🔥Were franchisees smoked by Dickey’s BBQ? Walmart drones fly to more states; Watch Van Cliburn finalists' performances.

A letter from Lockheed Martin's CEO to the Air Force, obtained by Breaking Defense, warns of "risks" to the radar delivery schedule, raising questions about future lots and a possible new fuselage design for the F-35.

Is Leadership Academy Network in Fort Worth, a partnership between the Fort Worth Independent School District and Texas Wesleyan University, a model program for low-performing schools? Teacher retention, one of the district’s biggest challenges, has gone from 50% to 93% during the six years of the project. What is the difference? Innovation.

After being sued, Texas agrees with Trump administration to end in-state tuition for approximately 20,000 undocumented students.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is being accused of its sales reps providing misleading financial information to franchisees, putting at least 37 of the owners in financial hot water before their restaurants opened.

A Mansfield high school principal wrote nearly 500 handwritten letters to each of his graduating seniors. The principal, known as "Coach Mutt," included a one-dollar bill with each letter, emphasizing the power of small acts of kindness and inspiring students to create a "ripple effect." Fox 4 has the story.

A unanimous Supreme Court made it easier to bring lawsuits over reverse discrimination, siding with an Ohio woman who claims she didn’t get a job and then was demoted because she is straight.

Happy Belly Food Group announced — without specifics — it has signed a development agreement for 10 Heal Wellness locations in D-FW. Heal Wellness, specializing in fresh smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies, is expanding its presence from Canada into the U.S.

The 23rd edition of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl is January 2, 2026 with a noon kickoff and televised by ESPN. This year's theme is 250 Years of Bravery, as many of the military branches were formed in 1775.

After it's successful launch in D-FW and Arkansas, Walmart is expanding its drone delivery service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando and Tampa. It is the first retailer to scale drone delivery across five states. 

Fredericksburg-based Grape Creek Vineyards is welcome in Grapevine, but not where it planned. Planning and Zoning and City Council approved a conditional use permit, 6-1, but not at the former Texas General Store at 406 S. Main St.

From Bisnow: Total aerospace and defense leasing was 5.7 million square feet last year, the highest since 2021. Washington D.C. is far and away the leader, but keep your eye on Dallas-Fort Worth. The metro is leading the nation in defense contract awards and is getting a large conglomeration of defense contractor headquarters.

Fort Worth-based Canyon Creek Real Estate purchased Class A Westchase Park I & II, at 3600 and 3700 West Sam Houston Parkway South, about 17 miles from downtown Houston, according to a release from Stream Realty. Deed records show the seller is New York-based Clarion Partners. Lender One William Street provided a $41.9-million mortgage. The 579,000-square-foot, two-building office campus on a 15-acre site was built in 2008 and 2014.

Tuesday, Texas Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington) said he would not run for re-election in House District 94 so that he could spend more time with his family. Wednesday, he announced he would be running for a spot on the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, which revised its district maps Tuesday to make them more Republican friendly. 

Fort Worth-based Era Health, a medical products supplier, has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for medical and surgical supplies and equipment up to $80 million for the Defense Logistics Agency Electronic Catalog.

Gov. Abbott has signed into law the $8.5-billion public education funding bill. The Texas Tribune breaks down what it includes.

PS, formerly known as the Private Suite, has expanded to D-FW International Airport and could signal a new type of pre-flight luxury. PS offers commercial airline travelers the same sort of upscale comforts as those traveling by business jet, with more privacy and exclusivity than most fixed-based operators.

That cup of coffee may have a longer-term perk. A study of more than 47,000 women found links between coffee drinking and healthy aging.

Significant stat: $8.5 billion = Decline in tourist spending that the U.S. is expected to see this year amid a decline in international visitors. That’s about a 5% drop compared to 2024. 

Snippets:

• You can watch the Van Cliburn finalists' performances for free starting at 6:30 p.m. tonight during a simulcast being shown in the Sundance Square plaza.

• No, this doesn't mean the Dallas Mavericks are moving, but the team will meet Luka and the L.A. Lakers Oct. 15 in a preseason game in Las Vegas. 

Comic of the day:

Announcements:

• Hillwood: After 13 years, Mercedes Bolen, VP of External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, is leaving.

• Texas Christian University: Selects Molly Rose Kanthack as Executive Director of Brand Activation and Partnership. 

• Tarrant County Democratic Party: Chair Crystal Gayden resigns but will continue her responsibilities until a new Chair is voted in July 7.

• SBL Architecture: Promotes Jordan Pennington to Principal.

• Education is Freedom: Hires Corinne Fiagome as Senior Director of Development.

• Vertess: Managing Director Alan Hymowitz is named a Partner.

• Kwedar & Co.: Promotes Peyton Sides to Digital Marketing and Public Relations assistant.

• TRP Infrastructure Services: Appoints Andrew Liebert CEO.

• Carroll Independent School District:  Names Shatina Lewis Principal of Carroll Senior, Patrick Holladay Principal of Carroll High School, Stephanie Martin Principal of Carroll Middle, and Nicole Williams Principal of Johnson Elementary.

• Herkimer College: Selects Dr. Terri Grates Day as President. She previously was Vice Provost for Academic Administration at University of North Texas, and Executive Director of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness at Tarrant County College District. 

• Keller Warehousing & Co-Packing: Adds Sean Fuller to lead national accounts and drive strategic growth. Appoints Dave Reese Operations Director.

• Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University: Adds Marjorie Lewis as Faculty Associate.

• Playbook Investors Network: Adds Eugenia Davis as Strategic Partnership Coordinator.

• Dry Force: Adds dispatcher Shannon Strange.

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