New city data shows lower levels of homelessness, according to a June 2 report from community services director Jesse Kent.

Wendy McGee, the executive director of the homeless advocacy nonprofit Our Daily Bread, also noted the number of people seeking services at the Denton Community Shelter has seen only a modest decrease though the shelter has seen a 33% increase in people moving out of the shelter and into permanent housing following changes to the shelter policy. 

Diving deeper: The city tracks homelessness through multiple indicators, Kent said in the report. One of the indicators is the Point-in-Time Count. The count is a federally mandated census of individuals experiencing homelessness conducted every year in January on a single night. Denton’s 2026 Point-in-Time count showed 357 people experiencing homelessness, down from 607 in 2025.

“This number was a surprising result for many members of the system and the community, as the impacts of homelessness and needs present don’t feel like they’ve declined that much,” Kent said.

Milpa Kitchen and Cantina permanently closed in late May, according to an announcement on the restaurant’s website. The announcement states that while the restaurant had its last day on May 23, the restaurant staff has moved to Wild Cactus Cantina in downtown Denton, which has the same owners, according to Wild Cactus’ website. 

Milpa Kitchen and Cantina offered catering services, fajitas, enchiladas and quesadillas, according to the company’s Facebook page. 

The space is currently up for lease, according to signage on the building. 

• Closed May 23
• 820 S. I-35 Ste. 101, Denton

Allen and McKinney officials launch a new initiative for economic development around SH 121, while Universal Kids Resort announces a July 1 opening date. Check out six trending stories from Community Impact’s Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas.

1. ‘More than a highway’: Allen, McKinney officials launch 121 North corridor initiative
2. Frisco removes public input from council agendas indefinitely
3. Denton planning and zoning denies permit for major automotive work
4. Early voting starts June 1 for Frisco's mayoral runoff election
5. In case you missed it: 5 new restaurants in Prosper, Celina
6. Universal Kids Resort sets July 1 opening date

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed June 3 that a case of the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly, was detected on a cattle ranch in South Texas.

The overview: The case marks the first domestic detection of screwworm in a decade and the first Texas case in approximately 50 years. The flesh-eating parasite is a threat to the state’s $15.5 billion cattle industry.

Zooming in: No additional infestations have been identified, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins told reporters. Federal and state officials have emphasized that they do not anticipate issues with the food supply chain, as the screwworm only targets live animals and does not infest meat, fruit or vegetables.

However, experts have warned that a larger, prolonged screwworm outbreak could cause a spike in beef prices.

A widespread infestation is estimated to cost Texas at least $1.8 billion per year in damages, according to a USDA analysis of a 1976 screwworm outbreak. Texas cattle, sheep and goat producers would face about $732 million in annual losses.