Good morning, this is Fort Worth Local Pulse for Friday, October 10th, 2025. We start with breaking news at the heart of our city—there’s real movement underway to preserve the feel of our neighborhoods. City officials are looking to rezone 386 acres around Rosemont and south Fort Worth, aiming to halt the rise of so-called stealth dorms near TCU. These hidden multi-unit buildings have caused tension, popping up on Berry Street and spots like Stanley Avenue. The plan, led by council members Elizabeth Beck and Jeanette Martinez, promises to keep newer developments compatible in scale and style with established homes. For longtime families, this is deeply personal, and neighborhood advocates like Cristina Plascencia Snoke have voiced strong support, while others like Arthur McCoy Jr. caution this might slow relief for the city’s housing crunch. A vote by the Zoning Commission is expected next month.

Shifting to legal headlines, we have an important update from Austin that impacts Fort Worth and the wider region. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals paused the execution of Robert Roberson, who was convicted under now-disputed shaken baby syndrome claims. His case gets remanded for review under new rules, meaning he won’t face execution on October 16th. This serves as a reminder of how evolving science can shape justice, and today there’s a sense of relief, discussion, and renewed hope at courts and advocacy networks connected to Fort Worth.

Turning to City Hall, the upcoming 2026 Council meeting calendar is now set. For residents planning ahead, public meetings are scheduled all year, keeping us involved in decisions from zoning changes to transportation planning and beyond.

Weather today greets us with mild, comfortable air, low humidity and highs in the upper 70s. Skies are mostly clear, so it’s a good chance to get outside for errands, sports or outdoor fun. Along I-35W and Riverside Park, we can expect pleasant conditions through the evening. There’s a slight chance of sprinkles late tonight, but nothing to disrupt your plans.

Let’s talk economy and jobs. Local sentiment among business leaders is rising as we enter the final quarter of 2025, with many reporting plans to add new positions. Roughly 400 job postings are live right now, and hiring is up, especially in logistics and healthcare. On the real estate front, inventory for homes around Westcliff and Hemphill Street remains tight, with about 300 properties listed. Prices for single-family homes are inching higher; the median is now close to 340 thousand dollars.

In business news, we look for signposts of change. On Magnolia Avenue, a new bakery celebrated its grand opening yesterday with lines out the door, while a longtime used bookstore on South Main sadly announced it will close at month’s end.

Now for events—this weekend, downtown streets will fill with music as the annual Riverfront Jazz Festival returns to Panther Island Pavilion. Food trucks and family-friendly entertainment are lined up through Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday morning, the Stockyards hosts the Fall Farmers Market, with local growers and artisans showing off autumn harvests.

In school news, Paschal High’s varsity football team took a thrilling win over Arlington Heights, pulling ahead in the last quarter for a final score of 24 to 21. Meanwhile, Fort Worth ISD reports a record number of National Merit semifinalists this year—congratulations to all our scholars.

Turning to public safety, yesterday saw increased police activity on East Lancaster Avenue with a focused sweep addressing auto theft and burglary. Officers arrested two suspects connected to a string of break-ins over the past week. Fort Worth PD reminds us to lock vehicles and report suspicious activity as investigations continue. Traffic-wise, no major incidents overnight, and commute times are within the usual ranges.

A quick feel-good...