The Denton Public School Foundation held its annual pep rally with Denton ISD leaders, teachers and staff and announced Sept. 16 it gave more than $170,000 in scholarships and grants to district educators.

Two-minute impact: The $170,252.54 in grant and scholarship funding affects 139 teachers and staff members across the district after they applied for and received backing from donors, according to a district news release.

The grants and scholarships were broken down into four categories:

• Grants to teachers

• Collaborative grants

• New hire grants

• Staff scholarships

The backstory: The Denton Public School Foundation was founded in 1995 and has awarded roughly $3.5 million in grants to teachers, staff scholarships and special programs, according to its website. The nonprofit also has bestowed nearly $1.5 million in scholarship funding to outgoing Denton ISD seniors.

The Mexican Oak has expanded to open a new tequila lounge.

The Mexican Oak Tequila Lounge celebrated its grand opening Sept. 11 at its location on the Denton Square.

What’s changed: The lounge sits on the second floor of the restaurant and only serves tequila. A variety of cocktails are available with the tequila.

In addition to drinks, the lounge has small bite fares available, such as shrimp, flautas and chimichangas.

The lounge is open Thursday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight.

• 100. W. Oak St., Ste. 160, Denton

What you need to know: Two candidates are running for the Denton County Commissioner’s Precinct 2 seat in the Nov. 3 election. The candidates competing for the seat are:

• Republican incumbent Kevin Falconer

• Democratic candidate Candace Valenzuela

The candidates were asked to keep their responses to questions within 50 words, answer the provided questions, and avoid attacking their opponents. Their answers may have been edited or shortened to adhere to these guidelines, or for style and clarity.

Plano ISD saw enrollment drop by more than 2,500 students, while Trader Joe’s plans stores in Fort Worth and Plano. Check out six trending stories from Community Impact’s Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas.

1. Plano ISD enrollment down more than 2,500 students from last school year

2. Trader Joe’s plans store in north Fort Worth

3. El Fenix Mexican Restaurant temporarily closes McKinney location

4. Trader Joe's to open second Plano store

5. Project Nexus takes flight, launches air taxi testing at Perot Field in Fort Worth

6. Red's on Main reopens Frisco location after funding challenges