Good morning, this is Fort Worth Local Pulse for Saturday, October twenty-fifth.

We wake up today after a wild night across our city. Sirens blared late Friday, sparking rumors of a tornado striking near Forest Hill, just south of downtown. According to independent meteorologists and local storm chasers, a line of intense storms rolled in, producing damaging winds over sixty miles per hour and maybe even a couple of very brief spin-up tornadoes right in our backyard. Power crews are out this morning handling widespread outages, downed trees, snapped poles, and debris scattered across South Main and Rosedale. Firefighters are also responding to structure fires and high-water rescues all through the city. If you're heading out today, stay alert and drive with caution, especially in low-lying areas. The National Weather Service says storms will linger into the afternoon, bringing gusty winds and the possibility of more heavy rain. We’re looking at a muddy start, but should see conditions improve by the evening.

Over at city hall, the Fort Worth City Council is gearing up for a pivotal meeting on Tuesday that will dive into hot topics like neighborhood redevelopment, grant proposals for forensic DNA testing, and the appointment of an interim fire chief. Decisions from this meeting could mean safer streets and better access to resources for many of our neighborhoods.

Turning to education, the big story this week is the state takeover of Fort Worth ISD. Texas authorities stepped in after one campus failed state academic standards five years in a row. Local leaders call for transparency and collaboration, and Mayor Mattie Parker promises positive change, with state officials now set to appoint a new board. City council members, including Deborah Peoples and Mia Hall, urge us all not to panic but remain vigilant and involved. Former mayor Betsy Price says local voices still matter, so if you have kids in FWISD, this is a time to speak up and stay connected.

On the real estate front, the storm’s impact is likely to slow home showings this weekend, but the market remains active in our hotspots near TCU and Magnolia Avenue, with about sixty new listings hitting the market this week. Northside sees steady activity, and demand for rentals is still strong.

Jobs-wise, we saw around one hundred new postings in medical, hospitality, and logistics, especially around the Alliance corridor. Good news for folks seeking seasonal work or a change before the holidays.

Our music and cultural calendar has a few adjustments. Some venues along West Seventh have postponed Saturday night sets because of storm-related cleanup, but the Contemporary Arts Center downtown is still hosting the Big Texas Art Show tomorrow afternoon. Look for family-friendly events at Sundance Square and—weather permitting—the annual pumpkin patch at River Oaks.

In sports, local high schools braved the weather for their district football games last night. Arlington Heights came away with a close win over Western Hills. Several FWISD teams have shifted weekend playoff matches because of field damage.

On the crime beat, police responded to several storm-related incidents, including burglaries at closed businesses on Lancaster Avenue and vehicle break-ins near Forest Park. No injuries have been reported, but authorities urge us to secure property and stay clear of emergency scenes. No major arrests overnight.

For a feel-good story, volunteers from a Southside church spent stormy hours handing out flashlights and hot meals to those affected by outages, offering some much-needed comfort. It’s moments like this that remind us how strong our community can be.

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