✈️Airfares rapidly increasing; "super" moon visible tonight; + Cousin's BBQ gets👍

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🗞️NEWS OF THE DAY:

If you think you’re paying more for flights, you’re right. Domestic airfares from DFW International and Love Field increased nearly 20% compared to last year, according to a Smartasset study. The airports ranked 14^th and 17^th out of 74 airports measured, based on % increase in domestic airfare.

Federal regulators fined American Airlines $4.1 million after passengers were delayed on the tarmac for at least three hours more than 40 times. It’s the largest federal fine for excessive airline delays, according to the Department of Transportation.

The volume of seed funding has plummeted, according to The National Observer. In the final quarter of 2021, Carta, a management platform for startups, had 880 seed rounds on its platform. That number was just 440 by the second quarter of 2023. California's share of seed deals fell from 40% in 2020 to 31% by June 30, 2023. Texas, Florida and Colorado have gained the most ground.

So, you wanna be in pictures: Today, from 4-6 p.m. at Backlot Studios, the Fort Worth Film Commission, Tarrant County College and 101 Studios are announcing the launch of a certified training program that will help people find jobs in Fort Worth’s growing film production scene. The collaboration will offer one-of-a-kind curriculum of 4-week courses in areas such as construction, lighting and electric starting in September with more options in 2024.

Fort Worth and San Francisco-based TPG and Crowe LLP have signed a definitive agreement for TPG to acquire a majority stake in Crowe Healthcare Consulting, an independent entity. Crowe Healthcare Consulting Founder and Managing Partner, Derek Bang, will lead the new company, rebranded Kodiak Solutions. The agreement, in which TPG Growth becomes majority shareholder, will help Kodiak accelerate growth and expand its technology portfolio.

Stonemont Financial Group, a private firm specializing in industrial development, acquisitions and net lease investments, sold a Class A 213,581-square-foot facility to Victaulic. It is on FM 156 adjacent to Alliance Airport, with immediate access to 114 and I-35. Victaulic is a producer of mechanical pipe joining, flow control and fire protection solutions.

Transwestern reports that Bleecker Partners acquired 3201 May St., a 24,000-square-foot, shallow-bay industrial warehouse. After renovations, the property will be rented to service-oriented businesses.

Tarrant Appraisal District Chief Appraiser Jeff Law received a vote of no confidence on Tuesday. Tarrant County Commissioners will send a note to TAD's board urging it to replace Law.

Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (FWEDP), a privately funded, non-profit focused on cultivating economic opportunities through business development and attraction, has its first board of directors. The release called it a "diverse selection of seasoned executives from national and multi-national corporations based in Fort Worth." The members are:

• Elaine Agather, Managing Director, Head of J.P. Morgan Private Bank in the Central US

• Lisa Atherton, President & CEO, Bell

• Marianne Auld, Managing Partner, Kelly Hart

• Dan Berce, President & CEO, GM Financial

• Mike Berry, President, Hillwood

• David Endicott, CEO, Alcon Laboratories

• Katie Farmer, CEO, BNSF Railway

• John Goff, CEO, Goff Capital

• Robert Isom, CEO, American Airlines

• Rusty Reid, Chairman and CEO, Higginbotham

• Greg Ulmer, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin

More than 750 new laws passed by the Texas Legislature will take effect Friday. The most high-profile laws passed address social issues, including restrictions on medical care for transgender minors, limitations on transgender athletes, bills targeting drag shows and new regulations for social media companies. The new laws include:

• Diversity, equity and inclusion: SB 17 bans diversity, equity and inclusion offices and diversity-related training at public universities.

• Drag shows: SB 12 will criminalize businesses that host sexually oriented performances in front of children

• Social media: HB 18 requires digital social media platforms to get consent from a parent or guardian before entering into an agreement with minors to create an account.

• Trans athletes: SB 15 prevents transgender college athletes at public colleges and universities from competing on a sports team that doesn't match their sex assigned at birth.

• Tampon tax: SB 379 removes the sales tax on feminine hygiene and baby products, including tampons, menstrual cups, diapers, baby wipes, maternity clothes and breast-milk pumping products.

👀IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Bowie House is getting some finishing touches before their December opening. Here’s a sneak peek.

• Apple’s iPhone 15 event is on September 12. Here’s what to expect.

• Is Qatar Airways jockeying for a stake in American Airlines?

• Do not try this at home. Auntie Annie’s worker puts financial broker in a pretzel.

• Fort Worth's Standard Meat Company helps Jess Pyles “the hardcore carnivore” with her sausage line at H-E-B.

• Old school Cousin’s Bar-B-Q goes new school and gets rave reviews from Texas Monthly editor Daniel Vaughn.

• What is that F-4E Phantom II fighter jet doing in a White Settlement park? 

👉Scheduling note: 817 BIZ will not publish on Monday, Sept 4 (Labor Day).