817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show artwork

817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show

197 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★ - 6 ratings

Do you love Fort Worth and care about what goes on in our amazing city? Well, welcome to the 817 Podcast, a weekly Monday morning show hosted by two Fort Worthians who banter and dissect the biggest stories in local culture, politics, and business. EJ Carrion is a local tech entrepreneur, and Ann Zadeh is a former city council member and the current Director of Community Design Fort Worth.

Ann and EJ  will host a diverse guest list of local leaders that drive Fort Worth’s future. We believe Fort Worth can be a nationally known destination for innovation, creativity, and economic opportunity. However, the climate in the city today is polarizing between an evolving community that deals with historic Cowtown roots and a wave of progressive newcomers. What we do today and in the next decade is crucial to the future of the Funk. How we respond to political friction, wealth inequality, and social injustice in our communities can make or break our national reputation. 

Join us weekly as we do our part to keep either from happening. Have a story you want us to highlight? DM us @817pod on Instagram or email us at [email protected].

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Episodes

Interview with County Commissioner Candidate Roderick Miles

April 15, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 55.5 MB

EJ and Ann sit down with Roderick Miles, who is running for County Commissioner Precinct 1. The election is May 28th. He is going head to head with Kathleen Hicks for the coveted seat Democrats have held for decades. We start the show with the same format: we dive into short stories impacting Fort Worth and end with Wins and Losses. SHORT STORY #1: County Commissioners Regular Weekly Shenanigans at this Point - https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article287559875.html - ...

Bud Kennedy: The Past, Present, and Future of Fort Worth Politics

April 08, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 64.6 MB

Ann and EJ are joined by a legend of Fort Worth media, Bud Kennedy. Bud is a Fort Worth Star-Telegram opinion columnist. In a 52-year Texas newspaper career, he has covered two Super Bowls, a presidential inauguration, seven Republican and Democratic national conventions, and 18 Texas Legislature sessions. SHORT STORY #1: Homeless and Eviction Data tell two different stories  - Tarrant County homeless population sees first dip in numbers since 2021 - Eviction filings in Fort Worth soar in t...

The State of Fort Worth Journalism with Kaley Johnson

April 01, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 49.7 MB

Ann and EJ had the privilege of sitting down with former Star-Telegram reporter Kaley Johnson to discuss what it takes to report the news in a city the size of Fort Worth. We addressed the lifestyle of journalists, the business, and where we can go from here. 

This FW Native is Running for TAD Board Seat and Why You Should Care

March 25, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 47.4 MB

Ann and EJ sit down with Lee Henderson, a Fort Worth native and political analyst running for the Tarrant Appraisal District Board of Directors Place 3. We know that is a mouthful, but in this episode, we explain why you should care. Henderson's election is on May 4th. SHORT STORY #1: Fort Worth police chief says his department won’t focus on immigration enforcement SHORT STORY #2: Tarrant Commissioner Pushes for Countywide Environmental Change with Help of Committee SHORT STORY #3: Trans...

Interview with County Commissioner Candidate Kathleen Hicks

March 18, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 46.8 MB

This week, we have Kathleen Hicks, former city councilwoman and now County Commissioner Precinct 1 candidate. She is going head to head with Roderick Miles for the coveted seat Democrats have held for decades. We start the show with the same format, diving into short stories impacting Fort Worth. SHORT STORY #1: Dallas-Fort Worth leads all metro areas in population growth SHORT STORY #2: Frisco, McKinney and Plano have some of the largest gender pay gaps in the country SHORT STORY #3: Ye...

Primary Election Results and Trends: Where are the Texas Democrats?

March 11, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MB

Ann and EJ are back after a one-week hiatus from the show. The big story is the primary election results. Should we be concerned about Texas Democrats' poor turnout? INTRO BANTER:  Eclipseboro? SHORT STORY #1: Fort Worth to address income discrimination in housing with amended city ordinance SHORT STORY #2: Dallas officials are proving to be a hard sell on extending high-speed rail to Fort Worth SHORT STORY #3: Game plan for Texas’ $20B surplus BIG STORY: Texas Primary Election Results...

