817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning 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.
817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show
Governor Abbott Goes After Muslims in North Texas
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BIG STORY: We interviewed Mohammed Abullah, the Imam at the oldest mosque in North Texas, about how Governor Greg Abbott threatened to cut $530,000 from Grand Prairie's budget if they did not cancel an Eid ul-Adha celebration that the mosque was planning at Epic Waters.
- Muslim celebration at Grand Prairie water park canceled after Gov. Abbott threatens to pull city funding
- Muslim Texans say Epic Eid cancellation signals growing Islamophobia
- Rage over Muslim water park day isn’t new. But Texas GOP needs bogeyman
SHORT STORY 1: The Fight Against Data Centers
- Proposed Veale Ranch data center withdraws request for Fort Worth tax break
- Fort Worth tables $10B data center site plan vote hours before council meeting
- Black Mountain data center in southeast Fort Worth. Here’s what to know
- You’ll Never Guess Trade Unions’ Position on AI Data Centers
- North Texas county among first to attempt moratorium on data centers
- Canadian electronics company confirms $900M Fort Worth investment, gets 10-year tax break
- ‘Fighting Goliath’: How a rural North Texas community took on Big Data
- Data center battles erupt across Hood & Somervell counties. Here’s what to know
- 7 in 10 Americans oppose data centers being built in their communities
SHORT STORY 2: FWISD State Takeover Updates
- Ale Cheka at Texas House Education Committee
- Five Broward school principals resign to take jobs in Texas district
SHORT STORY 3: Tarrant County Commissioner's Court Corruption
- More than 200 Tarrant County voters misidentified as deceased, elections administrator says
- Tarrant County ends jail staffing contract early after argument between members
- Tarrant Commissioners decline to add to fund for rent and utilities assistance
- 200K Tarrant County homes potentially overtaxed. Deadline to protest is May 15
WINS:
- 817 Gather in our new space!
- Community Design Fort Worth wins Sid Richardson Grant
- It’s official: Fort Worth is the 10th-largest city in US
- Nearly $10.8M allocated for new public art as Fort Worth voters approve bonds
- Builder plans 35-home development near popular Smithfield TexRail station
LOSSES:
- ‘An extreme outlier’: Group accuses Tarrant County DA of seeking death penalty against minorities & Tarrant faith leaders denounce racial disparity in death penalty cases
- Iconic Fort Worth landmarks with uncertain futures top 2026 Most Endangered Places list
ACTIONS:
- May 18 - 22 Early voting for Primary runoff election
- May 19 - Ribbon Cutting for The Welman Project
- May 19 - FWISD Board of Managers Meeting
- May 19 - Grand Prairie City Council Meeting for Muslim Water Park Event
- May 26 - Primary runoff election day
- June 2 - Fort Worth City Council work session about data centers
- June 3 - 817 Gather at the Table (District 6)
- June 5 - 14 SparkFest at Amphibian Stage
- June 6 - Weston Gardens Anti-Data Center Rally
- June 9 - Fort Worth City Council Vote on Black Mountain Data Center
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