
Clearing the Air
Taking advantage of a change in state law, City Council gives initial approval to a smoking ban in bars that allow entry only to adults 21 and older.
New at Compass
- May 13, 2026Rachel Milford and Cattywampus Puppet Council transform public spaces into theaters of joy, visibility and collective imagination.
- May 12, 2026Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs’ last budget proposal lacks major new spending initiatives or, predictably, a property-tax increase.
- May 11, 2026Every Monday we run down the week’s public meetings and civic events.
- May 11, 2026A weekly mystery photo to test your knowledge of the local landscape.
- May 8, 2026We analyze Betsy Henderson’s win in the GOP race for mayor and look at three contests that saw incumbents lose.
- May 6, 2026Henderson is elected the GOP nominee for county mayor in a Republican primary that featured close contests, fallen incumbents and unforeseen twists.
- May 6, 2026Right-wing candidates took three of the four races in the Republican primary, including a win over an incumbent.
- May 6, 2026A pair of incumbents lost to their primary opponents, signaling a possible shift in the political dynamics of the board in the general election.
- May 4, 2026Judge Andrea Kline, who was appointed to the seat four months ago, faces County Commissioner Rhonda Lee in the Republican primary.
- May 4, 2026With Betsy Henderson in the County mayor’s race, Lee Ann Eaves and Kevin Crateau are running in the GOP primary to represent Northwest Knox County.
Recent Highlights
All free to read and share.- County commissioners are taking up immigration issues as outrage grows over federal agents’ killing of a man in Minnesota.
- Every month we run down notable news items from the area’s businesses.
- Lou Gauci, chair of the KMA board, has curated a career of disciplined design and designed a life of contemplative creativity.
- All of our city election coverage, now out from behind the paywall.
- Single-issue advocacy committees have formed on both sides of the city’s referendum question on raising the local-option sales tax.













