Arlington City Council Tables Vote on Removing LGBTQ+ Protections Amid $65 Million Federal Funding Risk

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LGBTQ+ Protections Arlington

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Arlington City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to postpone a decision on amending its anti-discrimination ordinance, specifically delaying the proposed removal of protections for “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression.” The controversial move was tabled until November 18, 2025, to allow city officials more time to seek definitive legal counsel regarding compliance with federal grant requirements.

The urgency to amend the 2021 ordinance stems from a staff recommendation citing a need to align with current federal directives to avoid jeopardizing an estimated $65 million in annual federal funding and assistance. City officials warned that failure to update the ordinance could put these crucial funds at risk, a financial stake acknowledged even by speakers urging caution.


A Conflict of Compliance and Rights

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from residents and LGBTQ+ advocates, who packed the council chambers to voice their strong opposition. The core of the conflict is a perceived tension between the city’s local protective measures and a new interpretation of federal anti-discrimination law, particularly in relation to recent guidance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs following a recent Executive Order.

If the change were approved, the city would no longer handle discrimination complaints filed by LGBTQ+ residents, effectively removing local protections in areas such as housing, employment, and public accommodations. Advocates, including the CEO of the HELP Center for LGBT Health and Wellness, DeeJay Johannessen, have asserted that the legal rationale for the proposed changes is a misinterpretation of the law.

Over forty residents spoke at the meeting, sharing personal and emotional pleas for the council to retain the protections. One transgender resident, Keagan D., stressed that their “very livelihood” depends on the local ordinance. Another resident, Raegan, expressed a sense of betrayal, reminding council members of the city’s past support for the LGBTQ+ community, which included the unanimous passage of the ordinance in 2021 and a 2025 Pride parade that drew over 15,000 people.


Seeking Legal Clarity on Federal Mandates

Mayor Jim Ross confirmed that the unanimous decision to postpone the vote was made to ensure the city remains compliant with all federal directives while mitigating legal liability. “We must balance the need to make modifications with the need to ensure every single member of our community feels welcome, protected, respected, and is treated with dignity,” Mayor Ross stated.

The council has explicitly requested a comprehensive legal opinion from the City Attorney to clarify the exact nature of the federal mandate that is placing the funding at risk. The investigation into the legal implications will continue until the new vote is scheduled for November 18. Until that date, the current anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity remain in effect.

Lives Lost in Fiery Texas Plane Crash: Investigation Underway After Beechcraft Hits Storage Yard

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Beechcraft King Air Crash

Two individuals lost their lives on Sunday, October 12, when a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air C90 turboprop plane crashed into a commercial storage lot, destroying multiple semitrailers and igniting an intense fire near Hicks Airfield. The severity of the wreckage and the resulting inferno have presented a complex challenge for federal aviation authorities as they work to determine the cause of the fatal incident.

Catastrophic Impact and Emergency Response

The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. in the 12700 block of N. Saginaw Boulevard outside of Fort Worth, an area surrounded by small businesses and homes. The aircraft, which reportedly departed from Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport, impacted a parking lot used for storing 18-wheeler semitrailers and campers.

Witnesses described an immediate and massive conflagration, with one person noting a “giant ball of fire and smoke” that made it impossible to even discern the plane within the wreckage. The Fort Worth Fire Department confirmed that the intensity of the blaze, which involved the plane’s fuel and at least ten damaged tractor-trailers, was so severe that initial responders believed they were attending to two separate incidents—a building fire and a vehicle fire. Firefighters from multiple agencies battled the flames for approximately 35 minutes before bringing the scene under control. Two occupants of the aircraft were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

NTSB and FAA Launch Monthslong Probe

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have officially launched a joint investigation into the crash of the Beechcraft King Air C90. The NTSB, which leads the investigation, will use wreckage analysis, radar data, and maintenance logs to determine the probable cause.

