Exxon gets approval; Lockheed pull out; Bet on Dave & Buster's?

Exxon Mobil reportedly has gained FTC approval for its $60-$65 billion, all-stock acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources, which was announced last October. The deal makes Exxon the largest energy producer in the Permian Basin, with the equivalent of approximately two billion barrels a day by 2027 compared to 600k now.

Multiple reports surfaced last night that Lockheed Martin had withdrawn its offer to purchase Terran Orbital. Terran Orbital posted this note: On March 1, 2024, Lockheed Martin Corporation (“LMC”) submitted a letter (the “Proposal”) to the Issuer outlining a non-binding proposal for LMC to acquire, in a merger transaction, all of the Common Stock for $1.00 per share in cash. On April 30, 2024, LMC notified the Issuer that it was withdrawing the proposal.

Arlington has completed two more Chapter 380 agreements. Christian media company GAC Media is moving from Fort Worth to 2221 East Lamar Blvd. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to help recoup renovation and relocation costs. Acciona Facility Services, a Spanish sustainable infrastructure solutions company, will be opening its U.S. headquarters.

ESPN reporter Todd Archer writes that Dallas police will not pursue sexual assault charges against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott because of a lack of sufficient evidence. The case stemmed from an accusation that allegedly occurred in 2017 in which the victim said Prescott assaulted her in the back of an SUV in a strip club parking lot. In March, Prescott filed suit seeking monetary relief in excess of $1 million after receiving a letter in January from attorneys for the woman that they would forego pursuing criminal charges for $100 million.

Iraqi Security Media Cell Major General Tahseen Al-Khafaji announced that Iraq agreed with the United States to purchase  —12 Bell 412 multi-purpose helicopters and nine Bell 407 helicopters. He said the United States also provided military aid, represented by 15 Bell 505 training helicopters and five Bell 412 helicopters.

UT Southwestern Medical Center has shared preliminary plans with Fort Worth officials for a $100-million expansion that would double the size of Moncrief Cancer Institute off West Magnolia. A new wing and a five-story parking garage would replace plots of warehouses and empty lots across South Jennings Avenue.

Hillwood has plans for a 766,994-square-foot industrial building at its AllianceTexas development. Completion date is targeted around July 1, 2025. Alliance Westport 14 has access to Intermodal Parkway, FM 156 and the BNSF Railway Alliance Intermodal Facility. Hillwood is targeting industries such as logistics, e-commerce and manufacturing.

Bob Gill, the attorney for former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean, has asked the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals to take up the case, arguing jurors should only have been allowed to decide on murder, not manslaughter. Dean fatally shot Atatiana Jefferson through her bedroom window in 2019, while responding to a call about open doors at the home.

Dunaway continued its string of recent acquisitions, acquiring Dallas-based CRIADO & Associates, a public infrastructure firm. Dunaway Senior VP and Principal Kervin Campbell will lead the transition

Iced tea chain HTeaO opens its first location in Fort Worth at 5101 N. Tarrant Pkwy., with a grand opening event today. The Fort Worth-based company has 134 locations open or in progress.

Is fertilizer produced by the city of Fort Worth sickening cattle and upsetting ranchers in Johnson County? WFAA has the story.

Two Tarrant non-profits have received grants from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health as part of the organization's $5-million, 5-year support in Texas to support mental health and well-being. The local awardees were Hope 4 Kids in Arlington and Cowtown Clubhouse in Fort Worth.

Matt Zavadsky, formerly with MedStar, will be joining PWW|AG as vice president. He will be a key leader in advancing the firm’s national EMS and mobile healthcare consulting practice. MedStar is becoming part of the Fort Worth Fire Department.

Polling places are open tomorrow from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. For voting locations and information about cities and other jurisdictions holding elections, visit the Tarrant County elections website.

A national advisory panel lowered the age recommendations for screening mammography, saying all women should start breast cancer screening at age 40, rather than 50, and continue every other year until age 74.

Are you a Skee-Ball expert? Hot Shots pro? Dallas-based restaurant and arcade chain Dave & Busters soon will allow customers to bet with friends on arcade games through its app, with wagers starting at $5. It is an attempt to cash in on the $6 billion social betting market.  The company's stock is up more than 50% the past year.

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

• The Fool answers readers' questions about why a stock would start trading one morning at a very different price from where it closed the day before.

• This week’s stock pick is Amazon. For decades, its shares have seemed too pricey, but recently, they’ve looked fairly priced. As a top buy-and-hold stock for the long haul, the Fool thinks it’s a great grower at a fair price.

• The Fool responds to a reader whose best and worst investment happened when Tesla first went public in 2010.

Milestone moment: Tomorrow marks a rare sports sesquicentennial -- the 150^th  running of the Kentucky Derby -- one of the world’s oldest sporting events. In 1875, the telephone, incandescent light bulb, automobile and flashlight had yet to be invented. Coca-Coca and Hershey bars were not products. Other sporting events have been interrupted because of wars, pandemics, natural disasters and labor strife. Not so for the Kentucky Derby. Read about its place in history.

Snippets:

• Sports Bra, an Oregon pub for women’s sports fans, plans national expansion (see video).

• Airbnb is diving into pop culture with new experiential listings, including iconic locations like Pixar houses and Prince’s "Purple Rain" house.

Announcements:

• Standard Meat Company: Appoints Keith Blanks as Chief Commercial Officer.

• Fort Worth: Names Assistant Director of Human Resources Kacey Bess as interim director of neighborhood services.

• Fort Worth: Selects Allison McNamara as interim General Manager at Will Rogers Memorial Center after the retirement of GM Kevin Kemp, and Claude Humphrey as interim Operations Manager. 

• Dallas Arboretum & Botanic Garden: Appoints Christie Eckler Chief Advancement Officer.

• American Airlines: Names Greg Smith chairman after retirement of Doug Parker. 

• JPS Health Network: Adds Dustin Austin to Board of Managers. 

• CBRE: Scott Muller returns as Executive Vice President of the D-FW retail practice.

• Jubilee Theatre: Hires Janaé Willis-Beard as its Managing Director.

• Birchstone Residential: Hires JoAnn Blaylock as President.

• U.S. Energy Development: Promotes Robert Thaxton to VP of oil and gas business operations.

Last poll results: Will the Dallas Stars and/or Dallas Mavericks advance to the next round of the playoffs? Both teams (58%), Stars only (18%), Mavs only (15%), Neither team (9%).