Compass Points

Should County Commission rezone property against the property owners' wishes? That was the question raised last week by new County Commissioner Andy Fox. His attempt to put a proposal to downzone multiple properties in South Knox County did not make it onto the agenda of this month's zoning meeting, but he can bring it back next month. Flying solo on this week's episode, Jesse breaks down Fox's unprecedented effort. Also: City Council denies a last-ditch effort to block a new riverfront high-rise; an $850,000 contract to assess the damage and needed repairs to the Gay Street Bridge; and Congressman Tim Burchett has another colorful week. Looking ahead, Jesse previews meetings this week of County Commission and the Knoxville Transportation Authority board — which is considering a move to totally cashless payments. Compassknox.com 

Local law enforcement spent all last week arresting Knox County Schools students — many of them middle-schoolers — for making or circulating violent threats. The wave of online rumors about planned attacks at local schools followed the murders at Apalachee High School in Georgia, where a 14-year-old boy is charged with killing four people and wounding many others. On this week's episode, Scott and Jesse talk about the increased tension around online threats by young people, and how school and law enforcement officials are handling it. Also: Knox County Schools are gearing up for a different kind of threat — cardiac emergencies at sporting events; the Big Ears Festival releases its lineup for 2025; an update on the joint city-county effort to combat opioid addiction; and two former City Council members clash over a rezoning. Looking ahead, the guys preview Monday's County Commission meetings — including a proposal by new Commissioner Andy Fox to impose unwanted rezonings on several properties; and City Council will talk bridges on Tuesday.

Meet the new bosses — same as the old bosses? Well, some of them. With a new slate of county officials sworn in last week, the partisan makeup of both Knox County Commission and the school board shifted a bit, and Commission chose new leadership at the helm. In this week's episode, Jesse and Scott look at what's changed on our two county legislative bodies, and what's stayed the same. Also: Developers have been buying up land around the new downtown stadium; the county Republican Party creates a new "Victory" fund to counter Democratic gains; the city has more than $17 million to spend on making Chapman Highway safer; and that Tennessee-based Russian propaganda mill. Looking ahead, the guys preview next week's Planning Commission agenda, and some informational meetings about the city charter amendments on changing City Council elections.

What's in a name? When it comes to the new downtown Knoxville stadium, that's a good question. In this week's episode, Scott and Jesse take a look at the naming rights deal between Covenant Health and Boyd Sports — including why we know so little about the financial details. Also: The huge Prosperity Crossing development at the county's western edge moves forward; new population estimates show a growing but aging Tennessee; and Gov. Bill Lee visits the L&N STEM Academy. The guys also look forward to next week, when new county officials will be sworn in, County Commission and the school board will elect chairs for the coming year, and City Council will meet. Compassknox.com 

Emails and documents from the University of Tennessee provide some context for the departure of WUTK General Manager Benny Smith — including tensions over programming and the structure of the student radio station. Jesse and Scott dig into the backstory on this week's episode, including the on-air promotional spot that sent Smith's new supervisor into a tizzy. Also: Knox County Schools is outing transgender students to their parents, in accord with a new state law; City Council approves a new kind of assistance for affordable housing; County Commission overrides community concerns in approving the Thunder Mountain development in South Knox County; and a presidential preference update from the Compass Power Poll. The guys also look ahead to this week's County Commission meeting.

Will a proposal to change the structure of City Council make it more responsive and representative — or less? That's the question facing city voters in a referendum set for the November election, which would change all nine Council seats to at-large positions. In this week's episode, Scott and Jesse sort through the arguments for and against the change. Also: an update on the structural problems with the Gay Street Bridge; a new effort to make period products available in county schools; and money from the national opioid settlements starts to make its way to East Tennessee agencies and nonprofit organizations. The guys also look ahead to meetings this week of County Commission and City Council.

Knoxville voters will decide in November whether to change all nine City Council members to at-large representatives or keep local district seats. Which one would better represent the views of Knoxvillians? Scott and Jesse talk about that in this week's episode. Also, a look back at what exactly happened with voter turnout in the Aug. 1 election; some thoughts from Knox County Schools Superintendent Jon Rysewyk as the new year gets underway; and efforts to block a new high-rise building on the downtown waterfront fail at Planning Commission.

Democrats flipped a seat on Knox County Commission and took two seats on the school board, but the balance of power remains in Republican hands. With Jesse out of town, Scott and Owen break down the election results this week. They also take a look at Turn Up Knox, the violence interruption nonprofit, and the low-power independent radio station WOZO FM. The guys also look ahead to meetings this week of the school board, City Council and Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission. Thank Compass for thier amazing coverage by sharing this podcast and CompassKnox.com with your friends today. 

This week, with Jesse across the pond, Scott and Owen recap early voting for the Aug. 1 election and review the candidates’ financial situations heading into the campaigns’ final days. They also take a look at the charter referendum questions on changes to the city election system that Knoxville voters are likely to consider in the November election. And they talk about a UT-Michigan State project to provide high-quality turf for the 2026 World Cup. Looking ahead, they preview Election Day, which comes up on Thursday. Don't forget to go to CompassKnox.com for FREE ELECTION COVERAGE...and SHARE Compass with your friends. 

ELECETION 2024 COVERAGE is free at Compassknox.com 

Elections to the right of us, elections to the left, elections up ahead! This week, Scott and Jesse catch up on electoral news in both national and local races. They check in on Tennesseans with speaking slots at the Republican National Convention, survey the state of early voting in the Aug. 1 county general election, and look at some proposals that could — and could not — affect future races here at home. Also, updates on the situation with Benny Smith at WUTK; those controversial voting letters sent to naturalized citizens; and the state's anti-drag show law. Looking ahead, they preview meetings of Knox County Commission and Knoxville City Council.