Nathaniel Ford began his first day as Dallas Area Rapid Transit's new CEO on Monday while his former employer, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, faces a criminal investigation into alleged financial mismanagement and a budget deficit.
Nathaniel FordNew President and CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit
DART Board Chair Randall BryantDART Board Chair
Florida Attorney General's officeOpened criminal investigation into JTA
The facts
Ford began his first day as DART CEO on Monday, October 28, 2026.12Stated by 2 sources
JTA is under criminal investigation by Florida Attorney General into financial mismanagement.12Stated by 2 sources
JTA's budget deficit was approximately $40 million.12Stated by 2 sources
In September, JTA laid off nearly 200 employees and made major service cuts.2
Ford's contract grants him 3% cost-of-living increase eligibility if he meets goals starting 2027 fiscal year.2
Ford was previously DART CEO Nadine Lee's predecessor in 2025, who earned less than Ford's salary.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Nathaniel Ford Problems stemmed from pandemic, which caused sales and gas taxes to decline, ridership declined, and bus driver salaries increased for retention.1
Nathaniel Ford JTA ran surpluses for majority of his 12 of 14 years there before recent downturn.1
Nathaniel Ford Florida investigations will not get in way of his job at DART.1
Where the sources disagree
JTA budget deficit amount $40 million per [1]; $39 million per [2]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
New DART CEO begins job while under investigation in Florida
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
The Southeastern Conference announced that Texas A&M will play South Carolina football on November 7 at 2 p.m. inside Williams-Brice Stadium.
Southeastern Conference, announced kickoff time and venue; Texas A&M football team, team playing in game; South Carolina football team, team playing in game
The Southeastern Conference announced kickoff times for two Texas college football games scheduled for November 7, 2026. Texas will play Missouri at 11 a.m. CT on ABC or ESPN, and Texas A&M will host South Carolina at 3 p.m. on ESPN.
Southeastern Conference, announced kickoff times; Texas Longhorns, team playing Missouri; Missouri Tigers, team playing Texas and 2 more
Archer Aviation unveiled plans for electric air taxi networks using its Midnight aircraft in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston. The networks would connect airports with business districts and other destinations, with flights intended to reduce 60-90 minute drives to 10-20 minute flights.
Archer Aviation, electric aircraft company announcing air taxi network plans; Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator, commented on the proposals
Two people were taken to the hospital after a car caught fire in a two-vehicle crash on eastbound State Highway 71 at Caldwell Lane in Del Valle. One suffered life-threatening injuries and the other sustained serious injuries.
Travis County Sheriff's Office, Reported the crash; Austin-Travis County EMS, Responded to the scene and transported injured persons
United Airlines Flight UA1854 from Grand Cayman declared an emergency while approaching George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on October 25, 2026. The Boeing 737 MAX 9 had a mechanical issue with its right main landing gear. The aircraft landed safely, taxied normally, and passengers exited at the gate.
United Airlines, airline operator; Boeing 737 MAX 9, aircraft
A pickup truck driving the wrong way on Interstate 45 collided head-on with an SUV early Sunday morning, killing the SUV driver. The pickup was traveling at approximately 100 mph in the northbound lanes when it crashed near the Highway 105 exit.
Emelia Muniz, SUV driver, killed in crash; 20-year-old pickup driver, wrong-way driver, hospitalized; Conroe Police Department, investigating agency and 1 more
Smoke was reported aboard a United Express flight at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Saturday morning, prompting an emergency evacuation. Mesa Airlines, which operates the flight, said a sensor alert indicated smoke in the cabin shortly after pushback. The Houston Fire Department responded and declared the aircraft fire safe.
Mesa Airlines, operator of United Express flight; reported sensor alert and conducted evacuation; Houston Fire Department, responded to emergency; declared aircraft fire safe; United Express, airline operating the flight
Interstate 30 through downtown Dallas will close in both directions for bridge demolition, beginning Saturday at 10 p.m. and lasting until Monday at 5 a.m. The closure, between Interstate 35E and Interstate 45/U.S. 75 interchanges, is part of TxDOT's Canyon Project.
$$888 million for canyon Project budget
Tony Hartzel, Northeast Texas section director for the Texas Department of Transportation; Karon Glasper, Owner/operator of The Vibes Barbershop on Akard Street; Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Agency conducting Canyon Project