Arlington ISD trustees took their first look at the 2024-25 academic year budget. During an April 18 board meeting, administrators did not present how much revenue is expected or how much the district plans to spend next school year. Trustees listed the Texas Legislature not increasing public education funding as an issue heading into what is likely to be a difficult budget season. “Until the state gives us more money, it’s been very, very difficult to keep our budget and keep things going,” board President Melody Fowler told the Arlington Report.  Arlington ISD is still determining next ..read more

Following the sudden cancellation of an April 30 court hearing between the Arlington Carmelite nuns and Fort Worth Catholic Bishop Michael Olson, lawyers representing the diocese told the Fort Worth Report that the nuns withdrew their request for a temporary restraining order without explanation. Michael Anderson, an attorney representing Olson and the diocese in civil matters, said the opposing side withdrew its claims before the hearing, which was scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday. Matthew Bobo, an attorney representing the nuns on civil matters, declined to comment.  A group of sisters fro ..read more

In 2022, an action committee formed to address what Tarrant County and Fort Worth leaders saw as long-standing issues in child care and early education.  Two years later, Kara Waddell, president and CEO of Child Care Associates, a nonprofit organization that partnered with Tarrant County and Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker to form the 16-person action committee, is optimistic that the group is making progress.  At an April 30 Fort Worth City Council meeting, Waddell presented the committee’s recent endeavors and outcomes, in which she touted six new early child care facilities and fo ..read more

“I can’t talk about it,” a woman, caught up in her own problems, said. “Of course you can!” the others responded in unison.  That’s typical banter when a group of six vibrant Southern women gather at a beauty salon in a small Louisiana town to share their joys and sorrows in “Steel Magnolias,” staged at Theatre Arlington May 3-19.  Through those conversations, you witness female energy and strength, purity and nobility, power and pride — all the qualities of the magnolia flower — reflected through the characters.  If the play name and the setting ring a bell, you may have seen ..read more

Mercedes T. Bass’ official title with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra is board chair. Unofficially, she is also the orchestra’s biggest fan. The philanthropist recently donated $5 million — to be allocated over the next five years — to the nonprofit in honor of her 80th birthday. As part of her donation, Bass created the Campaign for Artistic Excellence Matching Gift Program in an effort to encourage others to support the symphony. “It wasn’t a question of if I would do it or I wouldn’t do it — I had to do it,” Bass said in an interview with the Fort Worth Report. “And I loved doing it ..read more

Yes. Fort Worth had more homicides per 100,000 people than San Francisco in 2022, according to the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System.  The Fort Worth Police Department reported 100 homicides in 2022 – about 11 homicides per 100,000 people – while the San Francisco Police Department reported 55, or seven per 100,000.  The FBI defines homicide and nonnegligent manslaughter as the willful killing of one human being by another. Deaths by negligence, attempts to kill, assaults to kill, suicides and accidental deaths are not included.  San Francisco has a higher overa ..read more

The director of Fort Worth’s neighborhood services department has resigned, the city announced April 30.  Victor Turner was placed on paid administrative leave March 29 amid a human resources investigation. At the time, city officials declined to share the nature of the investigation into Turner, citing pending personnel matters.  The city confirmed last week that Turner was still on paid administrative leave, but declined to give further information about the investigation Tuesday. Dianna Giordano, human resources director, said that it is city practice not to release details about ..read more

The entity behind the proposed $850 million development at the former site of the Fort Worth Independent School District has opened the books a bit on plans for the mixed-use project.  In a filing with the Fort Worth Zoning Commission, the owners, FW Westside Investors LLC, requested a zoning change for 11.45 acres of the 35-acre project, at the northeast corner of North University Drive and White Settlement Road. The requested zoning is a change from industrial to mixed-use. The case will be heard May 8 at the zoning commission and on June 11 by the Fort Worth City Council. Westside Inv ..read more

Fort Worth is considering giving tax incentive grants to a supply chain logistics and technology company in exchange for hundreds of new jobs.  ITS Logistics is looking for a new office space for its newly released ContainerAI, a cutting-edge container management and visibility platform. The new space will be on the third floor of One West 7th, 2859 Crockett St.  Fort Worth is looking to give the company a three-year grant of up to $847,500 under a Chapter 380 agreement. The grants are based on employment numbers — $2,500 will be awarded for every full-time job created.  Chapte ..read more

It’s a thankless job.  Aaron Reich remembered hearing those words when he ran for Arlington ISD school board in 2009. Reich understood the sentiment, he said. He would be working unpaid to handle two things that matter most to people: their children and money. His life changed — his wife worked more hours, he spent less time with his family, and Reich sometimes missed out on his children’s special occasions.  For the next 15 years, Reich worked 20 to 60 hours a week as a school board member on top of being a pharmacist. He became a driving force to serve all students, strengthen the ..read more