⚖️Nuns stare down Vatican; T Bone back with tracks; 10 EY finalists from Tarrant

Ronald Burke, a former assistant information services director for Fort Worth, was awarded more than $1 million by a Dallas jury in his suit against the city for lost wages and benefits. Burke filed a wrongful termination suit, alleging he was retaliated against after he and William Birchett reported concerns to former police chief Joel Fitzgerald that the city was not complying with federal cybersecurity procedures involving an FBI database. Burke also has sued to get his job back, and a determination will be made after more hearings. 

A new Texas teacher certification level -- Enhanced Standard Certificate -- has been approved by The State Board of Education. It recognizes the completion of a more rigorous teacher residency training program.

Fort Worth approved a construction contract of $12,099,342 for the second phase of Trinity Boulevard. It was awarded to Jackson Construction Ltd. for a four-lane road, replacement of water transmission line and other improvements.

The Arlington nuns who last year sued Michael Olson, the bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, have fiercely rejected a new decree from Vatican City that they be governed by an association of monasteries, calling the decision a hostile takeover.

Investors’ claims that Six Flags Entertainment Corp. misrepresented the progress of theme park projects in China were improperly thrown out, the Fifth Circuit ruled, reinstating the proposed class action for a second time. Judge Catharine Haynes ruled the district court misapplied the principles outlined in the previous appellate opinion when it said one of the lead investors, an Oklahoma firefighters’ retirement fund, lacked standing to sue. 

M2G Ventures twin founders Susan Gruppi Miller and Jessica Miller Essl, who got their start in Fort Worth, have been named to Inc. Magazine's Female Founders 250 list honoring the most dynamic women in business. The magazine highlighted their approximate $8-million increase in revenue and completing a raise of $1 million for UT Southwestern’s Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care.

Professional services firm Ernst & Young has announced the finalists for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Southwest Award, including 12 individuals from Tarrant County:

• Steve Burke, Agora Data, Arlington

• Jodi Parker and Tom Parker, All American Tire Recyclers, Fort Worth

• J. Brooks, Glassview, Fort Worth

• Chris Gronkowski, Ice Shaker Inc, Southlake

• Veena Somareddy, Neuro Rehab VR, Fort Worth

• Alexander Kunz, OP2 Labs, Fort Worth

• Brandon Schwertner, Priority Power Management LLC, Arlington

• Mickey Leech, Schumacher Electric Corporation, Fort Worth

• Ashli Blumenfeld and Ben Rosenthal, Standard Meat Company, Fort Worth

• Luke Hejl, TimelyCare, Fort Worth

Eagle Venture, a Fort Worth company, is hosting a virtual pitch competition with $25k cash and $25k of startup advisory or software development services as the top prize. Applications close May 23.

BNSF Railway attorneys told a Montana jury that the railroad should not be held liable for the lung cancer deaths of two former residents of an asbestos-contaminated Montana town. They said they didn't know the vermiculite hauled from a nearby mine during the 1950s-70s was filled with hazardous microscopic asbestos fibers or that asbestos was dangerous. They claim the railroad could only be held liable if it could have foreseen the health hazards of asbestos based on information available decades ago.

Fort Worth’s T Bone Burnett released his first solo album in 16 years. KXT’s Preston Jones tunes us in.

Because of a foolish error, the Motley Fool column did not appear in Friday’s newsletter. Below is a sampling of topics. To read all the Fool's gold, click here.

• The Fool answers readers' questions about special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) and the pros and cons of paying off student loans early. 

• This week’s stock pick is Realty Income, a real estate income trust (REIT). It’s a low-volatility stock with consistent cash flow from commercial property ownership.

• The Fool responds to a reader's claim that selling a house too soon was its dumbest investment.

Fifty-four years ago today, Earth Day was first celebrated. This year's theme is Planet vs. Plastics. See how you can help out. 

Reminder: Early voting starts today. Election Day is May 4. 

Wild card: A copy of Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott was recently returned to the Fort Collins, CO Public Library 105 years after its due date. A woman brought the book in, sharing that her sister had found it while going through their father's belongings. Based on a 2-cent/day late fee fine, close to $760 would have been owed. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $14,000. Fortunately, the library eliminated late fees in 2020.

Announcements:

• TCU Sales Center: Appoints Ken Corbit as Academic Director. 

• Tarrant County College: Hires Antonio Allen as General Counsel.

• Girls Inc.: Adds Ebony Jones as Chief Impact Officer. 

• Nacuity: Adds Emmett T. Cunningham to Board of Directors.

• Tandy Leather Factory:  Adds Diana Saadeh-Jajeh to Board of Directors.

Last poll results: What is your current view of the economy? Optimistic (25%), Pessimistic (47%), Undecided (28%).