BIG STORY: Bond & Charter Amendment results

• Fort Worth voters approve $845 million bond package for roads, parks and housing
• Fort Worth voters approve council salary raises, reject expansion of city manager’s authority
• Jamieson narrowly defeats Ortiz for District 10 north Fort Worth council seat

SHORT STORY 1: Elections beyond Fort Worth

• Ross clinches final term in Arlington mayor’s office, narrowly avoiding runoff
• Voters oust incumbents on Grapevine-Colleyville school board

SHORT STORY 2: FWISD Disappointments

• Families fear gaps in student services as FWISD reduces staff for takeover revamp
• Fort Worth ISD votes to close International Newcomer Academy, despite pushback
• Fort Worth senator blasts state takeovers, tells residents to hold boards of managers accountable

SHORT STORY 3: Transit Updates

• Amtrak will discontinue Texas-Oklahoma route this summer / Could Fort Worth tourism benefit from Louisiana rail expansion if Heartland Flyer ends?
• New details emerge for $142M downtown Fort Worth I-35W construction project
• Regional Transportation Council joins lawsuit in hope to rehire fired director, protect staffing decisions
• Construction for TEXRail Medical District extension expected late 2026
• Highland Park likely to withdraw from DART; see Addison, University Park lean toward staying

WINS:

Ann Zadeh wins Transit Friend of the Year!

817 Gather has a new location!

Midcentury built Wedgwood could become historic district

Fort Worth policy to enhance public experiences in green space, natural areas

Inside a gallery spotlighting experimental art in Fort Worth’s Near Southside

Fort Worth Report recognized as Newsroom of the Year

Dolly Parton’s free book program plans to expand in Tarrant, improve early literacy

LOSSES:

Drivers damage Fort Worth public artworks in separate incidents, repairs down the road

Fort Worth Black News founder Jill Darden dies at 52

U.S. Supreme Court allows Texas' newest congressional map to stand

US appeals court allows Texas to enforce migrant arrest law

ACTIONS:

May 6 - 817 Gather at the Table (District 5)

May 9 - Speedbump Fort Worth

May 16 - Welman Project grand opening

May 17 - 817 Gather

May 18 - Early Voting begins for primary election runoff

May 19 - People’s Commission Court

May 26 - Primary election runoff

June 9 - Fort Worth city council vote on Black Mountain data center

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

BIG STORY: FWISD's Potential INA Closure

International Newcomer Academy may close as part of FWISD takeover restructuring

We spoke with International Newcomer Academy teachers Susan Montoya & Whitney Peters about why this school is so important, and what we can do to save it.

SHORT STORY 1: Fort Worth City Council District 10 candidates

Infrastructure, politics influence election for north Fort Worth council seat

SHORT STORY 2: Sheriff Bill Waybourn & Mercy Culture

Curbing human trafficking depends on church involvement, Tarrant County sheriff says

SHORT STORY 3: Chris Cobler resigns from Fort Worth Report

Founding CEO resigns after 5 years of leading Fort Worth Report

WINS:

817 Gather makes the Washington Post!

A Letter to Adelita's Future

JPS breaks ground on $1.5B hospital

Nativo Cafe & Bodega opens

LOSSES:

Walk for Peace monks recognized by Tarrant commissioners amid O’Hare abstention

Man dies in Tarrant County Jail custody, marking first in-custody death of 2026

Lake Worth ISD also taken over by TEA

Bond Turnout

ACTIONS:

April 28 - FWISD Meeting (Speak to save INA)

May 2 - Fort Worth Bond & Charter Election Day

May 6 - 817 Gather at the Table (District 5)

May 17 - 817 Gather

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

EJ's gone this week, so we're joined by Tara Maldanado Wilson to talk about all the propositions on the May 2nd Band & Charter Election in Fort Worth.