Officials have noted that finding the definitive cause will be a time-intensive process, likely taking several months. Investigators are focusing on all potential factors, including mechanical failure, pilot actions, and environmental conditions at the time of the sudden, sharp descent observed on surveillance video. The aircraft was confirmed not to be based at the nearby Hicks Airfield.

Shootout Over Seized SUV: Arlington Police Investigate Conflicting Self-Defense Claims After Repo Agent Shot

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Arlington Repo Agent Shot

ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington police are conducting a meticulous investigation after a confrontation over a repossessed vehicle escalated into a shooting Tuesday evening, October 7. The incident, which occurred around 9:20 p.m. in a commercial parking lot in the 2100 block of S. Collins Street, has resulted in one non-life-threatening injury and raised immediate legal questions regarding self-defense and property rights.

Officers arriving at the scene found a 20-year-old man who had sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim, identified as a repossession agent, was transported to a local hospital.

The Repossession and Escalation

According to the repossession agent’s account, he had just successfully seized an SUV and pulled into the parking lot to complete the necessary paperwork. It was at this location that the vehicle’s owner arrived in a separate vehicle and initiated a confrontation. The dispute quickly turned violent, with the vehicle owner firing shots at the agent.

Crucially, police recovered firearms from both the SUV owner and the repossession agent, confirming that the situation was volatile and armed on both sides.

Two Sides to the Story: Self-Defense Claims

The absence of immediate charges underscores the complexity of the investigation, as police must reconcile two conflicting accounts that invoke potential self-defense:

  1. The Shooter’s Claim: The vehicle owner who fired the weapon told officers that he did not know his vehicle was being repossessed and believed it was being stolen. He further claimed that he saw the repossession agent reaching for something in his waistband, leading him to perceive an imminent threat and discharge his weapon.
  2. The Repo Agent’s Position: As a repossession agent, the victim would likely claim he was acting within his legal authority to secure collateral, and that the owner’s arrival and confrontation constituted the aggressive act that necessitated him being armed for protection.

Investigators must now analyze the physical evidence, witness statements, and any available video to determine which narrative, if any, meets the legal standards for self-defense and lawful conduct. The legal requirement that a repossession must occur without a “breach of the peace” will be a key factor in the final determination.

High-Tech Hunger Solution: Tarrant Area Food Bank Tests Drone and Robot Food Delivery

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ARLINGTON, Texas — The Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB), in a collaborative effort with the City of Arlington and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), has successfully concluded a pioneering two-year research project testing the use of aerial and terrestrial drones to deliver food to residents in need. This innovative initiative, known as the Multimodal Delivery pilot program, is poised to reshape the “last-mile” logistics of charitable food distribution while promoting environmental sustainability.

The core goal of the project, which was funded by a $780,182 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, was to evaluate whether electric, autonomous delivery vehicles could effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously improving food accessibility for mobility-challenged, low-income, or historically disadvantaged residents.

The Logistics of Drone Food Delivery

The experiment, which ran two main demonstration pilots in September 2024 and May 2025, successfully served approximately 300 households in East Arlington. The delivery process utilized a combination of technology partners:

  1. Airborne Leg (Middle Mile): Deliveries began at a TAFB distribution center. Boxes containing about nine pounds of non-perishable food (rice, beans, canned goods) were loaded onto six-foot-long, battery-powered aerial drones provided by Aerialoop. The drones stuck to airspace over city parks, flying the packages about one mile to a designated staging area.
  2. Ground Leg (Last Mile): At the staging area, the food was transferred to electric, autonomous terrestrial drones (four-wheeled robots) provided by Clevon and Mozee. These land robots traveled the last mile to residential homes, sending a text message notification upon arrival. Residents then used a code sent via text to unlock a locker on the robot and retrieve their food package.

Stephen Raeside, Chief External Affairs Officer at Tarrant Area Food Bank, noted the success: “The clients were thrilled to participate in something so innovative and cool, and it worked really well from a technical aspect.”

