💵TCU raises fees; Crockett out, Artisan in; Is IRS our new bestie?

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📣NEWS OF THE DAY:

Owners of the mixed-use development Crockett Row near West 7^th and University Drive in Fort Worth have renamed the property Artisan Circle. Dallas-based Younger Partners, which acquired the property in August 2022, has proposed changes that include a permanent street closure of Crockett Street. Also in the works is new digital signage, benches, landscaping and updates to outdoor patios and parking garages. The five-block development features 25 businesses and is adding Terra Mediterranean, La Cabrona, Si Tapas and Rose Couture Nail Bar early in 2024.

Transportation company Aurora is running 75 autonomous truckloads across Texas each week, including a Fort Worth to El Paso route. Along for every ride is a long-time driver and an operations specialist, who sit behind the wheel and passenger seat respectively, to provide fail-safes, feedback and training to the Aurora systems team.

TCU’s Board of Trustees agreed to increase undergraduate tuition 7.9% for the 2024-2025 academic year and add a $250 per credit hour differential fee to undergraduate classes in the Neeley School of Business.

Fort Worth’s Second District Court of Appeals rebuffed an attempt by a Ross Perot Jr.-owned company to get damages on a $180 million transaction of which it disapproved, according to Law.com. Nortex Minerals LP and Petrus Investment LP, companies controlled by Perot, filed suit in 2021 against Blackbeard Operating LLC. The case was halted when Tarrant County 348th District Court Judge Megan Fahey granted summary judgement for defendants Blackbeard, BlueStone Natural Resources II LLC and Diversified Production LLC.

Work wear brand Carrhart has opened a retail store in Presidio Town Crossing in North Fort Worth. Carrhart is notable for durable gear for men, women and children as well as footwear and accessories. The retailer last month opened a 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center west of Texas Motor Speedway. The family-owned company is run by descendants of the founder, Hamilton Carrhart.

The shopping app Afloat has expanded to Fort Worth. Owner Sarah-Allen Preston launched the on-demand app that allows gift givers to send last-minute gifts from local stores. The gifts are packaged, wrapped and include a handwritten note. Deliveries are made the same or next day. Ten boutiques from Fort Worth are on board.

Bricks and Horses, the indoor-outdoor restaurant in the Bowie House at 3700 Camp Bowie Blvd. is accepting reservations starting December 1. More details and a reservation link for the steak and chop restaurant can be found here.

The Iron Claw, a film about the legendary Von Erich family of pro wrestlers, had its world premiere last week at Texas Theatre. The film stars Zac Efron (High School Musical), Jeremy Allen White from (The Bear) and Holt McCallany (Mindhunter). The legendary Von Erich family’s accomplishments in the ring were superseded by their real-life tragedies, sometimes referred to as a curse. The movie is scheduled to be in theatres December 22.

Wanna bet? Two of Wall Street’s biggest banks have differing opinions on the Fed’s rate path. Morgan Stanley bets rate cuts will start in June 2025, repeat in September, and continue every meeting until it hits 2.375% at the end of 2025. Goldman Sachs predicts the first 25-basis-point will occur in the fourth quarter of 2024, followed by quarterly cuts until rates land in the 3.5%-3.75% range.

Bell Textron 1: Has completed the delivery of the first three Bell 505 helicopters to the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), putting into motion a contract that is expected to see up to 40 Bell 505 helicopters built and delivered by 2025. The Bell 505 helicopters will be used by the ROKN and the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) to train their pilots.

Bell Textron 2: The company is offering voluntary separation to a limited number of its Fort Worth and Amarillo workers according to the Star-Telegram. “As we begin to ramp up for the FLRAA program, we must ensure our resources are aligned with our vision for the future of the business and the needs of our customers,” the company said in a statement. Bell was awarded the U.S. Army’s FLRAA program last December.

Milestones: Law firm Cantey Hanger, joined by Mayor Mattie Parker, celebrated three attorneys who combined have spent 164 years at the firm. Managing Partner Brian Newby saluted Allan Howeth (59) Harry Bartel (55) and John Johndroe (50) as attorneys that epitomize the tenets of the firm -- excellence, integrity and service to clients and community.

Fort Worth-based independent insurance giant Higginbotham has affiliated with the WRM Group, LLC of Alabama, a consortium of long-established independent agencies in the state and surrounding regions.

Michael Burgess, who has represented part of Tarrant County in Texas's 26th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives, will not run for re-election. He has served the district since 2023. 

✒️TODAY IN HISTORY (Nov 15):

• 1904: American businessman King Camp Gillette was granted a patent for the safety razor

• 1969: The first Wendy's restaurant opened in Columbus, Ohio

• 2001: Microsoft releases the Xbox gaming console

✂️SNIPPETS FROM AROUND THE WEB:

• IRS announces new inflation-adjusted tax brackets for 2024. (read)

• How Fort Worth became the epicenter of haute cowboy fashion.

• More Americans are yanking money from their 401(k) plans to pay their bills.

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