When Planning Goes Wrong: Schools near Motels, MedStar Dysfunction, and Release of ETJ Land

February 26, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 45.7 MB

Ann and EJ curate a robust show starting with three short stories and one big story. Below is the agenda: Short Story #1 Why you should consider voting in the GOP primary Short Story #2 The highs and lows of Tarrant County leadership - Tarrant County commissioners deny Trinity Metro funding to provide free rides to polls - Tarrant votes to bring back inmates from private prison - Tarrant OKs sale of forfeited guns by sheriff’s office - Tarrant Health director addressed accusations in a let...

Texas Politics in 2024: Antisemitism Funding, Border Bill, and Much More

February 12, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MB

We have a lot to cover and unpack. Be prepared for a lot of rants from EJ! We start local, but the big story is about what is happening at the state level that keeps Texas in the news. We honestly assess political decision-making and why Abbott is obsessed with immigration. Do not forget to vote in your primary starting March 5th 👇🏿 https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/elections.html Watch the Tarrant County primary candidate debates live. SHORT STORY #1 Tarrant to look at terminating cont...

The State of the Tarrant County Democratic Party with Chrystal Gayden

February 05, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 47.1 MB

Ann and EJ are joined by Tarrant County Democratic Chair Chrystal Gayden. She gives updates on the future of the party and how we can come together to support talented options in our local elections. As usual, we start with three short stories and end with wins and losses.  Make sure to follow the Tarrant County Democratic Party and support where you can! 🚨🚨 FOLLOW TARRANT DEMOCRATIC PARTY 🚨🚨 Short Story #1: Debrief on TCU Panel about the Challenges to Democracy Short Story #2: Fort Wort...

Interview with Robert Sturns: How Fort Worth Grows and Where We Are Headed

January 29, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 54.6 MB

We have our first interview of the new year! Robert Sturns from the city's economic development team joins us for the third time. We also share some concerning updates from the Sandman Hotel investigation and FWISD's new grading system. Enjoy! SHORT STORY #1: Exclusive interview with Sandman Hotel workers shows concerns SHORT STORY # 2: Fort Worth is the only big Texas city not to publicize its police vehicle pursuit policy SHORT STORY #3: No more letter grades? Here's what Fort Worth ISD...

2024 Starts with a Bang: Hotel Explosion, FIFA World Cup, and Much More!

January 22, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MB

Welcome back to your favorite Fort Worth podcast. We are ready to make 2024 a special year of content and connection, and we appreciate all of you who join us weekly. Below is the order of the show: 👇🏿 SHORT STORY #1: Explosion at Fort Worth Sandman Hotel - Musume employees told management of gas odor before Sandman hotel explosion: $177M Lawsuit SHORT STORY #2: Will Arlington get the FIFA World Cup - Fort Worth area looks to score transit win ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup SHORT STORY ...

2024 Tarrant County Election: Who Will Be On Your Ballot?

December 18, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 47.6 MB

What is going on beautiful people this is the LAST EPISODE for the year! Go checkout some old interviews as you can even here Ann’s episode when she was running for mayor :) This episode is for the nerdy OG’s of the pod where we go line by line naming and introducing candidates who filed to run this upcoming election cycle. We focus on the democratic side of the ticket fyi. Short Story #1: Ken Paxton Threatens Medical Professionals Over Approved Abortion Short Story #2: TechStars: Why the ...

Interview with Tarrant 4 Change: Why our county is the epicenter of extremism

December 04, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 55.4 MB

EJ sits down with Alex and Lydia, the two founding leaders of Tarrant 4 Change (https://linktr.ee/tarrant4change). You may be familiar with their work due to their social media presence or involvement across multiple initiatives around the community. EJ gets to sit down with these two forward thinkers to discuss everything in Tarrant County and why we must wake up and get involved. Join their Organizing Fund now! Have you enjoyed this episode? Check out our episode about vouchers and envir...

The Consequences of Fort Worth's Suburban Sprawl?