Future Applications and Environmental Benefits

The success of the pilot demonstrates a clear path for future food distribution models. TAFB sees distinct roles for both vehicle types:

  • Land Drones are ideal for high-density areas, such as delivering to low-income apartment complexes.
  • Aerial Drones are better suited for rural populations that lack close proximity to traditional food pantries, potentially allowing for 24/7 distribution operations.

By taking traditional gas or diesel delivery trucks off the road and using these smaller, electric vehicles, the project aimed to show significant improvements in energy use, air quality, and congestion.

UTA played a critical role throughout the project, with the Institute of Urban Studies assisting in community engagement and public outreach. Faculty and students from the engineering department helped with the technical aspects, including modeling logistics and assessing risks. The university is currently compiling a comprehensive final report to evaluate the impact, cost-benefit analysis, and participant feedback, which will be shared with other municipalities looking to implement similar solutions.

Despite regulatory hurdles, particularly with Federal Aviation Administration restrictions on flying private drones over multiple jurisdictions, the overall enthusiasm remains high. The project serves as a model for how autonomous technology can increase efficiency and accessibility for vulnerable populations, helping TAFB overcome the logistical challenge of serving 13 counties across 10,000 square miles.

Arlington Launches Into the Future: E-Space Breaks Ground on North American Headquarters and Airport Development

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E-Space North American HQ Arlington

ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington officially cemented its position as a burgeoning hub for global aerospace and telecommunications on Friday, October 3, 2025, as community and state leaders gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the E-Space North American Headquarters and Airport Development Project.

This massive undertaking will house the global telecommunications and satellite manufacturing company’s new North American operations and is estimated to be completed in Spring 2027.

Project Scope and Regional Impact

The development is centered around a sprawling 480,000-square-foot manufacturing and office facility. In addition to corporate space, the project includes extensive parking, an aircraft apron, and a specialized 33,450-square-foot hangar. Crucially, the plan incorporates key public infrastructure improvements, including a new airport access road designed to enhance connectivity to the future MLK Drive, strategically maximizing the project’s potential economic impact.

Arlington Mayor Jim Ross praised the collaborative nature of the deal. “This is an example that in Arlington, we build for the future,” Mayor Ross stated. “It’s important that when you do these projects, you do them with people who get it. With people who understand the importance of community and doing things collaboratively.”

E-Space Founder, CEO, and Chief Architect Greg Wyler highlighted the opportunity being created: “Everybody who contributes, contributes meaningfully to what we’re doing, and we’re creating a piece of that American Dream for everyone who comes here.” The new facility will create an array of technical positions, including manufacturing, engineering, and electrical jobs.

Economic Benefits Solidify Arlington as an Aerospace Hub

This deal is a transformative win for the city and the entire Tarrant County region. Over a 30-year period, the E-Space North American HQ project is projected to:

  1. Create over 2,000 high-wage, high-tech jobs.
  2. Generate approximately $8 billion in salaries for local workers.
  3. Produce $27 million in net benefits for the City of Arlington, Tarrant County, and the Arlington Independent School District (AISD).

This level of investment positions Arlington as a major center for aerospace research and development, diversifying the regional economy and attracting a highly skilled workforce. The city facilitated the project through the Arlington Economic Development Corporation (EDC), which will develop and own the industrial real estate assets. This model ensures the creation of community wealth by having the EDC lease the factory and office space to E-Space, keeping the assets locally controlled.

Urgent Manhunt Underway After Fatal Shooting in Kennedale

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Kennedale police fatal shooting

Kennedale police are actively searching for a person of interest following a fatal shooting that occurred early Saturday morning.

Officers responded to a call reporting a shooting in progress around 1:30 a.m. in the 1400 block of Gilman Road. According to a news release from the police department, the incident involved a brief altercation that ended when a man shot the victim with a shotgun.

The victim was transported to Medical City Arlington hospital, where he later died. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim as 43-year-old John William Kirkland. The shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.


