Again, everything's bigger in Texas; How FW sells itself; Highest paying tech company?

Canyon Ranch Austin, located in Spicewood, Texas, is expected to begin construction on a $121-million, 223,739-square-foot resort this summer, according to a filing with the state. It will be the fifth resort in the company, which is owned by John Goff of Fort Worth. The others are in Arizona, Massachusetts, Las Vegas and the San Francisco area. There is also a Canyon Ranch Wellness Club and Spa in Fort Worth, with another expected to open in Houston this year. 

Merianne Kimmel Roth has been promoted to Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications at TCU. Roth’s experience spans corporate and community executive leadership roles, including positions at JPS Health Network, RadioShack, JCPenney, Pier 1 and Visit Fort Worth. She replaces Tracy Syler-Jones, who announced last fall she would be leaving after nearly 25 years.

American Airlines flight attendants have been told to prepare for a strike as negotiations between the airline and the attendants' reps have stalled.

Richard Hall is a 53-year-old former pharmacy co-owner and one of four Fort Worth men convicted in a money laundering scheme involving compounded drugs. Hall has been sentenced to 4 years and 4 months in prison and ordered to pay $60 million in restitution. WFAA has the story.

Ever wonder how the Fort Worth economic development team sells the city to outsiders? Here's an advertorial about the city’s "emerging frontier for aerospace and energy" from Los Angeles' Business First.

Past-due loans in the commercial real estate sector have hit their highest total in 11 years, according to CoStar. “The deterioration is concentrated in the largest banks, which reported a past due and nonaccrual rate of 4.48%. That is well above their pre-pandemic average rate of 0.59%."

A report from tech salaries site Levels.fyi says entry-level engineers who specialize in AI earn 8.6% more than those who don't. AI engineers who are a level higher earn 11.2% more and senior engineers earn 10.8% more. Open AI is the highest-paying firm with plus-$900k median total compensation.

The Mike (age 57) Tyson vs Jake (age 27) Paul fight America has been pining for has been postponed. They were scheduled to meet July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. A new date could be announced this week. Eight days ago, Tyson fell ill during a flight from Miami to L.A.; reports are he has a problem with an ulcer. 

In Texas, legal cannabis is not available; the hemp-based products Delta-8 and 9 are. It’s a market that is largely unregulated. The gummies, vape juice and smokables are being sold in specialty shops, corner convenience stores and vending machines. Will changes be made? Texas Public Radio has the story. 

The National Association of Realtors said April pending home sales (contract signings) fell the most in three years, and the level of activity was the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the spring of 2020.

Lost luggage? American Airlines was the worst offender during 2023, losing or damaging 7.6 for every 1,000 checked. It was an improvement from nine in 2022 and is fewer than 1% overall.

Snippets: 

• Texas is able to re-claim from Tennessee the largest Buc-ee's.

• Mary Vasquez' Enchiladas Ole is described as a restaurant of hope. WFAA has the story. 

• The Real Deal has the details of Rise48’s previously announced purchase of the 220-unit apartment complex Fielder’s Glen in Arlington.

• Mission Arlington has received a $125,000 donation from the Baptist General Convention of Texas to help expand the faith-based nonprofit organization’s free healthcare clinic.

Significant stat: The 2.7 million square feet of new runway surface at D-FW International Airport is equivalent to 570 NBA basketball courts, according to D-FW officials.

Announcements:

• Atkins Powerhouse Consulting: Launched by Renika Atkins.

• Fort Worth Report: Names Barbara "Babs" Rodriguez Managing Editor.

• Klein Tools: Hires Taylor Roberts as Vice President of Marketing.

• Texas Supreme Court: Appoints Cantey Hanger Partner Philip Vickers to its Professional Ethics Committee.

• Crestline Investors: Adds Will Palmer and Jesus Payan as Partners.

• Tarrant County: Executive Chief Deputy Charles Eckert is retiring, having led the jail operations since 2020 and 32 years with the prison.

• Jamak: Adds Jeff Eggleston as Director of Sales.

• Hallmark Homecare DFW-Central: Hires Sherrain Myles as Business Development Executive.

• Integrity Matters Group: Launched by co-founder/co-owner Renee Shannon.

• Vetsource: Names Natalie Patten Pharmacist in Charge.

• Annie's Place: Adds Danielle Reynolds, Whitley Penn, to its Board of Directors.

• Baird: Adds Joe Sholden as Director and Financial Advisor.