Plano ISD’s Career and Technical Education Center is set to open soon, bringing new and expanded programs to students.

The overview: The center was initially approved as part of PISD’s 2022 bond program, and started construction in November 2024. Voters approved more than $76.7 million to fund the center’s construction in 2022.

The 150,000-square-foot CTE Center is “right on schedule” to open in late October, Principal Jean Laswell said.

A new beauty salon is now open in downtown Plano.

The details: Studio 15 is a full-service salon offering a variety of services for hair, nails, brows and more. Owner Tati Brodsky said the salon is a "one-stop shop" for beauty services.

Check out updates on five upcoming and ongoing transportation projects around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Upcoming projects

1. Silverado Trail lane expansion

Project: Silverado Trail’s westbound lanes will be constructed between Kenley Drive and Burnett Drive in McKinney, including a bridge over Rowlett Creek. The project includes relocation of an existing North Texas Municipal Water District sanitary sewer line.

Update: Design is 90% complete. The project is expected to bid in early 2027.

• Timeline: spring 2027–spring 2028

• Cost: $5.7 million

• Funding source: city of McKinney

2. Greenville Avenue reconstruction

Project: Work will feature a full concrete reconstruction of Greenville Avenue in Richardson from Centennial Boulevard to Huffhines Street. Also included will be sewer and water main improvements.

Update: Design for the project is around 60% complete, according to the city’s capital project tracker.

• Timeline: fall 2027-spring 2029

• Cost: $13.9 million

• Funding source: city of Richardson

Last fall, Gov. Greg Abbott deemed Texas "the epicenter of AI development" during an event about Google's data center investments in the state.

Since making that remark, the Republican governor has issued several directives aimed at regulating AI-powered data centers. Meanwhile, state agencies are expanding their use of artificial intelligence in government services.

The overview: At the state level, one of the primary uses of artificial intelligence is to improve government efficiency, said Tony Sauerhoff, who leads the Texas Department of Information Resources.

Down the road, that will likely mean reducing the number of staff members at state agencies, Sauerhoff said, noting that agency leaders are being "intentional" about those changes.

Zooming in: When asked which state agencies will be most impacted by AI in the coming years, Sauerhoff pointed to the Texas Department of Transportation.

TxDOT uses artificial intelligence in a variety of forms, including to analyze transportation infrastructure, determine which construction projects should be prioritized, optimize road safety plans and manage the flow of traffic, according to its AI strategic plan.