Denton ISD announced Sept. 2 it has refinanced its voter-approved bond debt, saving DISD taxpayers $6.75 million and shortening the debt lifespan by eight years.

The details: The district refinanced $15.85 million of outstanding voter-approved bond debt, which is now expected to be paid off by 2030 instead of 2038, according to a news release.

DISD monitored the municipal bond market and opted to refinance when the market conditions allowed the district to refinance at a lower interest rate. Instead of holding a debt interest rate of 4%, DISD refinanced to a 3.25% interest rate.

According to the release, this practice has saved DISD residents more than $339.3 million over the last 20 years. The most recent refinancing means DISD can keep a lower tax rate while continuing investments in infrastructure, technology and safety.

The backstory: Denton ISD voters approved a bond package worth nearly $1.42 billion by 62% in 2023, according to the district’s website.

The Bohemian Bookshop, which has only appeared as a pop-up store at Dallas-Fort Worth events, will open a brick-and-mortar store later this year.

The takeaway: As an independent bookstore, the shop will offer a curated selection that highlights works from small publishers, as well as cult classics, backlist titles and voices from historically marginalized communities, owner Peyton Barfield said. She added that the books will never be determined by general popularity or computer algorithms.

After years of visiting and working in chain bookstores, Barfield said she was ready for something a little more unconventional. The store began online in 2021 as a way to share a love for books that stray from the best sellers list.

• 525 Bryan St., Denton

For the first time in over a decade, there is no incumbent in the Texas attorney general's race as Republican Ken Paxton runs for U.S. Senate.

Democrat Nathan Johnson, a state senator from Dallas; Republican Mayes Middleton, a state senator from Galveston; and Libertarian Tom Oxford, an attorney from Nederland, are running to replace him this November. Community Impact asked the candidates for their perspectives on Texas' open records laws, state litigation and other topics.

How we got here: Johnson and Middleton each won their primary runoff elections in May, Community Impact reported, while Oxford was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

Looking ahead: Early voting in eight statewide races and dozens of local elections runs from Oct. 19-30. Election Day is Nov. 3.