BIG STORY: We spoke with Katie O'Brien Duzan, the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 94, going agains the Republican Cheryl Bean.

katiefor94.com

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SHORT STORY 1: Republicans attack on Democracy

• More than 1.2 million Texas voter registrations are flagged. Here’s what voters should know
• Following backlash, Tarrant County elections head proposes cutting 92 voting sites for November
• Map comparing 2022 Voting Sites to 2026
• Tarrant County task force finds 2 election violations among 193 allegations from the public
• Free speech lawsuits against Tarrant County judge awaiting decision from US appeals court / Tarrant County meeting arrests raise First Amendment concerns

SHORT STORY 2: 

• Tarrant County the model for property tax relief across Texas, governor says / Gov. Abbott praises Tarrant for lowering property taxes, proposes new tax plan
• The Budget Tim Doesn’t Want You to Read - by Chris Tackett
• $33.9M Tarrant Appraisal District budget reflects lowest staff headcount since 1999
• Tarrant water district proposes rate bump, tax increase to address demand, aging pipes
• What you need to know before TCC trustees consider a property tax rate increase
• Colleyville City Council moves toward higher property tax rate to counter lower appraisals
• Fort Worth City Council deliberates proposed budget cuts, fate of Alliance pet adoption program

SHORT STORY 3: Fort Worth City Council

• Fort Worth OKs $10B data center site plan with more green space, distance from homes / Tensions flare at Fort Worth City Council meeting over $10B data center
• Fort Worth police crime-fighting drone program takes off in partnership with Flock Safety

WINS: 

• Here are the candidates for Tarrant Appraisal District board election in November
• A greater good is coming to west Fort Worth — through coffee, thrifting and giving
• Texas Health to launch new maternal health program for continuity of care
• This historic Fort Worth building will become affordable housing
• Heartland Flyer funded through ’27 as proposed state budget item targets future allocations
• Trinity Metro kicks off transit-oriented development plans with first public meeting
• Council of governments executive director leaves job

LOSSES: 

• Trinity Metro plans to cut spending in 2027 but will advance train improvements
• EngageFW cancelled due to budget cuts. Possibly delayed until Spring.
• The Last Picture Show: Coyote Drive-In fading to black
• Changes planned for Fort Worth street following troubled bike-friendly makeover
• ICE seen in Fort Worth

ACTIONS:

• September 1 - Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court Meeting and Rally
• September 2 - Gather at the Table (District 9)
• September 2 - Arlington Chamber candidate forum with SD9 & HD94
• September 12 - TCDP Sneaker Soiree 
• September 15 - Fort Worth City Council Budget Vote
• September 20 - 817 Gather at 3pm
• October 5 - last day to register to vote

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BIG STORY: We spoke with Nathan Smith, the Democratic candidate for Tarrant County District Clerk, who will unseat 30-year incumbent Republican Tom Wilder.

nathan4tarrant.com

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SHORT STORY 1: Fort Worth City Council & Data Centers

• Fort Worth council asks Tarrant County to reject proposed cut in November voting sites
• Fort Worth City Council reapproves increased legal fees for ex-police officer Aaron Dean
• Data center moratorium takes first steps after Fort Worth City Council’s unanimous vote / Fort Worth makes major moves towards data center moratorium, regulations
• Newly formed commission set to advise Fort Worth on data center regulations
• Parker touts Fort Worth City Council’s unanimity in confronting data center issue
• Beyond the Algorithm and the 'Smart' Phone, Fort Worth’s People Instilling Hope, Action

SHORT STORY 2: EJ’s Arrest

• Man arrested after profanity at last week’s Tarrant commissioners meeting
• Fort Worth activist arrested a week after his removal from Tarrant County Commissioners Court
  • NBC DFW / CBS / WFAA
• Support for EJ

SHORT STORY 3: TAD is starving local budgets

• Colleyville proposes tax rate increase in 2027 budget to offset lower property valuations
• UNT Health Fort Worth expects nearly flat revenue, higher spending in 2027
• Tarrant County proposes lower property tax rate for 4th consecutive year