November 27, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MB

Short Story #1: TCU increases tuition past $60K - College Tuition Is Falling For The First Time In Decades Short Story #2: The largest city in the US without mass public transit? - High-speed rail: Should Dallas to Fort Worth be Texas’ first route? Short Story #3: These Fort Worth ISD schools could be among the first considered for closures BIG STORY: Fort Worth leads Texas in population gain as Dallas-Fort Worth’s total tops 8 million - More than two-thirds of Texas’ 30.3 million resid...

The Consequences of Fort Worth's Suburban Sprawl

November 27, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MB

Short Story #1: TCU increases tuition past $60K - College Tuition Is Falling For The First Time In Decades Short Story #2: The largest city in the US without mass public transit? - High-speed rail: Should Dallas to Fort Worth be Texas’ first route? Short Story #3: These Fort Worth ISD schools could be among the first considered for closures BIG STORY: Fort Worth leads Texas in population gain as Dallas-Fort Worth’s total tops 8 million - More than two-thirds of Texas’ 30.3 million resid...

Texas is Changing: Can Vouchers and Environmental Racism Stop It?

November 20, 2023 09:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MB

Ann and EJ cover various topics that interweave into a comprehensive episode about vouchers, systemic racism, and demography. Enjoy the episode! Short Story #1: House strikes vouchers from Texas education bill. How Tarrant County lawmakers voted Short Story #2: Residents want Fort Worth council to recognize ‘environmental racism’ in neighborhoods - How to stay in the loop with city announcements Short Stort #3: Blockchain conference brings candidates and senators to Fort Worth - Global ...

Living in Fort Worth: Is the Big Texas House Dream Over?

November 13, 2023 09:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MB

Welcome back to the 817 podcast, where Ann and EJ dissect the current renting and housing data in the city. The big story is the future of urban core living and how cities like Fort Worth have to compete the with the Friscos of the world. Enjoy! Short Story #1: Update on who is running for Kay Granger's seat - No Mattie. - No Manny. - No Nathan. Short Story #2: Texas has 13 new constitutional amendments. Here’s what it means for Tarrant County Short Story #3: New Texas law puts Tarrant C...

Kay Granger will not seek reelection. Who is next?

November 06, 2023 09:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MB

Ann and EJ record on Friday, and lucky for all of us, the news on Kay Granger not seeking reelection creates some interesting contenders who will compete for this influential seat. We will follow this conversation throughout the year and we will love to hear your perspectives at Instagram. DM us now! Short Story #1: Fort Worth considers $3.5 million settlement with the family of Atatiana Jefferson Short Story #2: Black students in Fort Worth ISD still struggle to read at grade level Short...

Understanding Local School Systems and the Impact You Have with Twyla Masterson

October 30, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 60 MB

Today, EJ and Ann are joined by Twyla Masterson, who is the Director of Programs at Leadership ISD. The organization equips community leaders and school board trustees with the skills and resources to advocate for equitable education. Education is a big topic in the city  so this episode, Twyla shares the big picture and how we can get involved. Below are the show notes and stories we cover in this episode. Enjoy! Short Story #1: The creators of Alliance buy a block downtown. What does it m...

What impact does Art have on our local economy? with Wesley Gentle, Executive Director of Arts Fort Worth

October 23, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 53.6 MB

Ann and EJ sits down with Wesley Gentle the Executive Director of Arts Fort Worth, a non-profit administers a competitive grants program, manages the Fort Worth Public Art program, and operates the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. Wesley shares their updated economic data and how the arts boost our local economy. Short Story #1: Fort Worth to invest more in West 7th safety. Here’s what could change (https://fortworthreport.org/2023/10/18/after-deadly-shooting-fort-worth-to-invest-more-in-...

What impact does Art have on our local economy? with Wesley Gentle the Director of Arts Fort Worth

October 23, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 53.6 MB

Ann and EJ sits down with Wesley Gentle the Executive Director of Arts Fort Worth, a non-profit administers a competitive grants program, manages the Fort Worth Public Art program, and operates the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. Wesley shares their updated economic data and how the arts boost our local economy. Short Story #1: Fort Worth to invest more in West 7th safety. Here’s what could change (https://fortworthreport.org/2023/10/18/after-deadly-shooting-fort-worth-to-invest-more-in-...

