DTX-PCL: Impact 11/4/2025

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New programming at Collin College specifically targets workforce development, including specialized training and courses aimed at enhancing the skills of professionals already in the workforce.

Through state grant funding, the college has been able to offer professional development for several area industries, including manufacturing, finance, accounting, project management and health care, among others.

The big picture: Collin College officials look to help any organization that needs it, said Neil Matkin, district president of the college system. The college has teamed up with industries that have a smaller demand to offer training, rather than creating a credit-based program that can take longer to implement, he said.

Quote of note: “Collin College can deliver short-term, laser focused training for employer groups that support their immediate needs,” Matkin said.

Celebrate veterans, firefighters and Thanksgiving with these Prosper and Celina events. 

The details: People in the area will be able to get drinks, hear music and support veterans and firefighters at events in November.

Nearly 58,800 Denton County residents voted early or by mail ahead of Election Day for the Nov. 4 election, according to Denton County elections data.

The details: The county’s early voter turnout was 58,737 people, as well as 60 mail-in ballots received by the elections office. Early voting for the Nov. 4 election ended Oct. 31.

Polls will be open in Denton County from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

What's on the ballot: Voters across Denton County will cast their ballots for a number of contested races, including:

• Lewisville ISD trustee, at-large Place 6: Madison Lopez and Michelle Alkhatib
• Six propositions for a $192 million bond called by the town of Prosper
• A voter-approval tax rate election for Denton ISD
• A sales tax election in Argyle for the Harvest area

During the two weeks of early voting Oct. 20-31, 56,963 registered voters cast their ballots at polling locations in Collin County.

Diving in deeper: The last day of early voting was Oct. 31, and Election Day is Nov. 4. Registered voters in Collin County can cast their ballots at any polling location. Polling sites in McKinney and Allen saw the highest turnout, while multiple sites in Plano also joined the top 10 polling locations for early voting.

Also of note: For a preview of what’s on your ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

Looking for fun ways to get active? Here is a roundup of 5K races and fun runs around the Dallas-Fort Worth area in November and December.

1. North Texas Hotdog 5K Race: This 5K event features multiple divisions, including regular men’s and women’s divisions as well as the hot dog division, in which participants will need to eat a hot dog after each mile completed in the race.

• Nov. 8, 8 a.m.
• $15
• 2600 N. Plano Road, Richardson

• Nov. 15, 7:30 a.m.
• $45 (5K), $75 (15K)
• Erwin Park, 4300 CR 1006, McKinney

Election Day is Nov. 4. Polling places across Texas will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., according to the secretary of state’s office.

The overview: Voters in the following counties can vote at any polling place within their county of residence through the countywide voting program: Bastrop, Bexar, Brazoria, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Fort Bend, Galveston, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson. Registered voters in other counties are required to visit a polling place specific to their voting precinct.

On the ballot: Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution during the Nov. 4 election. Each proposition was approved by at least two-thirds of state lawmakers this spring before being placed on the ballot.

Voters in various communities across the state may also see local propositions and races on their ballots, including a 20% tax rate increase in Austin, a congressional race in Harris County and a state Senate race in Tarrant County.

Learn more: To get to know the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.