WINS: 

• Can Fort Worth duplicate Grapevine’s rail station success? City leaders are taking steps
• Trinity Railway Express on track for improvements
• Settlement reached in dispute between transportation body, council of governments
• Casey Kleeb is ArtsGoogle’s featured artist
• Pre launch 817 Day with Patrice

LOSSES: 

• Council OKs incentives for defense tech firm that could bring 1,000 jobs tol Fort Worth
• Fort Worth’s new data center rules aren’t stopping this project

ACTIONS:

• August 12 - September 3 - Fort Worth City Budget Meetings
• August 17 - Focus Local PAC’s new candidate recruitment event
• August 19 - CDFW’s Transit Academy
• August 25 - Black Mountain data center vote
• September 1 - Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court Meeting
• September 12 - Dr. Opal Lee Empowerment Gala Sneaker Soiree
• September 15 - Fort Worth City Council Budget Vote

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BIG STORY: We spoke with Heli Rodriguez Prilliman, the Democratic candidate to represent Texas District 12 in US Congress, who will unseat Republican Craig Goldman.

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SHORT STORY 1: Tim O’Hare’s Failed Voter Suppression Attempt

• Tarrant voting rights activists to rally against proposed polling site cuts
• Tarrant County judge removes attendees during public meeting about voting site reductions 
• Tarrant County commissioners delay vote on polling sites for November election
• Released after arrest at Tarrant meeting, former lawmaker considers suing county judge
• Related: Tarrant commissioners thank WWII veteran for ‘defeating socialism’ at Battle of Iwo Jima
• Related: Why did Tarrant County end its contract early with a jail staffing company? It's still unclear

SHORT STORY 2: Fort Worth City Budget

• Fort Worth resets as tax rolls come in lower than projected, spiking shortfall for 2027 / Fort Worth weighs tax rate increase as lower property values widen budget hole
• Fort Worth City Budget Meetings
• Related: Fort Worth council to consider do-over vote on money for Aaron Dean’s defense

SHORT STORY 3: Data Center Updates

• New Texas data center projects frozen until state audits them
• City officials evaluating what statewide data center audit means for Fort Worth projects
• Fort Worth to consider forcing data center developers to show state approval

WINS: 

• Back to school events Black Coffee and Fort Worth Community Collaborative
• Stockyards leaders not proceeding with planned $1 billion second phase of development / Former leader of Stockyards redevelopment plans $160M luxury resort for area
• Texas Polls:
  • James Talarico 48% vs Ken Paxton 45%
  • Gina Hinajosa 46% vs Greg Abbott 45%
  • Vicki Goodwin 48% vs Dan Patrick 46%
  • Alisa Simmons 44% vs Tim O’Hare 43%

LOSSES:

• Former US Rep. Kay Granger dies at 83, leaving a lasting mark on Fort Worth
• Struggling Ridgmar Mall finds a new owner, set to become logistics center / Fort Worth officials express support for Ridgmar Mall redevelopment plans
• Fort Worth Alliance Airport to be major testing site for air taxis
• ‘We’re going to power AI’: Officials celebrate opening of Alliance manufacturing plant
• Curtain call: Fort Worth theater troupe bids farewell after 30 years

ACTIONS: 

• Donate to the 817 Gather
• The US is facing a blood supply crisis. Here’s how you can help in Tarrant County
• August 11 - Fort Worth’s data center policy vote
• August 15 - Alisa Simmons - Black Women's Breakfast
• August 17 - Focus Local PAC’s new candidate recruitment event
• August 19 - CDFW’s Transit Academy
• August 25 - Black Mountain data center vote
• September 1 - Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court Meeting
• A September 15 - Fort Worth City Council Budget Vote
• Canvass for Nydia with EJ

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BIG STORY: Kent DeCardenas & a Fort Worth Citizen's Data Center Task Force

