Mayor Indya Kincannon - Democratic Mayors

Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon delivered her State of the City Address, where she celebrated the people and investments that maintain great public spaces in the city and the upcoming budget focused on families and community-building. Mayor Kincannon’s priorities are public safety, infrastructure, affordable housing, parks, and recreation.

Since 2020, the city has helped thousands of families have a safe and affordable place to live and has more affordable housing developments in the pipeline. Mayor Kincannon announced a new Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability that will help more families avoid eviction and get more people back on their feet after experiencing homelessness.

The Mayor highlighted portions of her upcoming budget, which will allocate nearly $9.3 million for repairs to roads, bridges, guardrails, and potholes. The city budget also marks an additional $2.4 million to support sidewalks and other projects that support its Vision Zero commitment to safe streets for all, including bus riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Mayor Kincannon celebrated other successes, including more than 2,300 new jobs, upgraded trucks and equipment for firefighters, affordable high-speed internet, new trees and a long-term urban forestry plan, electric buses, and more EV charging stations.

Watch Mayor Kincannon’s full address here.

More State of the City Addresses

Akron, Ohio

Mayor Shammas Malik

During his third State of the City Address, Mayor Shammas Malik outlined a sweeping vision for Akron’s future centered on collaboration, innovation, and community investment. The speech highlighted major new initiatives across housing, public safety, youth opportunity, sustainability, and economic development, all tied together through the city’s “Together for Akron” framework.

Evansville, Indiana

Mayor Stephanie Terry

In her third State of the City Address, Mayor Stephanie Terry reflected on a year defined by steady progress and continued work to build a vibrant, inclusive community where safety, opportunity, and connection help all residents thrive. Speaking under the theme “Building What Matters,” she emphasized that the city’s progress is driven by people—city employees, partners, and residents—who continue to show up and invest in Evansville’s future.

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Mayor Paige Cognetti

Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti delivered her State of the City Address, outlining a six-year turnaround that has taken the city from the brink of financial distress to a position of stability and growth, while continuing investments in public safety, infrastructure, quality of life, and lower costs for residents. Mayor Cognetti also highlighted Scranton’s financial progress, including three credit rating upgrades since exiting financially distressed status in 2022 and achieving its current A- rating with a stable outlook.