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.

We spoke with grassroots organizer, Alexander Montalvo, the co-founder of Tarrant 4 Change and The Catalyst Project LLC. He shared with us why this moment in Fort Worth & Tarrant County is so crucial as a key moment of change that requires bold, upapologetic progressive leaders to meet the moment. He also spoke about how one of the best ways that we can bring about the change we need is to uplift diverse voices, and local support grassroot organizers who are doing this work every day.

Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.

BIG STORY: Candidates for Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 2

• Jared Williams
• Amanda Arizola
• Gabe Rivas

SHORT STORY 1: County Commissioner’s Court Changes

New rules would limit Tarrant County jail discussion, resident input at public meetings

SHORT STORY 2: Fort Worth Charter Amendments

Doubling council salaries, expanding city manager’s authority could be on Fort Worth’s May ballot

• ✅City council salaries would be $50,000, the mayor's would be $60,000.
• ❌City manager would have the ability to create, consolidate, & abolish departments without a council vote.
• ❌City manager could fire department heads & council appointees without a written statement or public hearing.
• ❌Council could approve the budget at the same required public meeting, meaning that there would be no time at all for things to change based on public input.
• ❌Remove the requirement for public utilities to report to council.

SHORT STORY 3: FWISD Under Attack from the State

Fort Worth ISD loses appeal of state takeover, prompting a trustee’s resignation

Student walkouts prompt warning from Texas leaders — raising First Amendment concerns

WINS:

Buddhist monks on Walk for Peace journey to DC return to Fort Worth on Valentine’s Day

LOSSES:

The County Commissioner's Court & Fort Worth City Council meetings on February 10th.

ACTIONS:

Black History Month - Support black businesses & politicians.

"I'm Done Humming and Swaying" from Power by Design

February 10 - County Commissioner’s Court at 10am

February 10 - Fort Worth City Council at 6pm

Now - March 2 - filing is open for Fort Worth city council District 10 candidates

February 15 - 817 Gather (Join)

February 17 - Early Voting begins for Primaries

February 20 - 817 Live recording at Tarrant County Democratic Party fundraising (Get your tickets)

March 3 - Election day for Primaries

Join the 817 Gather Discord, and follow us on Instagram & TikTok.