This Week's Hot Headlines

11 DFW companies clock in as best places to work and more top stories

Ben E. Keith is one of America's best places to work.

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Editor's note: The top Fort Worth news of the week includes the best places to work in DFW, the cost to raise a child, and the return of Taylor Sheridan's Landman. Get the details on our five most popular stories below, then head to this event planner to fill your weekend agenda.

1. 11 Dallas-Fort Worth companies named best places to work by U.S. News. Nearly a dozen distinguished Dallas-Fort Worth-based companies have been hailed among the best places to work in 2025 by U.S. News and World Report. It may not come as a surprise that Fort Worth's own Ben E. Keith was named one of the best local companies to work for in 2025.

2. This is how much the cost to raise a child in DFW increased since 2024. A new national study has revealed it now costs $411 more to raise a child in the Fort Worth area than it did just last year.

3. Texas governor steps in with last-minute defense of THC sales. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a bill to ban all THC consumables, allowing the booming market flush with THC-infused vapes, gummies, and other products to continue to be sold across the state.

4. Authentic Italian restaurant Buonissimo to open in downtown Fort Worth. A new Italian restaurant is opening at a prime address in downtown Fort Worth. Called Buonissimo, it will open in the City Place Center development, in the former Avanti Restaurant space, where it's set to open in late July.

5. TV series Landman will be shooting in downtown Fort Worth this week. Fort Worth's favorite slice of Hollywood is back. Season 2 of Paramount+ series Landman, from Fort Worth-area director Taylor Sheridan, was filming on the streets of downtown Fort Worth June 24-26.

Circus News

NYTEX in North Richland Hills hosts Shriners circus accused of cruelty

PETA

Elephant at Shriners Circus

The NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills is hosting a circus event that's been accused of animal cruelty: The Moslah Shrine Circus, which has faced criticism and protests from animal welfare organizations, will set up camp at the sports facility with a show that includes the use of aging elephants.

A release from PETA expresses concern regarding the use of 56-year-old elephant named Betty, who — despise being elderly and disabled — is still being forced to perform.

An elephant expert who recently examined the aging elephant noted that her trunk appears to be partially paralyzed, and that she struggled to bend her front legs because of chronic pain.

The circus, which runs from November 7-9, is anticipated to draw some protests.

NYTEX is owned by brothers Frank Trazzera and Salvatore Trazzera, who use the facility for appearances by their hockey team the Lone Star Brahmas. Neither brother responded to emails.

Shriners are a fraternal organization known for parades, red fez hats, and fund-raising ads on local TV stations. They present themselves as an organization whose circus events benefit children. But ticket sales aren’t charitable donations: The profits are used to maintain the club’s premises and fund its activities.

The leadership of the Moslah Shrine in Fort Worth includes Gary Mayben, Brett Boone, Royce Rose, Greg Bird, Damon Ing, Harry Hackbusch, and Gerald Ledbetter.

They work with the Royal Hanneford Circus which has a history of animal welfare concerns and citations for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Royal Hanneford Circus lost its license and no longer owns its own elephants, and instead now leases animals from other companies with poor animal welfare records, such as Carson & Barnes Circus.

Many Shrine circuses have stopped using animals such as the Moolah Shrine Circus in St. Louis, which curtailed the use of elephants in 2023 after 81 years.

animals