'Dutton Ranch' in Ferris; Cornyn/Paxton; new Marriott hotel. Today's top stories
From a Hollywood spotlight on a small North Texas town to a state-appointed superintendent’s new contract, Wednesday, May 20 brought a wide range of news across Tarrant County and beyond. Here’s a roundup of the top stories of the day from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- From reporter Brayden Garcia: The “Yellowstone” spinoff “Dutton Ranch” premiered over the weekend after extensive filming in the small North Texas city of Ferris, where the 5,200-acre Wallace property served as the home of Annette Bening’s rival ranch owner character. City officials and business owners told the Star-Telegram coverage they hope the exposure will boost tourism and growth in the city of more than 5,100 residents.
- From reporter Rachel Royster: Tarrant County voters who cast ballots after President Donald Trump endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate said the endorsement did not change their votes in the Republican primary runoff against Sen. John Cornyn. Some Cornyn supporters said they worried the endorsement could lift Paxton to the nomination and ease the path for Democratic nominee James Talarico in November.
- From reporter Shambhavi Rimal: A Saginaw police officer fatally shot 19-year-old Alexavier Nalani Nahoolewa on May 7 after a Taser failed to subdue him while he held an officer on the ground during a warrant service, according to a new report submitted to the Texas Attorney General’s Office. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide, and the Texas Rangers are investigating.
- From reporter Emily Holshouser: Construction is underway on a five-story, 156-room Springhill Suites by Marriott hotel at South Main Street and East Vickery Boulevard in Fort Worth. The $19.8 million project from Wisconsin-based Raymond Management Co. began in March and is scheduled to finish in October 2027.
- From reporter Ciara McCarthy: Fort Worth ISD’s state-appointed superintendent Dr. Peter Licata will earn a base salary of $360,000 per year under a contract approved 9-0 by the Board of Managers on Tuesday, along with a car allowance, paid medical premiums and other benefits. Licata was appointed in March as part of a state takeover triggered after a campus received five consecutive failed ratings.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
Jake Harris
Fort Worth Star-Telegram