• Tell City Council we need a Data Center Citizen Task Force
• Proposed task force would advise Fort Worth leaders, council on data center regulations
• Can proposed data center moratorium in Fort Worth lead to meaningful, long-term solutions?
• Data centers require substantial water, energy. Sustainable practices, technology can lessen impact

SHORT STORY 1: Tim O’Hare’s Ongoing Voter Suppression

• Tarrant County considers cutting 140 Election Day polling sites for November
• Letter to County Commissioners about polling sites

SHORT STORY 2: FWISD Takeover Updates

• Fort Worth ISD says threats, not social media posts, prompted principal’s reassignment / FWISD didn’t prove claims against principal reassigned after Sharia law posts, documents show
• Federal judge declines to reinstate Muslim educator as Fort Worth ISD principal / Judge denies former Fort Worth ISD principal’s request to be reinstated
• As Fort Worth ISD reports near full staffing, parents demand increased transparency / How Fort Worth ISD filled teaching vacancies after more than 1,000 resignations
• Fort Worth ISD applies for TEA waiver to keep hiring uncertified teachers
• Why Fort Worth ISD wants to ban campaign donations to trustee candidates by its vendors
• Propaganda Proofing by Mindia Whittier
• Inside Peter Licata's Doctoral Dissertation by Barry Shlachter

SHORT STORY 3: TCU Student Deported by ICE

• TCU student arrested in Arlington was deported to El Salvador, DHS confirms
• GoFundMe for Luis Andrade
• Testimonials about ICE custody conditions

WINS: 

• Fort Worth nonprofit shares design concept transforming former KKK site into cultural hub
• Mount Gilead Baptist Church’s legacy to be preserved through performing art center
• The Fort Worth railroad turns 150
• Made in Tarrant: Comics store opens as safe space for marginalized individuals, gamers, artists
• Fort Worth nonprofit supporting college students now guides a new group — their parents
• Fort Worth Botanic Garden receives prestigious nationwide accreditation
• Fort Worth begins update to the city’s 2003 Historic Preservation Plan
• World Cup transportation plan successful as 40,000 use rail, charter buses, officials said
• Sasha Bass steps down as new leader takes charge of Fort Worth’s Sundance Square / Fort Worth’s Sundance Square names new CEO as Sasha Bass steps aside

LOSSES: 

• Harrison Mantas is leaving the Star-Telegram. 
• Food insecurity outpaces regional population growth / 1.4 million in DFW face hunger as Tarrant Area Food Bank braces for funding cuts 
• Tarrant confirms first human case of West Nile Virus this year 
• Fort Worth firm involved in plans for new Persian Gulf refinery 

ACTIONS: 

• August 4 - Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court (Petition)
• August 4 - Fort Worth City Council Worksession (Letter)
• August 4 - Nicole Collier's Public School event
• August 5 - Talarico rally in Fort Worth
• August 5 - 817 Gather at the Table -District 8 (RSVP)
• August 11 - Fort Worth’s data center policy vote
• August 17 - Focus Local PAC’s new candidate recruitment event
• August 19 - CDFW’s Transit Academy
• August 25 - Black Mountain data center vote 

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BIG STORY: Republican Funding and Running for Office

• Republican incumbent’s funds outpace Democratic opponent for Tarrant county judge
• Tarrant GOP’s election strategy focuses on $3.5M in donations, unified campaign
• 3 Tarrant Appraisal District seats on the November ballot as board considers reappraisal plan
• Related: New political action committee pours $70K into Tarrant Appraisal District race
• Focus Local PAC
• Donate to Alisa Simmons

SHORT STORY 1: Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court

• Tarrant commissioners honor Carroll ISD for role in Supreme Court ruling on trans athletes
• Tarrant County commissioners approve body camera policy for county law enforcement officers
• Tarrant residents ask for more meetings as commissioners court keeps monthly schedule
• Tarrant County residents protest, demand accountability over June's jail deaths

