Alternative Response program, one of last week's county mayor forums, proposed apartments on the Kerbela Temple site, voucher and charter school developments in the state Legislature, and Knoxville's homicide-free first quarter. They also look ahead to meetings of City Council and the Planning Commission, as well as another county mayor forum. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/40735575

Ep. 206 03/29/2026 03/29/2026

Ep. 206 03/29/2026 This week Scott talks about County Commission's decision to defer a vote on Commissioner Larsen Jay's proposal to eliminate the wheel tax, the first meeting of the Chilhowee Park Advisory Group, blocked anti-LGBTQ bills in the Legislature, a former property assessor candidate's felony convictions and the Big Ears Festival. He also looks ahead to a county election candidate forum and this week's City Council meeting. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/40654715

Ep. 205 03/22/2026 03/22/2026

Ep. 205 03/22/2026 This week Scott and Jesse talk about City Council's approval of homeless services on Clinton Highway, Knoxville's new master plan for public parks, the firing of University of Tennessee Professor Tamar Shirinian, a Republican feud between developer Scott Davis and political consultant Erik Wiatr, and the opening to the public of the restored Eugenia Williams House. They look ahead to this week's meetings of County Commission and City Council, as well as the annual extravaganza that is the Big Ears Festival. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/40571075

Ep. 204 03/15/2026 03/15/2026

Ep. 204 03/15/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse discuss President Donald Trump's call for TVA CEO Don Moul's pay to be cut by 90 percent; informational signs in the Great Smoky Mountains flagged for supposedly objectionable content by the Trump administration; a breakthrough in an almost 40-year-old Knoxville missing person case; the University of Tennessee's research ambitions; the arrest of a Nashville Spanish-language reporter by ICE; and the removal of two Republican candidates from the May primary ballot. They also look ahead to this week's meetings of County Commission, City Council, and the UT Knoxville Campus Advisory Board. This is a FREE service of SHARE IT...with EVERYONE /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/40458985

Ep. 203 03/08/2026 03/08/2026

Ep. 203 03/08/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse parse the politics and finances of the school board's difficult vote on rezoning Powell Elementary; a City Council push to expand the use of winter warming centers; Mayor Kincannon's new Chilhowee Park Advisory Board; the Knoxville Police Department's return to full staffing strength after a decade; the Knoxville Bar Association's alarm at political meddling in judicial appointments; and a posthumous Medal of Honor for Knoxvillian Roddie Edmonds. Looking ahead, they find little on this week's spring break calendar beyond a City Council workshop on homelessness and housing. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/40350655

Ep. 202 03/01/2026 03/01/2026

Ep. 202 03/01/2026 ***Share this Free Service of *** On this week's episode, Scott and Jesse talk about the failed effort by a small group of voters to kick County Commissioner Larsen Jay off the Republican primary ballot for county mayor; the retirement announcement of Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, whose state Senate district includes a chunk of Knox County; East Tennessee Children's Hospital renaming itself for Dolly Parton; the pending closure of McKay's used bookstore and what may have led to it; and the University of Tennessee's plans to acquire two pieces of property: Cherokee Mills and Tyson House. They also look ahead to meetings this week of the Knox County school board and Knoxville City Council. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/40265315

Ep. 201 02/22/2026 02/22/2026

Ep. 201 02/22/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse look at new housing developments — one for homeless veterans, one a new apartment complex near the Old City — as well as the hiring of the City of Knoxville's new downtown coordinator. At the state level, they catch up on bills attacking faculty tenure protections and same-sex marriage. And in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a privately-funded program to preserve historic buildings. They also preview this week's meetings of County Commission and the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees, as well Knox County's next virtual meeting on its Unified Development Ordinance. Support Scott and Jesse by sharing this free service of /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/40185975

Ep. 200 02/15/2026 02/15/2026

Ep. 200 02/15/2026 With Scott off covering the city's Budget Retreat, Jesse talks with Steve Smith of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy about TVA's Trump-fueled reversal on closing two coal-fired power plants, as well as the EPA's reversal on regulating greenhouse gases. Plus, Jesse and Seth talk about a report and recommendations on creating a "Community Response" model for non-emergency calls, school rezoning in Powell, and the county's Juvenile Service Center finally earning back its state license. They also look ahead to meetings this week of County Commission and City Council. Dont forget to share this free service of /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/40108155

