Texas Business reports:  The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has received numerous complaints from workers who are being prevented from seeking other jobs because training certificates are not being issued by their employers. 

Texas Business reports: Load exceeds 64,800 megawatts Monday, marking third record this month.

Texas Business reports: U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 2.4 percent fewer workers in June 2010 than in June 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) announced today. 

Texas Business reports: Houston-based Crimson Exploration Inc. completed its first well in San Augustine County. 

Texas Business reports:  Texas is investing $1.56 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) in BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, for the creation of its global professional services headquarters in San Antonio. 

 Texas Business reports:  The North Texas Tollway Authority and the Texas Department of Transportation unanimously approved the construction of TX121-Chisholm Trail highway from Fort Worth to Cleburne.

Texas Business reports:  Chestnut Petroleum announced a successful “monster” gas well drilled in the Barnett Shale in Tarrant County. 

Texas Business reports:  San Antonio’s Kinetic Concepts Inc. announced the German District Court in Mannheim has found that Renasys canisters and foam dressings used with Smith & Nephew plc's Renasys EZ system infringe KCI's German counterpart of its European patent for negative pressure wound therapy. 

Texas Business reports:  A Florida construction firm won an $11.3 million contract to build a joint intelligence technical training facility at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, the U.S. Department of Defense announced today. 

Texas Business recommends this story by Melanie Mason of the Dallas Morning News:  Add another piece of disputed turf to the Texas vs. Oklahoma rivalry.

Texas Business recommends this story by Kirk Ladendorf of the Austin American-Statesman:  Xtreme Power Inc., the Kyle-based developer of large energy storage systems, has been named as the storage system provider to a proposed high-profile energy transmission project known as Tres Amigas.

Texas Business reports:  Chestnut Petroleum announced the recent completion of the Crowley Teeter #1H, a horizontal well drilled in the sweet spot of the massive Newark, East gas field in the Barnett Shale.

Texas Business notes this story by Jason Roberson of the Dallas Morning News: Tenet Healthcare Corp. said Tuesday that a plan to rearrange its debt is moving on schedule.

Texas Business reports:  FORT WORTH--Airlines is introducing Express Seats(SM), the newest product offering under its Your Choice(SM) line of products and services that provide customers a way to purchase special services they value.  

Texas Business notes this story in the The Paper:  The husband and wife team of Cliff and Mandy Holverson, owners and makeup artists of Closed Casket will be shooting their first short film.

Texas Business notes this story in the New York Times DealBook edited by Andrew Ross Sorkin:  Dell said that it has agreed to buy 3PAR, a data storage company, for about $1.15 billion in cash, as the computer giant races to expand beyond its core PC-making business.

Texas Business notes this story by Eric Torbenson of the Dallas Morning News:  Dallas-based Mesa Energy Holdings Inc. said that the Securities and Exchange Commission has started a formal inquiry into possible improper stock sales related to Mesa's predecessor company.

Texas Business notes this analysis by Gerson Lehrman Group:  Southwest Airlines is to decide by December 1 whether to switch some orders for the Boeing 737-700 to the larger 737-800. This could give a boost to Bombardier's CSeries.

Texas Business recommends this story by Dennis Cauchon of USA Today:  Rapidly rising pay and benefits in the armed forces have lifted many military towns into the ranks of the nation's most affluent communities, a USA TODAY analysis finds.

Texas Business notes this press release from University of Texas at Austin: AUSTIN--Paul Stekler, a critically acclaimed documentary filmmaker known for his films about American politics, has been appointed chair of the Department of Radio-Television-Film.

Texas Business recommends this story by Karen Robinson-Jacobs of the Dallas Morning News  The new head of Six Flags Entertainment Corp. announced gains in attendance, revenue and profit for the theme park operator Monday.

Texas Business notes the following story by Sandra Baker of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:  TD Ameritrade investment brokerage firm received tentative approval for an economic incentive package worth up to $300,000 Tuesday from the Fort Worth City Council to help it expand its operations at Alliance by nearly 500 jobs in the next three years.

 

Texas Business notes the Agrilife Extension crop report:  A "very unusual alignment of factors" means Texas could have an unusually large cotton crop that coincides with high prices in the market, according to aTexas AgriLife Extension Service cotton expert.

