📢BNSF: competitors' railway merger delayed; Visionary: Ross Perot's next big bet? Feed us: Heim, Tinie's, Hurtado make moves.

Visit Fort Worth President & CEO Bob Jameson is retiring April 30 after 13 years of engaging tourists with local businesses and attractions. During his tenure, visitor spend doubled, elevating tourism to a driving force in Fort Worth's economic development strategy. Under his leadership, the organization developed the Fort Worth Sports and Film commissions, Hear Fort Worth music office, and the Fort Worth Tourism Public Improvement District.

Federal regulators sent Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern back to the drawing board, rejecting the railroads’ initial merger application. The Surface Transportation Board unanimously declared the Class I railroads’ 7,000-page filing incomplete, saying it does not contain sufficient information required by its regulations. Fort Worth-based BNSF Railway opposes the merger. 

Ross Perot Jr. reads books instead of watching TV. He hires young people to listen to their new ideas and tries not to be the cranky guy who says it won't work. D CEO and Dallas Innovates selected Perot to receive the inaugural Legacy of Innovation Award and provided this profile. 

Walt and Joc Greenman, members of an Oklahoma ranching family, purchased a large, luxury horse farm and 5,200-square-foot estate between Fort Worth and Mineral Wells, according to The Real Deal. The report says the two tracts -- Firewater Ranch and K6 Ranch -- total approximately 1,400 acres. Included are an 870-acre equestrian facility and a stocked lake. The properties were listed for $28.5 million. The Greenmans will sell their 1,567-acre Oklahoma farm for $9.4 million.

Fort Worth councilman Michael Crain, 53, released his first statement since his arrest by the Department of Public Safety last weekend. He apologized for the “distraction" and said, “I regret the concern and uncertainty it has created for the people I care about and serve." He is out on $750 bond. 

A contribution of $100,000 from the Minicks has established the annual $10,000 Billy and Pam Minick All-Around Award for the FWSSR PRORODEO tournament during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. To have a chance to win, a competitor must have qualified in at least two events. 

George Howard Porter, part of the family that developed Walsh Ranch, has passed away, according to a post by his cousin, Jon Bonnell. Jon wrote: " He was an amazing person, a dedicated husband and father, a giant of a man to me, and will truly be missed. He courageously fought cancer three times after serving most of his life as a firefighter. Thank a first responder every chance you get. RIP, brother."

American Airlines just added a little jet fuel to its contentious battle with United Airlines at Chicago's O'Hare Airport by adding 168 daily flights.

American Airlines updated its mobile app to offer customers instant re-booking options, real-time baggage tracking and a number of other improvements.

The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit is offering up to $1 million in prizes for companies to prototype user-friendly “orchestrator” control software for whole formations of un-manned air, ground, and water vehicles. Submissions are due by Sunday and, if selected, the pace will be brutally brisk, starting within 10 days. 

U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor dismissed a lawsuit challenging Keller's at-large voting system, ordering plaintiffs to pay legal fees for "baseless" claims. The judge dismissed the Voting Rights Act case, a win for the district after community outrage and multiple legal challenges against the board's actions. Separate lawsuits against the board around the Texas Open Meetings Act are pending.

Arlington’s first-responder drones are filling the skies and UT-Arlington Shorthorn editor Pedro Malkomes puts you in the control room with this report.

Francesca’s, a women’s clothing and accessories chain, is closing all stores nationwide and liquidating inventory. The retailer, which grew to operate more than 450 boutiques across the U.S., including five in Tarrant County, has begun “last chance” clearance and warehouse sale pricing.

Sabre, based in Southlake, entered into a 10-year agreement with Lao Airlines designed to take Laos’ national carrier into the future of offer and order-based retailing.

Valentino Garavani, a dresser of grandees who became one himself, died at his home in Rome. He was 93.

Texas' Attorney General office has issued an opinion dismantling most everything DEI in Texas, and taking a "flawed opinion" shot at Sen. John Cornyn, who happens to be facing Attorney General Ken Paxton for the senate seat in 2026.

Restaurant roundup:

• What happens when Sarah Castillo and Adrian Burciaga team to restore, revamp and revitalize a restaurant? There's new energy as Tinie’s re-opens on South Main.

• BBQ pitmaster Brandon Hurtado, with Tarrant locations in Arlington, Mansfield and Globe Life Field, home of Texas Rangers, has unveiled Loma, a full-service restaurant serving Tex-Mex that he and his wife Hannah are opening at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington. Loma is Spanish for "hill" or "mound," as in pitcher's mound.

• Heim Barbecue will close its W. Magnolia Avenue restaurant Feb. 1, transfer the Dallas location to a long-term, employee-turned-franchisee, and focus on two other locations and the start-up of a fixed-price concept called Heim Pig Stand.

Significant stat: 45% = Number of Americans who identified as policital independents in 2025, the highest share recorded, according to a Gallup poll.

Daily digit: $580 million = How much U.S. airlines are expected to save in fuel costs this year, thanks to the growing use of weight-loss products. According to the Los Angeles Times, a projected 10% weight loss of passengers could boost their earnings by ~4%.

Announcements:

• GM Financial: Hires Leah Hersey as Corporate Communications Manager - Community Investment.

• Huntington National Bank: Hires Laura Miller as Fort Worth Market President.

• Sunflower Bank: Hires Alex Haas as Vice President of Middle Market Banking.

• Universal Recycling: Hires Jean U'ilani as Business Development Manager.

• Consulate-General of Japan: Awards the Commendation of the Head to Carlo Capua of Rainwater Foundation and Chair of the Board of Sister Cities International.

• PSK: Promotes Cat Samson, CPA, to Partner.

• Vortex Metals: Names co-founder and executive chairman Michael Williams as interim Chief Executive Officer.

• Central Storehouse: Hires Grace Lewis as Development Director.

• Romar Supply: Names Blake Exkols Vice President. 

• TCU Investment Club: Launched by undergraduate student co-founders and co-Presidents Molly Brophey and James Elder. 

• Navy All-American Bowl: Selects offensive lineman Felix Ojo of Mansfield Lake Ridge High School as the winner of the Anthony Muñoz Lineman of the Year Award.

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