✈️Faster than a speeding bullet; Tarrant prison blues

An American Airlines 787 jet broke a record for the fastest subsonic flight after it attained a ground speed of 840 mph. The flight was aided by a record jet stream that reached 265 mph. The National Weather Service said the wind speed was the second-highest measured since record-keeping began in the 1950s. The only higher wind speed recorded at a comparable altitude was 267 mph on Dec. 6, 2002.

Tarrant County commissioners voted unanimously to end three months early a contract with a private prison that violated state standards. An inspection uncovered problems such as medical neglect, a lack of safety training and missing documentation at the Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility in Post, Texas, about four hours west of Fort Worth. The county has signed $40 million worth of contracts since 2022 to house prisoners.

Napier AI, a UK-based financial crime software firm, has raised $57 million for its software that provides financial crime and regulatory compliance for financial institutions. The raise was led by Fort Worth-based alternative asset manager Crestline Investors. “(We) believe their market-leading, AI-powered technology platform is well-positioned to help financial institutions and other regulated companies excel in an environment with rapidly expanding transaction volumes and increasing regulatory requirements,” Crestline Managing Director Will Palmer said.

A U.S. District Judge denied GameStop’s motion to dismiss game purchasers’ putative class action alleging it violated federal video privacy law by uploading their personal information using Meta Platform Inc.'s tracking tools. GameStop had argued that it wasn’t covered by the Video Privacy Protection Act as a game seller. The suit was filed in August 2022, accusing the company of uploading consumers’ personal information alongside their game purchase data. 

The search is on if you have interest in being the President of the University of North Texas in Denton. See who makes up the advisory search committee.

Texas Monthly’s annual list of Texas’ Best New Restaurants for 2024 includes two in Fort Worth. Felip Armenta and Graham Elliot’s French restaurant Le Margot came in at No. 2 and Adam Jones and Blaine Staniford’s Italian restaurant 61 Osteria is No. 4.

Please join 817 BIZ at 61 Osteria (500 W. 7^th  St.) for our inaugural Business On Tap networking event Wednesday, February 28 from 5 to 7 pm. We'll provide live music, cocktails, and hors d’ oeuvres from Chef Blaine Staniford. No pressure and no presentations, just handshakes. Bring a friend or co-worker and meet interesting people who have new ideas to share. RSVP to [email protected].

A 58-acre site near the intersection of Interstates 20 and 35W has been sold to an unidentified buyer who plans future development. The acreage at 5921 South Freeway has ramp access to I-20 and I-35 and is near Alcon Laboratories, Miller Coors and Ben E. Keith Foods. Younger Partners represented the seller; Industrial Reserve repped the buyer.

University of North Texas Regents approved the University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Nursing's third and fourth degree programs: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Pending approvals, HSC would launch the degree programs fall semester 2025.

After eight years, the Fort Worth Film Commission says it has had a $655 million economic impact for Fort Worth, according to Commissioner Jessica Christopherson. She told city council members the boost has resulted in more than 20,000 jobs.

Australia’s City Cave Float & Wellness Center has opened its U.S. headquarters at Edwards Ranch Road in Fort Worth. The wellness franchise offers float therapy, infrared sauna and massage services. With 74 locations in Australia and New Zealand, and one in Fort Lauderdale, the company plans to begin franchising in north Texas.

Novaria Group, headquartered in North Richland Hills, is a privately held manufacturer of specialty components and hardware for the aerospace and defense industries. It announced it had acquired Anillo Industries, a manufacturer of washers, shims, spacers, plain bearings and stampings in Orange, CA. 

Say it ain't so: The stretch of North University Drive from Jacksboro Highway to Rockwood Park Drive might shut down for some 12 to 18 months to raise the roadway 10-to-15 feet higher, which keeps it clear of the 100-year floodplain, a move deemed essential by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Happy 100^th birthday, Tarrant Regional Water District. It was established in 1924 after massive floods devastated Fort Worth in 1922. Today, TRWD provides water to more than 2.3 million people in 11 north Texas counties, owns and maintains the 27-mile Fort Worth Floodway levee system, and built and/or manages recreational areas, including Trinity Trails, Airfield Falls, Twin Points, and Eagle Mountain.

Believe it or not: United Parcel Service, Inc. plans out the routes for its delivery trucks so that 90% of their turns are right turns, since left turns are seen as less efficient due to sitting in traffic longer and statistically causing more accidents. As Matthew McConaughey would say: “All right, all right, all right”. (WaPo gift article)

Ribs on pancakes? The latest Texas trend is barbecue for breakfast. Morning options at barbecue joints across the state have gotten “brunch-ified,” says Daniel Vaughn of Texas Monthly.

Fort Worth-based Lance and Julie Turner were named 2023 Express Employment Professionals franchisees of the year. They were recognized at the 2024 International Franchising Association annual conference in Phoenix. 

People on the move:

• Brite Divinity School: Announces Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady will start March 4 as the Seminary's next President. 

• Goosehead Insurance: Co-founder Mark James moves to Executive Chairman and Mark Miller is named CEO and Board Member. 

• Lincoln Property Co.: Appoints Brian Bacharach as Executive Vice President.

Snippets:

• A man sues the Powerball lottery after being told his $340M “win” was a mistake.

• The five most exciting innovations coming to an airport near you.  

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