Compass Points

02:03:06

Ep. 235 10/18/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/10/18

Synopsis: This week, Scott and Jesse recap the wild events surrounding the Heritage Hubs event on Oct. 10, in which one of the far-right group's co-founders was charged with assaulting a protester and then turned out to also be a member of the county's Board of Zoning Appeals. Plus, City Council kills the planned apartment development on the Kerbela Temple site, and as early voting begins, a quick run through the state and local referendums on the ballot and a look at the race for the 2nd U.S

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01:06:10

Ep. 234 10/11/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/10/11

This week the guys check in on a fairly light 'civic' calendar, KCS is out for fall break, Hertige Hubs event continues to dominate the local discourse, and more fallout from the Pike attmepted exicution. Also, a little AI, or SI if you're hip, news coming from UT and ORNL The boys look ahead to a new week including UT board of turstees, City Council touches on the old Kerbela site...again, and Early Voting for State and Federal races begin. As always, support Scott and Jesse by sharing this

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01:20:54

Ep. 233 10/04/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/10/04

Synopsis: This week, Scott and Jesse talk about the fallout from the botched execution of Christa Pike; decode County Commissioner Andy Fox's unusual diatribe on white culture and Christianity; look at new hires in county government, including a business liaison and a lawyer for the Sheriff's Office; and preview the marquee race for state House District 18. Looking ahead, they see a quiet week with schools out for Fall Break. Support Compass by sharing this episode with a friend.

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01:08:42

Ep. 232 09/27/26

Compass Points ·

2026/09/27

Synopsis: With Scott off this week, Jesse gets some help from Seth with a rundown that includes a far-right group seeking to set up shop in Knoxville; County Commission finessing its agenda; the former head of the City of Knoxville's disability services office raising concerns about the city's direction; and of course the planned presidential visit to Neyland Stadium. Looking ahead, we preview this week's meetings of Knox County Commission, Knoxville City Council, and the UT Knoxville Campus

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01:37:05

Ep. 231 09/20/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/09/20

Synopsis: This week, Scott and Jesse talk about Sheriff Brent Gibson's plans to expand his department's immigration enforcement efforts — and a coalition of local clergy petitioning him not to. Also: Knox County Schools' new special education plan, Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel's return after a suspension for sending inappropriate texts, Knoxville's tallest building goes on the market, UT's new 865 Neyland entertainment district, East Tennessee Manson family member Bruce Davis dies, and the Big

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01:34:48

Ep. 230 09/13/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/09/13

*****Remember to share this FREE service of CompassKnox.com today!***** Synopsis: This week, Scott and Jesse talk about County Mayor Betsy Henderson's aggressive first moves in office, vetoing a tax incentive for workforce housing and attempting to cut the pay of County Commission and the school board. Also: Katherine Bike is named chair of the newly Democrat-dominated school board, former Sheriff Tom Spangler dies with a mixed legacy, three candidates jump in the 2027

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01:23:29

Ep. 229 09/06/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/09/06

Synopsis: This week, Scott and Jesse tell a tale of two county commissions. With four members on their way out, the old Commission votes to block publicly reviled license-plate reading cameras, approve a tax incentive for South Knox apartments, and set a deadline for development of the Andrew Johnson Building. Then, the newly sworn-in Commission begins with a contentious vote for chair, setting interesting relations with new County Mayor Betsy Henderson. Plus, Knoxville Police Department Chief Paul

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01:44:10

Ep. 228 08/30/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/08/30

This week, Scott and Jesse pay tribute to the late great Dolly Parton and talk about what she meant to East Tennessee and the world. Also: County Mayor Glenn Jacobs declares Flock's surveillance camera contract void, and opens a new development for unhoused veterans; who's in line to be the new chairs of County Commission and the school board; and how much will the city and county property tax rates drop? The guys also look ahead to this week's County Commission meeting, the swearing-in of new

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01:40:58

Ep. 227 08/23/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/08/23

This week, Scott and Jesse talk about incoming County Mayor Betsy Henderson's first staff announcements — including two who come with strong conservative ideological backgrounds but little to no experience with county government. They also run through City Council news: a charter referendum to change how Council members are elected; the North Waterfront development plan; and a new limit on the number of pet monkeys allowed per household. The guys also welcome special guest Leslie Bateman, editor and

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01:38:20

Ep. 226 08/16/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/08/16

This week, Scott and Jesse talk about the confusion and strong opinions around the Planning Commission's 7-6 vote to approve a large apartment complex on the Kerbela Shrine site — which came immediately after the commission had voted 7-6 to deny it. Also: How a new state law is complicating Knox County's approach to development; the city and county collaborate on a plan for the Municipal Golf Course; and a last look back at the trends and issues in the Aug. 6 balloting. They also look ahead to this

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01:40:58

Ep. 225 08/09/2025

Compass Points ·

2026/08/09

Sleep-deprived from a late night of election coverage, Scott and Jesse break down the results of the Aug. 6 votes: Betsy Henderson scores a surprisingly narrow victory over Beau Hawk in the Knox County mayor's race, Democrats flip seats on County Commission and school board — taking a majority on the latter for the first time — and two GOP legislators survive primary challenges. Plus: Mayor Indya Kincannon suspends KPD Chief Paul Noel over inappropriate text messages with a junior officer. The guys

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01:41:18

Ep. 224 08/02/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/08/02

This week, it's all about Flock. Scott and Jesse talk about the surge of opposition to license-plate cameras, the growing fears of a surveillance state, and why the Sheriff's Office has for so long been our least transparent local agency. Also: why County Commission is changing its budget calendar, Commissioner Jay's failed push to repeal the wheel tax, and Oak Ridge in the running for a national "nuclear campus." Plus, the trends in early voting ahead of the Aug. 6 election. Looking ahead, they

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01:19:01

Ep. 223 07/26/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/07/26

All 2026 election coverage is FREE at Compassknox.com help us and your freinds by sharing this podcast AND the free election coverage today. This week, Scott and Jesse talk about concerns raised by the Knox County sheriff's surveillance camera plans. Also: County Commission considers outdoor drinking, and (separately) changing its budget schedule. And the city chips in $2 million for low-income housing at the former St. Mary's Hospital site. Looking ahead, they preview this week's continued early

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01:29:31

Ep. 222 07/19/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/07/19

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.

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01:30:08

Ep. 221 07/12/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/07/12

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

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01:31:26

Ep. 220 07/05/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/07/05

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

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01:19:09

Ep. 219 06/28/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/06/28

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

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01:30:13

Ep. 218 06/21/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/06/21

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

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01:20:40

Ep. 217 06/14/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/06/14

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

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01:15:19

Ep. 216 06/07/2026

Compass Points ·

2026/06/07

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

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