SHORT STORY 2: How Granbury is Fighting Data Centers

• Granbury residents seek to recall mayor, 4 council members over data center concerns
• Inside the Granbury data center revolt: recalls, lawsuits and Texas Rangers
• What rural Texans should know about the Granbury data center fight
• Here’s where Fort Worth’s data centers are — and where developers look to build others
• Fort Worth to consider starting lengthy data center moratorium process

SHORT STORY 3: FWISD Turnover

• About 40% of Fort Worth ISD campuses will have a new principal this school year
• Nearly 800 Fort Worth ISD teachers resign after state takeover
• Fort Worth ISD to pay Karen Molinar at least $412K in separation deal
• Reassigned FWISD educator says district offered her $130,000 job after principal backlash
• Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers to consider changes to ethics policy

WINS: 

• Fort Worth Community Collaborative’s fashion show walks the walk for clothing access
• Space at DFW Airport’s Chase Sapphire Lounge is cherry on top for Fort Worth coffee shop
• Fort Worth’s Leon Bridges announces new album ‘Happiness Anytime’
• Recharged and still caring, Fort Worth arts advocate launches new kid theater program

LOSSES: 

• Longtime Historic Southside advocate Johnny Lewis dies at 78 

ACTIONS:

• Where are North Texas road improvements needed? Officials want your input on spending $95B
• engageFW Community Academy
• Citizen's Prosecutor's Academy
• July 18 - Aug 17 - Apply to run for TAD
• July 22 - August 16 -  The Shark is Broken at Amphibian Stage
• July 25 - Kinfolk House Giving & Gathering
• July - August - Floating Lotus Tea Room opening
• August 6 - 817 Gather at the Table (District 8)
• August 11 - Fort Worth’s data center policy vote
• August 17 - Focus Local PAC’s new candidate recruitment event
• August 25 - Black Mountain data center vote

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BIG STORY: Aubrey Campos with Stonewall Democrats

• Tarrant County Stonewall Democrats
• Aubrey's Tacos & Tortas

SHORT STORY 1: Data Center regulations delayed

• ‘Half-measures’: Residents push Fort Worth for stronger data center rules
• Zoning commissioners deny data center rules, return ordinance to Fort Worth City Council / Fort Worth Zoning Commission votes against data center restrictions
• Majority of Fort Worth council members call for data center moratorium / 5 Fort Worth City Council members call for data center moratorium

SHORT STORY 2: FWISD updates

• Can one set of goals fit FWISD? Residents say neighborhoods have different needs
• FWISD looks to sell Charles Nash Elementary after closure in May
• Texas House candidate for Fort Worth area district posts racially coded meme / Fort Worth charter school parents say board chair’s posts foster discrimination

SHORT STORY 3: Schatzline over Texas elections

• Fort Worth politician, pastor to oversee election integrity in Abbott’s office
• Ken Paxton vowed to crack down on 'illegal voting.' He may have violated Texas election law

WINS: 

• Fort Worth steps out of Dallas’ shadow with its own economic report
• ‘D&D is storytelling’: Fort Worth church hosts safe space for LGBTQ+, neurodiverse gamers
• No adults allowed: Fort Worth teens take creative charge at student-led theater group
• Flowers in the Concrete Sedrick Huckaby & All N All: Artist Embracing Community
• Arlington Pride will return in 2027, organizers say

LOSSES: 

• Another man has died after being in Tarrant County Jail custody — the fourth death in 2 weeks
• Could more traffic lanes on Hemphill Street aid in mobility? Fort Worth wants your input / Could Fort Worth reverse changes to this major traffic corridor?

ACTIONS: 

• Hemphill Corridor Survey
• July 14 - Commissioner’s Court - Bastille Day rally at 8am
• July 18 - National Day of Protest against data centers
• July 19 - 817 Gather
• August 11 - Fort Worth’s data center policy vote
• August 25 - Black Mountain data center vote

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Today we're bringing you a special episode, introducing you to The Frontline PAC.

A new community-based political action committee centered on Tarrant County, the battleground of our democracy. Led by EJ Carrion, Alex Montalvo, Sabrina Ball, and Chris & Mendi Tackett.

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