DTX-ALN: Impact 8/20/2026

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Anderson Early Childhood School reopens in Allen after $30.4M renovation

Allen ISD’s Anderson Early Childhood School reopened for the 2026-27 school year after a $30.4 million renovation project was completed over the summer.

The big picture: District officials approved funding for the project in December 2025 with the goal of repurposing the former elementary school. Renovation work included replacement of flooring, wall paint and fixtures throughout the school as well as a redesign of Anderson’s lobby, reception area, administrative area, cafeteria and library.

Jennifer Wilhelm, assistant superintendent of Learner Services, said every aspect of the renovation was “purposefully designed” for Allen ISD’s pre-K students. Allen ISD offers a pre-K program at the school for students who are 4 years old by Sept. 1, according to its website.

More details: Renovations also added six experiential learning rooms that encourage a hands-on, active approach to learning, Wilhelm said.

In Your Area

Timberland now offering boots, outerwear at Allen Premium Outlets

Timberland is now open at the Allen Premium Outlets, a company representative said.

The details: The store sells shoes, clothing and outdoor essentials for men, women and children, a news release states.

820 W. Stacy Road, Ste. 428, Allen

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Inside North Texas classrooms: How legislative shifts and budget strains impact DFW-area schools

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Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Karaoke at Tupps Brewery

Movie night at Old Celina Park

Aug. 21, 9 p.m.-midnight
McKinney

Aug. 21, 7 p.m.
Celina

More info

Free pet adoptions at Allen Animal Shelter

Local author talk at Talking Animal Books

Aug. 21-23, times vary
Allen

Aug. 22, 10:30 a.m.-noon
Grapevine

More info

To submit your own event, click here.

Across The Region

7 construction updates from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Board approved construction projects on Terminals A, C, D, E and F and road work near the Rental Car Center during the Aug. 6 meeting.

The projects are part of the DFW Forward capital plan, according to the airport website.

Terminal A: A reimbursement agreement with American Airlines was approved for $6.5 million for construction of the Terminal A pier ramp space, part of the Central Terminal Area expansion.

According to board documents, the work will include interior reconstruction for offices, ramp-level restrooms, a breakroom and renumbering the north part of Terminal as the north Skylink station.

A filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shows the project will encompass 51,000 square feet and has an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2028.

Terminals D and E: Vanderlande Industries, Inc., from Marietta, Georgia, will provide operations and maintenance service for Terminal E and a baggage handling control room operation for Terminal D.

The $66.8 million has a five-year term and is set to start in October.

See more details.

CI Texas

Live updates: ERCOT will complete data center audit in late 2026, officials say

The Texas House State Affairs Committee heard from power grid officials; data center developers and industry representatives; local government officials; cybersecurity experts; and utility companies during an Aug. 19 hearing on the growth of data centers in the state. Dozens of Texas residents also testified about the impact of data centers in their communities.

The details: Pablo Vegas, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said will take the grid operator several months to audit about 200 gigawatts of data center proposals. ERCOT will request information from all large and medium-sized data centers that are expected to use at least 25 megawatts of electricity.

ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission were ordered on Aug. 3 to audit all data centers seeking to connect to Texas’ power grid. They anticipate completing that audit in late November or early December, Vegas said.

Your local team

Shelbie Hamilton
Editor

Miranda Talley
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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Inside North Texas classrooms: How legislative shifts and budget strains impact DFW-area schools

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