🎖️Coltala is top D-FW vet-owned biz; 'It's in the mail': What is a TCU degree? Mavs fans hoop up this exit!

James Litinsky, CEO of Fort Worth-based MP Materials, says the U.S. is in a new “Cold War” with China over rare earth metals. He warned investors that the “vast majority of projects being promoted today simply will not work at virtually any price.”

Leading investment firm KKR has struck a deal to sell Fort Worth-based aerospace and defense hardware maker Novaria Group to Arcline Investment Management. The transaction is valued at $2.2 billion. After KKR’s initial investment in 2020, Novaria has more than tripled in size, completing 13 strategic add-on acquisitions. Today, it serves 3,000-plus customers globally and employs more than 1,600 in the U.S.

In political news, President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for re-election, Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare said he would run for re-election, and attorney Tim Smith announced he was running for the county GOP Chair position. 

“It’s in the mail”: TCU graduates will walk the stage during commencement ceremonies in December and receive a diploma cover. Inside will be instructions about how to get your diploma in the mail.

With a $150 million revenue gain from 2023, Fort Worth-based Coltala Holdings leads the Dallas Business Journal's list of the largest veteran-owned businesses in the region with $330 million in revenue during 2024. Byrne Construction, also a Fort Worth business, finished second with $227 million.

Bedford-based Unleashed Brands signed a lease for a new 50,000-square-foot headquarters located at 600 E. Las Colinas Blvd in Irving. The Unleashed Brands platform includes Urban Air Adventure Park, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, Snapology, XP League, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Water Wings Swim School. 

Project Suncatcher, a Google program, aims to create an artificial intelligence data center in low Earth orbit with computing spread across a tightly knit array of satellites. The company is funding the project as a long-term “moonshot.” A pair of prototype satellites carrying Google’s proprietary AI chips are scheduled to launch by early 2027. 

After an evaluation of its Tissue Health Plus segment, Fort Worth-based Sanara MedTech decided to discontinue operations of THP to improve its operating efficiency and reallocate resources to its core surgical business.

President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to reverse a $5-million sexual abuse and defamation judgment against him in a civil lawsuit by former Elle magazine advice columnist E. Jean Carroll.

What is happening and what is the prognosis for freight with the billions and billions of dollars being spent on building data centers? Are they the saviors for trucking? The Commercial Carrier Journal takes a look. 

The Texas Department of Transportation has updated the travel upgrade undertaken of its significant bridge and roadway expansion project on state highway 199 over Lake Worth. Work is expected to be completed during spring 2026.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford announced the flight reductions at 40 airports in the U.S. will go from 4% to 10% by Nov. 14. The decision follows reports of strain on air traffic operations as controllers continue to work during the government shutdown.

ID Technology, a Fort Worth-based provider of labeling, coding, and marking solutions, is expanding three of its 15 North American facilities. The company is doubling its headquarters facility footprint, enabling expanded production capacity, enhanced manufacturing capabilities, and improved customer support.

Bridwell Capital sold the 180-unit Cooper Park multi-family property at 276 Cooper Square in Arlington to Endurance Capital. The property was built in 1979 on 13 acres. Institutional Property Advisors’ William Hubbard, Taylor Hill, Michael Ware, Drew Kile and Joey Tumminello represented the seller and procured the buyer.

Governor Greg Abbott's property tax plan aims to rein in local governments’ authority. He is pushing for tighter spending limits and voter control over tax hikes. 

The Supreme Court rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriages nationwide. The justices, without comment, turned away an appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the high court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.

Tandy Leather Factory reported a loss of $1.4 million, or 17 cents per share, during its third quarter. The Fort Worth leather goods retailer posted revenue of $17.3 million.

With electric vehicle demand sluggish, Ford is considering scrapping the EV version of its bestselling F-150 truck. Once hailed as “a smartphone that can tow,” the F-150 EV has been a $13-billion money loser since 2023.

Running around too much or getting too hot used to trigger seizures several times a week for 8-year-old Sebastian Ruiz. But since he started an investigational treatment through a clinical study at Cook Children’s, the seizures happen less often -- once or twice a month – and don’t last as long. Today, there is hope for Sebastian, one of about 20,000 people in the U.S. with a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome.

Sally Kirkland, a one-time model who became a regular on stage, film and TV, has passed at 84. She was best known for her work in “The Sting” and her Oscar-nominated title role in “Anna."

Daily digit: $599 = Rumored price of Apple’s new low-cost MacBook. The budget laptop line marks a steep departure from the company’s roots in the premium market.

Snippets:

• Glenn Beck sells Westlake estate in Vaquero Club neighborhood after price cut to just under $12 million. 

• Maine-based Farmers’ Almanac prints its final edition after 208 years. New Hampshire's competing almanac is still publishing. 

• Here are the eight Senators that kick-started the end of U.S. shutdown.

• Wendy's to close hundreds of stores by year-end. 

Announcements: 

• Worthington Bank: Names Gary Price CEO. Price helped establish the Colleyville market during his 14-year tenure and succeeds Greg Morse, who is executive chairman.

• Dallas Mavericks: Fire General Manager Nico Harrison. Hire Gina Miller as Chief Communications Officer.

• Whitley Penn: Names four Partners, effective Jan. 1 -- Duke Deen, Deal Advisory; and Cole Elliott, Audra Mead and Nicholas Miller in tax. 

• Brackett & Ellis: Adds Associate Attorneys Kaylee Maxon, Ian Klein and Amy Panchal.

• Honda of Fort Worth: Names Manny Garza Finance Manager. 

• BRIX Holdings:  The company of Friendly’s, Orange Leaf and Red Mango appoints Erik Jensen as Vice President of Marketing. 

• Greater FW Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America:  Receives recognition as  “Chapter of the Year” by the PRSA Southwest District’s Horizon Awards. Additionally, member Abigail Hoover was named “Volunteer of the Year” by the Southwest District, which comprises 15 chapters across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas and Louisiana. Locally, Cook Children's won the Worthy Award for Best of Show. For all local "Worthy" winners, click here. 

• Camp Fire First Texas: Promotes Yolanda Willis to Associate Vice President of Early Education Workforce Development. She had served as Director of the Camp Fire Early Education Apprenticeship Program.

• UNT Health Fort Worth: Re-names its patient safety center to the Texas Center for Patient Safety.

• Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Selects Levi Moell, a Marine Corps veteran and Dayton Flyers running back, for its Merit Award, given to a person with a military background who has impacted college football. 

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