Nazis in Fort Worth and What to Know about the Upcoming Election

October 16, 2023 08:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MB

Ann is back! EJ and her go through an array of topics, as this was a busy week for Fort Worth! Short Story #1: Nazis at Torchy’s showed a bigger problem. Now’s the time to speak up - Influential Texas activist Jonathan Stickland hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes at office near Fort Worth - What to know about Nick Fuentes, the white supremacist who was just hosted by a major Texas PAC leader - Here is a photo of Jake Neidert with Kyle Rittenhouse, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn ...

Analyzing Mayor Mattie Parker's 2023 State of the City Address

October 09, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 41.7 MB

Short Story #1: O'Hare we go again - Tarrant Commissioners Reject Girls Inc. Funding Over Social Issues - Tarrant Explore More Affordable Solutions - We need more funds for our juvenile court system Short Story #2: Is environmental racism in Fort Worth? These neighbors say yes, and are fighting back. - Fort Worth residents protest industrial development near their neighborhoods - U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index Short Story #3: Affordable Childcare Projects Underway Despote Uncertain Long ...

Fort Worth Wins Big with Biotech: Who will benefit?

October 02, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 53.8 MB

Short Story #1: County Shenanigans - Tim O'hare Left Democratic Judges Out of Policy Meeting (https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article279918504.html) - Tarrant County leaders more inmates to a private jail in Garza County (https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article279926619.html) Short Story #2: Dallas Mayor is now a Republican - WSJ article  (https://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-cities-need-republicans-and-im-becoming-one-dallas-texas-mayor-965...

Paxton Acquitted, CCPD Budget, New Housing Proposal, and Investing in Sprawl

September 18, 2023 08:00 - 58 minutes - 40.5 MB

Ann and EJ are back in the studio, going through an array of topics. Enjoy! Short Story #1: Ken Paxton Acquitted (Star-Telegram) https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article279366129.html - Tim O'Hare blames the media for the Paxton trial (Star-Telegram) https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article279418829.html Short Story #2: CCPD’s budget proposal for safer streets and stronger communities (City of Fort Worth) https://ww...

WE ARE BACK! Funding Cops with ARPA Dollars, New TX Bills, and Much More

September 11, 2023 08:00 - 52 minutes - 36 MB

Not having a podcast for two weeks leads to a lot of catching up. We hit an array of topics that are important for us 817ers to keep tabs on. Buckle in because we hit it all in under an hour. STORY 1: Commissioners Fund Cops with ARPA Dollars (Fort Worth Report) https://fortworthreport.org/2023/09/05/tarrant-county-shifts-federal-affordable-housing-childcare-funds-to-law-enforcement/ STORY 2: 774 new Texas laws went into effect Friday. Here are some that might affect you (Texas Tribune) S...

Join us LIVE on Instagram Live at 8pm CST

August 28, 2023 05:00 - 1 minute - 1.12 MB

This week, we had a technical error that stopped us from producing a high-quality episode. However, we hosted our first-ever IG LIVE! Listen now. SHORT STORY #1: FWISD Reopens Libraries: What happened Monday. What happened SHORT STORY #2: TAD fires IT executive. Three mayors write a letter calling for the CEO to go as well. SHORT STORY #3: Transit - https://fortworthreport.org/2023/08/23/interactive-which-tarrant-county-road-projects-will-txdot-fund-in-the-next-10-years/ - https://fortw...

Proposed City Budget Passes A Billion Dollars: What's in it and where is it taking us?

August 14, 2023 08:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MB

The budget increase is a significant milestone for the city as it marks the first time the general fund budget has surpassed $1 billion. The budget has increased by approximately 11% from the previous year's budget of $913 million. Ann and EJ break down what's in the new proposed budget and what it means as we build the city's future. Enjoy! Short Story #1: Dallas-Houston high-speed rail resurface; what about a Fort Worth line? (https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article278...

