Local Politics

A former chronic truant argues that accountability and personal motivation—not excuses—are the keys to getting students back in class. Story By George Korda | Photography by R. Daniel Proctor Appeared in Cityview Magazine, Vol. 42,…
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The political rules of rhetorical engagement Story by George Korda | Photography by R. Daniel Proctor Appeared in Cityview Magazine, Vol. 42, Issue 4 (July/August 2026) When hearing, seeing, or reading political messaging, it pays…
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Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s…a Knoxville Police Dept. drone! By George Korda | Illustration by R. Daniel Proctor Appeared in Cityview Magazine, Vol. 42, Issue 2 (March/April 2026) You need some years…
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After two major setbacks, Mayor Indya Kincannon enters her final term leading without momentum, but not without purpose.
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how “public process” in government projects can either promote transparency or serve as mere lip service, using Knoxville’s Chilhowee Park controversy as an example. Arguing that while such processes can give citizens a voice, they often…
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A shaky rollout, growing opposition, and a high‑stakes November vote put Knoxville’s proposed sales tax hike on uncertain ground Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon’s sales tax referendum effort’s unfocused slog out of the gate in its early…
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“Politics is not worrying this country one-tenth as much as where to find a parking space.” – Will Rogers For decades, when Knoxville city officials asked local folks to visit downtown Knoxville, what they heard in response was the…
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It hasn’t whistled yet, but make no mistake—Knoxville’s next tax hike is on the tracks K noxville city officials are again deciding how to divide up your money to pay for things you want, may want, don’t want, or don’t even know…
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The renaissance of Knoxville’s Market Square and downtown  Downtown Knoxville was for years the equivalent of a literary dark and stormy night. Not necessarily stormy, but certainly dark. In 1987, the first time I saw downtown’s Market…
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The results of the election has this writer curious about the future of the Democratic Party in the Volunteer State With a new-but-old presidential administration taking office, and Tennessee election winners beginning their new terms…
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