Advertise on podcast: 817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show

EJ's gone this week, so we're joined by Tara Maldanado Wilson to talk about all the propositions on the May 2nd Band & Charter Election in Fort Worth. 817 Gather's Voter Recommendations What Fort Worth’s bond and charter amendments on the May 2 ballot actually mean Here’s what’s on the May 2 ballot in Tarrant County Prop A - Fort Worth roads would get half a billion dollars in upgrades if bond package passesProp B - Coalition seeks to steer $25M Gateway Park bond funds — if Fort Worth voters approve & Open space, parks could expand if Fort Worth voters approve $185M bondProp C - 4 years after closing, south Fort Worth library could reopen in bond proposalProp D - Affordable housing is on the ballot in Fort Worth’s $845M bond program, which goes to voters May 2Prop E - Fort Worth voters to consider $63.9M for fire stations, new emergency management centerProp F - Proposed $59.8M animal shelter included in Fort Worth bond electionProp G - Fort Worth voters take another swipe May 2 at whether to raise pay for the mayor and city council membersProp H & I - Fort Worth asks voters to remove city leadership’s right to public hearing before firingProp J - Budget HearingsProp K & L - Fort Worth seeks to streamline trash, public service requirements with May charter electionProp M - Fort Worth city manager would have more authority under charter amendment on May ballotProp N - Special elections to fill vacanciesProp O - Fort Worth charter election asks to update language on documenting payment claimsJoin the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

Why should Arlington’s local election matter to you? In this episode, we sit down with members of Dream City PAC to break it all down. Our guests share their personal stories, what inspired their involvement, and the latest developments shaping Arlington’s political landscape. Apply for the Gina Hinojosa position in Tarrant County: https://ginafortexas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ROD-JD.pdf Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

We talk with the Democratic Socialists of America, break down the Data Center Abatement deal, examine Jay Chapa’s influence at City Hall, and cover new classroom rules and the latest board meeting at Fort Worth Independent School District. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

This week we discuss the Prairieland trial verdict and what it could mean for activism and criminal charges tied to demonstrations. We also cover the delayed Fort Worth data center vote, the city’s hiring freeze, and key updates from Commissioners Court. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

We sat down with Blake Vera and Ayesha Hassan to discuss the movement to abolish ICE cooperation in Tarrant County and what it could mean for local communities. We also dive into FWISD’s new superintendent and board of managers, political narratives shaping Tarrant County, and how the Fort Worth Way is influencing the city’s future. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

This week we give you a deep dive into Brian Willett and the Tarrant Juvenile Court, controversy over data center donations, fallout from César Chávez’s legacy, and backlash to a Texas Rangers statue - along with progress on the Trinity Railway Express’ $43.5M double-track project and a recap of FWAAM fest.  BIG STORY: Brian Willett & Tarrant Juvenile Court https://www.brianwillettlaw.com/ https://www.instagram.com/brianwillettlaw/ https://www.tiktok.com/@attorneybrianwillett?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc SHORT STORY 1: City Council’s Data Center Donations https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article315075197.html https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article315081893.html SHORT STORY 2: Reactions to César Chávez’s destroyed legacy https://fortworthreport.org/2026/03/19/cesar-chavezs-name-removed-across-fort-worth-following-sex-abuse-allegations/ https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315091478.html https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315112577.html https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315117419.html SHORT STORY 3: Texas Rangers’ Racist Statue https://www.readeyeblack.com/p/reviving-the-racist-history-of-the-texas-rangers-was-a-team-effort https://www.dmagazine.com/sports/2026/03/rangers-statue-davis-texas/ WINS:  FWAAMFest https://fortworthreport.org/2026/03/19/trinity-railway-express-43-5m-double-track-project-moves-forward-with-new-contracts/ https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315046343.html LOSSES:  https://fortworthreport.org/2026/03/19/oil-leak-closed-birders-beloved-drying-beds-fort-worth-to-sue-for-millions-in-damages/ https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2026-03-18/texas-enforce-drag-ban-ongoing-lawsuit-aclu ACTIONS: March 26 - Beyond the Fort Worth Way! March 28 - No Kings March 31 - Data Center vote April 1 - Gather at the Table (District 4) May 2 - Fort Worth Bond & Charter Election Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

