Clydesdales, Fortnite coming to FW; Granbury mind Bitcoin mining? Tarleton adds to automatic acceptances

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is in Korea and the press there reports that he will ask Samsung, LG and a group of Korean companies for more investments in Texas. Data collected by Korea shows it topped the list among nations that made the largest foreign direct investment in Texas the past decade ($20.59 billion) and is Texas’ fourth-largest trading partner. Abbott will also visit Taiwan and Japan during his 10-day trip.

Boeing agreed to plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States for its role in two fatal 737 Max crashes, the Justice Department said. Boeing will pay up to $487 million in fines — a fraction of the $24.8 billion that families of crash victims wanted the aircraft maker to pay. The families of victims of two fatal crashes of the 737 Max opposed the deal. 

American Airlines announced a conditional order with ZeroAvia to purchase 100 hydrogen-electric engines to power its regional jet fleet and help ensure zero inflight emissions. American also said it would increase its investment in ZeroAvia, which is flight-testing a prototype for a 20-seat airplane and designing an engine that can power larger aircraft, such as the Bombardier CRJ700. 

A partnership between A Parent Media Co. Inc. (APMC) and the Dallas Stars has produced a streaming network called VICTORY+. Dallas Stars President and CEO Brad Alberts said this "platform will revolutionize sports distribution, allowing fans to stream 100% of Stars content for free." APMC is in Calgary, Alberta and is known for Kidoodle and other family-oriented programming.

TCU is among colleges all in with $20+ million for NIL payments to NCAA athletes. Bloomberg Law explains the potential for equal pay lawsuits by sharing revenues. 

For several months in 2024, TIME spoke to more than 40 people in the Granbury area who reported a medical ailment that they believe is connected to the arrival of the Bitcoin mine: hypertension, heart palpitations, chest pain, vertigo, tinnitus, migraines, panic attacks. Here's what it learned. 

Beginning immediately, Birdville Independent School District seniors in the top 50 percent of their graduating class will earn automatic admission to Tarleton State University. As part of its Distinguished High School Partners program, Tarleton also will waive application fees for students who qualify.

The Budweiser Clydesdales will make an appearance in the Stockyards Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. They’ll roll down East Exchange Avenue immediately following the 11:30 a.m. cattle drive en route to Cowtown Coliseum, where they’ll be available for photos until 1:30 p.m.

Who knew that Topgolf has an ice cream truck? It’ll stop at the Fort Worth location Saturday, teeing up complimentary ice cream and Topgolf merchandise on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dickies Arena will play host to two gaming championships in September: the Fortnite Battle Royal Global Championship (Sept. 7-8), and the Rocket League World Championship (Sept. 14-15).

Nine-year-old William Hicks from Grapevine won LEGO’s North American Mini Master Builder competition for his re-creation of the Stockyards. Hicks spent 45 hours and used 6,000 bricks to build the model.

Restaurant roundup:

• Rock & Brews, a restaurant, bar and live music venue from KISS band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, has opened in Grapevine. It’s the chain’s second location in D-FW.

• Bocca Osteria Romana is slated to open at the end of the month at 411 S. Main St. and will serve scratch-made dishes in an authentic Roman style.

• La Cabrona Cucina Mexicana will open soon at 2933 Crockett St. in Artisan Circle and will serve authentic Mexican food in the spirit of Monterrey.

Bryan Stewart taught at Tarrant County College 10 years. He was Dean of the math and science departments for 13 years. He recently was named the President of the Kendall Campus of Miami-Dade College. 

Flavorful factoid: Chinese researchers discovered coffee drinkers who sit for 6+ hours a day have a 24% reduced risk of mortality compared to non-coffee drinkers who are sedentary. Additionally, the study found people who drink at least two cups of coffee a day have a 33% lower overall risk of mortality than non-coffee drinkers.

Daily digit: According to the TSA, more than three million people passed through U.S. airport security stations Sunday, a single-day record.

Significant stat: Fort Worth’s cost of doing business ranks 3% lower than the national average when it comes to tax burden, labor and energy costs. (Moody’s Analytics 2022)

Snippets:

• Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Michael Irvin announces opening of Playmakers88 Sports Bar & Grill in The Colony.

• Big Lots is closing 35 to 40 stores and has issued a “going concern” warning about its future viability. The retailer cited inflation as the driver behind poor sales.

• Walgreens slashed its outlook and announced store closings, citing a weakening consumer environment. It is reviewing a quarter of its 8,600 stores.

• National Medal of Honor Museum has received largest artifact ahead of opening in Arlington.

• Peacock is using an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated version of sportscaster Al Michael’s voice to give subscribers daily, personalized recaps of the Paris Olympics.

Announcements:

• United Way of Tarrant County: Hires Ebony Cobb-McCain as Director of Donor Relations.

• Ladder Alliance: Names Whitney Sanchez Director of Marketing & Development.

• Archer Education: Promotes Nici Sandburg to Vice President, Creative and Content.

• New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy: Adds Bart Lesniewicz to its board as chair of the development of its veteran’s program.

• The ETHOS Project:  Launched by Co-Conspirators Barbara Clark-Galupi and Mindia Whittier.

• KXAS (NBC) and KXTX (Telemundo): Chris Dolan hired as VP of Sales. 

• Kick'n Koats Painting: Adds Rick Stanford as National Director of Business Development.

• Dallas Furniture Bank: Names Liesl Manone CEO. 

• Themis Legal Group: Adds Dale Colvin as Vice President of Business Development.