Business

North Texas tops Silicon Valley among top data center hubs

This is pod two of IBM's SoftLayer data center in Dallas. Photo: Ben Torres/Bloomberg via Getty Images

North Texas is a more desirable region than Silicon Valley for data centers in North America, according to a new CBRE ranking.

Why it matters: The demand for data centers has increased significantly in recent years as more businesses look to store their data in secure, off-site facilities.

Canned cocktails could be coming to grocery stores in Texas

The cause of — and solution to — a lot of problems. Photo: Courtesy of Cormac West

Two bills at the state Capitol would allow Texas grocery stores and convenience stores to sell ready-to-drink canned cocktails, alongside beer and wine that have similar alcohol content.

The latest: State Sen. Kelly Hancock, a Republican from Fort Worth, recently introduced Senate Bill 1288, which would allow some liquor-based drinks — beverages containing what the state calls "distilled spirits" — at stores that are already allowed to sell beer and wine.

North Texas is a top area for parental leave benefits

Illustration of a battery icon, but the outline is shaped like a bottle of milk.

Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios

North Texas offers some of the best parental leave policies in the country, a new report says.

Why it matters: Men re-entered the labor market "in droves" after COVID shutdowns, but more than 1 million women left the labor force between February 2020 and January 2022.

Economists predict soft landing for Texas in 2023

Animated illustration of a trend line teetering back and forth as it balances on a briefcase

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Texas is likely to avoid a major economic downturn this year, even if the country enters a mild recession, per a recent forecast by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

Driving the news: The Fed released its Texas Economic Outlook last week, forecasting a "soft landing" for the state this year.

American Airlines accused of discrimination, again

Illustration of an unequal sign made from an airplane contrail

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Two recent high-profile incidents — including one involving Dallas-born track star Sha'Carri Richardson — have stirred up new allegations of discrimination against Fort Worth-based American Airlines.

Driving the news: New York-based rapper Talib Kweli claimed in an Instagram video last week that his rights were violated after he was threatened with arrest and removed from his plane over the size of his luggage, which he says was cleared at the gate.

  • Richardson was forced off her flight on Saturday after an argument with a flight attendant who Richardson said was harassing her and trying to intimidate her over shooting a video.
  • Kweli posted Richardson's video, saying the airline "is racist." He questioned whether the airline's flight attendants are "trained to profile, target and harass Black people."

Meanwhile: Another American Airlines traveler — a Black man — has filed a lawsuit in Florida that accuses the airline of "blatant racial discrimination" for kicking him off a flight from Miami to Atlanta after an argument with a flight attendant during the boarding process.

Why it matters: Black travelers report experiencing poor treatment across the travel industry, from home-share services like Airbnb to vacations abroad.

What they're saying: American Airlines said in a statement the company investigates all claims of discrimination.

  • "American Airlines strives to provide a positive and welcoming experience to everyone who travels with us and we take allegations of discrimination very seriously," the company told Axios.

Flashback: American has been accused of discriminating against Black travelers before, per the DMN.

  • The NAACP issued a travel advisory in 2017 telling Black people to avoid flying on American due to complaints about the airline. The NAACP dropped the advisory in 2018, and American implemented bias training and reviewed its complaint system.

What we're watching: Whether Richardson or Kweli will pursue legal action.

  • "If I can help just one person not have to deal with a situation like this with an individual like this, I’ll take the heat," Richardson wrote on Instagram.
Michael Mooney
Jan 12, 2023 - Business

Texas lotto goes digital

The homepage of a newly-online Texas lottery site

The Jackpot.com homepage earlier this week. Screenshot: Jackpot.com

Texans can now gamble on the lottery online from the comfort of their own homes.

Driving the news: Jackpot.com launched a website and app in Texas earlier this week with $42 million in funding from some big sports franchises, including the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs.

North Texas draws new companies, including Goldman Sachs

A rendering of a new Goldman Sachs headquarters in Dallas

Goldman Sachs will employ 5,000 people in Dallas. Illustration: Henning Larsen Architects

Several businesses are making big moves in North Texas, even as some of the world's largest companies are pulling back on investment and hiring to prepare for the possibility of an economic downturn.

Why it matters: The investments validate our region's allure to outsiders seeking better opportunities for themselves and their employees.

Michael Mooney
Dec 13, 2022 - Business

How Carvana's "vending machines" could be repurposed

A tall glass building full of cars

Oh, just think of the possibilities. Photo: Laura Buckman/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Carvana, the online used-car dealership known for their multistory, transparent car "vending machines," is struggling.

Driving the driving news: After laying off 1,500 employees recently, the company's creditors are preparing for bankruptcy.

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