🍎Details of school voucher use updated; SEGG Media buys, Elks Club sells; Big church says court has no jurisdiction.

Texas finalized rules for the state’s private school voucher program, aiming to clear up confusion about funding for pre-kindergarten students and set official dates for schools and families to apply. Most families will receive about $10,300 for each student participating.

Gateway Church in Southlake filed a revised motion seeking to dismiss an amended class-action lawsuit accusing its former leaders of misappropriating millions of dollars in donations made by thousands of members over more than a decade. The church is leaning into the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, which holds that courts lack jurisdiction over matters of religion.

President Trump has told airlines that Venezuela's airspace is “closed in its entirety" in the latest escalation from sea to air. Also, American Airlines says it has fixed the technical difficulties on its Airbus planes, something multiple airlines faced with more than 6,000 planes during the weekend.

Ahead of Wednesday's Skift Aviation Forum in D-FW, Chris McLaughlin, CEO of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, spoke with Skift about what he sees ahead: an industry ready for a leap forward just as demand hits maximum altitude. “The most exciting trend in aviation today is the momentum behind truly modernizing our airspace … it’s the foundation that will ultimately enable every other positive advancement in the industry.”

Fort Worth-based SEGG Media Corporation agreed to acquire a 51% stake in Ant Media & Productions, led by global TV personality, military adventurer and 2028 London mayoral candidate Ant Middleton.

The Panther City Elks Lodge in Fort Worth has been acquired by Austin Company Commercial Real Estate and been re-named Stillwater Lounge and Event Center. Its purpose will not change. The 14,000-square-foot, indoor/outdoor gathering place has served as a cornerstone in the Morningside community for more than 75 years.

Significant stat: H-E-B, Kroger and Tom Thumb accounted for nearly half of all new 2024 retail construction in D-FW, according to a report from Texas-based real estate firm Weitzman. The report also projects continued growth for those retailers, driving much of the retail construction in 2025.

Attorney General Ken Paxton's office sent a letter to Texas universities in the ACC, Big 12 and SEC conferences urging them not to sign the College Sports Commission’s University Participation Agreement, which Texas claims gives practically unlimited authority to the CSC and undermines participating universities.

Amid a tough national job market, Texas ranks 7th for best place to land a job, according to WalletHub. We are No. 2 in the economic environment category and No. 18 in the job market category. Massachusetts tops the list and West Virginia is last.

The $2.5-billion JPS Health Network Master Facility Plan update includes the construction of a new hospital and an expansion of the existing Pavilion. Already completed are an 80,000-square-foot Psychiatric Emergency Center, the Medical Home Southwest Tarrant health center at 5001 Mesa Springs Drive and the Las Vegas Trail Health Center, a collaboration with Cook Children’s Health Care System. An outpatient facility should open in early 2029, with the remaining facilities to open in 2030.

The historic Stockyards Hotel and H3 Ranch steakhouse could be renovated by the developers of Hotel Drover, according to the Dallas Business Journal. Majestic Realty filed for permits for a $20-million Stockyards Hotel renovation that could begin in January. 

A federal judge approved a settlement resolving anti-trust claims against Charles Schwab with regard to its merger with TD Ameritrade. The settlement provides non-monetary benefits for nearly 25 million customers, and does not involve a direct payout to class members. Schwab will pay the plaintiffs' lawyers approximately $8.3 million in fees and expenses, which the judge said benefits the class by ensuring fair legal representation. 

Dozens of new Texas laws will take effect in December and January, bringing wide-ranging changes to the state’s education system, law enforcement, taxes and more. More than 800 laws took effect Sept. 1, but these were designated for later in the year, from the second special session or those that had to have voters’ approval.

Alliance Mobile Medical Services, a physician-led provider of advanced wound and podiatric care, has launched operations across Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio. The organization brings treatments directly to patients in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and home settings.

The owners of popular Fort Worth cultural district restaurant Don Artemio have opened Dos Mares, a Mexican coastal-inspired sister concept adjacent to Don Artemio. Rodrigo Cárdenas is the culinary director of both restaurants.

Sewell Automotive Companies, a family-owned and -operated dealership group founded in 1911, acquired Land Rover Boerne (Tx.) from Shottenkirk Automotive Group. The acquisition was advised by The Presidio Group. 

Juspay, a payments technology company in India serving enterprises and banks, has an agreement with Sabre Direct Pay, a division of Southlake-based travel technology company Sabre, to transform payments for travel businesses and their customers. Online bookings are projected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2026, accounting for nearly 65% of all travel transactions.

Snippets:

• Singer Bad Bunny's viral toad turned the Fort Worth Zoo into a surprise winner. 

• Family Office Mecca, run by Harlan Crow, lures Citadel and Kyle Bass into the fold.  

• The Motley Fool likes the stock of Fort Worth's MP Materials.

• SHRM, the world's largest HR association, seems to be having workplace issues itsownself.

• Hockey hair gets its day in the spotlight when PNC and Dallas Stars partner on a game-day promotion. 

⚖️Notice to Tarrant County law firms: The January issue of our print publication will include a ranking of firms based on number of attorneys practicing in north Texas. Firms must have a minimum of five attorneys to be listed. The deadline to submit data is December 8; please contact [email protected] for details. There is no charge for the listing, but if you are interested in a display ad, mention that in your note. 

Announcements: 

• Tarrant To and Through Partnership: CEO Natalie Williams has left the organization after four years. David Saenz has been appointed Interim CEO. 

• Tarleton State University: Names Dr. Barry Lambert Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. He previously was Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Student Retention and Persistence.

• Armed Forces Bowl: Selects General Patrick Brady as the recipient of the Great American Patriot Award, presented by Armed Forces Insurance. General Brady is regarded as the most decorated living veteran in the United States and is the only person to hold the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross. 

• First Command Military Advisory Board: Adds Vice Admiral (Ret.) Andrew Tiongson, USCG.

• 504th Judicial District Court in Ellis County: Governor Greg Abbott appoints Cantey Hanger partner Gregory (Greg) Wilhelm as Judge, effective December 1 for a term set to expire December 31, 2026.

• Six Flags Entertainment: Selects John Reilly as CEO.

• Distribution Solutions Group: Appoints Sean Dwyer Senior Vice President - head of mergers & acquisitions and strategy.

• Eastern New Mexico: Hires Art Briles as head coach of the Division II school.

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