Compass Points

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 few related candidate forums.
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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 Commission meetings.

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 interstate plans in Knox County, and two County Commission workshops.
Plus, of course, the festivities on the 4th of July.

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 provide larger raises to general government employees.
Looking ahead, they preview this week's meetings of County Commission and City Council.

(Also, here's Hancen's Substack: https://www.hancensale.com/)

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 budget.