Looking for news in the Plano area? Here are some stories on the city of Plano, as reported by Community Impact.

This list is not comprehensive.

1. Plano first responders to launch whole blood program in July
Plano Fire Rescue is launching a new program in July to bring blood transfusions to patients before they arrive at the hospital.

First responders will be able to carry blood to the scene for patients experiening blood loss to receive a pre-hospital blood transfusion. Plano Fire-Rescue Medical Director Dr. Mark Gamber said the program will be beneficial in situations like car wrecks, if someone has been stabbed, for pregnancies and gastrointestinal bleeding.

2. Plano City Council approves $8.5M for traffic light vehicle detection upgrades
Plano City Council approved funds for new vehicle detection systems June 8. The upgrades will improve signals, support reliable traffic flow and reduce maintenance costs, per city documents.

Public Works Community Investment Program Manager Drew Zaeske said the new system can monitor real-time traffic conditions and construction impacts during emergencies.

A new Paris Baguette location is now open near the Plano-Frisco border.

The details: Paris Baguette has a varied assortment of cakes, breads and beverages. Some of its current offerings include its lemon and blueberry or its smores pastries.

Check out five upcoming and ongoing transportation projects in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

This list is not comprehensive.

Upcoming projects

1. Laud Howell Parkway extension

Project: Construction will build two lanes of Laud Howell Parkway between Trinity Falls Parkway and Lake Forest Drive. Private development firm Republic Property Group is constructing Lanes 1 and 2 of the roadway, and the city will construct Lanes 3 and 4.

Update: McKinney City Council approved a design contract with LJA Engineering in June, and design is underway. Construction of Lanes 1 and 2 by Republic Property Group is already underway.

• Timeline: Design is expected to take about 12 months to complete. Construction of Lanes 3 and 4 is expected to begin in 2028.
• Cost: $18 million
• Funding source: city of McKinney, Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant funds

The University of Texas at Dallas student-athletes will now compete in NCAA Division II after the university officially changed its classification July 10. After approval by the Division II Membership Committee and Management Council, UT Dallas will begin full Division II membership Sept. 1, according to a news release from the university.

Why it matters: UT Dallas has competed as a Division III university since its athletic department was established. Scholarships are not offered under Division III, so as a Division II school, UT Dallas will be able to offer athletic scholarships to its student-athletes for the first time.

“Our transition to Division II positions us to compete at a higher level while staying true to our commitment to academic excellence and the success of our student-athletes," UT Dallas President Prabhas Moghe said in the release.

How we got here: In 2023, the university accepted an invitation to join the Division II Lone Star Conference and began the process of changing its sports classification, which included a two-year provisional period.