BIG STORY: An Interview with Alisa Simmons, Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 2.

Tarrant County’s Democratic commissioners skip meeting to prevent vote on lower tax rate

SHORT STORY 1: Charlie Kirk rally in downtown Fort Worth brings in far right extremist sponsors throughout the Metroplex.

SHORT STORY 2: Here’s how much Fort Worth’s fire department, new EMS will cost the city

SHORT STORY 3: North Texas nonprofits lost $127M in six months, mostly from federal sources, survey finds

WINS: 

Leaders deny concrete batch plant at Fort Worth’s southside grain silos

City council budget passes, with no decrease in funding towards the arts.

Artes de la Rosa got a proclamation for 25 years of serving the arts (and a 15 year lease on the building).

LOSSES:

Most Fort Worth-area school districts see enrollment decline as charters, suburbs gain

FWISD plans teacher shake-up for 7 struggling schools, new reading lessons with Bible stories

Fort Worth’s growth, data centers drive soaring power demand

ACTIONS:

Watch Tarrant County Commissioner's Court

Special Commissioners Meeting
Monday, 09/22 • 10 AM Tarrant County Administration Building
100 E. Weatherford St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102

SIGN THE LETTER SHOWING YOU STAND WITH SIMMONS AND MILES

Sign up to speak at Fort Worth City Council on Tuesday, September 23rd in New City Hall, and share your comments at this link: y.gy/fwpublic

Big Story: Mayor Mattie Parker writes a letter drawing anger over a city councilmember's social media post quoting Charlie Kirk, and lowers the flags to half-mast at Trump's order. 

Fort Worth council members decry political violence clash over now deleted Charlie Kirk post

Short Story 1: Fort Worth's biggest budget item is police

Fort Worth's Crime Control and Prevention budget rising 2.6% more than $138.9 million

Short Story 2: Tarrant County sheriff refuses to give briefings requested by Commissioner Simmons on jail deaths

Short Story 3: Pro-Palestinian activist gets 180 days in jail for North Texas church graffiti

@freepalestine.tarrant post

Wins: 

Wesley & his wife are having a baby!

State of the Arts was a success.

JPS Health Network opens new psychiatric emergency center in Fort Worth

Trinity Metro builds focus on transit-oriented development

Fort Worth poised to spend $79 million on parks & green space preservation in 2026

Losses: 

How much do Fort Worth council members spend on travel? City officials aren't sure

Actions:

September 16th  - City of Fort Worth city council votes on 2026 budget

September 17th - Community Design Fort Worth's transit mixer at Acre Distilling at 4:30pm

September 20th - Trinity Metro's bus stop cleanup day at 7:30am

September 20th - Grassroots Organizers Summit at Dock's Bookshop at 3pm

September 21st  - 817 Gather at Blanc Cowork & Studio at 10am

Join the 817 Gather Discord

This week we have a special episode with FWISD teachers Ale Checka & Ernie Morán as we discuss a possible Texas Education Agency takeover by Commissioner Mike Morath, and what life looks like for teachers these days after all the recent legislative changes from the state.

For more context on what's been happening, check out these articles:

From a cell phone ban to Ten Commandments posters, new state laws bring big changes to Texas schools

Texas education chief visits Fort Worth schools as state takeover looms

Cowtown Takeover: What Happens if the State Takes Control of Fort Worth ISD?

FWISD’s stalled progress sign that schools need state takeover, commissioner says

We'll be back next week with a regular episode of the 817 Podcast.

This week Ann Zadeh is out of town, so EJ & Wesley were joined by Chris Tackett.

BIG STORY: Chris Tackett of See It Name It Fight It talks about how Fort Worth votes blue, and spells out a playbook for how Fort Worth can become deeper blue to counteract gerrymandering on a couty & state level.

SHORT STORY 1: Nicole Collier held in Texas House Chamber & Texas Republicans pass gerrymandered redisticting maps.

SHORT STORY 2: Tarrant County dramatically reduces voting locations.

