Richardson ISD approved a $20.8 million shortfall budget in June for the 2026-27 school year, the sixth year in a row that the district will operate at a deficit. Like many districts across the state, RISD is facing declining enrollment as budgets become increasingly determined by student numbers—Texas public schools receive state funding based on student attendance, so enrollment declines mean less available funds. To work towards a more balanced budget, RISD officials aim to grow enrollment while finding further budget efficiencies.

The overview: RISD began offering open enrollment in the 2025-26 school year, allowing families from outside district boundaries to apply for a place in RISD. The district has also cut close to $42 million from its budget over the last three years, Branum said, including $25.7 million in staff reductions and other efficiencies from the current budget.

Quote of note: “Public education is no longer a monopoly,” Branum said.

Howdy Homemade Ice Cream is opening a dessert shop soon in Richardson, a company representative confirmed over email.

A closer look: Every Howdy store is run by employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities, per the company’s website. Howdy currently employs over 100 employees with IDDs at its nine stores and aims to create over 1,000 more jobs through expansions over the next five years. Howdy serves 18 custom ice cream recipes, including pumpkin spice latte, cookies and cream and orange dreamsicle.

• 1930 N. Coit Road, Richardson

The retail section of a mixed-use project in Allen and Denton County Civil Courts relocation are in progress. Check out some of the latest construction filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

1. Methodist Richardson Medical Center expansion
Methodist Richardson Medical center is adding a three-story tower with mechnical space and an imaging suite on the first level, a 25-bed intermediate care unit on the second and shell space on the third per a TDLR filing. Construction is estimated to take roughly a year to complete.

• Location: 2831 E. President George Bush Highway, Richardson
• Estimated timeline: Dec. 1, 2026-Dec. 30, 2027
• Estimated cost: $64 million

2. Denton County Civil Courts relocation
Denton County Civil Courts is relocating into an existing five-story office building in Denton, per a TDLR filing. The office used to be the corporate headquarters for Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. before the company relocated to Plano at the end of 2025 per previous reporting.

• Location: 3001 Colorado Blvd., Denton
• Estimated timeline: Dec.1, 2026-March 31, 2028
• Estimated cost: $60 million

Two candidates will run for the Texas House District 112 seat during the Nov. 3 election.

What you need to know: Longtime Republican incumbent Angie Chen Button is running against Democratic candidate Zach Herbert. The district primarily covers parts of Richardson, Garland, Sachse, Rowlett and Sunnyvale.

Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or shortened to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.