817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show

Hosted by Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show

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307

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Fort Worth Weekly Critic's Choice Podcast of the Year "Fort Worth's Monday morning meeting." - Bud Kennedy 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 entrepreneur, and Ann Zadeh is a former city council member. 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 prevent either from happening. Do you have a story you want us to highlight? DM us @817pod on Instagram or email us at 817podcast@gmail.com.

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October 12, 20261 hr 3 min

Campaign Finance: The Power of People vs. Billionaires

BIG STORY: The Power of Tarrant County Voters What Tarrant County's 30-Day Reports Tell Us by See It Name It Fight It Tarrant judge race: West Texas billionaires vs. New York and California donors / ( Chris Tackett’s response ) Tarrant candidates make plea for cash after mystery poll shows Dems ahead Inside Downballot Dems' Effort to Flip Texas' Key County Battleground The right can't stop Texas from changing. Tarrant County shows what happens when it tries. SHORT STORY 1: Fort Worth Report Candidate Forums Should TAD revert to annual property appraisals? Candidates discuss ahead of Nov. 3 election Tarrant County candidates make their case as Nov. 3 election nears Texas House candidates talk taxes, education and data centers ahead of Tarrant County midterms SHORT STORY 2: FWISD Students Speak Up Fort Worth ISD students petition against scripted lessons / Fort Worth ISD board president responds to student petition over scripted lessons SHORT STORY 3: Juneteenth Museum Groundbreaking The beginning: Demolition of Southside center clears way for National Juneteenth Museum / Opal Lee celebrates 100th birthday with Juneteenth Museum Fort Worth Southside Community Center gets new home in same neighborhood WINS: 817 Podcast named Editor’s Choice for Best Podcast by Fort Worth Weekly (3 years in a row) Goldee's BBQ wins a Michelin star 2 Tarrant jailers arrested, charged with assault and official oppression (the first inkling of accountability we’ve seen from Tarrant County Jail) LOSSES: ArtsGoggle will pause in 2027 following the Fort Worth festival’s run this month Mayor’s Committee on Persons with Disabilities makes quorum (Sad it makes headlines when such an important committee finally gets to meet). The deaths of two rising stars leaves North Texas theater community reeling One year later, Arlington man remains in ICE custody over social media posts ACTIONS : October 13 - Day of Activism (Commissioner’s Court, FWISD, City Council) October 14 - Gather at the Table (District 10) October 17 - No Kings October 18 - 817 Gather at 3pm October 19 - EARLY VOTING BEGINS! Join the 817 Gather , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

October 5, 202628 min

An Interview with Kevin Burge for Congress TX-24

BIG STORY: We spoke with Kevin Burge, the Democratic candidate to represent Texas District 24 in US Congress, who will unseat Republican Beth Van Duyne. https://www.burgeforcongress.com/ Join the 817 Gather , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

October 5, 20261 hr 1 min

October 13th: Day of Activism in Tarrant County and the Courage to Add Your Voice

Sign Up to Speak on Day of Activism: https://forms.gle/Ljzq51FHZV7n5ZqAA SHORT STORY 1: City Council drama “You know nothing about courage” - Mattie Parker SHORT STORY 2: FWISD Guardrails Managers draft FWISD goals, superintendent limits. Here’s what they propose / Fort Worth ISD board creates goals, superintendent limits after hearing feedback SHORT STORY 3: Day of Activism Commissioners Court Agendas and Videos FWISD Board Meetings How to Appear or Speak Before City Council WINS: Renewable energy plant will convert landfill emissions, support Fort Worth’s trash demands Undaunted by permit denial, Southlake Pride festival schedules block party Weekend Worthy: Explore Fort Worth’s dynamic live theater & Ajax LOSSES: World Cup brought nearly 30% more sales tax to Arlington, though most money was spent around stadium City of Fort Worth looking to sell downtown buildings to Kent family group Fort Worth approves incentives for possible $192.7M manufacturing plant $430M data center planned for this North Texas tech hub, as Abbott halts permits ACTIONS: October 5 - last day to register to vote October 5, 7, & 8 - Fort Worth Report candidate forums October 10 - Stop Data Centers Art Show at Weston Gardens October 13 - Day of Activism (Commissioner’s Court, FWISD, City Council) October 14 - Gather at the Table (District 10) October 17 - No Kings October 18 - 817 Gather at 3pm October 19 - EARLY VOTING BEGINS! Join the 817 Gather , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

September 28, 202627 min

An Interview with Danny Minton for Congress TX-6

BIG STORY: We spoke with Danny Minton, the Democratic candidate to represent Texas District 6 in US Congress, who will unseat Republican Jake Ellzey. dannyfortexas.com Join the 817 Gather , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

September 28, 20261 hr 1 min

Republicans Tactics to Stop Tarrant County's Blue Wave.

