The first day of school for Keller ISD, Aug. 12, also began a countdown for the final days of the district’s three intermediate schools.

During KISD’s May 14 board of trustees meeting, Bear Creek, Parkwood Hill and Trinity Meadows were selected to close after the 2026-27 school year by a 129-member committee of parents, community members, teachers and staff.

Superintendent Cory Wilson said. KISD will save $39 million in repairs and capital improvement costs and $3 million-$4 million in operating costs for the three schools.

What’s happening: The KISD closures will affect 3,800 students, though the district had not provided an update on staff impact as of July. Next school year, elementary schools will serve pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, middle schools will include grades 6-8 and high schools will serve students in grades 9-12, a district news release states.

What’s next: Wilson said KISD has capacity for 39,500 students, but the 2025-26 school year enrollment was 30,202. After the school closures, the district’s capacity will be down to 36,200 students for a total occupancy of 85% for the 2027-28 school year,

John Peter Smith Health Network is taking part in a three-year clinical trial designed to improve how pain is managed for trauma patients in emergency situations.

The details: JPS is one of nine centers taking part in the trial, which is being led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh.

The Prehospital Analgesia Intervention (PAIN) Trial could possibly reduce risks linked to opioid dependency in trauma patients by comparing the effects of fentanyl and low-dose ketamine on patients who are experiencing lower levels of shock from traumatic injuries, according to the release.

Diving deeper: During the trial, opioid medications will be given by Emergency Medical Service personnel while patients are in ambulance transit to the hospital. In Tarrant County, the initiative is being led by JPS Associate Medical Director Angela Cornelius.

According to the release, roughly 1,200 trauma patients will be enrolled across the country at the participating healthcare facilities. Patients will be randomly assigned either fentanyl or ketamine by EMS personnel. This will help first responders decide when and for whom to administer certain medications in traumatic situations.

Check out five upcoming, ongoing and completed transportation projects in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Upcoming projects

1. Mount Gilead Road improvements

Project: Surface improvements are planned on Mount Gilead Road from US 377 to Bourland Road in Keller. The work features three lanes with turn lanes, a trail along the north side of the road, a sidewalk along the south side of the roadway and a single-lane roundabout on Bourland Road, according to a council presentation on Aug. 4.

Update: Alonzo Liñán, director of public works, provided an update during the Aug. 4 council meeting. He said the design by firm Kimley-Horn was 98% done and the next step would be to award the contract in September.

• Timeline: estimated construction is from January 2027 to January 2029

• Cost: $12.5 million-$13 million

• Funding source: city of Keller

To cast votes for a U.S. senator, governor, state attorney general and dozens of other races during the Nov. 3 midterm election, Texans must ensure they are registered to vote or have submitted an application by Oct. 5.

How it works: To be eligible to register to vote, an individual must:

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Reside in the county they apply to vote in

• Be at least 18 years old by Election Day

• Not have been declared mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a court

Getting registered: Eligible Texans must submit a paper voter registration application by Oct. 5. The online form must be printed, signed and mailed to the applicant's local elections office.

One more thing: Voters who are already registered have through Oct. 5 to update their name or address, if needed.

Some voters may appear on the state "suspense" list if local officials cannot confirm their address, although they will still be able to vote in the election.

More information: Learn more about federal, state and local races at communityimpact.com/election.