Richardson ISD staff introduced changes to district-wide technology guidelines for the 2026-27 school year in response to community concerns around the use of technology in the classroom.

The big picture: District staff said they aim to provide clarity to educators about the expectations for technology in the classroom, including limits on passive screen time, while remaining transparent with community members about the guidelines that are in place.

“The goal is to learn with technology, not from it,” Director of Instructional Technology Morgan Cave said. “It is never the intention to replace the teacher. It is more about enhancing that learning environment and providing creativity.”

What you need to know: The changes in RISD’s technology guidelines largely focus on curbing passive use of technology, which include watching videos, research and other forms of consuming content on a device.

Other technology changes for the 2026-27 school year include:

• Eliminating required minutes for instructional platforms
• Extending YouTube restrictions beyond elementary school into secondary school

Peregrine Coffee Roasters is now open in Richardson’s Communion Neighborhood Cooperative, owner Stephen Holmes confirmed in an email.

The details: The coffee shop, which started as a coffee roastery in Colorado, replaces Communion Coffee Shop in the cooperative building.

Holmes said Peregrine focuses on “black coffee done right” by prioritizing sourcing, roasting and preparation of espresso offerings. Peregrine avoids artificial ingredients and makes almost everything in-house, he said, including handmade syrups, fresh-brewed chai, and in-house caramel.

• 514 Lockwood Drive, Ste. 1, Richardson

Several business have filed construction permits with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Check out five major construction permits filed around the Metroplex.

1. Simpson Manufacturing expansion: California-based manufacturing company Simpson Manufacturing is scheduled to build a 278,000-square-foot expansion at its McKinney plant near the McKinney airport, according to TDLR documents. The expansion will add space to the existing manufacturing and warehouse buildings, and include a remodel for the building’s office and training space. The company produces construction equipment and parts, including  anchors and fasteners, their website states.

• Location: 2151 S. Airport Drive, McKinney

• Estimated timeline: Sept. 1-March 31, 2028

• Estimated cost: $57 million

2. Krypton Solutions office and research facility: TDLR documents show Krypton Solutions, a manufacturing services provider, will start construction on a new office and research building in Plano in August. The company offers design services and builds parts and electrical components for manufacturing, according to Krypton’s website.

• Location: 3060 Summit Ave., Plano

• Estimated timeline: Aug. 1-Aug. 1, 2027

• Estimated cost: $14.8 million

A new $130 million East Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Station was unveiled at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on May 11.

The station is part of the DFW Forward capital improvement plan, a $12 billion project that will update many portions of the airport that opened 51 years ago, according to the airport website.

The East facility, commonly referred to as ARFF, is the first part of combining four stations into two.

A closer look: J.E. Dunn Construction and PGAL are behind the design-build partnership for the ARFF projects.

The new East Station has 10 apparatus bays, 21 dorm rooms, a dedicated training and fitness space, a support area for hazardous material, decontamination and equipment storage, and includes an F5-rated storm shelter, according to a news release.

Also of note: During the May 7 DFW Airport board of directors meeting, three ARFF contracts were awarded.

Oncor is providing and installing the necessary electric service infrastructure for both of the new ARFF stations for $1.27 million.

In addition, three new vehicles were approved for purchase.