SHORT STORY 1: The Flood of Money for Republicans Elon Musk could spend $200M boosting GOP as Texas’ Ken Paxton battles fundraising gap SHORT STORY 2: Crystal Mason’s case dismissed ‘Decade-long battle’ ends for North Texas woman after illegal voting case dismissed Barry Schlater's post about Phil Sorrel's wife knocking on Crystal Mason's door Related: Tarrant County racing to process 74,000 backlogged voter registration forms Related: DPS voter registration applications weren’t sent to counties SHORT STORY 3: Pushback Against Tim O’Hare Petition seeking Tarrant County judge’s removal from office dismissed by Texas judge Tarrant decorum policy challenged in new lawsuit against the county, O’Hare WINS: Leon Bridges drops a new album, Happiness Anytime New TEXRail station groundbreaking set after agreements approved Fort Worth submits $13.5M grant request for housing, homelessness programs Work to start soon on Fort Worth’s Panther Island bypass channel LOSSES: Another man dies in Tarrant County Jail custody / 37-year-old Tarrant County Jail inmate dies Tuesday at JPS Hospital / 'We need to be heard': Family of most recent person to die in Tarrant Jail custody wants answers Trinity Metro decreases spending in $204.5M budget, cuts some programs Fort Worth police, UTA partner on AI-driven de-escalation training Garbage truck driver killed in Fort Worth crash identified; U.S. 287 reopens Democrat drops out of Texas House election for north Tarrant seat, citing eligibility Fort Worth glass art studio SiNaCa nears agreement to relocate to Arlington ACTIONS: Arlington to host town halls on pressing city issues October 5 - last day to register to vote October 5, 7, & 8 - Fort Worth Report candidate forums October 10 - Stop Data Centers Art Show at Weston Gardens October 14 - Gather at the Table (District 10) October 18 - 817 Gather October 19 - EARLY VOTING BEGINS! Join the 817 Gather , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

September 21, 202624 min

An Interview with Ebony Turner for TX-HD 96

BIG STORY: We spoke with Ebony Turner, the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 96. She's a community organizer with Black Mansfield Moms, who is going to fight for public education, healthcare, and criminal justice reform. ebforhd96.com Join the 817 Gather , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

September 21, 20261 hr 5 min

Bo French's Racism, Data Center Corruption, and Local Budget Wins & Losses

SHORT STORY 1: Bo French’s Racism UT students denounce social media attack by Republican Bo French Bo French stands firm, and is fundraising on his UT post condemned as racist A Bo French reader: What Star-Telegram coverage reveals about his record Why won’t Fort Worth, Tarrant leaders speak up against Bo French? | Opinion Top Texas Republicans knew Bo French’s history of racist comments. They supported him anyway One group has stayed mostly mum on Bo French’s racist post — Texas’ oil and gas industry Related: Tarrant County judge to conservatives: ‘We are sounding the alarm’ against switch to blue Related: “Uncharted territory”: Two months from Election Day, Democrats in Texas are truly competitive Related: Fort Worth activist arrested for cursing at Tarrant County Commissioners meeting gets case delayed Related: Ex-state Rep. Burnam files lawsuit against Judge Tim O’Hare, Tarrant County SHORT STORY 2: Data Center Corruption Fort Worth Data Center & Infrastructure Commission Kent’s public comment Epps selling their house to a data center developer SHORT STORY 3: Local Budget Wins & Losses Fort Worth reconciles public safety increases, lower tax bill with $1.1B general budget Tarrant County’s $834M budget includes lower tax rate for fourth consecutive year Tarrant commissioners approve $1.8B JPS budget for 2027 Tarrant County College trustees approve property tax increase 5-1 after spending debate WINS: Healing through creativity: Fort Worth’s Arts Fifth Avenue celebrates 25 years in Fairmount Arlington library’s adult neurodiverse programs to expand with new grant Lightning in a bottle: Fort Worth nonprofit leads inaugural social entrepreneurship cohort ‘The heart of Fort Worth’: La Línea Rosa buses connect community with culture ‘There is so much potential’: Residents offer ideas for transit-oriented developments near rail stations / ‘Why not make it a destination?’ TEXRail users advocate for transit-oriented developments, trail connections North Texas council eyes comprehensive list of transportation projects for 2027 priorities More pools in Fort Worth? Here’s what the city’s new aquatics master plan proposes Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival - March 19 -21, 2027 LOSSES: Weeks after, Ross Fire 100% contained. Impacts on wildlife minimal but risk on water remains Southlake refuses to issue permit for Pride Kel-So event, shocking organizers ACTIONS: Tarrant County Public Health is seeking your input. Here’s when and where October 5 - last day to register to vote October 5, 7, & 8 - Fort Worth Report candidate forums October 7 - Michelle Obama is speaking in Fort Worth October 10 - Stop Data Centers Art Show at Weston Gardens October 14 - Gather at the Table (District 10) Join the 817 Gather , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

