DTX-DEN: Impact 10/17/2025

Early voting for the Nov. 4 election begins Oct. 20. Here’s what you need to know ahead of the Nov. 4 election.

Voters across Denton will cast ballots for a voter-approval tax rate election for Denton ISD.

The details: For the Nov. 4 election, there are a few dates to know, including:

• Oct. 20: Early voting begins
• Oct. 24: Last day to apply to vote by mail (received, not postmarked)
• Oct. 31: Final day of early voting
• Nov. 4: Election Day and the last day to receive ballot by mail (or Nov. 5 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)

From a new breakfast spot to two future tea shops, see the latest business news from around Denton.

Now open
IHOP
A new IHOP location on South I-35 East near Bucee’s is now open, according to a company representative.
The breakfast spot offers omelettes, pancakes and waffles, in addition to traditional diner fare like burgers and sandwiches, according to their menu.

• Opened Sept. 29
• 2920 S. I-35 E., Denton
• www.ihop.com

• Opening in November
• 1400 S. Loop 288, Ste. 114, Denton
• Facebook: Feng Cha Denton

Looking for a new restaurant to try? Here are six restaurants that have recently opened in Community Impact's Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas. 

Daytrip Diner
The former owners of Morning Edition Cafe in Flower Mound have opened Daytrip Diner in Grapevine, moving into the former location of Waffle Way. Daytrip Diner is open daily from 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and its menu features breakfast and lunch items.
1206 W. Northwest Highway, Grapevine

Stonebridge Diner
The restaurant was opened by the owners behind Brothers Pizza, which closed in July after serving McKinney for more than 20 years. Stonebridge Diner serves a variety of breakfast dishes including omelets, pancakes and crepes.
6150 Eldorado Parkway, Ste. 180, McKinney

Denton ISD has received the highest possible financial integrity rating from the state of Texas—a distinction the district has received for the 23rd time.

The overview: The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, also called FIRST, is issued by the Texas Education Agency, and provides financial accountability for Texas public schools. The FIRST rating is considered lagging data as the score is based on two-year old data, said Vicki Garcia, DISD’s executive director of financial operations. 

DISD received an "A" or "Superior" rating on this year's FIRST report.

Quote of note: “It’s not just the finance department, it’s the whole district doing its job,” Garcia said. “It takes everybody to achieve this rating.”

Denton County officials approved the allocation of additional funding toward the FM 407 breakout project near the border of Argyle and Northlake.

What happened: Commissioners unanimously approved supplemental agreement No. 2 to a professional services agreement with Bartlett & West Inc., worth around $1.68 million, during the Oct. 14 meeting. The additional funding adds to the previously approved $1.35 million for a total funding of nearly $3.03 million.

The details: Funding for the project will be vectored toward a portion of the breakout project near the intersection at FM 407 and I-35W, according to county documents.

The increased funding will help cover an extension of the western project limit, revising the project’s design sheets and pulling out the design sheets for a micro-breakout project to alleviate congestion at the I-35W and FM 407 intersection, which will be let separately from the entire project.