Big Story: Mayor Mattie Parker writes a letter drawing anger over a city councilmember's social media post quoting Charlie Kirk, and lowers the flags to half-mast at Trump's order.

Fort Worth council members decry political violence clash over now deleted Charlie Kirk post

Short Story 1: Fort Worth's biggest budget item is police

Fort Worth's Crime Control and Prevention budget rising 2.6% more than $138.9 million

Short Story 2: Tarrant County sheriff refuses to give briefings requested by Commissioner Simmons on jail deaths

Short Story 3: Pro-Palestinian activist gets 180 days in jail for North Texas church graffiti

@freepalestine.tarrant post

Wins:

Wesley & his wife are having a baby!

State of the Arts was a success.

JPS Health Network opens new psychiatric emergency center in Fort Worth

Trinity Metro builds focus on transit-oriented development

Fort Worth poised to spend $79 million on parks & green space preservation in 2026

Losses:

How much do Fort Worth council members spend on travel? City officials aren't sure

Actions:

September 16th - City of Fort Worth city council votes on 2026 budget

September 17th - Community Design Fort Worth's transit mixer at Acre Distilling at 4:30pm

September 20th - Trinity Metro's bus stop cleanup day at 7:30am

September 20th - Grassroots Organizers Summit at Dock's Bookshop at 3pm

September 21st - 817 Gather at Blanc Cowork & Studio at 10am

This week we have a special episode with FWISD teachers Ale Checka & Ernie Morán as we discuss a possible Texas Education Agency takeover by Commissioner Mike Morath, and what life looks like for teachers these days after all the recent legislative changes from the state.

For more context on what's been happening, check out these articles:

From a cell phone ban to Ten Commandments posters, new state laws bring big changes to Texas schools

Texas education chief visits Fort Worth schools as state takeover looms

Cowtown Takeover: What Happens if the State Takes Control of Fort Worth ISD?

FWISD’s stalled progress sign that schools need state takeover, commissioner says

We'll be back next week with a regular episode of the 817 Podcast.

This week Ann Zadeh is out of town, so EJ & Wesley were joined by Chris Tackett.

BIG STORY: Chris Tackett of See It Name It Fight It talks about how Fort Worth votes blue, and spells out a playbook for how Fort Worth can become deeper blue to counteract gerrymandering on a couty & state level.

SHORT STORY 1: Nicole Collier held in Texas House Chamber & Texas Republicans pass gerrymandered redisticting maps.

SHORT STORY 2: Tarrant County dramatically reduces voting locations.

SHORT STORY 3: Eddie García tapped to be Fort Worth’s next police chief.

WINS:

‘Let’s ride!’: Fort Worth high school students to receive free transit rides from Trinity Metro

Trinity Railway Express to be upgraded for World Cup transportation

Fort Worth names new director for economic development, Jessica Rogers

New director at the Modern leans into museum’s future following national controversy

Fort Worth park memorializing Black lynching victim closer to being funded

LOSSES:

O’Hare: Anticipated TxDOT master plan ‘huge boon’ for Fort Worth-area economic development

Tarrant County Judge O’Hare calls on cities to run ‘business-minded’ governments

Fort Worth lands $761M AI supercomputer plants as Wistron selects Alliance

Tarrant faith leaders urge officials to condemn GOP chair’s anti-Muslim social media posts

ACTIONS:

What should Fort Worth spend $3B in taxpayer money on? Here’s how to weigh in

District 7: 6 pm Aug. 25 at Boswell High School

District 6: 6 pm Aug. 27 at Southwest High School Library

District 3: 6 pm Sept. 3 at LVTRise Community Center

District 4: 10 am Sept. 6 at Basswood Elementary School

District 11: 2 pm Sept. 6 at Eugene McCray Community Center

District 9: 6 pm Sept. 8 at University Christian Church

District 5: 6 pm Sept. 10 at the Fort Worth East Regional Library

District 2: 6 pm Sept. 11 at Northside Community Center

District 8: 6 pm Sept. 15 at the William M. McDonald YMCA