September 14, 202628 min

An Interview with Dione Sims for Congress TX-25

We spoke with Dione Sims, the granddaughter of Opal Lee, about her run for Congress in Texas' 25th Congressional District. https://dionesimsforcongress.com/ Join the 817 Gather , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

September 14, 20261 hr 10 min

The End of Republican Majority, FWISD Takeover, and The State of Local Media

SHORT STORY 1: Republicans are scared Empty seats, socialism and Trump dominate the Republican midterm convention How the Dallas GOP convention speakers addressed their Christian base US appeals court rejects Trump mail-in ballot restrictions as Supreme Court considers rule Tarrant County mentioned in Talarico’s interview with Jimmy Kimmel Related: Tim O’Hare hosts Gov. Abbott as group of protestors condemn voter suppression SHORT STORY 2: FWISD FWISD put cameras in classrooms at struggling schools. Why? ‘That’s on us’: FWISD managers apologize for speech therapist shortage following cuts FWISD changes course, says donors, district split $188,000 Dickies convocation cost OpenAI partners with FWISD on ChatGPT for teachers. Questions remain Fort Worth ISD’s uneven enrollment prompts shuffling of teachers to balance class sizes / Fort Worth ISD will reassign staff to address imbalance at schools across district Fort Worth school district removes parent from community listening session Fort Worth ISD faces staffing shakeups, curriculum questions. Here’s what to know Fort Worth ISD partners with OpenAI to provide teachers with expanded ChatGPT ‘Us vs. them’: Parents confront FWISD superintendent, leaders over growing trust gap Students, parents voice concerns over AI use in Fort Worth ISD schools Wearable panic buttons coming to staff in Fort Worth school district Tax rate remains level as FWISD expects bigger shortfall amid frozen appraisals How to get involved: FORT (Families Organizing Resisting Takeover) FWISD 4 All hotline (817) 814 - 1920 817 Gather SHORT STORY 3: The state of local media McClatchy laid off 30% of its unionized workers; here’s how local coverage will suffer Tarrant leaders’ election cut saves dollars. Does it cost GOP votes? | Opinion To our readers: A message about AI, journalism and the Fort Worth Report’s mission WINS: TAD voted to do reappraisals in 2027 . (They also voted for a freeze in 2028, but if we get the slate of TAD candidates elected, they can undo that). Community market celebrates 4 years of sustaining, supporting east Fort Worth Fort Worth breaks ground on $1.76M Smiley Park in southeast’s Ash Crescent area Food truck yard with seven dining options opens off East Berry Street Historic Bedford school building to become community arts space, events venue Opal Lee event was a success LOSSES: ICE is terrorizing Tarrant County bit.ly/donatemutualista Fort Worth girl’s death highlights guns as leading killer of Tarrant kids Fort Worth drivers had hundreds of accidents at these top spots. Here’s where COVID case prevalence very high in Texas ‘The Excel of the 21st century’: Why Tarrant County universities are turning to AI degrees Once teeming with birdlife, this Fort Worth migration stop has dried up ACTIONS: Lights out: How Fort Worth residents can help protect migrating birds this fall North Texas homeless shelter issues urgent plea after fire destroys storage facility September 15 - La Linea Rosa grand opening September 16 - CDFW’s Transit Mixer September 15 - October 15 - Latin American cultures show off pride at these Tarrant County heritage month events September 15 - Tarrant County & Fort Worth City Council Budget Vote September 19 - Fall Gallery Night September 20 - 817 Gather at 3pm October 5 - last day to register to vote October 7 - Michelle Obama is speaking in Fort Worth Join the 817 Gather , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .

September 8, 202641 min

How Property Appraisal Freezes Impact Tarrant County Residents with Eric Crile

We sat down with Eric Crile, an appointed board member for the Tarrant Appraisal District to learn the nuances of how it works, and understand how the property tax freeze has been so devastating to the way that taxing entities are funded. This might be our wonkiest episode yet, so prepare yourself! Join the 817 Gather , donate to the 817 Gather , and follow us on Instagram & TikTok .