This week we spoke with Chris Tackett from See It Name It Fight It to break down the data around primary voting in Tarrant County, how that compared to Texas, and past elections, and what that means for the future of our county & state in the coming November midterm election. Read "The March Signal" by Chris Tackett. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

SHORT STORY 1: Election Results Breakdown Party leaders forecast energetic election season in Tarrant County heading out of primaries SHORT STORY 2: Karen Molinar replaced as FWISD Superintendent As Superintendent Karen Molinar exits takeover, Texas signals a hard reset for Fort Worth ISD Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Karen Molinar ousted amid TEA takeover Fort Worth ISD community calls again for immigration policy to protect students SHORT STORY 3: Data Centers Tax breaks considered for waterless data center in far west Fort Worth WINS:  Give me an F: Fort Worth’s 10-foot public art gateway project installed after 20-year wait Rose-colored Latino-themed bus route announced for south Fort Worth / Visit Fort Worth celebrates convention center’s flying saucer, outgoing leader ‘Transformative’ $1.7B Westside Village mixed-use project officially breaks ground Land around Farrington Field for sale as FWISD seeks $250M mixed-use project LOSSES:  Manny Ramirez: Lower the Temperature in Politics and Return to Results Banning Islam, deporting Muslims discussed at Fort Worth church after primary elections ACTIONS: March 9 - Fort Worth Report votes to unionize (Sign the letter) March 10 - Data center vote at Fort Worth City Council (Sign the letter) March 15 - 817 Gather at 10am (Join us) March 21 - FWAAMFEST (Get tickets) March 31 - Waterless Data Center vote Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

Brandi Waller-Pace is the founder of Decolonizing the Music Room and the Fort Worth African-American Roots Music Festival which will be in its 6th year on March 21st. For more information, visit fwaamfest.com. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

SHORT STORY 1: Union busting at Fort Worth Report Fort Worth Reporter's Guild response to union busting SHORT STORY 2: PACs funding Republican precinct chairs Newly formed Tarrant shadow PACs turbocharge hyperlocal GOP precinct chair races SHORT STORY 3: Prairieland Defendant updates Alvarado ICE facility ambush trial: Jurors view evidence, deputy body camera footageSurveillance video and cell phone evidence, day three of ICE Prairieland shooting trial continues WINS:  Arts Forward Long-awaited Palo Pinto Mountains State Park opens Panther Island gets taxing district to pay for improvements, services Construction for $63M Historic Southside urban village could start in summer North Texas Community Foundation Awards $250K to Historic North Side Main Street Pilot FWISD votes no to school prayer period Black Women Lawyers Association honors Mary Ellen Hicks Mosier Valley Park transformation will commemorate one of Texas’ first all-Black communities LOSSES:  Oversight of Tarrant County purchasing questioned as lead role shifts Digital checkouts at Fort Worth Public Library exceed those of physical materials for first time ACTIONS: Tarrant County seeks 200 more election clerks to staff March 3 primary polls TXDOT Master Plan Survey March 3 - Election day for Primaries March 4 - 817 Gather at the Table March 10 - Data center vote at Fort Worth City Council March 15 - 817 Gather (Join us) March 21 - FWAAMFEST (Get tickets) Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

For our very first live episode, we recorded at the VIP party for Tarrant County Democratic Party's annual fundraiser, Beyond Darkness. We spoke with Texas State Representatives Salman Bhojani & Ramon Romero Jr about harnessing the power of diverse communities to build a progressive future. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

BIG STORY: Nydia Cardenas, candidate for Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 4. SHORT STORY 1: Early Voting turnout  Tarrant County’s 2026 Primary: Democrats Are Showing Up SHORT STORY 2: Resistance to ICE in North Texas No ICE Detention Center in Hutchins, TXUNT art students protest exhibit’s removal with a funeral for freedom of speechMan brandishes guns at Boswell High School students during ICE protestPrairielandDefendants.comArlington man in ICE custody will return to Jordan after son’s death SHORT STORY 3: Transit Progress DART's compromise gives money back to cities to avoid withdrawal electionsIrving to consider calling off DART withdrawal election as transit agency weighs key changesRegional council votes to fund public transit as part of plan to save DART‘Expand it, not abandon it’ WINS:  Progressive Texas organizers hail shock win as far-right Republicans left reeling Taylor Rehmet sworn into Texas Senate District 9 7 Tarrant County districts reject daily prayer period in public schools under Texas law FWISD students see gains Panther Island bypass project moves forward after Trinity River dams, flood storage delays LOSSES:  Hand-counted audit of Senate runoff election draws scrutiny ahead of Tarrant County primaries Tarrant judge needs to learn that hearing public dissent is part of job ACTIONS: Now - Early Voting for Primaries (Polling locations & hours) February 28 - Arts Forward summit (Get tickets) March 3 - Election day for Primaries March 4 - 817 Gather at the Table March 10 - Data center vote at Fort Worth City Council March 15 - 817 Gather March 21 - FWAAMFEST (Get tickets) Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

