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  • ⚾Rangers go up, 1-0; More flight turmoil for AA; A 2,749 lb. pumpkin?

⚾Rangers go up, 1-0; More flight turmoil for AA; A 2,749 lb. pumpkin?

PLUS more bite-size business news to keep you informed and make you smarter

October 16, 2023

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📣NEWS OF THE DAY:

Texas Rangers starter Jordan Montgomery and three relievers shut down the Houston Astros hitters, and rookie leftfielder Evan Carter made several outstanding plays as the Rangers won the opening game of the American League Championship Series, 2-0. Leody Taveras homered and Jonah Heim knocked in a run for Texas. Game 2 is this afternoon in Houston.

Inflation in D-FW during September increased for the first time in a year. Rent, restaurant prices and gasoline fueled the uptick, according to The Dallas Morning News. The regional price measure of common household expenses was 4.6% higher than a year ago after posting steady declines since a peak of 9.4% in July 2022. Higher gasoline prices were partially responsible, along with still climbing rents, according to data released by the Southwest regional office of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

D-FW gasoline prices were up 6.3% in September year over year. Grocery prices are still rising, up 4.6% from a year ago. Restaurant prices rose 9.2% since last fall and rents were up 7%.

The American Airlines flight attendants union says it is “holding firm on” wage requests after taking a strike authorization vote in which more than 99% supported a strike. The union's latest request is a 33% increase up front to reach a total of 50% within four years. American has offered 11% up front and 2% a year for five years.

Fort Worth-based Elbit Systems of America's innovation office in Cambridge, Ma., had approximately 50 protesters, including three chained to the door, because of Israel's attacks in Gaza in response to Hamas' initial attack. Other protesters held signs calling for the company to be shut down and leave town, and accused the company of profiting from "genocide." Israel-based Elbit Systems is the largest defense contractor in that country.

The SEC agreed to roll out rules aimed at boosting transparency of short selling, the practice of betting against stocks that drew heavy scrutiny amid the GameStop saga. The rules will require investors to report their short positions to the SEC, and companies that lend shares to report to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a self-regulatory body that polices brokers.

TCU announced it has raised more than $1 billion for it's Lead On campaign, making it the most ambitious and successful philanthropic campaign in the school's 150-year history. The money will bolster efforts on four fronts: academic profile and reputation, the university’s endowment, the TCU experience and campus culture, and the workforce for employees and graduates.

New hotel, retail and office space potentially is coming to the Museum District. The Fort Worth city council will vote Tuesday on a proposed $30 million in economic development grants that would lead to two projects valued at $400 million. The city would work with Goldenrod Companies on West 7th and University Drive sites. The first project is the Van Zandt, located at 2800 block of West 7th, which would need to be completed by 2026 to receive the city’s grants. The second would be One University, at the 3000 block of Morton Street across from the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, which would need to be completed by 2027. The Van Zandt would have retail and office space, 226 apartment units, and a 500-space parking garage. Similarly, One University would have retail and office space, 240 apartment units, an 800-space parking garage, and a 175-room Autograph Hotel (see renderings here).

Tarrant County College and five partners are working together to encourage low-level, non-violent offenders in the Tarrant County Jail to start thinking about what is next before they are released from jail.

Three candidates for the Tarrant Republican Party Chair were together recently to discuss issues. One will replace Rick Barnes, who is running for Tax Assessor-Collector. Here’s a quick overview of their recent candidate forum.

Daily digit: 22% - The decrease in the average price paid for a battery-powered vehicle between last September and the same month this year, from $65,000 to $50,683, according to Cox Automotive. The sales growth of EVs has slowed in the U.S. as car companies have found a limited pool of consumers willing to pay more.

“Leave this house and never return! It’s a seller’s market!”

👠PEOPLE ON THE MOVE:

  • Levi's Consulting: Adds Sultan Cole as Senior Project Manager

  • Holt Lunsford: Appoints Mario Zandstra President

  • Brooke's House Foundation: Adds Camille Dickson as Community Liaison

✂️SNIPPETS:

  • BNSF Railway named among ‘Top 50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work’.

  • Fort Wort councilman Michael Crain says encouraging growth of tech in Texas is a smart thing.

  • Today’s top-of-the-the-market listing is a 32-acre estate in Aledo listed for $16 million.

Nothing to do with business: A horticulture teacher from Minnesota set a world record for the heaviest pumpkin after growing a giant gourd weighing 2,749 pounds. 

(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

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