Bring dough to own Baird's ranch; Blue Bell intros new flavor; ‘Big Hoss’ posts big loss

As you might imagine, the Teamsters aren't happy with Molson Coors about the 3-month strike of approximately 470 union members in Fort Worth. General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman demanded a fair contract.

According to July 1, 2023 Census data just released, Fort Worth became the 12th most populous city in the U.S., up from No. 13. Fort Worth’s annual growth rate of 2.2% was well ahead of state and national averages, and faster than Dallas (0.4%), Houston (0.5%), Austin (0.5%), and San Antonio (1.5%). Fort Worth is 1,414 behind 11th-place Austin.

If everything is bigger in Texas, Eddie Gossage, long-time President of Texas Motor Speedway, took bigger and made it biggest...and best. Thursday, he passed away at age 65. 

State of the News alert: The Dallas Morning News is leaving its owner-occupied print facility in Plano for a much smaller shop in Carrollton. Publisher and CEO Grant Moise said it should save $5 million a year, though the company will buy $8 million in new equipment. About 85 workers will be laid off. Also, shareholder dividends are being suspended.

Two Southlake parent groups are urging Carroll ISD Superintendent Lane Ledbetter to acknowledge the findings of a years-long investigation that found the district violated students’ civil rights. Lawyers for families involved in the complaints said the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is initiating negotiations with the district after deeming four complaints of racism and harassment to be valid. 

For you gamers: GameStop shares skyrocketed 74% Monday and another 59% Tuesday after a tweet on X by Roaring Kitty. Wednesday and Thursday, it came down 9.2% and 10.42%.

Construction has begun on 121 Commerce Center, a large industrial property in Grapevine owned by an affiliate of GTIS Partners. It is expected to be completed before year end. First Citizens Bank provided $24.5 million in construction financing. The facility will cover more than 272,000 square feet, with 54 truck doors and more than 350 parking spaces. The 16-acre site is located near Highway 121, Interstate 635 and Dallas-Fort Worth airport.

Fielder’s Glen, a 220-unit, multi-family property at 3601 S. Fielder Road in Arlington, has been sold to Rise48 Equity of Scottsdale, AZ. The seller of the complex, built in 1985, was Western Wealth Capital. Marcus & Millichap was the broker for both.

Fort Worth approved an agreement that allows for the Forest Park Miniature Train and associated concession stand to begin operating under a 10-year lease. The agreement has two five-year lease renewal options that could push operations to 2044. The train runs through Trinity and Forest parks. 

San Antonio-based DOCUmation, a technology solutions company, has acquired three Epic Office Solutions, including the office in Fort Worth.

Unreal real estate: A 761-acre ranch owned by the heirs of Mrs. Baird’s Bread has been listed for sale for $12.9 million.

One of Fort Worth's most prestigious honors was given to Cook Children’s this week. The Exchange Club of Fort Worth’s Golden Deeds award is given annually to a person or organization the club considers most outstanding citizen or business. Cantey Hanger attorney Ralph Duggins, president of the club, said Cook Children’s was the perfect fit because “no other institution has been more demonstrative in making a difference in the lives of so many, and beyond.” 

Daiso, a global retailer, says it will open June 1 at Bernie Anderson off Camp Bowie in Fort Worth, in a space formerly occupied by Tuesday Morning. The retailer sells unique and affordable household goods, stationery, beauty, and more. It is the 12th location in north Texas.

Mercedes-Benz announced an agreement with Buc-ee’s to create a premium EV charging network. The high-powered chargers are capable of boosting some EVs from a 10% charge to 80% in 20 minutes. Enough time to down a bag of beaver nuggets.

Charles Schwab Corp.'s chief financial officer Peter Crawford is retiring after the completion of the T.D. Ameritrade purchase. He will be replaced by former Citigroup executive Mike Verdeschi May 20. Joe Martinetto will become executive chairperson of Schwab Banks after working as chief operating officer at the firm. And Jon Beatty will become head of advisor services and join Schwab's executive council.

Below is a sampling of topics from this week’s Motley Fool column. To read all the Fool's gold, click here.

• This week’s stock pick is healthcare giant Medtronic. The company is shedding less profitable operations, and its growth rate should be higher than the past two years.

• The Fool explains why taking on debt sometimes can be more profitable.

• A reader asks whether an investment is lost if a company declares bankruptcy.

Sports shorts:

• Malisone Chanthanpanya, a Texas Wesleyan graduate student, is one of the first 10 PGA Tour First Tee Scholarship Program graduates. Representing First Tee-Fort Worth, she is prepping for LPGA qualifying school in the fall.

• HanesBrands, the world’s largest supplier of collegiate fan apparel, has reached a five-year extension of its partnership with TCU, renewing the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell Horned Frog fanwear in the mass retail channel.

• Tarleton State University has changed the date for its home football game against McNeese State University to Saturday, Aug. 24 at Memorial Stadium to accommodate its first nationally televised game in program history. Times and telecast information have not been released for the games that day. 

Snippets:

• Tarleton offers free tuition to Fort Worth campus for certain students.

• Great irony, indeed: Job search and data company Indeed Inc. has plans to lay off about 1,000 employees, 8% of its workforce.

• A new Blue Bell flavor available for a limited time is A&W Root Beer Float, a creamy vanilla ice cream swirled together with an A&W Root Beer-flavored sherbet.

• To protect domestic manufacturing, U.S. tariffs on imported Chinese-made steel are tripling and have also increased for semiconductors and computer chips, electric vehicles, and some types of medical products.

Name game: Not many of you realize that Julia Roberts is working in Fort Worth...as marketing manager for the Fort Worth Chamber.

Believe it or not: Randy Travis released Where That Came From, a new song that includes an AI-generated re-creation of his voice. The country star suffered a stroke over a decade ago and hadn't released music since. Listen to it.

Announcements:

• TCU: Hires Tom Wavering as its inaugural chief university strategy and innovation officer, effective in July.

• Texas Wesleyan University: Names Michele M. Boillotat Vice President for Advancement.

• Brown Books Publishing Group: Adds Teresa Argenbright as children's author. 

• TownePlace Suites by Marriott FW Downtown: Names Iris Pineiro Director of Sales.

Last poll results: What should be the top priority of your city’s leaders? The top answer (out of 8 choices): Public safety.

Note to readers: Due to a software update, our reader poll is temporarily suspended.