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 meeting where the agreement gained approval. Other topics include the school board’s vote not to support vouchers as one of its legislative priorities.

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 status as a "housing hotspot." Scott will also preview meetings of the Knox County Board of Education, City Council and the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission.

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 some good news for the state's legal cannabis industry. The guys also talk about the future of Compass and this podcast, as Jesse prepares to take a reduced role and Scott takes charge. And they look forward to the coming week's New Year's celebrations.

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 CompassKnox.com over dinner.

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.

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 Sanitary Laundry Building; and the Arts and Culture Alliance is building out a new performance space underground.

The guys also look ahead to next week's meeting of Knox County Commission.

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 County Schools removes 48 books from its library shelves, under a new state law; the push for a "green workforce" in East Tennessee; and a few candidates emerge for the 2025 City Council races. The guys look ahead to meetings in the coming week of Knox County Commission, Knoxville City Council, and the Planning Commission. Visit CompassKnox.com TODAY!

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 a blockbuster film. Looking ahead, the guys preview next week's school board meetings and downtown Christmas parade. This is a free service of Compassknox.com feel free to gift this to all your freinds this holiday season. 

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; County Commissioner Andy Fox wants to reject federal grant funding; and some high-tech news from Oak Ridge National Lab. Looking ahead, the guys see Thanksgiving and Christmas on the horizon.

Please remember to share this free service of CompassKnox.com Parking, taxes and debt: The week after the election, local attention turned to some of the nitty-gritty issues of governing. Scott and Jesse take a look at new plans for downtown Knoxville parking; an increase in the city's hotel/motel tax; and an alarm bell about Knox County's rising debt levels. Also: County Commissioner Rhoda Lee faces skepticism over her "sexualizing children" resolution; Planned Parenthood reopens its doors in East Knoxville; and plans for the former St. Mary's Hospital building. The guys also look ahead to next week's meeting of Knox County Commission.