Avelo Airlines’ first commercial passenger flight out of McKinney National Airport took off shortly after 9 a.m. Nov. 11. 

It marks the start of commercial passenger service that will operate out of McKinney National Airport’s new terminal. Fort Myers, Florida is the first of five destinations that Avelo Airlines will fly to this fall. The airline will add six more destinations in December.

The gist: Officials from the city, airport and Avelo Airlines held another ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 11 and made remarks before the first flight was boarded. McKinney City Manager Paul Grimes said it was a milestone for McKinney and Collin County.

“This is an airport that’s going to serve the region and we’re very, very excited about that,” he said.

Mapping it out: Avelo Airlines is planning for the following routes to begin launching Nov. 11-19. Destinations include:

• Fort Lauderdale, Florida

• Fort Myers, Florida

• Las Vegas, Nevada

• Orlando, Florida

• Tampa, Florida

Additional Avelo Airlines routes are set to launch Dec. 16-17.

Visitors to WayBack Barn can now enjoy a nostalgic moviegoing experience.

The details: The WayBack Drive-In is now open and offering movie showings, co-owner Laura O’Dowd said in an email. The boutique, vintage-style drive-in movie theater offers “cozy, retro vibes and movies under the Texas night sky,” she said in an email.

Also of note: Admission to the 4-acre WayBack Barn property is also included in the drive-in theater ticket price, which offers access to pre-show games such as tetherball, gaga ball, cornhole, horseshoes and more. 

What they're saying: “Bringing back a drive-in gives parents that sweet hit of nostalgia and gives kids a fun, safe space to run wild before settling in on the tailgate with some popcorn," O'Dowd said.

State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving woman and Black legislator in Texas history, said she has the votes to become Texas House speaker when the legislature convenes in January.

What to know: Thompson released a list Nov. 6 of 90 House members whom she said pledged to support her speaker candidacy.

The 87-year-old was first elected to the legislature in 1972 and took office the following year. She would become the first woman and the first Black lawmaker to serve as Texas House speaker.

The context: Thompson's candidacy comes after Democrats swept Texas' statewide seats in the Nov. 3 election, ending 24 years of Republican dominance. Rep. Eddie Morales, D-Eagle Pass, threw his hat in the ring for speaker on Nov. 5 before endorsing Thompson less than a day later.

Quote of note: "I know that with the colleagues that are being sent to the legislature, both Democrats and Republicans working together, we can make a difference in the state of Texas and the lives of the people that we represent," Thompson said.