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, TX
• UNT art students protest exhibit’s removal with a funeral for freedom of speech
• Man brandishes guns at Boswell High School students during ICE protest
• PrairielandDefendants.com
• Arlington 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 elections
• Irving to consider calling off DART withdrawal election as transit agency weighs key changes
• Regional 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 Court
• Free speech concerns raised as Tarrant County judge removes meeting attendees
• Texas “Antifa Cell” Terror Trial Takes On Tough Questions About Guns at Protests Against ICE
• They Say They’re Protesters. The DOJ Says They’re Terrorists
• ICE 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 concerns
• Texas 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.