👉🏻Six Flags, Bell ordered to pay out millions; Alanis leaving Deputy Chancellor role; Google makes Gulf of America official.

The collision between a Sikorsky Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane killed 67 in the nation’s deadliest air disaster since 260 were killed in a residential area of Belle Harbor, N.Y., in 2001. Sikorsky Aircraft is a Lockheed Martin company. Go here for the latest Associated Press updates.

Susan Alanis, the Deputy Chancellor for Finance and Operations of the University of North Texas System, is leaving her post. "Wow, news travels fast," she said when asked about her departure." Additionally, she only would say she "was taking on a new opportunity." When hired in October 2023, Alanis was responsible for the daily operations of human resources, strategic infrastructure, and finance. Previously, she worked with Tarrant County College and the city of Fort Worth. 

A Texas federal judge, who had dismissed the case twice, said he would approve a 2024 agreement in a $40-million class settlement between Six Flags Entertainment Corp. and investors accusing the amusement park operator of bungling expansion plans in China.

Trump Media says it will diversify its cash reserves with a $250-million play with Westlake-based Charles Schwab.

A Fort Worth jury ordered Bell Helicopter Textron to pay $16 million to a California company that claims Bell gave proprietary information the companies developed to a rival supplier of cockpit display systems. Jurors decided Bell engaged in unfair competition but rejected Rogerson Aircraft Corp.'s claim that Bell stole trade secrets.

Under legislation filed by Texans, Senator Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Keith Self want the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s statutory funding cap set to $0, effectively eliminating the agency. 

Welcome to the Gulf of America! Google Maps to reflect name changes after Trump’s executive order.

D-FW International Airport is no longer taking cash at its parking plazas at the north and south entries. There are still several ways to pay, including NTTA Toll Tag, debit/credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay. Travelers are also able to prepay for parking.

Higher than expected engineering costs and other difficulties forced Lockheed Martin to book $2 billion in losses on two classified programs in 2024, with a $1.7 billion hit occurring in the final quarter of the year, the company said.

The Tarrant County College board of trustees approved a three-year extension of Chancellor Elva LeBlanc’s employment contract through Dec. 31, 2027. She received a 3% cost of living adjustment. 

Snippets:

• Here’s the official release on TCU's new strategic plan to propel growth of students, athletics and facilities. 

• An Air Force pilot was able to safely eject before a Lockheed F-35 fighter jet crashed in a fiery explosion at the Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. An investigation has begun. (video)

• Fort Worth-based Ben E. Keith is building a 707k-square-foot distribution center near Gainesville, Fla. 

• Fort Worth-based Mr. Gatti's had expansion and growth in 2024. Walmart tie-in to grow. 

• Frontier Airlines again has proposed combining with Spirit Airlines, which is in bankruptcy. Spirit again says no. 

Lithic, a financial technology platform known to power growth businesses with bespoke card solutions and seamless money movement, is partnering with Veritex Community Bank, which will serve as a banking partner for commercial credit products.

Fort Worth-based Energy Domain, developer of the Energy Domain Marketplace, has launched Energy Domain Data, which offers oil and gas data for investment and operational decision-making. Key differentiating features of Energy Domain Data include a flexible geographic subscription model, self-serve account management, proprietary data insights, and geospatial activity alerts. 

The Memorandum of Understanding between Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Professional Firefighters Association, International Association of the Fire Fighters Local 440, has been approved. The agreement was necessary because of the incoming Emergency Medical Services positions (MedStar) joining the Fort Worth Fire Department in July 2025.

Pastor Michael Moore said he would run for the east side District 5 seat on the Fort Worth City Council. Gyna Bivens is not running for re-election after 12 years. 

Daily digit: 37% = Increase in sales of $80k+ vehicles in December compared to the year prior, according to Kelley Blue Book data.

Significant stat: Supermarkets represent half of the 2.7 million square feet of new retail in D-FW set to come online this year, the highest total in seven years.

Announcements:

• The Princeton Review: Selects TimelyCare to its Five Need-to-Know National Organizations for Mental Health Awareness list.

• Lena Pope Home: Promotes Keegan Hand to Chief Development Officer.

• JP Morgan Private Bank: Names Ryan Groce Vice President. 

• Cook Children’s Health Care System: Names Kaysey Pollan Director, System Preparedness & Continuity.

• Ranchbot: Selects Amber Benson to oversee marketing. 

• Wier & Associates: Promotes Priya Acharya to Vice President/Principal.

• Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, P.C.: Adds Lucas Mylet to business transactions practice area.

• Brackett & Ellis: Commercial Litigation attorney Brad Timms returns to the firm.

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