Prosper ISD opened two campuses on Aug. 11 for the 2026-27 school year using funds from its 2023 bond. Judy Rucker Elementary School relocated to a new campus, and Jim Bridges Middle School opened its doors for the first time.

Something to note: A third campus, Dr. Drew and Kristen Watkins Middle School, was originally set to open in fall 2026, but the PISD board of trustees voted to delay the opening until the 2027-28 school year at a Nov. 17, 2025 meeting.

How we got here: Delaying the school’s opening will allow PISD to defer roughly $9.8 million in salaries and operational costs to fiscal year 2027-28, according to a statement from district officials. The move will help save money in the FY 2026-27 budget, which has a $25.1 million projected shortfall in the general fund, per the statement.

The approach: In the face of slower growth, district officials are being “deliberately conservative” about building new campuses, according to a statement.

Gold Rush, a precious metals buyer, is set to open a Prosper location in 2027, Director of Expansion Christopher Brown confirmed.

What they offer: Gold Rush buys gold, silver, platinum, diamonds and other gemstones, according to the company’s website.

Zooming out: The future Gold Rush location in Prosper is part of a larger expansion push across Texas, Brown said.

Check it out: As part of Gold Rush’s Texas growth strategy, the Prosper store will be the first with a redesigned “modern and upscale” interior, he said.

• 5720 W. University Drive, Ste. 40, Prosper

By the end of 2026, passengers will be able to fly to nine domestic destinations from McKinney National Airport.

Avelo Airlines announced the addition of four nonstop service routes that will launch at McKinney National Airport in mid-December, including Atlanta, Denver, Nashville and New Orleans. The newly announced destinations join the five nonstop routes to four Florida cities as well as Las Vegas that Avelo Airlines officials announced earlier this year.

The specifics: Air service will begin Nov. 11 upon completion of a new commercial passenger service terminal that's been under construction since 2025. Avelo Airlines signed on as the first commercial service provider in late 2025.

The airline will begin operations by offering flights to Las Vegas and four cities in Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa.

The update: Service to the newly announced destinations is set to begin Dec. 16 and will be operated at varying frequencies depending on the destination. New destinations include:

• Atlanta, Georgia

• Denver, Colorado

• Nashville, Tennessee

• New Orleans, Louisiana

Quote of note: “The response from North Texas has been extraordinary, and the bookings back that up,” Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy said in a news release. “Adding four new destinations and a third based aircraft further cements our commitment to Collin County.”