817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show

BIG STORY: Republican Funding and Running for Office

SHORT STORY 1: Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court

BIG STORY: Aubrey Campos with Stonewall Democrats

SHORT STORY 1: Data Center regulations delayed

SHORT STORY 2: FWISD updates

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.

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

SHORT STORY 1: Prairieland Defendants get unconstitutionally harsh sentence

SHORT STORY 2: FW City Council gives money to Aaron Dean’s legal team

We spoke with Chanea Bond, the current English department chair at Southwest High School, and Ale Checka, former FWISD teacher, about what life has been like for teachers since the state takeover by the TEA of FWISD. We talked about how policies and toxic leadership is causing so many teachers to quit, and what it would take to fix schools.

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BIG STORY: We spoke with Ambika Sharma of the 817 Gather about her research on Mayor Mattie Parker's ties to the data center industry, including her lobbyist husband, tax abatements given to data centers, and potential violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act.

BIG STORY: We spoke with Zahra Anderson-Himmelspach, a young organizer who is helping lead a student driven movement for a better future through her work with Sunrise Tarrant Schools.

SHORT STORY 1: Data Center Updates

BIG STORY: We spoke with Sue Weston, the owner of the historic Weston Gardens & Nursery, which is being surrounded by the $10 billion data center planned by Black Mountain. We also spoke with Caleb Roberts from Downwinders at Risk and the Fort Worth Environmental Coalition of Communities to talk about the negative impacts that data centers have on the environment, our resources, and our city.

SHORT STORY 1: Primary runoff election results

BIG STORY: We interviewed Mohammed Abullah, the Imam at the oldest mosque in North Texas, about how Governor Greg Abbott threatened to cut $530,000 from Grand Prairie's budget if they did not cancel an Eid ul-Adha celebration that the mosque was planning at Epic Waters.

SHORT STORY 1: The Fight Against Data Centers 

BIG STORY: Bond & Charter Amendment results

SHORT STORY 1: Elections beyond Fort Worth

SHORT STORY 2: FWISD Disappointments

BIG STORY: FWISD's Potential INA Closure

International Newcomer Academy may close as part of FWISD takeover restructuring

We spoke with International Newcomer Academy teachers Susan Montoya & Whitney Peters about why this school is so important, and what we can do to save it.

SHORT STORY 1: Fort Worth City Council District 10 candidates

Infrastructure, politics influence election for north Fort Worth council seat

SHORT STORY 2: Sheriff Bill Waybourn & Mercy Culture

Curbing human trafficking depends on church involvement...

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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...

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.

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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...

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