Denton City Council accepted District 1 representative Jordan Villarreal’s resignation during a special meeting Aug. 5 and slated a special election for November to fill his seat.

What’s happening: Villarreal gave a resignation speech at the Aug. 4 City Council meeting, stating that he is stepping down to focus on his mental health. He said in a July 30 statement to city staff and council that he will stay on the dais until Sept. 1 so a special election can coincide with the Nov. 3 general election, saving taxpayer money.

He detailed how he has struggled with mental health issues for several years and said his depression, suicidal ideation and addictions took “complete control” in June of this year. Villarreal said he was hospitalized for a week earlier this summer and will need further treatment.

What’s next? Candidates must file to run for the District 1 position by Aug. 20 at 5 p.m., according to the special election candidate packet for the city.

The North Texas Irish Festival will move to Denton from Dallas in 2027, according to a news release from the organization.

The details: The festival will be held at the North Texas Fairgrounds, the location of the North Texas Fair & Rodeo, from March 13-14, according to the release. 

The festival celebrates Irish and Celtic music, dance and culture and includes events and entertainment such as live music, dance shows, storytelling, food, education and art exhibits.

The 2027 event will have multiple stages for live music, Irish step dancing performances, cultural demonstrations, historic storytelling, vendor and shopping opportunities, activities for children and authentic food and beverages, the release states.

The backstory: The North Texas Irish Festival started in 1983 and has been located in Fair Park in Dallas since 1984, according to the organization’s website. It is produced by the Southwest Celtic Music Association, a Dallas-based nonprofit.

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport board of directors approved the purchase of the Hyatt Regency DFW Hotel during the Aug. 6 meeting.

The transaction, approved by the Public Facility Improvement Corp. on July 29, is for an amount not to exceed $193.65 million from Woodlake HRDFW Hotel Owners, LLC for the property at 2334 N. International Parkway.

The details: The Public Facility Improvement Corp., or PFIC, will assume the lease between the hotel and the DFW Airport Board. The final approval will need to be approved by the owner cities, Fort Worth and Dallas, according to documents.

The 40-year lease on the facility had an initial term that started Oct. 23, 1986, with two 20-year extensions and a 19-year extension that follows.

Zooming in: This would be the fourth hotel operated by the PFIC at DFW Airport. According to documents, the group also operates and manages The Grand Hyatt Hotel, the Hyatt Place Hotel and the Hyatt House Hotel, which is scheduled to open in 2027.