The second conversation of this series is with Ale Checka, a former district teacher of the year and FWISD student herself. She has taught in the district for seventeen years and loves students and books. You truly get to hear from one of the city's best teachers, who we have the fortune to sit down with for an intimate conversation. We appreciate Ms. Checka's forwardness and articulation of the challenge around over-testing, poor curriculum, and lack of plan. The school board called a special meeting for Sept. 17 to discuss the current superintendent's contract.

We break this week's episode into two crucial conversations. The first one is with Janell and Chanell Johnson to hear their experience as they mourn the loss of their brother and fight for justice. We do zero short stories and wins and losses in this episode out of respect for the conversation that holds so much weight by itself.

Ann and EJ record early because they are out of town this week. They discuss the lack of early voting locations on college campuses.

Short Story #1: Ann meeting at Texas A&M
- With national brand growing, TCU draws majority of students from outside Texas

Short Story #2: Amtrak gets $64M in federal funds for high speed rail between Dallas and Houston

Short Story #3: Tarrant County hires 3 more attorneys for jailers involved in inmate’s death. Here’s the cost

BIG STORY: Tarrant County rejects early voting sites after debate over polls on college campuses

WINS AND LOSSES:

Ann:
👎 Downtown Perception
👍 Southside Community Gardens

EJ:
👎 U.S. Chamber of Commerce backs Ted Cruz for Senate over Colin Allred
👍 One of world’s largest tire makers is set to build $69M facility in Fort Worth

Ann and EJ give the people of Fort Worth extended episodes, including spicy takes and intellectual dialogue about the city. The dynamic duo starts with David Cooke retiring and then navigates into transportation, where much progress was made. The big story is about taxes and how lowering them defunds our schools and keeps our potential gridlock by lack of capital.

SHORT STORY #1: Does FW City Manager Position Need A Nationwide Search?

SHORT STORY #2: Transportation gets some momentum
- Texas Will Pour Billions More Into Pointless Freeway Expansions That Just Don't Work
- DFW keeps building roads, but traffic gets worse. Here are Tarrant’s most clogged roads
- Tarrant leaders to discuss growing transit needs as population swells
- For Tarrant County to succeed, leaders say they need cooperation, state funds for transit

SHORT STORY #3: Mayor Parker's Letter to FWISD
- Fort Worth ISD is committed to working with city leaders, school board president says
- Why did Fort Worth’s mayor call FWISD unacceptable? Here’s the data
- Will Fort Worth schools see a Houston ISD-style state takeover? Here’s what the law says
- Americans Are Having Fewer Babies—So Fewer People Get to Be Grandparent

BIG STORY: The impact of lowering taxes on Fort Worth growth and schools
- A shocking lack of understanding.’ TAD deliberately defunded schools, districts say
- Fort Worth mayor, council members unite against raising city’s property tax rate in 2025
- Connect FW

WINS AND LOSSES:

Ann:
👍 Trail Connection
👎 Death on Roads

EJ:
👍 Leon's new album
👎 Mercy Culture Pastor Says Voting Democrat is Demonic
👎 FW Crypto Scam

Ann and EJ meet with Donna and Donya from The Dock Bookshop, an Eastside bookstore that has become a cultural powerhouse in the city. They are one of the few African American brick-and-mortar bookstores in America. The episode will share their 30-year journey as Fort Worth residents, from competing against Amazon to navigating a pandemic, and their impact on Fort Worth's history. The episode will also include an invitation to join them at the 3rd Annual Trinity River Book Festival!

We are living in Fort Worth at a time when the Tarrant GOP is pushing for power while our city leaders seem unsure if they want the mantle. During an event that Ann Zadeh attended, Mattie Parker and others were asked if they plan to run again. The big story is what we should do if Mattie Parker does or doesn't run and what could be the worst outcome. Enjoy the show!

SHORT STORY #1: Tarrant GOP wants to control everything
- O'Hare scripted’ TAD agenda items. Attorneys question whether it’s legal
- Amid scrutiny of Tarrant County Jail deaths, internal records reveal scrapped policy recommendations
- Appeals court blocks Tarrant GOP from filling contested precinct chair position — for now

SHORT STORY #2: Tarrant GOP Rhetoric Attacks TCU Professor

SHORT STORY #3: FW proposes increasing taxes while Tarrant County passes a tax cut
- Fort Worth proposes tax increase as property values cool
- Proposed Fort Worth budget would raise the tax rate for the first time since 1995
- Tarrant County plans another tax cut, but one commissioner is concerned about what looms
- Dallas Real Estate Audit Story

BIG STORY: Mayor Parker Raises Hand When Asked If She is Running Again But Her Staff Said She is Still Uncommitted

WINS AND LOSSES:

Ann:
👎 Fernando Costa Retirement
👍 Urban Villages projects

EJ:
👎 Loss of Lazar Ducic Cross Fit member and Police Officer and Sgt. Billy Randolph
👍 The New Heights Adult High School

Ann and EJ spent time analyzing UTA's new west campus, which is projected to open in 2028 on Walsh Ranch. The duo also updates you on proclamation drama between the council, Tarrant County Jail updates, and the impact of the new appraisal rules on new homeowners.

SHORT STORY #1: Fort Worth’s proclamation process has council members divided.

SHORT STORY #2: Tarrant commissioner wants sheriff to explain how jail operates. He says there’s no point

- Family members of Anthony Johnson Jr. call on officials to release full video of in-custody death

- Another death in the jail (we did not discuss)

- Amid scrutiny of Tarrant County Jail deaths, internal records reveal scrapped policy

SHORT STORY #3: The new Tarrant tax appraisal directors want change. But their idea is all wrong. | Opinion

BIG STORY: UTA is going West. What does it mean for the city and surrounding areas?

- ‘A game changer.’ UT Arlington plans new campus in this booming Fort Worth development

WINS AND LOSSES:

Ann:
👍 Marc Veasey Federal Dollars Programs Gives to FW Non-profits
👎 People who say Jim Walz was a radical pick

EJ:
👍 The listeners and Bud Kennedys shout out
👎 Nearly 12% of TX Voters are on the suspended list