Fort Worth's Transportation Future with the CEO of Trinity Metro

August 07, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 54.1 MB

EJ and Ann start the podcast off with new updates on the mayor's priorities, panther island, and a visit from the governor to address street racing. The main story is a deep dive into Trinity Metro's impact on the city with the new CEO, Rich Andreski. This is your episode if you are a stan for Ann and transportation! Enjoy! SHORT STORY #1: Mayor Announces Priorities (https://fwtx.com/news/mayor-mattie-parker-announces-her-top-budget-priorities-for-/) SHORT STORY #2: New Report about Panthe...

Who Needs to be Heard in Fort Worth? Understanding which voices get amplified or silenced.

July 31, 2023 08:00 - 49 minutes - 34.4 MB

Ann and EJ are back in the podcast studio. The theme for today’s pod is -- Who Needs to be Heard in Fort Worth? We discussed the mayor’s emails that led to the removal of the Pride Badge for the annual summer reading challenge. We also look at the blocking of city banners for upcoming event organized by the Metroplex Atheists group and the weird staffing issues at Texas A&M questioning free speech in higher education. Enjoy! SHORT STORY #1 Emails Reveal New Concerns about the Mayor’s Decisi...

DFW could be the biggest metro in the U.S. by 2100: What does that mean today?

July 24, 2023 08:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MB

Ann and EJ resume their regular program after discussing Mercy Culture with Eddie at the Fort Worth Weekly. They discuss an article about DFW becoming the largest metro in the country by 2100. They review the latest development news and begin planning how to make DFW a prosperous area. SHORT STORY #1: Legislature Commits $1M for National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth https://fortworthreport.org/2023/07/09/legislature-commits-1m-for-national-juneteenth-museum-in-fort-worth/ SHORT STORY #...

Understanding Mercy Culture and its political influence in Fort Worth

July 10, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 45.8 MB

Today we have Eddie Brown, an award-winning journalist who writes for the Fort Worth Weekly. He has been keeping tabs on Mercy Culture and the power it has in our politics. Ann and I will be gone next week. Links for the show are below: Short Story #1: July 4th Shooting in Como (https://www.star-telegram.com/article277037373.html) Short Story #2: FWPD kills two men during a call in north Fort Worth (https://www.fox4news.com/news/fort-worth-lee-avenue-shooting) Short Story #3: Learning fro...

New Demographic Data for Fort Worth Districts: What is there to see?

July 03, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 52.6 MB

This episode is for the real ones. Ann and EJ dissect the new demographic data recently released by the city. This is important because this is the first published data on the new districts. You will also see the evolution of legacy districts and how the perception might have changed. Get your laptops out because we get into the weeds of the ever-changing landscape of our city. Short Story #1: No qualified applicants for Tarrant County elections chief? Applications say otherwise (https://ww...

Texas A&M Fort Worth Breaks Ground: What Will Come From It?

June 26, 2023 08:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MB

We have a solid episode for you today as we discuss all parts of Fort Worth. Below is the lineup and links to follow along. Enjoy! Short Story #1: Mayor Mattie Parker is taking a second job (https://fortworthreport.org/2023/06/23/fort-worth-mayor-mattie-parker-takes-part-time-chief-of-staff-job-at-cook-childrens/) Short Story #2: City website got hacked on Friday (https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article276729116.html) Short Story #3: I-35 North Tollway  opens (https://...

Understanding Juneteenth's Future in Fort Worth with Jarred Howard

June 19, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 50.5 MB

The National Juneteenth Museum just hosted its first event in the city. Ann and EJ were in attendance and absolutely moved by the history, present, and future of the connection between Juneteenth and Fort Worth. Jarred Howard is the CEO of the National Juneteenth Museum. We sit down with him to talk about the project and how we Fort Worthians can get involved. Enjoy! Short Story #1: U.S. representative speaks out against Tarrant elections chief finalist (https://www.star-telegram.com/news/p...