Texas Business reports:  U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced the selection of 3 Texas projects to develop technologies aimed at safely and economically storing carbon dioxide in geologic formations. 

Texas Business reports:  In a major effort to accelerate the scientific breakthroughs needed to build a new 21st-century energy economy, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced the University of Texas would receive $15 million in funding for its Energy Frontier Research Center. 

Texas Business recommends this story by Kirk Ladendorf of the Austin American-Statesman:  Dell agreed Monday to pay $1.15 billion in cash for a California-based maker of data storage systems as the computer maker moves to expand its storage offerings to big customers.

Texas Business reports. Furniture Brands, Inc. has leased 109,386 square feet within the Airtex Industrial Center in Houston, Texas,  Pannattoni  Development Co. announced in a press release. 

Texas Business reports:  On a day of numerous final and proposed rules announced by the Federal Reserve Board, the agency on Monday proposed enhanced consumer protections and disclosures for home mortgage transactions.  

Texas Business reports:  Dallas-based Texas Instruments Incorporated today introduced a new symmetric polarity transceiver that protects the system from communication losses and potential damage should the signal wires be inadvertently reversed during installation or maintenance. 

Texas Business reports:  The Federal Reserve Board on Monday proposed a rule to revise the escrow account requirements for higher-priced, first-lien "jumbo" mortgage loans. 

Texas Business  reports:  The Federal Reserve Board on Monday announced final rules to protect mortgage borrowers from unfair, abusive, or deceptive lending practices that can arise from loan originator compensation practices.

Texas Business  notes this story by the San Saba News & Star:  Ann Thompson, the widow of Country Music Hall of Famer Hank Thompson, has commissioned Deep In The Heart Foundry in Bastrop, Texas, to create a larger than life size bronze of the country music icon.

Texas Business notes this story by Tim Chase of the Houston Chronicle:  In the world of incentives, every community and state unanimously agrees on one thing — we all wish nobody used them.

Texas Business notes this story by the Orlando Sentinel:  Fired Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach will be near the gridiron again this season. This time, as a game analyst for CBS College Sports Network.

Texas Business recommends this story by Laylan Copelin of the Austin American-Statesman:  Two state lawmakers Monday warned the board the Pedernales Electric Cooperative that its recent actions, including the firing of General Manager Juan Garza, will require legislative action to protect members.

Texas  Business recommends this column by  Cheryl Hall of the Dallas Morning News:  Worth Ross can't remember a dull day on the job, but some are more challenging than others.

Texas  Business recommends this column by  Duane Howell of the Lubbock Avalanche- Journal:  A surprising cut in U.S. ending stocks for 2010-11 and a steep reduction in world stocks linked to prior-year revisions powered cotton futures to new seasonal highs last week.

Texas Business recommends this story by Christy Hoppe at the Dallas Morning News: The glass offices at the nation's leading universities have filled faster than the classrooms, with new layers of administrators added at twice the rate of faculty and instructors, according to a study being released today.

Texas Business reports:  Smooth-Stone today announced it is raising $48 million from a unique syndicate of investors comprising industry leading venture capital firms and semiconductor innovators. 

Texas Business reports:  Florida’s MEDNAX, Inc. today announced the acquisition of a pediatric cardiology physician group based in Laredo. 

Texas Business reports:  The Defense Logistics Agency awarded a $23.7 million fuel control contract to Aviall Services of Dallas, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.  

Texas Business reports:  General Dynamics C4 Systems received an $11.1 million Lackland Air Force contract, the U.S. Department of Defense announced today. 

Texas Business reports:  Intel Corporation today announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Dallas-based Texas Instruments' cable modem product line. 

Texas Business notes this story by Ana Ley of the McAllen Monitor:  MISSION — Maggie Trujillo’s black rubber boots sloshed through the expanse of brown, muddy water that nearly submerged the thatched roof of his restaurant.

Texas Business reports:  Tribune Company announced today that its new subsidiary, Blue Lynx Media LLC, has opened a shared service center in Lewisville, TX, where it is expected to provide jobs for as many as 200 new employees.  

Texas Business recommends this story by Steve Clark of the Brownsville Herald:   Port of Brownsville officials went hunting for TIGER I late last year but came up empty-handed, so they’re hoping TIGER II is easier to catch.

