With 2025 in the rearview mirror, Community Impact covered an array of stories directly affecting the city of Denton and its residents.

What you need to know: From the construction of new master-planned communities to road redesigns, take a look at the five most-read Denton stories for the year.

1. Johnson Development partners with Cole Ranch on 3,100-acre master-planned community
2. 2,500-acre Craver Ranch to bring more than 9,000 residences to Denton
3. Denton County approves $75K for Loop 288 redesign, right-of-way acquisition
4. Landmark breaks ground in Denton, model homes coming soon
5. Denton approves acquisition of land for Ryan Road widening project

As 2025 draws to an end, many will be out celebrating the arrival of 2026 with Champagne toasts, parties with friends and a variety of entertainment.

However, those who will be in Denton for New Year's Eve should know a couple of things before making plans of setting off fireworks to kick off the new year.

The details: In the city of Denton, it is illegal to use or possess fireworks within city limits or to use fireworks within 5,000 feet of the city limits, according to the city's fire department.

Those caught shooting, manufacturing or selling fireworks could be hit with a $2,000 fine.

In Denton County, it is legal to discharge fireworks on personal private property or on the private property of another with the owner’s permission in the unincorporated areas of the county, according to Denton County’s website.

Right-hand access into Terminal A is now open at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

A news release from the airport stated the access opened Dec. 19, earlier than planned, with airport officials and project partners working on an accelerated opening ahead of the Christmas travel season.

The details: The southbound access in Terminal A will open in a temporary but near-complete condition. The southbound access will be finished in January, following the peak travel period, according to a news release.

Passengers arriving from the south are encouraged to stay in the right lane along International Parkway until guided to the new exit. Customers coming from the north entry will take the new right-hand exit from International Parkway, shared by terminals A and B.

The background: Airport officials announced July 23 that the first of three 90-day construction projects would impact arrivals to terminals along International Parkway.

Terminal B work opened Oct. 20, and the detour for Terminal A started Oct. 24.

Approximately three dozen new Texas laws are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, impacting how artificial intelligence is used in state government, when local officials can raise taxes after natural disasters and how much of businesses' inventory is taxed.

The background: The changes come after Texas’s biennial legislative session ended in early June. Gov. Greg Abbott signed over 1,100 laws passed by state lawmakers, many of which took effect in June or September.

The details: Some of the bills becoming law in the new year are:

• House Bill 9, which will expand a tax exemption for business owners
• House Bill 30, which will tighten regulations on counties' and cities' abilities to raise tax rates after natural disasters
• House Bill 149, which will regulate the fast-growing AI industry
• House Bill 247, which will exempt certain border security infrastructure from property tax increases
• House Bill 1399, which will create a property tax exemption for stores selling animal feed
• House Bill 2508, which will establish a property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of certain military members