Ep. 199 02/07/2026 02/08/2026

Ep. 199 02/07/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse talk about the school board's wrangling with a putative Christian charter school; Gov. Bill Lee's push for expanded school vouchers; AMR's improvement in ambulance response times; and some culture war bills put forward by Christian conservative state Rep. Gino Bulso. They also look ahead to meetings of the county's Juvenile Service Center board, and the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/40029345

Ep. 198 02/01/2026 02/01/2026

Ep. 198 02/01/2026 This week, Scott and Jesse talk about last Friday's anti-ICE protest, discussion of immigration at County Commission, and recent national attention paid to Big Ears founder Ashley Capps and County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. Looking ahead, they preview multiple meetings of the Knox County school board this week, along with Knoxville City Council and the UT Knoxville campus Advisory Board. Pleas share you can binge the website while you'r snowed in. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/39946565

Ep. 197 01/25/2026 01/25/2026

Ep. 197 01/25/2026 With Scott out, Jesse (and producer Seth!) talk through the Knoxville Police Department's new drones and cameras; the Legislature's raft of immigration enforcement bills; the new City Council members' delay of some local grants; and the passing of Natalie Haslam. They're joined by Compass correspondent Thomas Fraser, who explains Oak Ridge National Lab's role in a new national fusion energy project. And they look ahead to this week's County Commission meeting, and a breakfast with state legislators sponsored by the League of Women Voters. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/39861620

Ep. 196 01/18/2026 01/18/2026

Ep. 196 01/18/2026 On this week's episode, Scott and Jesse talk about further developments at Knox County's troubled Juvenile Services Center (Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin will apparently be taking charge); the Knoxville Police Department's deployment of the first new camera in its Real Time Information Center system; the opening of a new apartment complex, part of the Transforming Western initiative; a settlement in a lawsuit over the shooting death of teenager Anthony Thompson Jr.; and the Tennessee Legislature's return to session, with a bill aimed at restricting venues that host drag shows. The guys also look ahead this week to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and meetings of County Commission and City Council. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/39769845

Ep. 195 01/11/2026 01/11/2026

Ep. 195 01/11/2026 This week, Jesse fills in for Scott (with help from producer Lord Seth) to talk about ICE's search for a West Knox office, new immigration enforcement proposals at the local and state levels, the possibility of another site for Emerald Youth's sports complex in East Knoxville, ORNL's role in an ambitious scientific AI effort, falling homicide and car fatality rates in Knoxville, and a lawsuit against the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra by a jilted clarinetist. The guys also look ahead to this week's events leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Play along with Seth's resolution to read the newsletter dailey by subscribing today at /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/39682520

Ep. 194 01/04/2026 01/04/2026

Ep. 194 01/04/2026 It’s 2026, but Scott and Jesse have a little unfinished business with 2025. They take a last look back at the just-finished year and some of the local stories that shaped it: City Council elections, the failed push for a city sales tax hike, the Chilhowee Park controversy, the new downtown stadium, investigations in the property assessor and trustee’s offices, problems at the Juvenile Service Center, Betsy Henderson’s pro-voucher testimony, and more! Plus, some unvarnished thoughts on downtown parking changes. The guys also look ahead to meetings this week of the school board, City Council, and the Planning Commission. /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/39602635

Ep. 193 12/21/2025 12/21/2025

Ep. 193 12/21/2025 This week, Scott and Jesse break out the eggnog and take a look at the latest developments in the troubled saga of the Knox County Juvenile Services Center, which was the subject of another scathing report about its operations and also faces a lawsuit from a former employee claiming racial discrimination. Also: the reopening of the Gay Street Bridge to pedestrian and bicycle traffic; some cautious notes in a UT economic report to governor; and the swearing-in of five new City Council members. As for the coming week, there's not much to look forward to on the civic calendar except a Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays from all of us at /episode/index/show/525c9307-e6da-4edb-bf89-7c9d6dc856f0/id/39464145

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