Fort Worth Daily Briefing: Campus Growth, Public Safety, and Innovation on the Agenda

Fort Worth, TX — February 17, 2026 — From neighborhood safety to higher education growth, several stories are shaping Fort Worth this week.

Police crack down on reckless neighborhood gunfire

Fort Worth police say five young men are facing charges after officers used surveillance cameras to capture them firing guns along Yuma Street on Super Bowl Sunday. Investigators report that multiple 911 callers said bullets were flying dangerously close to homes and people in the south Fort Worth neighborhood.

According to police, footage from the department’s Real Time Crime Center helped identify a vehicle leaving the area. Officers later carried out a high-risk traffic stop, detained the suspects, and recovered several firearms. All five now face deadly conduct and related weapons charges tied to the incident, which officials describe as a serious threat to nearby residents.

Texas Wesleyan focuses on enrollment and career pathways

On the education front, Texas Wesleyan University is leaning into growth and workforce preparation. The school is advancing a long-range facilities plan meant to align new buildings and renovations with a broader strategy to boost enrollment and strengthen career-focused learning.

University leaders say the planning effort is part of a wider push to modernize campus while keeping its historic roots in east Fort Worth. The work is expected to support updated academic programs, more flexible learning spaces, and partnerships that connect students directly with local employers.

Business summit to tackle workforce gaps

Those employer needs will be front and center later this month when the Fort Worth Chamber hosts its “Build Your Fort Worth Workforce Summit” at Texas Wesleyan. The event will bring together business leaders, HR professionals, and education partners to discuss local skills gaps and what it will take to build a stronger talent pipeline.

Organizers say new survey results from area employers will guide conversations about soft skills, long-term outcomes for Fort Worth students, and how regional school systems can better match fast-changing job demands. The summit continues a broader push to keep more high-quality jobs and workers in the city.

Texas A&M–Fort Worth launches innovation speaker series

Downtown, Texas A&M–Fort Worth is rolling out a new “Voices That Innovate” speaker series, backed by a major banking partner. The series aims to spotlight leaders in technology, business, and public service as the new urban research campus takes shape.

University officials say the talks are designed to connect students, researchers, and local employers, and to position Fort Worth as a hub for innovation across North Texas.

Sources

• https://www.fox4news.com/news/fort-worth-police-arrest-5-after-super-bowl-sunday-shooting-caught-camera
• https://police.fortworthtexas.gov/news-articles
• https://fortworthbusiness.com/business/fort-worth-chamber-summit-to-address-workforce-challenges-talent-pipeline
• https://txwes.edu/news-and-events/all-news/texas-wesleyan-university-selects-bennett-partners-for-long-range-facilities-planning
• https://www.tamus.edu/news/texas-am-fort-worth-launches-voices-that-innovate-speaker-series-presented-by-pnc-bank