Person of Interest Details and Public Assistance

Kennedale police are currently seeking information on Jackie Lee Allsbrook, who is described as the person of interest in this ongoing homicide investigation.

  • Description: White male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 130 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
  • Last Seen Wearing: A brown woodland style camouflage shirt or jacket, black shorts, and black shoes.

Police urge the public to come forward with any information related to this crime. Tips from the community are often critical in quickly resolving violent cases.

  • How to Report Information: Anyone with information regarding this homicide is urged to contact Kennedale Police Department Detective Delvin Starling at 817-985-2166 or via email at [email protected].
  • Safety Reminder: Authorities advise the public not to approach or attempt to apprehend the person of interest. If you see him, call 911 immediately.

Community Safety and Situational Awareness Tips

While law enforcement works to secure an arrest, citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant. Violent crimes, though rare, underscore the importance of situational awareness in daily life.

  • De-escalation: If you find yourself in a sudden, brief altercation, attempt to disengage immediately. Removing yourself from the situation is the safest course of action.
  • Report Suspicious Activity: Do not hesitate to report any unusual or suspicious individuals or activities to the police. This is particularly important in your immediate neighborhood.
  • Personal Security: Be mindful of your surroundings, especially during late-night or early-morning hours. If you are walking alone, consider having a friend on the phone or using a tracking application.

This case is a tragic reminder of the consequences of escalating conflict. The Kennedale Police Department is committed to ensuring justice for the victim, John William Kirkland, and his family.

Texas Megachurch Pastor Robert Morris Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse

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Robert Morris pleads guilty

Robert Morris, the prominent Texas megachurch pastor and founder of Gateway Church, pleaded guilty Thursday in Osage County District Court to charges of sexually abusing a child in the 1980s. The plea marks a dramatic fall for the religious leader, whose sermons reached global audiences and who once served as a faith adviser to a U.S. President.

Morris, 64, admitted to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child before Judge Cindy Pickerill. Under a negotiated plea agreement, Morris received a 10-year sentence but will serve only six months in the county jail. He is also required to register as a sex offender and pay $250,000 in restitution. Morris was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody following the hearing.

The Long Road to Accountability

The victim, Cindy Clemishire, 55, was present in the courtroom, surrounded by family, as Morris accepted responsibility for the abuse that began when she was 12 years old on Christmas night in 1982.

Clemishire publicly accused Morris in June 2024, leading to his resignation from Gateway Church, which he had grown into one of the country’s largest congregations since its founding in Southlake, Texas, in 2000. While Morris initially acknowledged a “moral failure,” he did not immediately respond to the specific allegations.

The Oklahoma attorney general’s office launched an investigation after Clemishire’s public disclosure. In March 2025, a multicounty grand jury indicted Morris. Prosecutors used a frontier-era provision of Oklahoma law, which pauses the statute of limitations when a defendant moves out of state, to pursue the decades-old case.

Victim’s Statement in Court

Addressing Morris in court, Clemishire detailed the severe impact of his actions, stating his abuse “rippled into every part” of her life, straining her relationships and marriages, and affecting her children.

“Let me be clear,” Clemishire told Morris. “There is no such thing as consent from a 12-year-old child. We were never in an ‘inappropriate relationship.’ I was not a ‘young lady’ but a child. You committed a crime against me.”

After the plea, Clemishire expressed relief, calling the event “40 years in the making,” and defiantly declared, “Robert, I want you to see me clearly: I am no longer the silenced little girl you abused.”

Church Investigation and Pending Lawsuit

The scandal has had ongoing repercussions for Gateway Church. In November, the church announced it had removed four elders after an external law firm’s investigation concluded that some had prior knowledge of Clemishire’s allegations years ago but failed to take appropriate action. Morris also filed a lawsuit against Gateway, seeking retirement benefits and alleging the church mishandled his resignation; the church has denied his claims.

The case has drawn national attention, serving as an example for survivor advocates who argue that civil and criminal statutes of limitation should be eliminated in child sexual abuse cases.