Support Fort Worth's Queer Community with Tyler Long

June 12, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MB

Ann and EJ turn a chapter as they host their first podcast together without Jimmy. They are joined by Tyler Long, one of the organizers of Trinity Pride Fest. Election Results District 11: Jeanette Martinez: https://fortworthreport.org/2023/06/10/martinez-makes-history-district-11-elects-first-latina-to-city-council/ FWISD District 5: Kevin Lynch: https://fortworthreport.org/2023/06/10/west-fort-worth-isd-voters-send-newcomer-to-school-board-over-one-term-incumbent/ TCC Precinct #4: Shor...

Is Fort Worth actually Texas' New Boomtown?

June 05, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 45.6 MB

We are back with a jam-packed episode. It is Jimmy's last show, and we announce our new official cohost! The big story discusses the latest census data around Fort Worth's growth and the recent article in the Texas Monthly about Fort Worth possibly passing Austin if growth rates remain the same. We also talk about film incentives and what is going on with the discriminatory market on Magnolia. Enjoy! Short Story #1: Jimmy's last show Short Story #2: Texas approves a statewide $200 Million...

Election Concerns, District 11 Update, and Why Some Hispanics Become White Supremacist

May 22, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 48.3 MB

We have another stellar podcast episode for you, as we have two outstanding guests this week. Dee Lara O'Neal and Nydia Cardenas are Latinx women who grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, and have traveled with a plethora of knowledge and perspectives. We discuss the significant urgency we should all have about the Tarrant County Election Chief Position and why Marc Veasey and company are writing a letter to the federal government. We also hit the spicy drama that is going on in District 11 as Tara ...

100 Years of Service with Leah King from United Way of Tarrant County

May 15, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 53 MB

This episode was full of insight and honest conversations about making a difference in Fort Worth and the greater Tarrant County area. The big story is a conversation with Leah King, the CEO of United Way Tarrant County, who is leading the organization in its second centennial. We talk about UW priorities, the safety of our children, and the Fort Worth way. Our guest host is Brian Renteria, a higher educator, and multi-generational Latinx Fort Worthian. Brian and EJ discuss Mattie Parker's s...

Engaging Voters and Entrepreneurs with Brian Dixon and Hayden Blackburn

May 08, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 50 MB

Today our guest cohosts are Brian Dixon and Hayden Blackburn. We discuss the election results but also what prevents engagement in Tarrant County, where only 8.9 percent of registered voters completed their ballot.  Below are the stories referenced: Short Story 1: Yellowstone and HB4419 https://fortworthreport.org/2023/05/04/tinderholt-action-blocks-film-bill-favored-by-fort-worth-draws-criticism-from-goldman/ https://fortworthreport.org/2023/05/05/film-industry-bill-backed-by-fort-worth-l...

Neighborhood Development for Both Residents and Tourists with Ann Zadeh

May 01, 2023 08:00 - 56 minutes - 39.2 MB

Today starts our guest cohosts series, which we will have throughout May as we search for the next passionate voice for the 817 podcast. On this episode, EJ and Jimmy are joined by Ann Zadeh, former city council member and Community Design Fort Worth, executive director! The three discuss the current early voting numbers and what we should expect. They also talk about the Tarrant Appraisal District extension and the search for a new election chief due to the departure of Heider Garcia. The b...

Neighborhood Development for Both Residents and Tourists

May 01, 2023 08:00 - 56 minutes - 39.2 MB

Today starts our guest cohosts series, which we will have throughout May as we search for the next passionate voice for the 817 podcast. On this episode, EJ and Jimmy are joined by Ann Zadeh, former city council member and Community Design Fort Worth, executive director! The three discuss the current early voting numbers and what we should expect. They also talk about the Tarrant Appraisal District extension and the search for a new election chief due to the departure of Heider Garcia. The b...

Early Voting and Election Integrity in Fort Worth

April 24, 2023 06:00 - 57 minutes - 39.8 MB

Short Story #1 Fort Worth officials say flood mitigation projects won’t be delayed by Panther Island funding move https://fortworthreport.org/2023/04/18/fort-worth-officials-say-flood-mitigation-projects-wont-be-delayed-by-panther-island-funding-move/ Short Story #2 Will streetcars return to the city? https://fortworthreport.org/2023/04/18/will-streetcars-return-to-fort-worth-with-growth-comes-a-renewed-interest-in-project/ Short Story #3 Could Fort Worth add another skyscraper? https://w...

