Compass Points

01:26:00

Ep. 96 2/11/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/02/11

Rep. Gloria Johnson's decision to seek re-election to her legislative seat while also running for U.S. Senate created some political stir on both sides of the aisle last week. In this episode of Compass Points, Jesse and Scott talk through the implications and possible legal battles set up by Johnson's double campaign. Also: School vouchers feature prominently in Gov. Bill Lee's proposed budget, but the Knox County school board can't come to agreement on what it thinks about them; the Advance Knox

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01:16:58

Ep. 95 02/04/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/02/04

The announcement of the closing of a low-barrier homeless shelter illustrates the ongoing challenges in meeting the needs of the chronically homeless. Scott and Jesse talk about the forces affecting the operation of the Foyer shelter on this week's episode, and the city's plans to replace it. Also: UT once again under NCAA scrutiny, and coverage of county elections in Districts 4 and 6. In the Q&A section, the guys review the most recent local housing market forecast. And looking ahead to next week,

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01:10:59

Ep. 94 01/28/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/01/28

The snow’s finally gone, and on this week’s episode Jesse and Scott look back at the local response to the record-setting winter storm — including a first-time effort to provide community warming centers for the homeless population. Also: Rep. Jason Zachary’s new abortion bill, a challenge to the state education commissioner’s qualifications, City Council acts on the Middle Housing plan, county commission candidates face off and more. The guys also look ahead this week to a school board candidate

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01:04:32

Ep. 93 01/21/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/01/21

There's no business like snow business! The weather inevitably takes center stage this week, as Scott and Jesse review the events surrounding the great winter storm that buried Knox County in snow and ice. They talk about the city and county government responses, efforts to keep the unhoused warm, how local utilities fared, and a little controversy over Mayor Jacobs' absence while campaigning for Trump. Also: Superintendent Jon Rysewyk gets his first evaluation, and the Haslams exit Pilot/Flying J

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01:39:21

Ep. 92 01/14/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/01/14

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs moved his proposed changes to the county's growth plan one step forward this week, in the face of questions and opposition from an array of county residents who fear it will open the way for development to overrun rural areas. Jesse and Scott talk about that, along with two controversial development proposals in Choto and South Knox County. Also: The school system tried a novel approach on two policy decisions — listening to the community. Plus, the school board

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01:11:31

Ep. 91 01/07/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/01/07

It's a new year, and Scott and Jesse devote this episode to previewing major initiatives, projects and challenges to come for our city, county and state governments, as well as our local education institutions. 2024 promises to be a lively year for all. They also look ahead to meetings this week of the Knox County school board, Knoxville City Council, the county's Growth Policy committee and the Planning Commission. Plus: the return of the Legislature. Remember to subscribe and share the Compass

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01:36:16

Ep. 90 12/31/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/12/31

This week Scott and Jesse look back at the top stories from 2023. Share this free service of CompassKnox.com and help Scott and Jesse have a great 2024.

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01:18:43

Ep. 89 12/24/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/12/24

Mayor Indya Kincannon officially began her second term last week, and Scott and Jesse take a look at her upcoming priorities in this week's episode. Also, opposition grows to proposed changes in Knox County's growth plan; a detailed makes 41 recommendations to improve culture and accountability at the Knoxville Police Department; and the state finally releases its school-by-school letter grades, to a chorus of criticism. Share this free gift from CompassKnox.com

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01:24:15

Ep. 88 12/17/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/12/17

The City of Knoxville took significant steps last week toward encouraging redevelopment of the Magnolia Avenue corridor in East Knoxville. Scott and Jesse take a look at the plans in this week's Compass Points podcast, along with progress on the city's "Middle Housing" plan. Also: School board members prepare for the coming fight over school vouchers, a moderate forecast for the state's economy in 2024, and candidates are set for a crowded Knox County ballot. Looking ahead, the guys preview meetings

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01:15:57

Ep. 87 12/10/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/12/10

There's a lot of talk about energy in this week's Compass Points podcast, as Scott and Jesse talk about the Tennessee Valley Authority's plans for small "modular" nuclear reactors, as well as alternative fuel steps by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Pilot/Flying J. They also follow developments in discussion of controversial books in school libraries and how the district handles challenges to them. In the interview segment, they chat with Knox County Commissioner Larsen Jay about the Junior

