BNSF Railway is helping the Federal Aviation Administration navigate new commercial drone rules, DISD is partnering with area businesses to introduce students to possible careers, and companies are finding ways to add tech to liven up retail storefronts.  

Fort Worth-based BNSF Railway is paving the way for future commercial drone use. The railroad company is helping the Federal Aviation Administration determine rules for drone use beyond the pilot’s line of sight. New FAA rules that went into effect Monday, allow for daytime flights as high as 400 feet, but eventually the agency plans to issue further regulations. For BNSF, drones could be a valuable tool in tracking inspections, helping to spot faulty track for the railroad to prevent derailments. Star-Telegram has more on BNSF’s work with the FAA and drone rules. 

Dallas ISD is matching up its educational programs with area industries. The district introduced eight new programs in its early college high school initiative this school year, which range in focus from gaming to law enforcement. Its corporate partners such as AT&T Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Bank of America will offer opportunities for students to intern, visit the worksite, and engage in mentorships. “We know we have to do a better job with the handoff from high school to college, and college to industry,” DISD’s deputy chief of school leadership Israel Cordero told The Dallas Morning News. “And we want to put our students in the best situation possible to have the best possible options.” Learn more about the early college high schools. 

The bricks-and-mortar retail store is not dying, but companies must evolve to stay relevant in the digital world. That’s the message Glass-Media founder and CEO Daniel Black had for readers in a recent column he wrote for Entrepreneur. The Dallas-based startup transforms street-facing glass into immersive storefront displays, which can be easily changed with one click. Black believes offering up a dynamic storefront could be key in reaching consumers through the sea of advertisements. Black mentions his company isn’t alone in the quest to disrupt the retail space, other companies have also found ways to infuse technology into storefront displays. Read more from Black here. 

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