From Bark to English: See How UT Arlington is Building a Dog Translator with AI

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UT Arlington dog translator

Talk to Your Dog Soon? UT Arlington AI Researchers Develop the “Rosetta Stone of Woof”

ARLINGTON, Texas — Imagine a world where you can truly understand what your dog is trying to tell you. Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) are making this a reality, aiming to create a “Rosetta Stone of woof” using advanced artificial intelligence to translate canine vocalizations into human-intelligible speech.

Leading this groundbreaking effort is computer scientist Kenny Zhu, a professor of computer science and engineering at UT Arlington. Zhu and his team have assembled what they claim is the world’s largest video and audio catalog of dog sounds. In recent papers, their research has identified potential phonemes—the smallest units of sound—and “word-like” patterns within these vocalizations, laying the groundwork for future full-sentence translation.

“The ultimate goal is to make a translator where you can talk freely with your pet,” said Zhu. “We can already do instantaneous communication between human languages. Perhaps in the future we can do the same with animals.”


AI Interprets Dog: The Science Behind the Woof

Zhu’s lifelong fascination with animal communication was rekindled decades later by a BBC documentary on whale and dolphin communication. Recognizing the limitations of traditional decoding methods, he realized his expertise in natural language processing and AI development could offer a breakthrough.

His initial project explored whether Shiba Inus in Japan and the U.S. had distinct dialects, an endeavor that didn’t yield a doggy dialect split. This led to a more ambitious goal: compiling hundreds of hours of synced audio and video to train an AI model to segment canine vocalizations into discrete phonemes. The researchers emphasize that deciphering vocalizations requires understanding both sound and context, as a bark or whine’s meaning is often tied to the dog’s situation.

So far, the team has transcribed approximately 50 hours of barks into syllables. They have identified possible “words” such as “cat,” “cage,” and “leash,” noting how these sounds can vary by breed. Their studies also suggest that a dog’s linguistic capability may evolve with age; for instance, a husky’s bark can become longer and potentially more sophisticated as it grows older.


Beyond Conversation: Health Insights and Other Animal Endeavors

This research extends beyond simple pet-owner conversations. Zhu believes a dog translator could offer crucial insights into a dog’s health. A smartphone app or device could flag early signs of mental or physical changes, informing owners of potential issues.

Zhu’s innovative approach isn’t limited to dogs. He is currently drafting a proposal to the Morris Animal Foundation to study whether a cat’s vocalizations can provide insights into its mental state or behavior. Additionally, in collaboration with Texas A&M University, he is analyzing 24/7 audio and video recordings of cattle to correlate vocal patterns with their veterinary records, hoping to detect illness before it becomes visible.

While Zhu’s work is groundbreaking, other researchers are also exploring this exciting field. The University of Michigan is using AI models trained on human speech to process dog barks, and Virginia Tech is developing an AI system for decoding cow vocalizations. A burgeoning industry of AI-powered pet collars and apps also promises enhanced pet understanding.

Through these pioneering efforts, Professor Kenny Zhu and his team at UT Arlington are bringing the dream of truly understanding our animal companions closer to reality.

Truck Driver Arrested Four Months After Fatal I-30 Crash, Video Contradicts Statement

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Arlington police arrested a truck driver

ARLINGTON, Texas — Four months after a fatal collision involving an 18-wheeler and a sedan on Interstate 30, Arlington police arrested a truck driver after surveillance video contradicted his original statement.

On Thursday, September 25, Jose De La Luz Cadena-Marquez, 51, was arrested by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and is currently in custody in El Paso. He faces a charge of criminally negligent homicide.

The incident occurred around 2:20 a.m. on May 12 in the 2600 block of East I-30. Officers responded to reports of a major crash involving a 2023 Hyundai Elantra and the semitractor-trailer driven by Cadena-Marquez. The driver of the Elantra, 22-year-old James Gabehart, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigation Leads to Arrest

During the initial investigation, Cadena-Marquez informed officers that the Elantra was stopped in the main freeway lanes with no lights on, making it impossible to see. He claimed that surrounding traffic blocked him from maneuvering to avoid hitting the sedan.

