Big oil goes bigger; Taco growth not Fuzzy; Kip is new skip.

North Texas-based Energy Transfer announced a $3.25 billion deal to acquire WTG Midstream Holdings LLC, a Permian Basin operator. The deal will expand Energy Transfer's natural gas pipeline and processing network in the area adding 6,000+ miles of gas gathering pipelines, eight gas processing plants, two gas processing plants under construction, and a 20% ownership interest in the BANGL NGL Pipeline.

Hess Corp shareholders approved Chevron's $53 billion acquisition of the company. The deal has a ways to go — projected 2025 — because of the regulatory review and an arbitration dispute with Exxon Mobil.

Executives of Westlake-based Charles Schwab laid out their growth plans during last week's investor meeting (and a local golf tourney). President Rick Wurster said Schwab could beef up employees by another 30%. He said the firm believes it can grow gross revenue organically 5-7% per year — 3-5% annually from existing clients and about 2-3% by adding clients. Schwab also is taking steps toward making a series of private market funds available to qualified investors.

Kip Adams will be Tournament Chair for the 2025-26 Charles Schwab Challenge tournament, succeeding Jim Whitten, who served as Chair from 2021-24. Adams is Senior Vice President and practice leader for the Retirement and Private Wealth division of HUB International-Fort Worth.

In a historic first, the NCAA and the nation’s Power Five conferences reached a deal to pay their athletes. The general terms of a settlement will see the NCAA pay nearly $2.8 billion in damages over ten years to nearly 14,000 players. It also creates a new system that allows schools to use up to $21 million a year to pay student-athletes. Attorneys say it opens another can of worms for the NCAA, conferences, and schools to increase collective bargaining efforts and have players classified as employees.

According to the Real Deal, Pinnacle Bank claims Opal Holdings lied to obtain its loan for Burnett Plaza. 

At least three attempts to purchase high-priced vehicles fraudulently in north Texas, including at Autobahn Fort Worth, were stopped in the middle of negotiations by ID theft and insurance fraud software provider Gather.

During his State of the County address, Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare explained what he wants for residents next year — economic development in unincorporated areas, a smaller jail population and more mental health services.

Lifestyle brand Winton and Waits will open in Aledo June 1, its second north Texas location. The women-owned retailer is also moving its South Main Village store in Fort Worth down the street from its current location.

The city of Fort Worth nominated MP Magnetics, associated with MP Materials, for the Texas Enterprise Zone Program, a performance-based financial incentive for company projects that would contribute significant capital investment and employment opportunities to the Texas economy.

University of Texas Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte was named Athletic Director of the Year by the Sports Business Journal at its Sports Business Awards ceremony. Del Conte left as TCU's Athletic Director in 2017.

The Salvation Army will consolidate its three North Texas Advisory Boards (Dallas/Rockwall, Collin/Denton and Tarrant/Ellis) into one board, effective September 1. The decision was made "to streamline our operations and enhance our ability to achieve our shared goals efficiently and effectively,” according to Major Paul McFarland, the North Texas Area Commander.

Welcome to Texas, Drake. The rapper paid $15 million for the 313-acre Inn at Dos Brisas, a resort about 70 miles northwest of Houston between Navasota and Brenham. That's about $47,900 per acre. The seller, Houston investor Douglas Bosch, listed the ranch a year ago and got the full asking price.

Restaurant roundup:

• Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, founded on Berry Street in 2003 and now owned by Dine Brands, is plotting a big expansion. It has signed two multi-unit development agreements to bring 40 new restaurants in Texas and Arizona by 2032.

• Mantra Indian and Nepali Cuisine has opened in Euless. The family-owned eatery features authentic dishes such as mushroom matar and dal makhani.

Richard Knight, Vice President of Knight Waste Services and an active Fort Worth Rotary member, passed away at 56. The cause of death was a heart attack.

Marine Creek Ranch Park opens to the public at 10 a.m. Saturday and will host a day of celebratory activities. The park is at 5403 Paloma Blanca Drive in 76135 in northwest Fort Worth.

Bark Air, a new airline that prioritizes dogs before their human companions, took its first flight last week from NY to LA (additional destinations to be added soon). It's not cheap.

Sports snippet: Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's controversial remarks during a commencement speech led to a surge in jersey sales, eclipsing teammate and QB Patrick Mahomes for No. 1. 

Significant stat: As of May 2024, NVIDIA has a market cap of $2.56 trillion, making it the world's third most valuable company. Driven by AI and graphics, it is larger than the combined caps of Amazon and Tesla.

Announcements:

• Tarleton State University: Appoints Dr. Brett Powell as CFO and EVP for Finance and Administration.

• Valor: Adds Jamie N. Luna as an accounting manager in the area of oil and gas.

• Dancing Classrooms North Texas: Adds Meena McCullough to Board.