SHORT STORY 3: Eddie García tapped to be Fort Worth’s next police chief.

WINS: 

‘Let’s ride!’: Fort Worth high school students to receive free transit rides from Trinity Metro

Trinity Railway Express to be upgraded for World Cup transportation

Fort Worth names new director for economic development, Jessica Rogers

New director at the Modern leans into museum’s future following national controversy

Fort Worth park memorializing Black lynching victim closer to being funded

LOSSES: 

O’Hare: Anticipated TxDOT master plan ‘huge boon’ for Fort Worth-area economic development

Tarrant County Judge O’Hare calls on cities to run ‘business-minded’ governments

Fort Worth lands $761M AI supercomputer plants as Wistron selects Alliance

Tarrant faith leaders urge officials to condemn GOP chair’s anti-Muslim social media posts

ACTIONS:

What should Fort Worth spend $3B in taxpayer money on? Here’s how to weigh in

District 7: 6 pm Aug. 25 at Boswell High School 

District 6: 6 pm Aug. 27 at Southwest High School Library

District 3: 6 pm Sept. 3 at LVTRise Community Center

District 4: 10 am Sept. 6 at Basswood Elementary School

District 11: 2 pm Sept. 6 at Eugene McCray Community Center

District 9: 6 pm Sept. 8 at University Christian Church 

District 5: 6 pm Sept. 10 at the Fort Worth East Regional Library

District 2: 6 pm Sept. 11 at Northside Community Center

District 8: 6 pm Sept. 15 at the William M. McDonald YMCA

BIG STORY: Taylor Rehmet is a union leader running as the only Democrat in a special election jungle primary for Texas Senate District 9, which comprised roughly half of Tarrant County. The election is in November, going against 2 far right extremists.

SHORT STORY 1: Tarrant County Commissioners Court wants to reduce voting locations by 40%.

SHORT STORY 2: Fort Worth’s city budget proposal focuses on lowering taxes & cutting services.

Tarrant County proposed budget considers lower property tax rate & tighter budget.

SHORT STORY 3: Regional Transportation Council's Transit sub-committee is working on a plan to spend $217 billion in public transit infrastructure over the next 25 years. 

WINS: 

No Cuts to TRE

Confluence Program by the Conservation Alliance seeks to fund enviromental non-profits led by people of color.

Streams and Valley’s has a plan called confluence as well, and just hired a new executive director, Lauren Deen.

Millions for public art could go before Fort Worth voters in a 2026 bond

LOSSES: 

Lost opportunities without the Community Arts Center

Fort Worth weighs the $58 million cost of graveling alleyways to tackle weeds Thankfully this is is not moving forward. 

ACTIONS:

Donate Now -> Support Tarrant For Change

Let Tarrant County Commissioners Court know that you oppose reducing voting locations before the vote on Tuesday, August 19th. 

Community Design Fort Worth has two in-person events this week. Transit Mixer on Wednesday August 20th from 4:30-6:30pm at Acre Distiliing and a Urban Design Talk on Design Justice Thursday, August 21st at 6pm at Texas Wesleyan University. 

SteerFW's Civic Summit is Saturday, August 23rd from 10am - 3pm at Simpli.fi in the Stockyards. It's a half-day conference about the most pressing issues in our city. Buy your tickets here.

Beto O’Rourke is a former U.S. Representative, presidential candidate, and one of Texas’s most influential political voices. Known for his bold grassroots campaigns and unwavering commitment to democracy, Beto has inspired millions across the country with his advocacy for voting rights, gun reform, and public education. From his 2018 Senate run that galvanized a new generation of Texas voters to his relentless push for civic engagement through Powered by People, Beto continues to challenge the status quo and fight for a more inclusive, compassionate future. In this conversation, we go beyond headlines to hear what continues to fuel his mission and what he sees next for Texas and America. Check out his organization, Powered By People https://poweredxpeople.org/

Colin Allred is an American politician and former NFL player. He served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 32nd congressional district from 2019 to 2025. Allred was born in Dallas, Texas, and raised by his single mother, who was his public school teacher. Today, we discuss his campaign and his strategy to defeat John Cornyn.