817 Gather's Voter Recommendations

What Fort Worth’s bond and charter amendments on the May 2 ballot actually mean

Here’s what’s on the May 2 ballot in Tarrant County

• Prop A - Fort Worth roads would get half a billion dollars in upgrades if bond package passes
• Prop B - Coalition seeks to steer $25M Gateway Park bond funds — if Fort Worth voters approve & Open space, parks could expand if Fort Worth voters approve $185M bond
• Prop C - 4 years after closing, south Fort Worth library could reopen in bond proposal
• Prop D - Affordable housing is on the ballot in Fort Worth’s $845M bond program, which goes to voters May 2
• Prop E - Fort Worth voters to consider $63.9M for fire stations, new emergency management center
• Prop F - Proposed $59.8M animal shelter included in Fort Worth bond election
• Prop G - Fort Worth voters take another swipe May 2 at whether to raise pay for the mayor and city council members
• Prop H & I - Fort Worth asks voters to remove city leadership’s right to public hearing before firing
• Prop J - Budget Hearings
• Prop K & L - Fort Worth seeks to streamline trash, public service requirements with May charter election
• Prop M - Fort Worth city manager would have more authority under charter amendment on May ballot
• Prop N - Special elections to fill vacancies
• Prop O - Fort Worth charter election asks to update language on documenting payment claims

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

Why should Arlington’s local election matter to you? In this episode, we sit down with members of Dream City PAC to break it all down. Our guests share their personal stories, what inspired their involvement, and the latest developments shaping Arlington’s political landscape.

Apply for the Gina Hinojosa position in Tarrant County: https://ginafortexas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ROD-JD.pdf

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

We talk with the Democratic Socialists of America, break down the Data Center Abatement deal, examine Jay Chapa’s influence at City Hall, and cover new classroom rules and the latest board meeting at Fort Worth Independent School District.

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

This week we discuss the Prairieland trial verdict and what it could mean for activism and criminal charges tied to demonstrations. We also cover the delayed Fort Worth data center vote, the city’s hiring freeze, and key updates from Commissioners Court.

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

We sat down with Blake Vera and Ayesha Hassan to discuss the movement to abolish ICE cooperation in Tarrant County and what it could mean for local communities. We also dive into FWISD’s new superintendent and board of managers, political narratives shaping Tarrant County, and how the Fort Worth Way is influencing the city’s future.

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

This week we give you a deep dive into Brian Willett and the Tarrant Juvenile Court, controversy over data center donations, fallout from César Chávez’s legacy, and backlash to a Texas Rangers statue - along with progress on the Trinity Railway Express’ $43.5M double-track project and a recap of FWAAM fest.

BIG STORY: Brian Willett & Tarrant Juvenile Court

https://www.brianwillettlaw.com/
https://www.instagram.com/brianwillettlaw/
https://www.tiktok.com/@attorneybrianwillett?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

SHORT STORY 1: City Council’s Data Center Donations

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article315075197.html

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article315081893.html

SHORT STORY 2: Reactions to César Chávez’s destroyed legacy

https://fortworthreport.org/2026/03/19/cesar-chavezs-name-removed-across-fort-worth-following-sex-abuse-allegations/

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315091478.html

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315112577.html

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315117419.html

SHORT STORY 3: Texas Rangers’ Racist Statue

https://www.readeyeblack.com/p/reviving-the-racist-history-of-the-texas-rangers-was-a-team-effort

https://www.dmagazine.com/sports/2026/03/rangers-statue-davis-texas/

WINS:

FWAAMFest

https://fortworthreport.org/2026/03/19/trinity-railway-express-43-5m-double-track-project-moves-forward-with-new-contracts/

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article315046343.html

LOSSES:

https://fortworthreport.org/2026/03/19/oil-leak-closed-birders-beloved-drying-beds-fort-worth-to-sue-for-millions-in-damages/

https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2026-03-18/texas-enforce-drag-ban-ongoing-lawsuit-aclu

ACTIONS:

March 26 - Beyond the Fort Worth Way!
March 28 - No Kings
March 31 - Data Center vote
April 1 - Gather at the Table (District 4)
May 2 - Fort Worth Bond & Charter Election

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