SHORT STORY 1: ICE in North Texas New rules limit public speaking, discussion topics at Tarrant County Commissioners CourtFree speech concerns raised as Tarrant County judge removes meeting attendeesTexas “Antifa Cell” Terror Trial Takes On Tough Questions About Guns at Protests Against ICEThey Say They’re Protesters. The DOJ Says They’re TerroristsICE Just Bought a Massive Warehouse in Hutchins SHORT STORY 2: Charter Amendments Fort Worth voters asked to give city manager more autonomy, increase council’s pay in May election SHORT STORY 3: Data Centers $10B data center hits wall after Fort Worth leaders cite resources, land usage concernsTexas county rejects a moratorium on data center development amid AI boom WINS:  Walk for Peace Buddhist monks arrive in Fort Worth for homecoming celebration Tarrant Area Food Bank building a $3.5M Community Resource Center Jury awards over $600K to former Tarrant sheriff’s deputy in retaliation case LOSSES:  Gyna Bivens & Carol Ivey passed away North Texas needs signature music festival to become major hub (Brandi’s Take) ACTIONS: February 17 - Early Voting begins for Primaries (Polling locations & hours) February 20 - 817 Live recording at Tarrant County Democratic Party fundraising Now - March 1 - Bull in a China Shop at Amphibian Stage (Buy tickets) March 3 - Election day for Primaries March 10 - Data center vote at Fort Worth City Council March 21 - FWAAMFEST (Buy tickets) Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

We spoke with grassroots organizer, Alexander Montalvo, the co-founder of Tarrant 4 Change and The Catalyst Project LLC. He shared with us why this moment in Fort Worth & Tarrant County is so crucial as a key moment of change that requires bold, upapologetic progressive leaders to meet the moment. He also spoke about how one of the best ways that we can bring about the change we need is to uplift diverse voices, and local support grassroot organizers who are doing this work every day. Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

BIG STORY: Candidates for Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 2 Jared WilliamsAmanda ArizolaGabe Rivas SHORT STORY 1: County Commissioner’s Court Changes New rules would limit Tarrant County jail discussion, resident input at public meetings SHORT STORY 2: Fort Worth Charter Amendments Doubling council salaries, expanding city manager’s authority could be on Fort Worth’s May ballot ✅City council salaries would be $50,000, the mayor's would be $60,000.❌City manager would have the ability to create, consolidate, & abolish departments without a council vote.❌City manager could fire department heads & council appointees without a written statement or public hearing.❌Council could approve the budget at the same required public meeting, meaning that there would be no time at all for things to change based on public input.❌Remove the requirement for public utilities to report to council. SHORT STORY 3: FWISD Under Attack from the State Fort Worth ISD loses appeal of state takeover, prompting a trustee’s resignation Student walkouts prompt warning from Texas leaders — raising First Amendment concerns WINS:  Buddhist monks on Walk for Peace journey to DC return to Fort Worth on Valentine’s Day LOSSES:  The County Commissioner's Court & Fort Worth City Council meetings on February 10th. ACTIONS: Black History Month - Support black businesses & politicians. "I'm Done Humming and Swaying" from Power by Design February 10 - County Commissioner’s Court at 10am February 10 - Fort Worth City Council at 6pm Now - March 2 - filing is open for Fort Worth city council District 10 candidates February 15 - 817 Gather (Join) February 17 - Early Voting begins for Primaries February 20 - 817 Live recording at Tarrant County Democratic Party fundraising (Get your tickets) March 3 - Election day for Primaries Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.