🚨Jailhouse rock; How NASA sees eclipse; Etsy a Fool's gold

The Arlington Economic Development Corp. approved a $1-million performance grant to German company Sportec Solutions to establish its U.S. headquarters in the city. Sportec is a data and sports officiating technology company that has a contract with Major League Soccer. The company expects to create 17 jobs with an average annual salary of $55,000. 

Southlake-based Sabre won't pursue its acquisition of Farelogix after UK regulators prohibited the transaction. Sabre made an offer of approximately $300 million in 2018.

Grapevine-based GameStop said it has acquired Geeknet, the parent company of tech-focused online retailer Think Geek for $20 per share, meaning the deal is worth an estimated $140 million.

The Texas Comptroller’s office has recommended its approval of Bell Textron's application to the state’s Chapter 403 program, which puts its $429-million plan for an advanced manufacturing plant in Fort Worth on the radar. Chapter 403 is the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation Act after the Chapter 313 tax abatement program wasn't renewed.

Concerts in the Garden is on hiatus for 2024. Instead, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will host The Mercedes T. Bass Sounds of the Summer Series. See details here.

Fort Worth is providing four nonprofits with a combined $1.9 million to operate crime prevention programs. The Crime Control & Prevention District's Community-Based Programs Fund assists agencies that are recommended by a selection panel and then approved by the CCPD board. See the four here.

There is a 78,000-square-foot rehearsal and recording facility in North Richland Hills. The music complex has been used for several television shows and dozens of music videos. The facility is the former NRH jail. Musicians say it adds authenticity to their art and helps keep them "locked in.”

NASA will fly two WB-57 planes southwest to northeast during the April 8 eclipse, spending seven minutes at an altitude where clouds are not a problem rather than the four minutes the rest of us will have. The planes will leave Houston for Mexico, and race an eclipse moving 1,600 mph while flying at 460 mph.

Who knew? The Undertaker, one of the all-time pro wrestling icons, was born in Houston, the youngest of five brothers. In 1983, he received a basketball scholarship to Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas. He then transferred to Texas Wesleyan University, where he majored in sports management and played as a center for the Rams during the 1985–1986 season.

Child-care benefits are the most pressing issue for 56% of U.S. companies this year, up from 46% in 2023. New perks—from an extra bank of paid time off when a kid is sick to cash stipends for a babysitter—beat out paid family leave and mental health benefits as being top of mind for HR departments.

Below is a sampling of topics from this week’s Motley Fool column. To read the complete feature, click here.

• A reader’s most regrettable move was not buying semiconductor Nvidia a few years ago. The Fool explains why that wasn’t necessarily a mistake. 

• The Fool answers a question about the meaning of a “split-adjusted” stock price. 

• This week’s stock pick is Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade and customizable goods. Although sales and profits have shrunk, the Fool says it's worth a look.

Snippets:

• Telemedicine appears to be working in emergency situations and MedStar is an early adoptee.

• The coolest small cities (under 100k population) in the U.S., according to the website Thrillist.

• With this ring, I unwed. “Divorce rings” are part of a trend for jewelry that signals a new beginning after a marriage ends. (NYT gift article)

Announcements:

• VLK Architects: Promotes Sara Koprowski, Scott Wilcox, Jennifer Workman, Kent Leach, Marissa Tang and Tosin Kusa to Senior Associate.

• Tarrant County Bar: Elected directors Antoinette Bone Place 1, Tiffany Burks Place 2 and Mollee Westfall Place 3.

• Primo Advertising: Launched by Founder & President Gregory Alvarado.

• Sabre Corp.: Appoints Chadwick Ho as its new Chief Legal Officer.

• Texas Quantitative: Hires David Steed as Vice President of Growth.

• Landsea Homes Corporation: Names Melissa Kelly President of the D-FW Division. 

• Coldwell Banker D-FW: Names Nykea Pippion McGriff regional Vice President.

Last poll results: How low will the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate be before you consider listing your current home? Answers: Under 7% (4%), Under 6% (2%), Under 5% (48%), I’m never selling (29%), None of the above (17%).