🤝Bell, Dallas News in big deals; IRS says churches can get political; Big $ for Mac Classics, old Alexas.

Bell Textron Inc. has been down-selected for Phase 2 of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies X-Plane program with the objective to complete design, construction, ground testing and certification of an X-plane demonstrator. The goal of the program is to provide these aircraft with the ability to cruise at speeds from 400 to 450 knots at relevant altitudes and hover in austere environments from unprepared surfaces.

DallasNews Corporation, the parent company of The Dallas Morning News and Medium Giant, has signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by global media company Hearst for $14 a share, a 219% premium. The deal is scheduled to close this fall.

Floods, STAAR, abortion and THC: Gov. Greg Abbott announces his packed special session agenda that begins July 21.

The Texas A&M University System will open in July a 100,000+-square-foot emergency management hub in Handley on Fort Worth's east side, according to the Fort Worth Report. The $24.5-million building is a distribution center for emergency supplies, and will have meeting rooms, an emergency operations center and training rooms. The center is part of a statewide plan to have a similar facility within three hours of every Texan. 

The IRS, in a court filing, said it will end a decade-long ban and make an exemption to allow churches and other places of worship to endorse political campaigns to their congregations.

Believe it or not: An authentic Steve Jobs-signed Macintosh Classic computer sold at auction in Carrollton for $7,250. The Macintosh Classic was introduced by Apple in 1990 for $999.

Your old Alexa devices could be worth money. Amazon wants some of them back.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said travelers at U.S. airports are no longer required to remove their shoes during security screenings. The change, which is effective immediately, ends the security screening mandate put in place almost 20 years ago.

7-Eleven was founded in Dallas and is celebrating its 98th year, today, July 11 (7-11). Get a free 12-ounce Slurpee at these participating locations.

North Carolina claimed the top spot in CNBC’s 2025 “America’s Top States for Business,” with Texas second and Florida third. Last year, Texas ranked third—behind North Carolina and No. 1 Virginia. CNBC on Texas: the state solidified its position as a business powerhouse, leveraging strengths in workforce, economy, cost of doing business, access to capital, and tech innovation.

Fort Worth-based AZZ announced record quarterly sales during its first quarter, and adjusted EBITA and adjusted EPS over prior year. Total sales of $422 million were up 2.1% and adjusted net income of $53.8 million was up 22.3%.

Arlington-based FlexXray said it will acquire an unidentified French firm as it plans expansion into Europe with Canada to follow. The company's advanced X-ray inspection technologies and CT capabilities enable it to detect most foreign material in food and beverages down to 0.8mm or smaller.

Bailey & Galyen, a partner of the Texas Rangers since 2022, is working with the Rangers' REV Entertainment and has become the exclusive law firm sponsor of Choctaw Stadium and official sponsor of the Cleburne Railroaders. REV says it is a multi-million dollar partnership.

A growing number of businesses in the hospitality sector are complaining about the rising costs associated with playing music at their establishments. The National Restaurant Association says its members pay an average of $4,500/year to license music. Industry groups have made their gripes known in public comments submitted as part of an ongoing federal review of music licensing companies, according to a report.

Americans say it takes an average of $2.3 million to be considered wealthy, according to a Charles Schwab report. That’s a 21% rise since 2021, reflecting how inflation and soaring costs have changed perceptions. 

From the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors Tarrant County housing report for Q2 2025 (versus Q2 2024):

• 6,170 - Homes sold, down 5.7%

• $354,990 – Median price, up 0.9%

• 4.0 – Monthly housing inventory, vs 3.2 months

• 48 – Average number of days homes spent on the market, up 6 days

Snippets:

• Fort Worth-based Bark TV partners with buddi to offer pet-focused content on a larger scale.

• Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences takes on de‑extinction of New Zealand's 12‑foot Moa after its Dire Wolf success.

• Texas law school Deans fight to keep ABA Accreditation as the standard, but University of Texas and Texas A&M law deans don't sign letter to Texas Supreme Court. 

Daily digit: Gen Z has revived indoor mall culture and helped increase foot traffic 2% during the first half of the year. Open-air malls grew half as much. Read more here.

Significant stat: $4 trillion = Nvidia, the first public company to pass that milestone valuation. It is worth more than the entire stock markets of Canada, the U.K., France and Germany. If you owned $1,000 worth of Nvidia shares in July 2015, they would be worth $326,000 today.

James Gunn’s Superman debuts in theatres this week. The re-boot so far has delighted critics and scores 85‑87% on Rotten Tomatoes. Read more here.

Announcements:

• Rutledge Cancer Foundation:  Names Lynn Hammer Executive Director, beginning in August. After 15 years, Laura Rutledge will step down as Executive Director and continue to serve on the Board of Directors and become Director of Research. 

• Encore Bank: Adds Linc Liberto as Senior Commercial Banking Consultant. 

• Political Asylum Lawyers: Hires Jennifer de Haro as Managing Attorney.

• Cooksey: Promotes Bethany Kula Moisan to Account Executive in Real Estate & Development. 

• IBM: Names Katherine Olear as Principal Tech Leader for Texas.

• Encore Bank: Adds Linc Liberto Senior Commercial Banking Consultant. 

• NFL Alumni Association: Adds Kenneth Reeves Sr. to its Board of Directors.

• Avad Capital: Names John Cody Neef Project Manager.

• Southwest Christian School: Hires Cassidy Owens as Advancement Data Coordinator.

• North Texas Council of Governments: Adds Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Flores to its executive board. 

• EY: Selects Prasad Reddy of TwistedX Southwest Entrepreneur of the Year and finalist for national award.

• Standley Systems: Appoints Manny Veyna III Director of Sales for D-FW. 

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