
The Power of Precedents
How a 22-year-old court ruling involving the City of Knoxville and Cherokee Country Club has affected County Commission’s quest to regulate data centers.
New at Compass
- June 24, 2026Though the new tax assessments aren’t finalized, city and county residents can get a ballpark estimate of what they will contribute to local governments.
- June 23, 2026The hurricane changed the river flowing from Western North Carolina into East Tennessee, but paddling its waters remains invigorating.
- June 22, 2026Every Monday we run down the week’s public meetings and civic events.
- June 22, 2026A weekly mystery photo to test your knowledge of the local landscape.
- June 18, 2026Report: Permitting for single-family homes dropped in 2025, while apartment and condo project approvals boomed.
- June 17, 2026County commissioners denied a rezoning request that would have allowed apartments or townhouses in the heart of the Carter community.
- June 16, 2026Commissioners opt to take money from the school system to fund general-government employee raises.
- June 15, 2026A weekly mystery photo to test your knowledge of the local landscape.
- June 12, 2026Knoxville officials are investing $8.4 million over the next few years on upgrades to stormwater infrastructure.
- June 11, 2026The Republican State Primary Board votes unanimously to reject Mike Davis’ challenge to Brent Gibson’s victory in the Knox County sheriff’s primary race.
Recent Highlights
All free to read and share.- Superintendent Jon Rysewyk says banning the book 'weighed heavily on me.' But the law that led to the removal remains.
- Authorities allege that Assistant Chief Deputy David Amburn, former Sheriff Jimmy ‘J.J.’ Jones and others used drug-unit funds for personal gain.
- Rachel Milford and Cattywampus Puppet Council transform public spaces into theaters of joy, visibility and collective imagination.
- Henderson is elected the GOP nominee for county mayor in a Republican primary that featured close contests, fallen incumbents and unforeseen twists.
- County commissioners are taking up immigration issues as outrage grows over federal agents’ killing of a man in Minnesota.