However, investigators later reviewed surveillance footage from nearby traffic cameras and the 18-wheeler’s own dashboard camera. This review revealed evidence that contradicted Cadena-Marquez’s claims, according to the Arlington Police Department.

The footage showed that the Elantra’s brake lights were, in fact, illuminated at the time of the crash. Furthermore, the video confirmed there was no traffic next to or behind the 18-wheeler that would have prevented the truck driver from taking evasive action. Investigators also determined that Cadena-Marquez did not attempt to slow down before the fatal collision.

Fort Worth Fights Gridlock: Billions in Road Projects and Transit Solutions Target Growing Traffic

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Fort Worth traffic congestion

Fort Worth’s booming population, which recently reached one million residents and is projected to add another 500,000 in the next 25 years, is rapidly transforming the area’s car-centric culture into a gridlock nightmare. To combat this impending crisis, officials are allocating billions of dollars in transportation projects across Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and Johnson counties.

Traffic congestion in North Texas is more than an inconvenience; it is an economic threat. The annual cost of traffic delays and congestion in the region is estimated to hit $36.4 billion by 2050. Fort Worth currently ranks No. 10 in Forbes’ “Hardest Commutes in the U.S.,” with an average commute time of 26.80 minutes. The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) estimates that population growth will cause a 42% increase in vehicle miles traveled across the region in the coming decades.


Massive Investments in Roads and Rail

Regional and local authorities are implementing long-term strategies to manage this growth:

  • Regional Transportation Plan: In June, the Regional Transportation Council approved a $217.3 billion long-range regional transportation plan to address North Texas’s needs through 2050. This plan allocates the majority of funding ($97.5 billion) to road projects, with nearly $60 billion dedicated to rail and bus improvements.
  • Fort Worth’s “Moving a Million”: Fort Worth city officials are developing the Moving a Million comprehensive mobility plan. This plan will prioritize future road projects and align local needs with state and regional 2050 plans, focusing on a multimodal network that includes vehicles, transit, pedestrians, and bikes. A bond election next year is planned to seek approval for over $40 million for bridge and street projects.
  • Major Highway Overhauls (TxDOT):
    • Southeast Connector: A $2.2 billion TxDOT project is underway to rebuild and widen 16 miles of I-820, I-20, and U.S. Highway 287. This massive undertaking is part of the state’s Texas Clear Lanes initiative and is expected to be completed by 2028.
    • Western Fort Worth: Three infrastructure projects totaling $541 million will upgrade the I-30 and I-20 corridors between Aledo and west Fort Worth, an area experiencing rapid development.
    • Chisholm Trail Parkway: The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) will spend $250 million to widen about 13 miles of the Chisholm Trail Parkway, catering to growth moving southwest.

The Push for Public Transit

While road construction is crucial, officials stress that changing commuting habits is essential. Nearly 70% of North Texas workers drive alone to work, compared to less than 1% who use public transit.

  • Trinity Metro’s Vision: Trinity Metro is exploring an urban rail system that would connect downtown to an entertainment district and is planning a TEXRail train extension into the Medical District.
  • High-Speed Rail: High-speed rail proposals are being considered for the Texas Triangle, which could link Fort Worth to Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and even Mexico, offering a significant alternative to vehicular travel between major cities.
  • Multimodal Development: Local projects, such as the widening of Bonds Ranch Road (a nearly $32 million project) and improvements to Miller Avenue/Oakland Boulevard ($4.7 million), include features like sidewalks, streetlights, and bike/pedestrian lanes to encourage alternative transportation.

As civil engineering experts note, building new roads alone will not solve the congestion problem. The key to the future lies in making additional investments in multi-modal systems to replace reliance on single-occupant auto trips, thereby ensuring Fort Worth remains an attractive place for businesses and a functional city for its rapidly expanding population.