WEEK IN REVIEW
Monday Concern over airline power
Regional airports expressed concern that President Donald Trump’s proposal to privatize the country’s air traffic control system could give airlines too much power and not protect the interests of the recreational and business pilots who use their runways.
Sunrun to enter Texas
Sunrun, the largest independent rooftop solar company in the United States, said it would enter Texas, seeking to grab a share of a largely untapped market.
Seeking air gun permits
The National Marine Fisheries Service said it was seeking permits under the Marine Mammal Protection Act for five companies to use air guns for seismic surveys deep under the Atlantic Ocean floor.
Tuesday Retailer planning changes
Houston-based Francesca’s reiterated a plan to increase its store count and boost online sales after lighter foot traffic and heavy discounts ate into its firstquarter earnings. The disappointing earnings came after a relatively strong holiday season for the specialty retailer.
Acquisition of restaurants
An affiliate of Kelly Cos., a San Diego-based private equity firm, has agreed to acquire Houstonbased Ignite Restaurant Group, the distressed operator of Joe’s Crab Shack and Brick House Tavern + Tap, for about $50 million. Ignite filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to facilitate the sale.
Dish fined for violations
Satellite television giant Dish Network has been ordered to pay $280 million in penalties for violations of the National Do Not Call Registry laws and invading the privacy of American consumers, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Wednesday SXSW against SB4
Organizers of the Austinbased South by Southwest conference and festival said they stand against Texas’ SB4 immi- gration law, but they don’t plan to move the festivities in protest.
Luxury tower on hold
Developer Giorgio Borlenghi has shelved plans for his 26-story Villa Borghese residential tower for ultrawealthy Houstonians because he doesn’t think there are enough buyers in the market to move forward.
You may keep your seat
United Airlines is barring fewer people from boarding its planes after lingering public uproar over the carrier’s handling of a passenger who refused to give up his seat on a flight in April. The airline’s involuntary denied boardings were down 79 percent year over year in May, United said.
Thursday Dodd-Frank vote in House
The House of Representatives approved legislation to erase core financial regulations put in place by the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, as Republicans moved a step closer to delivering on their promises to eliminate rules that they say have hurt the economy.
Doctor alleges recordings
A prominent doctor alleged in a lawsuit that Houston Methodist Hospital secretly recorded phone conversations between patients and nurses without their knowledge for as long as eight years.
Spreading out
Developers increasingly are staking claims on land farther from the city limits to satisfy demand for homes, as demonstrated by Johnson Development Corp.’s announcement that it bought 1,619 acres in northwest Harris County, outside the newly expanded Grand Parkway.
Streaming again
Taylor Swift announced she would get back together with a few of her famous exes, including Spotify and Pandora, returning her full catalog to all streaming platforms. Swift removed her music from Spotify in 2014 around the release of “1989,” a Grammy-winning multi-hit album. No service besides Apple Music was able to stream it.
Friday Sirius, Pandora team up
A day after speculation emerged that satellite radio leader Sirius XM was considering investing in Pandora, the two companies said Sirius will buy 19 percent of the internet radio pioneer for $480 million.
From staff and wire reports