Fort Worth ISD "unacceptable," says Mayor; Justin, TX goes Canoo-ing; NFL to allow private equity.

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Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker spoke to Fort Worth ISD board members yesterday and told them their results were "unacceptable." Mayor Parker presented her case in a speech, and in a letter with the signatures of 40+ influential Fort Worth leaders, including every city council member.

Barbeque veterans Jeff Payne, owner and president of Cousins BBQ, and his business partner Jason Cross, expect to open an upscale restaurant - The Mont - in Fort Worth’s Montserrat neighborhood this winter. Chef Michael Duff, who comes from an 11-year career at Eddie V’s, said the menu will feature handmade pasta, steaks and seafood.

Busey Bank and CrossFirst Bank officials have signed a definitive agreement and plan of merger with CrossFirst becoming Busey in an all-common stock transaction valued at approximately $916.8 million. The combined company will have approximately $20 billion in total assets, approximately $17 billion in total deposits and approximately $13 billion in wealth management assets under management.

General Motors has withdrawn its application to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to create GM Financial Bank after three-plus years of processing.

TCU football coach Sonny Dykes and his wife Kate have donated $1 million to TCU athletics. The Dykes' gift will be split between honoring former TCU offensive lineman Jamal Powell with his name on the weight room, and Shirley Enis, late wife of TCU Trustee Hunter Enis, with an endowment in her name to support women's athletics.

TCU's Football Performance Center, scheduled for completion in July 2025, will be called the Harrison Family Football Performance Center in honor of Mike and Brenda Harrison of Midland.

Eleven of 40 MBA programs in Texas found a spot on U.S. News & World Report's 2024 ranking of the best business schools in America. Here are Texas’ top five:

• McCombs School of Business at UT-Austin / #1 in Texas, #16 in U.S.

• Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University / #2 in Texas, #29 in U.S.

• Cox School of Business at SMU / #3 in Texas, #34 in U.S.

• Naveen Jindal School of Management at UT-Dallas / #4 in Texas, #38 in U.S.

• Neeley School of Business at TCU / #5 in Texas, #44 in U.S.

New orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods unexpectedly fell in July and data for the prior month was revised lower, suggesting a loss of momentum in business spending on equipment. The report from the Commerce Department also indicated that the manufacturing sector continued to tread water amid higher interest rates. While orders for long-lasting manufactured goods rebounded sharply last month, aircraft accounted for the increase.

Authentic Warehouse Outlet has purchased the former Office Depot in the strip center anchored by Albertsons at 6680 W. Freeway, the northeast corner of I-30 and Green Oaks Road.  Also at the center is the recently opened Thrift Giant in a former Best Buy. Authentic buys excess inventory from big box stores and re-sells it at a discount.

Impact Ventures, an 8-week program designed for early-to-growth stage small businesses, is expanding its Capital Readiness Program to Fort Worth starting Oct. 15. Applications close October 1st. Apply here.

As 817 Biz first reported Monday, a new sports network called ALLCITY debuted its daily sports-specific coverage in D-FW across streaming video, podcast, and other digital platforms. 

The Peppa Pig theme park planned in North Richland Hills has delayed its opening until 2025.

Unlocking billions: NFL owners voted 31-1 to allow private equity firms to purchase up to 10% ownership in their franchises. Only the Cincinnati Bengals voted no. 

Trustees at Keller Independent School District are requiring teachers to use pronouns for students that match the biological sex listed on their birth certificate. Parents must provide written notice granting permission for their student to be referred to by a different name or gender pronoun. The district said it upholds parents' fundamental rights "concerning the upbringing, education, and care of their children."

Texas secured a temporary administrative stay against the Biden administration, blocking the “parole in place” policy while litigation continues. Sixteen states sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over a new policy which allows certain classifications of illegal aliens to gain permanent residency status while remaining in the U.S. in violation of federal law.

Not in Taylor's ballpark, but ... Jason and Travis Kelce have signed a deal with Amazon's Wondery for distribution of their "New Heights" podcast, and it's worth more than $100 million for three years.

Head scratcher: A recent poll from YouGov found that 48% of Americans consider themselves to be weird, with 13% calling themselves “very weird.” Younger, more liberal respondents tended to be more likely to embrace the title, while older or more conservative respondents said they were not very weird or not at all weird.

Significant stat: Baggage fees have become a major moneymaker for airlines, bringing in a record $33 billion in 2023. As a result, airlines are more motivated than ever to ensure passengers comply with carry-on size and weight limits.

Believe it or not: Babe Ruth's jersey from the 1932 World Series sold for over $24 million at a Dallas auction last Sunday morning. 

Today’s trivia: Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, the largest operating steam locomotive ever, is touring America and will be in Tarrant County October 10-11. No. 4014 has been retired 63 years after logging 1 million miles during its 20 years of service. The free event will take place at 275 W. Lancaster Ave. in Fort Worth.

Announcements: 

• TCU- M.J. Neeley School of Business: Adds Allison Taylor as an Instructor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

• Medical City-Fort Worth: Names Brandy Stegall Chief Nursing Officer.

• AS Colour: Adds Justin Schlegel as Southwest sales representative.

• Century Golf: George Gdovin announces promotion to Vice President.

• Fort Worth: Promotes Christine Gillett to Sales & Events Manager at Will Rogers Memorial Center.

• Balcom Agency: Promotes Lauren Papenfuss to senior account manager.

• Alamo Corporate Group: Don Hankins has been inducted into the International Business Brokers Association Hall of Fame.