📌FW loses state rep Hancock; Charges against AG Paxton dropped; Colonial groundbreaking an ace for TCU.

The 2026 race for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has a third candidate when state Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) announced a bid for the office after having been hired as the agency’s chief clerk. Hancock resigned from the Senate before taking the new position. Governor Greg Abbott will schedule a special election to replace him.

After years of legal wrangling, the state has moved to dismiss the long-standing felony securities fraud charges against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. A political opponent accused Paxton of failing to properly disclose financial ties to a tech firm while soliciting investors.

Fort Worth-based KGN Support Services has been awarded a $22,189,297 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of infrastructure projects at Callao Naval Base, Lima, Peru, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 7, 2027.

Marcus & Millichap | The Santelli Group announced the sale and leaseback of Malone's Pub at 1303 Calhoun Street, amidst the construction of the Texas A&M campus and the Convention Center renovations. The brokers said a repeat client buyer purchased it above list price.

Fort Worth-area transit agency Trinity Metro approved a 10-year extension with operating company Herzog Transit Services for its two commuter rail operations, the TEXRail line between Fort Worth and D-FW International Airport, and the Trinity Railway Express between Fort Worth and Dallas.

The Regional Transportation Council unanimously approved Mobility 2050, a long-range plan to support the region’s rapid growth and improve transportation infrastructure. With four million new residents expected by 2050, the plan outlines strategic investments to keep North Texas moving:  $97.5B – Freeways, tollways, and major roadways; $59.7B – Public transit (rail and bus systems); $29.8B – Infrastructure maintenance; $25.7B – System management and operations; and $6.4B – Strategic policy initiatives.

The go-broke dates for Medicare and Social Security trust funds have moved up as rising health care costs and new legislation affecting Social Security benefits have contributed to the shortfalls. The date for Medicare is 2033, three years earlier than last year. Social Security is projected to be able to pay only 81% of benefits in 2034: a year ago, it could pay 100% until 2035. 

Gov. Abbott was in Fort Worth this week to sign bills and speak during a Fort Worth Economic Development Department luncheon. By signing House Concurrent Resolution 142, the state resolved that "...Texas hereby designate(s) Fort Worth as the official Aviation and Defense Capital of Texas." Ceremonial in nature, yes, but the recognition highlights Fort Worth's importance to aviation, aerospace, and defense manufacturing and innovation, which accounts for billions to the economy. 

Tunisia's Air Force remains a huge Bell backer, ordering 12 Subaru Bell 412EPX helicopters for multi-role military and security missions. Fort Worth-headquartered Bell Textron says Tunisia’s rotary wing fleet is at 39 Bell aircraft, including Bell UH-1s, 205s and OH-58s. The Tunisian National Guard, meanwhile, recently began operating the Bell 429.

Announced in November 2023 and more than a year behind the original schedule, the golf performance center from TCU and Colonial Country Club has broken ground at Colonial. Mac Engel of the Star-Telegram has details. 

Fort Worth-based Dominus Commercial sold Hillsboro Self Storage, a facility with approximately 7,750 rentable square footage. Brokers were Chad Snyder and Tyler Trahant, who said the property stood out with some of the highest rental rates in its market.

Tomorrow at Dickies Arena is the statewide debut of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. The fast-growing combat sport has a free, open weigh-in today at 5:30 pm at Billy Bob’s.

Fort Worth-based Galaxy Unmanned Systems has received a patent for "Unmanned Airships, Aerostats, and Hybrid Airship-Aerostat Systems and Methods Thereof," invented by Bedford-based Antonio Roberto White and Arlington-based Jason Theodore White. The patent describes a hybrid system that combines lift and thrust capabilities, allowing a tethered airship to be maneuvered and controlled using a rotating motor, directional fins, and a removable bridle system.

Wood Partners plans to build Alta River Park, a multi-family community set to break ground in June just west of the Chisholm Trail Toll Road and across from the Waterside shopping area. Due to finish during the summer of 2027, Alta River Park will encompass 365 units, including a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts.

Texas lawmakers passed bills making it easier for gun owners to access and keep firearms, and expanded the kinds of weapons they can access. Here’s what to know.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a gender-affirming care ban for minors in Tennessee was constitutional, effectively green-lighting a similar law in Texas and about two dozen other states. Texas’ law, similar to the Tennessee statute the court considered, prohibits doctors from prescribing medical treatments, like hormone therapy and puberty blockers, to help a minor transition.

General Mills agreed to remove artificial dyes from its products because of an investigation by the Texas Attorney General office about deceptive marketing of its cereals. The company said it would remove petroleum-based dyes from food sold in schools by next summer and its entire product line by Jan. 1 2028.

Snippets:

• Overcrowded Arlington Animal Services is at 130% of capacity and has reduced adoption fees to $5 out the door. 

• A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader says during the second season of the Netflix series on the squad that they are getting a serious increase in pay...400%.

Significant stat: Streaming viewership in the U.S. eclipsed cable and broadcast combined in May for the first time, according to Nielsen data. Streaming represented 44.8% of all TV viewership, its largest share of viewing to date. Both broadcast and cable fell to near all-time lows.

Announcements:

• Lockheed Martin: Appoints Jalen Drummond Vice President of Corporate Affairs and International Communications.

• Seaton Hill Partners: Adds Brad Sather, CPA, CMA, CVA.

• PlainsCapital Bank: Promotes Shelly Chambers to wealth management market manager for the Fort Worth region of The Private Bank.

• New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy: Promotes Susan Altshuler to Program Manager.

• Biotechnology Innovation Organization: Adds Nanoscope co-founder and CEO Sulagna Bhattacharya as an Executive Committee Director. 

• CEO LIFE: Names Vannah Hughes as Chapter Director for Dallas region.

• Fort Worth Opera: Hires Ryan Lathan, who previously served as Director of Marketing and Communications, as Associate Director of Development. 

• Guaranteed Rate Affinity: Appoints Linda Vo Regional Manager in north Texas.

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