BIG STORY: An interview with Shahd Arnaout of the Tarabishi Family.

• Father cared for disabled son for years, until ICE took him away
• ‘Bring Maher home’: Family of Arlington man detained by ICE makes plea to Trump
• GoFundMe for Wael Tarabishi

SHORT STORY 1: ICE Protest

Fort Worth protest against ICE decries fatal shooting of Minneapolis woman

SHORT STORY 2: Public Comment

Fort Worth council considers restoring more chances for public to speak

SHORT STORY 3: Tarrant GOP challenging Dem signatures

Tarrant County GOP chair challenges 7 Democratic candidates, removes Republican House candidate | Fort Worth Report

WINS:

817 Gather at the Table

Could This State Senate Runoff Be a Tipping Point for Tarrant County?

Texas teachers' union sues state over disciplinary actions tied to Charlie Kirk posts

Fort Worth eyes library, community center spaces for local art exhibitions

African American museum seeks $40K from Fort Worth to complete construction plans

Prominent Fort Worth art museum named Texas’ top free attraction

Daytripping on TEXRail: Grapevine, North Richland Hills popular with riders

A bus route extension from Stop Six to Cultural District is coming

Arlington council hears new recommendations on plan to reimagine downtown

A dumpling dream: Big restaurant, gathering spot begins construction

Fort Worth event planner hosts gatherings to uplift artists, weave communities together

A decade strong, The Welman Project moves toward more support for North Texas teachers

West Fort Worth nonprofit fills emergency food gaps, continues distribution into 2026

LOSSES:

Texas child care programs could see funding delay during national crackdown

Arlington's Handitran service could see changes in the way users pay for rides

Court dismisses pastor's lawsuit alleging Tarrant County judge violated free speech rights

Developer behind $10B Fort Worth data center requests more land

ACTIONS:

January 13 - Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court at 10am

January 13 - Fort Worth city council public comment vote at 6pm (Sign up to speak)

January 18 - 817 Gather at 10am

January 21 - Early Voting for Taylor Rehmet

January 31 - Election Day for TX SD 9

February 17 - Democratic Primary for midterms

(P.S. There were so many articles this week that we hit the character limit and weren't able to link them all. Sorry.)

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

BIG STORY: Junior Ezeonu

After running for Gran Prairie at 21 while still he college, he beat a 12-year incumbent and became the Mayor Pro Tem. Now he's running in the Democratic Primary for Texas House of Representatives District 101. He talks about his journey and why it's so important that young people run for political office.

SHORT STORY 1: Mercy Cult goes national

Fort Worth’s Mercy Culture announces expansion with new churches in D.C., California

SHORT STORY 2: Fort Worth’s economic growth

City manager: Fort Worth’s economic growth continues to look strong

SHORT STORY 3: Alicia Ortiz to run for FW City Council District 10

votealiciaortiz.com

WINS:

TEXRail expansion moving forward with revised $33M contract

Gateway Park to see new amenities soon. This local group is helping enact plans

Yard tools to your door: Fort Worth mobile shed loans equipment to residents for free

Fort Worth shelters plan continued improvement, less canine euthanasia in 2026

LOSSES:

DFW one of the hardest areas for minimum-wage workers to afford rent, study says

‘Bring Maher home’: Family of Arlington man detained by ICE makes plea to Trump

2 killed in related shootings after a fight in east Fort Worth park, police say

Tarrant County Jail inmate dies after being found unresponsive in her cell

ACTIONS:

Right Now - Fort Worth City Council Report Card

January 6 - FW Public Comment at 6pm in New City Hall

January 7 - 817 Gather At The Table at 6:30pm in Arlington

January 13 - Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court

January 18 - 817 Gather at 10am

January 21 - Early Voting for Taylor Rehmet

January 31 - Election Day for TX SD 9

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

This week EJ, Ann, & Wesley bring you a special episode where we look back on all that happened in 2025, and look ahead to the possibilities for 2026.

We would love your feedback. Please fill out this form to let us know your favorite guests & episodes from 2025, and how we can improve the podcast.

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