Texas Business recommends this story by Brian Gaar of the Austin American-Statesman:   Securities fraud is bigger than ever, state officials say, as tough economic times have prompted people to seek new investment opportunities.

Texas Business recommends this story by Mike Baird of the Corpus Christi Caller Times:  CORPUS CHRISTI — Playing football at Ray High School cinched one local man’s dream of performing on a different stage in Hollywood.

 Texas Business reports:  The sixth Best Western Atrea hotel, an upper midscale prototype designed to attract business travelers, has recently opened its doors in the Woodway suburb of Waco. 

Texas Business recommends this story by Jenalia Moreno of the Houston Chronicle:  GALVESTON — Several stories high and topped by its red and blue smokestacks and yellow water slide, the Carnival Ecstasy towered over the cruise ship terminal near Galveston's historic Strand.

Texas Business recommends this story by Gaby Loria of KVIA:  EL PASO, Texas -- It was a big night for the local actors showcased in an independent film with a Sun City connection.

Texas Business recommends this story by Terry Maxon of the Dallas Morning News:  There are some things that Fred Taylor Jr. and his crew at Southwest Airlines Co. just cannot explain.

Texas Business reports:  Part of a $241 million contract awarded to a Virginia firm will be performed at the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas.

Texas Business recommends this story by John Hall of the El Paso Times:  FORT BLISS -- If this post's new commanding general has his way, Fort Bliss will be energy independent in a little more than five years.

Texas Business notes this story by Greg Jefferson of the San Antonio  Express-News:  Mayor Julián Castro didn't talk about cracking down on smoking in public spaces during his 2009 campaign, and he didn't officially propose pushing the city's smoking ban into bars and pool halls.

Texas Business notes this story by Donna Goodison of the Boston Herald: The former owners of baseball bat and glove maker Nokona - including a Berkshires neighbor and friend of the governor who owns the Pittsfield Colonials minor league team - are being sued after the company was seized by a bank and sold.

Texas Business notes this story by Shonda Novak of the Austin American-Statesman:  Tim Green thought he got a great deal last month when he bought a condominium in a South Austin project at an auction.

Texas Business notes this story by Lana Sweeten-Shults of the Wichita Falls Times Record News:  That’s what the audience comes to the show for ... They want to see you play your instrument,” said Sterling Abernathy, the 17-year-old stellar mandolin player with Rockin’ Acoustic Circus, just one of seven bands from Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri headed to the two-day Wichita Falls Parks & Recreation Bluegrass Festival.

Texas Business notes this story by Fox34News:  The numbers have sprouted, and as predicted, it looks like Texas is on track for a bumper cotton crop.

Texas Business notes this story by of Pegasus News:  artnering with the Texas Association of Film & Tape Professionals, Dallas-based USA Film Festival has scheduled a three-program evening of Texas-made films for August 23 at the Angelika Dallas.

Texas Business  notes this story by Maria Halkias of the Dallas Morning News:  Blockbuster Inc. has convinced its debt holders to give it more time.

Texas Business notes this story By Craig Hlavaty of  the Houston Press:  In 1972, the Rolling Stones were arguably at their live zenith, rumbling through the world behind that year's Exile on Main Street and blazing a debauched path of crazy sex, deviant drugs and bluesy rock and roll.

Texas Business recommends this story by Brenda Sapino Jeffreys of Texas Lawyer:  It has been more than nine months since plaintiffs lawyer John M. O'Quinn died in a Houston automobile accident, but his legal affairs still make news.

TexasBusiness.com notes this story by David Casstevens at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:  Murry Conarroe knows how hot it gets in August.

TexasBusiness.com notes this story by Eric Torbenson of the Dallas Morning News: Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. may be talking itself into buying some bigger planes.

TexasBusiness.com reports:  A small portion of a $115 million Navy contract will be performed in Houston on the material and design for Ship 1 of the Mobile Landing Platform, the U.S. Department of Defense announced. 

TexasBusiness.com notes this story by Chad Thomas of the Tyler Morning-Telegraph: Making the classic upside-down cake isn't so hard, even for an amateur baker.

TexasBusiness.com notes this story by WMBFNews: Daniel Vitiello, a 19-year-old Texas Tech sophomore, taught himself to fix Apple's 3G, 3GS and 4 iPhones, and now fixes dozens of them from his parent's dining room.