Elections and Policing with Pamela Young of United Fort Worth

April 17, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 53.4 MB

We have a treat for you today! This is our first episode in our new studio space, allowing us to have our first in-person interview!! Since starting our podcast, we have been inspired by Pamela Young and the entire team at United Fort Worth (https://linktr.ee/unitedfortworth). They are local leaders in the conversation around immigration, policing, and BIPOC empowerment. We discuss important topics we should consider as we enter the polls in less than a week. Later in the episode, we also th...

Campaign Finances: Who's funding who and what does it mean?

April 10, 2023 08:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MB

Jimmy and EJ dive into the nitty gritty of campaign finance reports, and we are shocked to see who is most funded and why the most competitive races have very little dollars invested. We start the pod with some crazy stories that involve FW and the metroplex, then hit two update stories before diving into the reports! Short Story #1: District 5 Gossip and Bedford Preacher Ponzi Scheme - https://fortworthreport.org/2023/04/05/fort-worth-city-council-candidate-ineligible-to-run-according-to-p...

Which Candidate Excites You Most? Dissecting the City Council Roundtables

April 03, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 46.5 MB

EJ and Jimmy have some MAJOR news to announce on this podcast. If you feel called to be EJ's next cohost, reach out at [email protected]. The big story this week is the Fort Worth Report Roundtable Discussions. We hit each district seat, including the mayoral race. Short stories include homeless numbers spike, especially for families and veterans, and Pete Buttigieg visiting DFW airport. 

District 11 Candidate Panel: Who should be the next city council member of Fort Worth?

March 27, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 61 MB

This is a historical episode as EJ and Jimmy host the first District 11 candidate gathering. All five candidates come together on the 817 podcasts to discuss their priorities, goals, and visions. Below is each candidate's campaign information. Early voting starts April 24th and ends May 2nd. Election day is May 6th. Enjoy! Ricardo Avita - Fort Worth Native and Co-Founder of Hemphil No Se Vende: https://www.ricardoavitiaforcitycouncil.com/ Christopher Johnson - Entrepreneur and President of...

From The Economist: What Do We Think of Texas' Growth

March 20, 2023 08:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MB

Texas and the greater DFW area were featured in the Economist magazine. It was the main story and filled with tons of information. Jimmy and EJ break down the essential points and why Texas is leading in more than just oil, guns, and bbq. Short Stories: 1) FWISD leaked conversation about cutting jobs https://fortworthreport.org/2023/03/15/job-cuts-in-fort-worth-isd-could-include-campus-staffs-according-audio-of-closed-meeting/ 2) FW City Council considers giving $1.5M incentive  to new vi...

What come first in Fort Worth, Density or Development?

March 13, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 44 MB

SHORT STORIES: Education Recap Dr. Ramsey's first six months at FWISD: https://fortworthreport.org/2023/03/08/six-months-on-the-job-fort-worth-isd-superintendent-addresses-major-issues-in-public-education-and-offers-solutions/ Fort Worth ISD to eliminate and change admin jobs in reorganization: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article273026525.html FWISD 22,000 GED program: https://fortworthreport.org/2023/03/05/were-changing-lives-fort-worth-isd-to-serve-22000-in-adult-...

Welcome to Wokelandia and Affordable Housing

March 06, 2023 09:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MB

Fort Worth is making some progress with two affordable housing projects.  Jimmy and EJ discuss both projects in the big story. Short Story 1: District 7 candidate makes Wokelandia game https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article272628203.html#storylink=cpy Short Story 2: The city is looking to change how council member proposals are approved for the agenda https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/13-decrease-in-violent-crime-%2411m-in-housing-for-homeless/id1579328171?i=100...

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@visitfortworth 2 Episodes
@annzadeh 2 Episodes
@robsturns 1 Episode
@jessica_priest 1 Episode
@robertdownen_ 1 Episode
@sawyerhackett 1 Episode
@agordonreed 1 Episode