This is the FIRST two interview episode and we are excited to give you timely news on the topics you care about most! Our first guest is Councilmember Jared Williams, who is leading the front on eliminating the curfew ordinance in the city. We also talk about his C.A.R.E. for Minors plan, which helps us holistically support our youth. 

The second interview is with someone we have been excited to get on the show for a long time! Austin James is the producer/founder of Now.Town (HTTP://www.now.town), a local news publication that updates the community with urban development projects that are coming around the city. His writing and research focus on construction, transportation, and land use. We are fortunate to have Austin doing this work as Fort Worth is the fastest-growing large city in America. Make sure to follow him on Twitter and sign up for his news alerts.

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Jimmy and EJ nerd out about all the new economic data around jobs, real estate, and hotels, leading to a big story about Fort Worth's role in the metroplex. The guys also discuss the curfew and the expansion of the Tarrant Area Food Bank. Sources below:

SHORT STORIES

1. Tarrant Area Food Bank becomes an agricultural hub feeding nearly a half a million people (https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crossroads-lab/article271588527.html)

2. Rosedale continues the $70M project, but when will we get a grocery store? (https://fortworthreport.org/2023/01/25/as70-million-rosedale-project-moves-ahead-residents-remain-concerned-about-grocery-store-homelessness/)

3.  Curfew and proposed C.A.R.E. planfor minors (https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article271750177.html)

BIG STORY: DFW GDP growth and Forts Worth's brand in the metroplex

Texas Growth 
https://reader.dallasnews.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=183fd138-0508-45cc-9d48-214e4e2f6a93

Texas Water Fort Worth impact
https://reader.dallasnews.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=fda04c38-4572-421b-b7e7-9597f1c1f0fa

Texas Energy
https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-green-subsidies-are-attracting-billions-of-dollars-to-red-states-11674488426?mod=mhp

DFW homebuilding market
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/real-estate/2022/02/09/d-fw-grows-its-lead-as-the-biggest-us-homebuilding-market/

DFW hotel growth #1
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/economy/2023/01/27/hotel-business-surges-in-d-fw-and-texas-as-travel-recovers-and-pandemic-fades/

DFW job growth
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/jobs/2023/01/25/economy-on-fire-texas-adds-nation-topping-650000-jobs-in-2022/

Indian Americans in DFW
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article265152111.html

Asian Americans voting potential
https://www.economist.com/united-states/2022/06/20/inside-the-battle-for-asian-american-votes

Fort Worth's city limits compared to other cities
https://twitter.com/UrbanFortWorth/status/1619436437233074176

WINS AND LOSSES

FWISD cancels $2.6M sex education curriculum: https://fortworthreport.org/2023/01/28/fort-worth-isd-drops-sex-ed-despite-2-6-million-purchase-of-materials-in-april/

White Settlement remains the name of the bridge: https://fortworthreport.org/2023/01/25/white-settlement-road-will-keep-controversial-name-after-council-scraps-plans-to-consider-change/

FW mini train is back: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article270815372.html

FWR gets $1.1 million in funding: https://fortworthreport.org/2023/01/24/fort-worth-report-receives-1-1-million-grant-from-american-journalism-project-to-ensure-long-term-sustainability/

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On January 18th, candidates could file to run for city council, FWISD school board, and Tarrant Regional Water District. Jimmy and EJ discuss the new candidates and share updates on A&M and downtown developments.

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The big story this week is about the legislative session. Mayor Mattie Parker joined mayors across the big city metros to advocate localized control and broadband access. FWISD created priorities that included more funding since the state has a 33 billion dollar surplus.

The boy's wins and losses include the impact of Frisco's Universal partnership and the economic impact the national championship had on the city. Enjoy!

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Jimmy and EJ arrive back from the long break with fresh perspectives and predictions for the city in 2023. Learn who were last year's losers and winners and the significant trends impacting the city's future growth. There will not be a pod next week.

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For the final episode of the year, we talk with a true Fort Worth evangelist Carlo Capua who is responsible for building a decades-long strategy for the city to thrive.  ENJOY!

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EJ and Jimmy are back from a three-week hiatus and have some serious news to deconstruct as the trial of Arron Dean, the FWDP officer who killed Atatiana Jefferson in her own home, has been found guilty of manslaughter. 

The jury is expected to start deliberation today and determine Dean's punishment.

The guys break down their readings and unravel their opinions about such an emotional case for the city. 

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Join the 817 Gather Discord, donate to the 817 Gather, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

Now more than ever, we need to support our local journalists as their employer McClatchey provides zero compromises to their poor wages and work conditions. Here is the link to donate to support journalists, as they may have to strike to make a point on how important local news is to the city. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/fort-worth-newsguild-strike-fund?utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&utm_medium

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EJ and Jimmy get together to breakdown the election results.

Reference for rants
After the midterms, America and its democracy look stronger

American policy is splitting, state by state, into two blocs

https://www.economist.com/interactive/briefing/2022/09/03/american-policy-is-splitting-state-by-state-into-two-blocs

America’s black upper class and Black Lives Matter

https://www.economist.com/united-states/2020/08/22/americas-black-upper-class-and-black-lives-matter

Inside the battle for Asian-American votes

https://www.economist.com/united-states/2022/06/20/inside-the-battle-for-asian-american-votes

Less than half of US children under 15 are white, census shows

https://www.brookings.edu/research/less-than-half-of-us-children-under-15-are-white-census-shows/

Race and finance: America’s segregated banking sector

https://www.ft.com/content/e63cbe88-6d46-4119-9067-e10a926c61c2

U.S. Christian majority could fade in coming decades, models find

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/07/30/most-common-age-among-us-racial-ethnic-groups/

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