Compass Points

54:22

Ep. 155 03/30/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/03/30

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.

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52:19

Ep. 154 03/23/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/03/23

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

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01:03:03

Ep. 153 03/16/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/03/16

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

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58:38

Ep. 152 03/09/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/03/09

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

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25:02

Ep. 151 03/02/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/03/02

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

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01:02:35

Ep. 150 02/23/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/02/23

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

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01:24:22

Ep. 149 02/16/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/02/16

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

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50:26

Ep. 148 02/09/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/02/09

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

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01:22:10

Ep. 147 02/02/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/02/02

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

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01:04:57

Ep. 146 01/26/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/01/26

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

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01:24:15

Ep. 134 01/19/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/01/19

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

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01:26:58

Ep. 144 01/12/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/01/12

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

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01:09:06

Ep. 143 01/05/2025

Compass Points ·

2025/01/05

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

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01:14:01

Ep. 142 12/29/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/12/29

Tennessee's economic outlook remains strong, according to an annual report by economists at the University of Tennessee. But both economic and population growth are expected to slow in coming years. In this week's episode of the Compass Points podcast, Scott and Jesse take a look at the reasons. Also: Knox County Schools hears mixed feedback from parents and teachers as it prepares a new strategic plan; a look at the socioeconomic data behind the state's recently released school letter grades; and

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01:07:57

Ep. 141 12/22/24 (repair)+

Compass Points ·

2024/12/22

Technical error deleted that last 10 min or so of the original episode. This week Scott and Jesse break out the egg nog and sing some Holiday tunes...well at least Jesse does. A brief look at some Planning Commission approvals, they morn the passing of Lillian Bean and discuss the history of the Bean Machine, an overview of the warming center schedlue and the conitned work on the 'master plan' Please have a safe and wonderful holiday season and let you family know about this free service of

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55:38

Ep. 141 12/22/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/12/22

This week Scott and Jesse break out the egg nog and sing some Holiday tunes...well at least Jesse does. A brief look at some Planning Commission approvals, they morn the passing of Lillian Bean and discuss the history of the Bean Machine, an overview of the warming center schedlue and the conitned work on the 'master plan' Please have a safe and wonderful holiday season and let you family know about this free service of CompassKnox.com over dinner.

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01:24:43

E. 140 12/15/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/12/15

What leads to a book ban? Knox County Schools recently identified 48 books for removal from library shelves to comply with a new state law. In this week's episode, Jesse and Scott talk about the evaluation process that led to the bans, and why different districts across the state are making different decisions. Also: a farewell to poet and Knoxville native Nikki Giovanni, the internationally acclaimed writer whose work spoke often of her hometown; the city moves ahead with new plans for the blighted

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01:39:08

Ep. 139 12/08/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/12/08

The Knox County school board spent all last week wrestling with changes to its policies on student harassment and discrimination. Specifically, the board's Republican majority wanted to remove all mentions of federally protected classes (sex, race, etc.), while its Democratic minority wanted to keep them. In this week's episode, Jesse and Scott look at the rough compromise the board worked out, and what it means. Also: County employees and contractors charged with rental assistance fraud; Knox

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01:27:46

Ep. 138 12/01/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/12/01

A controversial high-rise along Neyland Drive on the north side of the Tennessee River will a tax incentive from the City of Knoxville, after City Council approved a 10-year PILOT worth $12 million. Scott and Jesse emerge from their food comas to review the deal on this week's episode. Also: Knox County Schools receive good and bad marks from the state; warming centers for the homeless open ahead of plunging temperatures this weekend; and U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett takes aim at a public art exhibit and

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01:26:48

Ep. 137 11/24/2024

Compass Points ·

2024/11/24

Knox County Commission once again blocked Commissioner Rhonda Lee's effort to pass a resolution to "protect the innocence of children" — which many people perceived to be aimed at the LGBTQ community. In this week's episode, Jesse and Scott look at the debate and its implications — and hear a snippet of a dance remix of Lee's remarks that was posted online. Also: Some tweaks coming to the City of Knoxville's "Missing Middle Housing" plan; the growth of the "advanced energy" sector in Tennessee;

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