Compass Points

Scott Barker

Compass Points Podcast provides news, insights and analysis of Knoxville and Knox County government, politics and business. Content is updated every Sunday.

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29 episodes
weekly
Avg 1 hr 25 min
English

Episodes 29

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S1 · E214
May 24 · 1 hr 15 min
Ep. 214 05/24/2026
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. Support Compass by sharing this free service.
S1 · E213
May 17 · 1 hr 31 min
Ep. 213 05/17/2026
This week, Scott and Jesse talk about the arrests of multiple sheriff's employees — and two recent sheriff candidates; County Mayor Glenn Jacobs' no-frills budget; Knox County Schools' banning of Alex Haley's book Roots; more fallout from the legislative redistricting of Memphis; and Knoxville's move to ban smoking in 21-and-up bars. They also look ahead to this week's meeting of County Commission. Rememeber to share this free service of CompassKnox.com
S1 · E212
May 10 · 1 hr 53 min
Ep. 212 05/10/2026
This week: Scott and Jessee look back at a very interesting Knox County Primary, breakdown the County wide re-appraisals, dig in to the special called session in Nashville and look over the plans for the new 'entertainment district' on UT's campus near Neyland Stadium. Also: The guys look ahead to ANOTHER busy week for the Knox area civic calander; County budget, meetings of the County Commoission Finance Commitee, City Council, and Planning Commission. Follw this podcat to get it downloaded directlly to your phone every week, and share this Free service of CompassKnox.com to support Scott and Jesse's stellar work.
S1 · E215
May 3 · 1 hr 32 min
Ep. 211 05/03/2026
This week, Scott and Jesse tally up the early voting totals for the May 5 primary election, along with candidate spending and fights over crossover voting. Also: Tennessee Republicans target Memphis' congressional district, City Council gets a first look at Mayor Indya Kincannon's proposed budget, TVA names an interim CEO, County Commission tries to sort out a dispute over domestic violence services, and former juvenile detention center director Richard Bean sues over his forced resignation last year. The guys also look ahead to this week's election, a City Council budget hearing, and meetings of the school board and UT's Board of Trustees.
S1 · E210
April 26 · 1 hr 24 min
Ep. 210 04/26/2026
This week, Scott and Jesse sort through turnout statistics at the midpoint of early voting, and talk through local primary races including county mayor, trustee, and clerk. They also look at Mayor Indya Kincannon's proposed City of Knoxville budget for the coming year, and the proposed Knox County Schools spending plan approved by the school board. Finally, they catch up on some of the bills that passed and didn't in the final days of the state legislative session. And they look ahead to this week's meetings of Knox County Commission and Knoxville City Council, as well as the conclusion of eary voting.
S1 · E209
April 19 · 1 hr 19 min
Ep. 209 04/19/2026
This week, Scott and Jesse talk about the Knox County primary election: a county mayoral candidate debate, the four Republican contenders for sheriff, some battles over who endorsed whom, and the turnout in the first few days of early voting. Also: Knox County Schools' proposed 2026-27 budget, Justice Knox's annual Nehemiah Action, and new statues of prominent Black Knoxvillians at Covenant Health Park. They also look ahead to this week's County Commission meetings, and the school board's special budget session.
S1 · E208
April 12 · 1 hr 19 min
Ep. 208 04/12/2026
This week, Scott and Jesse dig into the Republican primaries in races for Knox County mayor and County Commission's 7th District; real estate news involving downtown's Riverview Tower and the former St. Mary's Hospital property in North Knoxville; a leadership change at the public radio station WUOT; and a proposal to change Knoxville city election cycles. They also look ahead to meetings this week of Justtice Knox and Knoxville City Council, as well as a Knox Count Schools community budget meeting, a county mayor candidate forum, and the start of early voting. Remember to share this free service of CompassKnox.com by texting an episode to your friends.
S1 · E207
April 5 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 207 04/05/2026
This week, Scott and Jesse talk about City Council's refusal to push forward with an Alternative Response program, one of last week's county mayor forums, proposed apartments on the Kerbela Temple site, voucher and charter school developments in the state Legislature, and Knoxville's homicide-free first quarter. They also look ahead to meetings of City Council and the Planning Commission, as well as another county mayor forum.
S1 · E206
March 29 · 54 min
Ep. 206 03/29/2026
This week Scott talks about County Commission's decision to defer a vote on Commissioner Larsen Jay's proposal to eliminate the wheel tax, the first meeting of the Chilhowee Park Advisory Group, blocked anti-LGBTQ bills in the Legislature, a former property assessor candidate's felony convictions and the Big Ears Festival. He also looks ahead to a county election candidate forum and this week's City Council meeting.

Showing 21–29 of 29 episodes