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01:26:46

Ep. 86 12/3/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/12/03

Debate continued to swirl around proposed changes to Knox County's long-term Growth Plan, with critics fearing the loss of valuable agricultural land to development. Jesse and Scott look at this in this week's episode, along with Gov. Bill Lee's push for statewide school vouchers; the City of Knoxville's change to its Animal Control services; new studies on the state of the uninsured population in Tennessee; and an interesting lawsuit about who can vote in party primaries. The guys also look ahead

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01:33:42

Ep. 85 11/26/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/11/26

Knox County approved a new ambulance contract this week, although not without some friction (including between a county spokesman and a News Sentinel reporter). Jesse and Scott talk through the details in this week's podcast, and also take a look at City of Knoxville efforts to address contracting disparities. Meanwhile, the local Moms for Liberty chapter has identified some books it doesn't like in local school libraries, and the University of Tennessee is quietly de-emphasizing the word

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01:01:02

Ep. 84 11/19/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/11/19

A new conservative activist group, Knox For Liberty, is aiming to hold local officials and candidates accountable for their priorities. Those include school vouchers, social media regulation, and attempting to nullify federal laws they don't like. In this week's podcast, Jesse and Scott talk about the group and its possible impact, along with: the city of Knoxville's effort to keep existing apartment housing affordable; a move by Young-Williams Animal Shelter to take over animal control response

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01:53:19

Ep. 83 11.12.2023

Compass Points ·

2023/11/12

Knoxville city elections dominated local political news this week, and Scott and Jesse dig into the results. What do the big wins for progressive candidates signal, and what do they mean for future elections? The guys also talk about County Commission's legislative priorities for the coming year, and why they probably won't get most of what they want. Plus: an antisemitism investigation at the University of Tennessee, and Moms 4 Liberty shows up to read to the school board. Looking ahead to next

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01:28:10

Ep. 82 11/05/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/11/05

Early voting in the City of Knoxville election wrapped up this week, with predictably low turnout. This week Scott and Jesse look at the numbers and look ahead to the Nov. 7 election. Also on the podcast: controversy at the Three Rivers Market food co-op, the city of Knoxville's various efforts to build more affordable housing, and questions about Knox County's proposed new ambulance contract. In the interview segment, the guys are joined by City Council member Tommy Smith to talk about development

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01:09:04

Ep. 81 10/29/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/10/29

The draft county growth developed through the Advance Knox process was officially released last week to concerns about the potential loss of quality farmland. Scott, who's flying solo this week, talks about the plan, the official opening of the city's Public Safety Complex and partisanship in the nonpartisan city election. He also runs down the turnout at the halfway point in the city election early voting period SPOILER ALERT: They're bad. Scott answers reader questions about the status of the

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01:12:57

Ep. 80 10/22/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/10/22

The University of Tennessee is entering into a $240 million public-private development partnership to build new dormitories. Scott and Jesse talk about that innovative deal and its repercussions on the podcast this week, along with Knox County's unsustainable ambulance contract, a City Council candidate forum, the start of early voting in the city elections and Rep. Tim Burchett's part in the ongoing speaker drama in the House of Representatives. The guys also answer a reader question about the

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01:18:51

Ep. 79 10/15/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/10/15

Several developments in the race for Knoxville municipal judge top this week's events, including a contentious forum, the announcement of endorsements and fundraising totals, and an ethical violation by the incumbent. Jesse and Scott also talk about the next steps in the Advance Knox planning process, the City of Knoxville's purchase of property for a planned pedestrian bridge, and Congressman Tim Burchett's take on the effort to elect a new Speaker of the House. In the Q&A portion, the guys answer

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01:29:42

Ep. 78 10/08/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/10/08

The failure of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon’s Missing Middle Housing Plan at last week’s Planning Commission meeting undergoes scrutiny at this week’s Compass Points podcast. Jesse and Scott also talk about the death of Knox County Deputy Tucker Blakely, Congressman Tim Burchett’s pivotal role in ousting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the school system’s purchase of property in Farragut for a new school, the sudden removal of the iconic JFG Coffee sign and more. And we look ahead to this week's

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01:39:50

Ep. 77 10/01/2023

Compass Points ·

2023/10/01

This week Scott calls in from the road while Jesse holds it down at the studio. Together they talk about the fate of the County Commission resolution against "sexualizing children," Mayor Kincannon's "Middle Housing" plan, the school board's Annual Action Plan for Superintendent Jon Rysewyk, a development in the ethics complaint against Commissioner Kyle Ward, and the state's somewhat contradictory position on two different streams of federal funding. In the Q&A segment, they talk about which

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