Compass Points

Ep. 231 09/20/2026

Compass Points

Show Notes

Synopsis: This week, Scott and Jesse talk about Sheriff Brent Gibson's plans to expand his department's immigration enforcement efforts — and a coalition of local clergy petitioning him not to. Also: Knox County Schools' new special education plan, Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel's return after a suspension for sending inappropriate texts, Knoxville's tallest building goes on the market, UT's new 865 Neyland entertainment district, East Tennessee Manson family member Bruce Davis dies, and the Big Ears Festival unveils its 2027 lineup. The guys also look ahead to meetings this week of County Commission and public input sessions for the What's Next Knoxville? plan. Help us out and text this episode to a freind to support Compassknox.com

More from Compass Points

Oct 25, 2026

This week, Scott and Jesse talk about early voting at the midway point; further developments in the Heritage Hubs/Alex Moody story; County Commission salaries; some heated discourse at the golf course; and Mayor Indya Kincannon preparing for her last year in office. They also look ahead to this week's meeting of County Commission, City Council, the Sports Authority — and the suddenly-interesting county Board of Zoning Appeals.

Oct 18, 2026

Synopsis: This week, Scott and Jesse recap the wild events surrounding the Heritage Hubs event on Oct. 10, in which one of the far-right group's co-founders was charged with assaulting a protester and then turned out to also be a member of the county's Board of Zoning Appeals. Plus, City Council kills the planned apartment development on the Kerbela Temple site, and as early voting begins, a quick run through the state and local referendums on the ballot and a look at the race for the 2nd U.S. House District. Looking ahead, they preview this week's meetings of Knox County Commission and an input session on the redevelopment of the Municipal Golf Course.

Oct 11, 2026

This week the guys check in on a fairly light 'civic' calendar, KCS is out for fall break, Hertige Hubs event continues to dominate the local discourse, and more fallout from the Pike attmepted exicution. Also, a little AI, or SI if you're hip, news coming from UT and ORNL The boys look ahead to a new week including UT board of turstees, City Council touches on the old Kerbela site...again, and Early Voting for State and Federal races begin.

Oct 4, 2026

Synopsis: This week, Scott and Jesse talk about the fallout from the botched execution of Christa Pike; decode County Commissioner Andy Fox's unusual diatribe on white culture and Christianity; look at new hires in county government, including a business liaison and a lawyer for the Sheriff's Office; and preview the marquee race for state House District 18. Looking ahead, they see a quiet week with schools out for Fall Break. Support Compass by sharing this episode with a friend.

Sep 27, 2026

Synopsis: With Scott off this week, Jesse gets some help from Seth with a rundown that includes a far-right group seeking to set up shop in Knoxville; County Commission finessing its agenda; the former head of the City of Knoxville's disability services office raising concerns about the city's direction; and of course the planned presidential visit to Neyland Stadium. Looking ahead, we preview this week's meetings of Knox County Commission, Knoxville City Council, and the UT Knoxville Campus Advisory Board. Remember this is a FREE service of CompassKnox.com and you shoul share it widely.

See all episodes →