Compass Points

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.

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 up the proposed development on the Kerbela Temple site.

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Synopsis:  
This week, Scott and Jesse track the banned/not-banned status of Alex Haley's "Roots," which was ordered returned to Knox County Schools libraries last week after having been removed just a few weeks before.
Also, City Council passes the 2026-27 budget without much dissent — and bans smoking in 21-and-up bars with a whole lot more drama. Plus, the Knoxville Police Department rolls out its "Real-Time Information Center," and a study that shows KPD officers are (mostly) respectful when dealing with the public.
Looking ahead, the guys preview this week's school board meetings — with more talk about the book-removal process — and County Commission's public budget hearing.

This week Scott and Jesse talk a lot of politics — specifically, factional fighting within the Knox County Republican Party. It took multiple forms last week. from clashes at County Commission to a leaked text thread started by county GOP Chair Martin Daniel.
Also, sheriff's candidate Mike Davis wants to throw out the May 5 primary results, and the city seeks South Waterfront developers.
The guys also look ahead to Memorial Day and a City Council meeting the day after.

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