817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show

Ann and EJ sit down with Daryl Davis II, a candidate for City Council District 6, this week for the big story. We also discuss how anti-DEI is impacting TCU and TCC. We give you updates on redistricting talks at the county level as Tim O'Hare's voter fraud law firm gets approved for tens of thousands of our tax dollars.

SHORT STORY #1: Anti-DEI impacts TCU and TCC:

- TCU cuts Diversity & Inclusion office amid funding cu...

Ann and EJ present three short stories and an interview with Cowtown Democrats President Geoffrey Hyder, who will host the new Texas Democrat Party Chair, Kendall Scudder, on April 15th! Enjoy the episode, and we apologize for the audio, as we had to move into an outdated studio. We will be better in the future!

SHORT STORY #1: Measles Exposure in Tarrant County

- RFK Jr. Heads to Texas Kid's Funeral Who Dies from Measles

- Tarra...

Democrats have been making gains across the country in special elections, but what does that mean for Tarrant County, where our GOP Judge is looking to rezone the county in his favor and the Tarrant Democratic Party can barely afford rent? Ann and EJ analyze the city, county, and state situation and believe hope exists. Be a part of the hope and attend a Gather. Join our Discord.

SHORT STORY 1: Legacy Downtown Wells Fargo Bank Moves...

Today, we sit down with the president and a lead organizer of the César Chávez & Dolores Huerta Committee of Tarrant County, Maricela Jimenez and Maria Morales, to discuss the upcoming March for Justice. If you want to join us, we will gather at 9:30 am at the JFK Memorial on March 29th. If you cannot make the walk, they also have a link to donate.

SHORT STORY #1: Fort Worth-based Texas refugee office receives $47M in paused fun...

Ann and EJ are guest-less this pod, which is the first in weeks! Ann attends a Mayoral panel where the last four mayors of Fort Worth talk about the past, present, and future of Fort Worth. This leads to the question: Is Fort Worth better today than pre-pandemic or post Betsy Price?

SHORT STORY #1: Keller ISD Remains One District

- Keller ISD abandons plan to split district into two, citing financial barriers

- ‘It’s not over’: Oppone...

Brandi Waller-Pace, the organizer and visionary behind Fort Worth's African American Roots Festival, joins us in the studio. She shares her motive for bringing such a curated experience to the city and how Fort Worth can be a destination for art and music that uplifts marginalized voices. As usual, we go through our short stories, wins, and losses!

SHORT STORY #1: Measles Outbreak: Where is our Health Director Brian Byrd?

- Tarr...

Ale Checka, an award-winning public school teacher with 17 years of experience in FWISD, organized an opinion piece in the Star-Telegram to oppose Governor Abbott's Voucher Program. This voucher program aims to defund public schools while subsidizing private schools for privileged families. FWISD is already facing budget cuts and school closures, and this bill could exacerbate these challenges in our school communities. We are...

Ann and EJ sit down with Jason Ballmann, who is running for city council District 3. Jason was a former council member in Marfa, Texas, and is currently a brand strategist at Texas Instruments. Fort Worth is growing fast, and we need leadership that puts people first, not just developers and big real estate interests. Jason shares how he has seen firsthand what happens when communities get priced out, neighborhoods lose their chara...

Today, the 817 Pod community hears from Lara and Zephyr, two students at Keller High School who are part of the Keller Student Activism Organization. This grassroots movement was initiated by a small but determined group of students who have made their voices heard at recent board meetings and organized a school walkout to protest the board's proposal to split the school district into two parts. This plan is controversial and ...

Ann and EJ sit down with a friend of the podcast, Katrina Carpenter, with Carpenter's Cafe. EJ and Ann riff on short stories, giving you all updates on election filers, federal executive orders, and the shenanigans in District 6. ENJOY!

SHORT STORY #1: Who has filed to run and events you should know about

- Who's running for Fort Worth City Council in 2025? Here are the candidates for the May 3 election

- Join us at the 817 ...

This week, the big story is a sit down with Chris and Mendi Tackett from See It. Name It. Fight It. Chris was a former school board trustee and an influential voice on CNN's Deep in the Pockets of Texas. He shares his expansive research and foresight since the show and his upcoming workshop for those interested in running for their community's school board. Mendi's experience is following the nuances around Christian...

Today, we have a conversation with Laney Hawes, a mother of four children who attends schools at Keller ISD.  She is also the co-founder of the TX Freedom to Read Project, which seeks to connect, support & mobilize parent-led groups fighting to protect students' right to read throughout the state. Her conversation is timely as Keller ISD's next school board meeting is on Thursday.

We will continue our regular...

Ann and EJ sit down with Josh Lucas, an emerging star in Fort Worth who is running for Mayor in this election cycle. In this episode, we discuss the deaths occurring in the Tarrant County jail and the spread of Christian White Nationalism in Texas churches. Enjoy the discussion, and be sure to support Josh!

SHORT STORY #1: How what is going on in Keller ISD can impact Texas schools across the state.
- Stop the secrecy’...

This week, filing starts to put your name on the ballot in a local Texas election. We sit down with Tara Maldonado, a progressive candidate who ran three times for city council in Fort Worth. Ann and Tara share stories and perspectives that give average listeners a genuine look inside what it takes.

SHORT STORY #1: Censoring Art: Modern Exhibit Receives Backlash
- The Modern Releases Statement Regarding Removed Sally ...

Ann and EJ come back from the holidays, bursting into the new year with many new takes and concerns! Recent census data show Fort Worth is now the 4th largest city in Texas, surpassing Austin. The duo proceeds the show discussing ageism in politics after reports of Kay Granger's health get exposed by right-wing media. The big story is that Tim O'Hare finally speaks to the media.

SHORT STORY #1: Do Fort Worth Peop...

Ann and EJ finish out the year talking about an important topic that brings together all the recent local news into one big question -- Who controls the connectedness of Fort Worth? The show includes updates on Mercy Culture and recent updates on crucial development projects. Oh! How could we forget transit news from Ann!

SHORT STORY #1: How Did Mercy Culture Get Its Way?
- How Mercy Culture beat Fort Worth’s bureaucra...

Did you miss us?!? We are back with a full episode, including a conversation with councilmember Chris Nettles, who shares his authentic concerns about how the Mayor and council have hired the city's next CEO.

December 10th is going to be a historic council meeting. The council will vote on whether Jay Chapa will be our next city manager and whether Mercy Culture will get its exploitation center. Tune in and get active...

Ann and EJ record the last episode of the month as we enter into Thanksgiving break. Before the recording, they had an in-person experience with listeners and friends called 817 Gather. In this episode, they talk about Elon Musk, Dr. Phil, and Mercy Culture.

SHORT STORY #1: Commute Times Increase in FW: The Solution? NOT ROADS

- Theft ring suspects accused of stealing nearly $300K in fuel at North Texas gas statio...