🥊Texas fights Feds over lizards; License plate readers sidelined; American's CEO puts brakes on net zero by 2050.

According to government records reported Thursday, the Texas Department of Public Safety in July sent a cease-and-desist letter to Flock Security demanding it stop all operations after finding it lacked the proper business license to operate thousands of surveillance cameras in the state. The latest report shows Fort Worth owns 107 Flock cameras.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom says airlines need to move faster to achieve their commitment to being carbon net zero by 2050.

Dallas-based Cyrus One, a data center developer, plans to begin construction of a $200-million facility in October, the Star-Telegram reported. The data center and accompanying office space would span almost 2 million square feet of industrial land hugging U.S. 287, about six miles from the shores of Eagle Mountain Lake. The project, Cyrus' fourth in north Texas, is slated for completion by February 2026.

It wasn't pretty, but the Dallas Cowboys held the New York Giants to 1.1 yards per rush and got a division win on the road,  20-15. The ‘boys are 2-2. And play the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers a week from Sunday. 

Texas surpassed Virginia in 2023 defense spending, new estimates from the U.S. Department of Defense show, and D-FW is a big reason why. Texas captured an estimated $68.4 billion in total defense spending and $55.5 billion in contract spending, surpassing traditional powerhouse Virginia in both categories.

Last week, the U.S. Department of State rolled out an online passport renewal system available for routine service, estimated at six to eight weeks of processing time. Online renewal is available for adults age 25 and older living within the U.S. The passport must be a regular or tourist passport and isn’t available for those who have travel scheduled within eight weeks of the application request or if any passport details are changing.

A federal appeals court upheld BNSF Railway's award of $1.5 million in attorneys’ fees and costs in a False Claims Act suit against the Center for Asbestos Related Disease Inc. The panel unanimously affirmed a lower court’s decision to deny CARD’s motion for summary judgment and ruled that its jury instructions were proper. 

The New York chain that claims to have invented classic Buffalo wings -- Anchor Bar -- has made its D-FW debut in Arlington. It is at 2150 E. Lamar Blvd. #110, inside The Village at Ballpark shopping center.

OG Cellars, a wine-tasting room, has opened in Grapevine. It’s the winery’s third location and second tasting room, with the other in Wichita Falls. Co-owner James Hanger said they are now operating Thursday through Sunday while awaiting final permitting. A grand opening is planned for October 5.

Sam’s Club in Grapevine, which was hit by a tornado in 2022, will re-open Oct. 17. The fuel center and car wash are already in operation. 

Texas is suing the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Biden administration for declaring a rare lizard endangered. The dunes sagebrush lizard burrows in the sand 30 miles west of Odessa — the land that supports the state’s biggest oil and gas fields. In May, federal regulators ruled the industry’s expansion posed a grave threat to the lizard’s survival.

Grapevine-based Buchanan Technologies has acquired Dallas-based Heartland IT, its third acquisition in three years. Heartland provides IT services with primary expertise in Oracle technologies.

Texas AG Ken Paxton has sued the feds because of its requirement states provide LGBTQ+-affirming placement for foster care youth. He argues the rule would exacerbate the foster care provider shortage. Texas could lose up to $432 million in federal funding if it's not implemented. 

Next Wednesday, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County will unveil its Makerspace & STEM Lab, presented by the Cotton Bowl Foundation. The 4,200-square-foot space includes equipment that focuses on evidence-based STEM programs. Included is mentoring to ignite interest in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Texas led a multi-state suit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Biden Administration officials to block a rule it claims unlawfully attempts to contort federal disability law to list “gender dysphoria” as a disability.

Coke cans Spiced: Coca-Cola is discontinuing its latest permanent flavor after just seven months.  Coca-Cola Spiced and Coca-Cola Spiced Zero Sugar will be replaced with a flavor that will be introduced next year. Also cut are Cherry Vanilla, launched in 2020 and Diet Coke with Splenda.

Doorbell camera provider Ring announced a competition to submit the most compelling paranormal activity captured by a Ring device with a cash prize of $100,000 on the line. Judges will choose the Great Ghost Search winner based on visibility of the ghost, uniqueness, entertainment value, and engagement.

Daily digit: Nearly half of U.S. consumers spent more than $2,500 on online shopping this year. 23.8% say they’ve spent between $2,500 to $5,000 on online shopping, and another 22.6% spent upward of $5,000, per June 2024 data by Narvar. 

Significant stat: A single Libby’s plant in Morton, Illinois, processes over 85% of the world’s canned pumpkin.

Announcements: 

• Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: Hires Chris Smith as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience. 

• TechFW / Cowtown Angels: Adds Kaison Giles as Program and Investment Support Associate.

• Parry Labs: Adds Raanan Horowitz to its Board of Directors. Horowitz was President and CEO of Fort Worth-based Elbit Systems of America.

• Omnicell, Inc.: Appoints Nnamdi Njoku Executive Vice President and COO.

Poll results from the last issue: What’s one thing you wish you had more of? Money (26%), fame (6%), time (43%), and something else (26%).

Best reader response: “More time to better plan for my retirement. I started a new career in my fifties and (am) just now getting retirement off the ground. But more importantly, more time with family to make loving, lasting memories.”