🦁Arlington's SBL wild about Fossil Rim; Beyoncé boosts boot sales

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $17-billion contract to develop the next generation of interceptors to guard the U.S. against an intercontinental ballistic missile attack. The news was first reported by Reuters. 

U.S. District Judge Janis Jack found Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Cecile E. Young in contempt of her court orders to fix the way the state investigates complaints about children in its care. She fined the department $100k a day until it is in compliance but did not schedule a hearing until late June. It is the third time the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the child welfare arm of HHS, has been held in contempt of court orders since a 2011 lawsuit was filed about foster care conditions.

The pilots' union at American Airlines says there has been “a significant spike” in safety issues, including fewer routine aircraft inspections and shorter test flights on planes returning from major maintenance work. Union officials have raised their concerns and were encouraged by the response. An airline spokesperson said American is in regular contact with regulators and unions “to further bolster our strong safety record and enhance our ever-evolving safety culture.”

DFW International Airport landed at No. 3 in a ranking of busiest airports worldwide, according to Airports Council International, down from No. 2 in 2022. No. 1 was Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson and No. 2 was Dubai International Airport. Domestic U.S. airports continued to post significant gains in passenger counts. DFW had 81,755,538 passengers in 2023, 11.4% more than in 2022 and 8.9% more than in pre-pandemic 2019.

Fort Worth has been studying four emergency medical response systems: Transition MedStar to a private contractor, a third municipal service, or two fire department-based models (civilian or MedStar employees becoming city employees). An Ad Hoc Council Committee has recommended the fire department-based model incorporating current MedStar employees, though they would not be involved with firefighting. 

UNTHSC’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and Paris Regional Health have received accreditation for an internal medicine residency program. Recruiting starts July 1 for up to 33 students led by Dr. Saji Pillai. The university calls the startup partnership an opportunity to address the state’s primary care physician shortage. 

The Charles Schwab Challenge continues its tradition of hosting active duty and retired military members during the tournament (May 22-26) with complimentary tickets and on-course hospitality. Registration opens this Friday on the tournament website.

Dan Patrick, Texas' Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate, has announced his agenda for the 2025 session, which includes making “recommendations to reduce regulatory barriers and strengthen property rights.”

SBL Architecture is teaming up with Fossil Rim Wildlife Center to design an Animal Health and Conservation Center. The facility will prioritize the health and well-being of beloved animal friends and advance critical conservation efforts. For renderings and more about what Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is up to, go here.

Restaurant openings:

• Itadaki Ramen recently opened at 8937 E. Lamar Blvd in north Arlington. The restaurant’s menu offers a variety of entrees and features five authentic ramen choices using a traditional Japanese style.

• Aroma Grill & Bar will open April 18 at 721 Keller Pkwy in Keller. It will serve Indian and Nepali cuisine, including chicken tikka masala, palak paneer, samosas, momos, tandoori and various curries.

• Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse will open April 22 at 9601 North Frwy in Fort Worth. The Denver-based chain serves NY-style pizza, wings, calzones, sandwiches, wraps, salads, pasta and 72 craft beers on tap.

• 360 Brunch House will open in May in Alliance Town Center. The third location for this family-owned chain features multiple varieties of French toast and pancakes, plus omelets, bowls, benedicts, breakfast tacos, avocado toast, an acai bowl, a breakfast-stuffed avocado, and breakfast “sammies.”

Snippets:

• Fort Worth will celebrate Earth Day by unveiling the expanded Marty Leonard Lotus Marsh Boardwalk, a $3-million project. 

• It's official. OnStar is no star, off the streets. GM Financial has changed the name to General Motors Insurance. 

• A new state rule has paved the way for Arlington to sell burial plots in a cemetery the municipality owns. KERA has the details.

Significant stat: Sales of Western-style boots surged more than 20% the week after Beyonce released her country album, Cowboy Carter.

Daily digit: While just 10-to-12 percent of the general population is left-handed, Major League Baseball lefties were responsible for 26 percent of pitched innings.  Read why some players pitch or hit against their natural tendency.

Wildcard: Bringing home the (neighbor’s) bacon - a wayward 450-pound pig named Kevin Bacon wandered away from his pen and down the road to the neighbor’s driveway. After letting the porker ham it up on the home security camera, the neighbor returned the pig.

Announcements:

• United Way of Tarrant County: Hires Brian Estridge as Director of Development in effort to raise $100 million.

• YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth: Adds Kristen Lee as Chief Finance Officer.

• Citadel Partners: Adds Cullen Donohue as Market Leader for project leasing. 

• American Advertising Federation District 10: Selects Bessy Segovia, marketing coordinator at Quorum Architects, for its Rising Star Award.

• Baylor Scott & White Health Research Institute: Hires Amy Buresh as Director of Marketing & Public Relations.

• The Greater Fort Worth Association of REALTORS: Selects Michael Langford, Orr Real Estate as Charles McMillan REALTOR® of the Year; Joelene Slocum, Williams Trew Real Estate as Marie and Dayton Sheridan for REALTOR® Spirit Award; Alex Krus, Rattikin Title Company as Affiliate of the Year; and Elizabeth McCoy, Williams Trew Real Estate for A.L. Purvis Distinguished Service Award.

Last poll results: When did you file your federal income tax return? Monday (15%), In the last week (17%), In the last 30 days (33%), More than a month ago (18%), I filed for an extension (15%), I don’t pay federal taxes (3%).