817 Podcast - Fort Worth's Monday Morning Show

In a slightly slower local news week, EJ and Jimmy start by talking about national news around a stimulus bill and the outgoing President’s martial law attempt. They follow with state level news of Ken Paxton’s coming indictment and the court ordered release of expenditures on Gov. Abbott’s inauguration. Last, they cover how to engage and meet with the Police Chief finalists, and local wins and losses for the week.

This week, EJ and Jimmy sit down with local social media influence Laura Lape to talk about the role of influencers in Fort Worth, especially focusing on the Nov. 3 Election and how to foster civil discourse in a divisive time.

This week, the format changes up a little bit as EJ and Jimmy hit on a number of small stories that came across Fort Worth. They start off with expected increases in holiday travel and the airlines, especially American and Southwest with hubs in DFW (1:50) and its effect on a struggling industry, and what the Halloween holiday may look like in Tarrant County (15:10). With the election looming, they take some time to talk about voter turnout in Tarrant County and Texas so far, as well as the late announcement that Kamala Harris will be visiting Texas this week (18:50). They also hit on a new set of mural projects along the Trinity River (12:37), and finish talking about the DWI arrest of Councilperson Cary Moon (35:30).

This week, EJ and Jimmy talk about early voter turnout in Tarrant County and Texas (0:15), Governor Abbott allowing counties the choice to reopen bars (7:30), and our first look at new developments coming to the Stop Six area (12:20)! The big story of the week is that the annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has officially been cancelled for 2021 and the impact that the loss of event could have in Fort Worth (20:30). Last, we hit our wins and losses for the week (30:34).

This week we have a jammed pack episode with important updates about the city budget and the proposed 2022 bond package.
EJ is joined by Tony who works in teacher recruitment and is a friend of the pod. Tony provides a great perspective on what we should expect as Delta, Abbott, and federal funds impact our schools this year for all very different reasons.
City Council Information: (https://fortworthreport.org/2021/07/25/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-city-of-fort-worths-budget/)
Attend virtual town hall meetings in the coming months, contact your City Council members or speak during the budget hearings at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 and Sept. 14 at City Hall, 200 Texas St., or online.

To speak at the budget hearings, register by 5 p.m. the day of the hearing. Register by clicking the speaker/comment card link on the agenda posted on fortworthtexas.gov. You also may register by calling the City Secretary’s Office at 817-392-6150 or 817-392-6150, faxing the request to 817-392-6196 or completing the speaker card in-person at the City Secretary’s Office at City Hall.

You may speak between three to six minutes, depending on how many people you represent.

Participate in the 2022 Bond Program: (https://fortworthreport.org/2021/07/26/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-city-of-fort-worths-2022-proposed-bond-package/)

Go to one of the city’s open houses this month to learn more and ask staff questions. The open houses are at:

• 6 p.m. Thursday, July 29, at Future City Hall, 100 Energy Way
• 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, at Dunbar High School, 5700 Ramey Ave.
• 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, at Heritage Church of Christ, 4201 Heritage Trace Parkway
• 10 am. Saturday, Aug. 14, at R.D. Evans Community Center Gym, 3242 Lackland Road
• 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, at Doxology Church, 4805 Arborlawn Drive