Compass Points

The primary topic this week is ... the primary! Jesse and Scott talk through the results of the March 5 Knox County primary races, including seats on County Commission, school board, and that razor-thin margin in the property assessor's race. They are joined by guest Mike Cohen for some analysis of what we learned — or didn't — from election day. Also: the plans to renovate the historic Sanitary Laundry building; the school board's salary study suggests a $39 million pay increase; and the county's Comprehensive Land Use Plan passes its first test at Planning Commission.
Looking ahead to this week, the guys anticipate a quiet spring break. Except for that pesky Legislature ...
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With the March 5 primary just around the corner, Jesse and Scott take a look at final early voting numbers and zoom in on the competitive Republican primary in the South Knox 9th District. Also: The county's new Growth Policy Plan wins conditional approval form County Commission; the city proposes a task force to study an alternative response model for mental health crises; another crack at a federal grant for the pedestrian bridge project; and some sad news from Sheriff Tom Spangler.
The guys preview to a busy week ahead, with the primary election and meetings of the school board, City Council, County Commission and the Planning Commission.
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Knoxville lost a civil rights leader and invaluable community resource last week with the death of Bob Booker. Scott and Jesse kick off this week's episode with a remembrance and appreciation of Booker, who after a career of activism and government service became the de facto voice of local Black history. Also: As the March 5 primary approaches, they look at early vote #s and zoom in on County Commission primaries in District 1 and an interesting school board race in District 8; City Council decides to leave most auxiliary dwelling unit restrictions in place; County Mayor Glenn Jacobs visits the Southern border; and Knox County Schools gets mostly good news from the state. They also look ahead to meetings this week of County Commission and the Sports Authority, and the final days of early voting.

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It’s election time in East Tennessee! Early voting has begun for the March 5 primary, and in this week’s episode Jesse and Scott talk about turnout in the first days of voting. They also take a deeper look at a few contests in particular: Republican primaries in the law director’s race and the 5th and 8th County Commission districts.
Plus: Mayor Indya Kincannon’s new comprehensive housing plan. Looking ahead, the guys preview meetings this coming week of County Commission and Knoxville City Council.
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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 planning update gets a generally favorable hearing from county commissioners; and a look at contested primaries for property assessor and the school board's District 3. In the Q&A section, the guys talk about an incident involving the Knox County Sheriff's Office and a Starbucks manager, and whether KCSO needs some kind of civilian review process. They also look ahead to early voting starting on Feb. 14, a City Council workshop on Mayor Indya Kincannon's housing plan, and a city budget retreat.
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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, they preview meetings of the school board, County Commission, City Council and the Planning Commission.
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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 forum and a UT advisory board meeting.
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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. The guys also look ahead to meetings in the coming week of County Commission, City Council and the Sports Authority.
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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 considered and then backed off changing language in its student harassment policy related to sexual orientation and gender identity. The guys also look ahead this week to County Commission work sessions and a public forum with state legislators.  
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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.
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This week Scott and Jesse look back at the top stories from 2023.

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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.
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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 this week of Knox County Commission and the county's Growth Policy Coordinating Committee.

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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 Commissioner program, a new fund to build playgrounds at local schools, and why he voted against the county's new ambulance contract. Looking ahead to next week, the guys look ahead to the city inauguration ceremony and City Council organizational meeting coming up on Saturday and they preview meetings of County Commission, City Council and the Planning Commission. 
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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 to next week's school board meetings, where charter schools will be once again on the agenda.

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 "diversity." The guys also look ahead next week to meetings of the county's Growth Policy committee and Knoxville City Council.

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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 week, they preview meetings of County Commission — which will be discussing that big ambulance contract — and City Council.

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 in South Knoxville. Then they look ahead to meetings next week of the school board, the county Ethics Committee and the Planning Commission.

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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 McClung Warehouses redevelopment and the planned Clayton Science Museum, followed by a look ahead to a spooky week in civic affairs.

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