Learn more about Colin at https://colinallred.com/

This has been a tough week for Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and Texas, as we see each level of government take further steps towards fascism. In this week's episode we discuss the leaders who are standing up, those who are giving in, and how the people are showing up for the fight.

Big Story 1: Fort Worth City Council votes to suspend DEI initiatives, due to 2 latino councilmembers joining conservtive councilmembers in caving to Trump's threat to withhold federal funding, despite near unanimous public outcry in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion as a core value of Fort Worth.

Short Story 2: Tarrant County Commissioners Court cut meetings to once a month, and shuts down its Human Services department, with one Democrat joining the 3 Republican commissioners.

Short Story 3: Texas House Democrats break quorum to keep Republicans from passing gerrymandered redistricting maps.

Wins: 

Freehaw - Trinity Metro offered free rides from August 4th - 10th

Fort Worth’s live theater venues hold space for local actors to grow their careers

Affordable townhomes under construction near Fort Worth hospital

Displaced tenants sue Fort Worth apartment complex after six-alarm fire

Losses: 

Keller City Council approves partnership with ICE despite public protest

Fort Worth approves $40M for public parking at Texas A&M campus downtown

Actions: 

8/12 Fort Worth City Budget presented at city hall work session at noon.

8/14 Fort Worth police chief candidates public forum at city hall from 5:30 - 8pm.

8/16 - 5th Anniversary party for 817 Podcast at Carpenter's Cafe from 6 - 9pm.

This week we spoke with the host of the 817 Gather, Nydia Cardenas, who has worked for decades as a consultant, analyst, and mentor with minority-owned businesses, start-ups, and entrepeneurs. We spoke about why diversity, equity, and inclusion are so important for the city of Fort Worth, and how city council's important vote on Tuesday, August 5th could be a turning point for Fort Worth's fight against fascism.

Big Story: Fort Worth council to vote on DEI suspension to save $277M in federal funds

Actions:

• August 5th at 1pm - Fort Worth City Council Worksession at City Hall where city staff presents options for how to save the Diversity & Inclusion department.
• August 5th at 6pm - Fort Worth City Council vote on whether or not to keep the Diversity & Inclusion department. (Sign up to speak before 4pm on August 5th)
• August 6th at 6pm - Marc Veasy & Collin Allred's Build the Backlash at Greater St. Stephen First Church 3728 E Berry Street Fort Worth, TX 76105
• August 9th at 3pm - Beto O'Rourke's Tarrant County Town Hall at Ridglea Theater 6025 Camp Bowie Blvd Fort Worth, TX 76116
• August 12th at 1pm - Fort Worth City Council Worksession where the 2026 city budget will be presented.
• August 14th at 5:30pm - Fort Worth Police Chief Finalist Forum at City Hall

Big Story:  The Cooper Fire

Cooper Fire relief fund reached $100,000 and distributes to fire victims

Renters at The Cooper reeling after Fort Worth fire. Many had no insurance

Fort Worth firefighters, city learning lessons from six-alarm Cooper fire

Displaced Cooper tenants forge community, demand accountability after Fort Worth fire

Short Story 1: Fort Worth Police Chief finalists announced

Short Story 2: Republican precinct chairs refuse to hold Bo French accountable

Short Story 3: Innovation in Fort Worth

• Drone deliveries to take off in East Fort Worth
• MP Materials and Apple
• AI supercomputer plant could land in Fort Worth 

Wins: 

Transit Zine was released!

Heartland Flyer gets $3.5M to keep Fort Worth-Oklahoma City route alive for a year

Fort Worth girls raise over $64K for Camp Mystic

Losses: 

Greg Abbott called for a special session that starts July 21. 

Actions:

August 5th - Fort Worth City Council meeting to vote on DEI

August 14th - Fort Worth Police Chief finalists forum at 5:30pm at City Hall

Next week Wesley & Ann will be gone, so there will be no episode. But we'll be back August 4th.