⛪Hulu backs down to FW church; Judge is pro small business

Federal judge Liles Burke in Alabama has ruled the Corporate Transparency Act is unconstitutional. His decision will be appealed. The CTA is a new data collection regimen that requires more than 32 million business entities – including virtually every small business in America – to hand over their private data and ownership information to the government by the end of 2024.

Fort Worth Councilwoman Macy Hill completed the Tokyo marathon last weekend, making her one of approximately 3,000 people in the U.S. to complete the Six Star Hall of Fame grouping -- Boston, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, Berlin and London. As of December 2023, there were 12,772 Six Star finishers from 121 countries. If she is not the only Tarrant County runner to accomplish the feat, let us know.  

Senate Bill 4, which would permit Texas police to arrest people suspected of being illegal immigrants, will not take effect Tuesday as scheduled. A U.S. District Judge has issued a preliminary injunction while the courtroom battles continue.

Bell secured its first purchase agreement for the 525 from Norwegian petroleum refiner Equinor for its North Sea offshore operations. Equinor ordered 10, with deliveries anticipated in 2026. The 525 is expected to carve a niche that could compete against large helicopters in oil and gas, and sectors such as corporate, troop transport, and public safety. It can reach a speed of 180 mph and carry 16 passengers.

The updated final report for Panther Island development will be revealed tomorrow by HR&A Advisors, a consultant hired in January 2023 to imagine the 338-acre, man-made island.

Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Haley is in Fort Worth today for a free event beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Tannahill’s on Exchange Avenue in the Stockyards. Doors open at 5:30 and your free ticket is available here.

Homebuilder Highland Homes is planning an office in Alliance Town Center. The 135,000-square-foot building will house 175+ employees and support the company’s projects on the west side of D-FW. Highland is the first tenant in Hillwood Commons II.

Hulen Street Church in Fort Worth wanted to run an ad on Hulu, which flagged it for "religious indoctrination." In the end, Hulu was flagged and relented. 

Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) has been awarded a Transparency Star for open government and compliance. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar will present it in Fort Worth tomorrow. According to the Comptroller’s office, TRWD is the first water district to receive all six Transparency Stars.

For the umpteenth time since 1978, Texas has received the Governor's Cup from Site Selection magazine. The award recognizes the nation's top-performing state for job-creating business relocations and expansions.

Daily digit: Last year, 13.6 million Americans played pickleball, slightly fewer than the 14.1 million who played soccer and a bit more than the 13.1 million who skied downhill. From 2022 to 2023, pickleball was the fastest-growing sport — up 52% — followed by off-course golf (up 19%), snowshoeing (up 17%) and team swimming (up 15%).

Significant stat: The $100 bill is America’s most common and annoying currency. The amount in circulation has more than doubled in recent years, but $100s are hated by cashiers and economists. They have become so prevalent because they enter circulation far quicker than they leave. They can last over a decade longer than $1s and $5s, partly because people are more likely to hold than spend them.

In case you missed it:

• GM says its new Chevy Bolt EV will save billions with more affordable LFP batteries.

• The lawyers who voided Elon Musk's $56 billion compensation as excessive sought a record $6 billion legal fee, payable in the electric car maker's stock.

• New York resident Madison Derbyshire, writing for the Financial Times in London, gives her Fort Worth western point of view after a weekend visit. She was impressed.

People on the move:

• Fort Worth City Attorney’s Office: Adds B. Olyn Poole as a Senior Assistant City Attorney in its litigation division. 

• Fort Worth Chamber: Selects Rosa Navejar, President of The Rios Group, as recipient of the 2024 Susan Halsey Executive Leadership Award. 

• Family Car Group: Names Nellie Sanchez Ruek Marketing Manager.

• Black Girls Go Global: Adds Pat Alva-Kraker to its Advisory Board.

Wild card: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, actor and former WWE superstar, was awarded ownership rights to his famous nickname, along with 24 other phrases he used in the ring, including “know your role and shut your mouth” and “candy ass.”

Last poll results: To our readers who are college graduates - do you work in a job where your degree is needed? Yes (55%), No (45%).