A new public transportation option is set to roll out soon in Frisco through a partnership with the Denton County Transportation Authority.

What happened: Frisco City Council approved a contract at an April 7 meeting for GoZone microtransit services that will run through at least 2029. DCTA’s board of directors approved the agreement with Frisco at its March 26 meeting. 

How it works: The GoZone service would be available to any users, such as Frisco residents and employees, within roughly 21 square miles in Frisco. Riders would be able to request trips through a mobile app or by phone, with shared vehicles that pick up and drop off passengers curb-to-curb. Brian Moen, Frisco assistant director of transportation, said previously that riders may need to walk a short distance to designated pickup points.

Looking ahead: Moen said the service could begin by mid-May, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

New associate degree programs are slated to launch this fall at Collin College.

The new degree programs are aimed at competitive job markets, a news release states.

The specifics: The new Associate of Applied Science programs will include corresponding certificates, the release states. Programs include:

• Medical Laboratory Technology
• Law Enforcement—Public Administration and Supervision
• Cosmetology

Stay informed on what road projects are happening or coming up around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Dallas County

1. Lakeside Boulevard reconstruction
Project: Crews are reconstructing the street and implementing utility improvements on Lakeside Boulevard from US 75 to Campbell Road, and Lawnview Drive from Lakeside to Greenville Avenue in Richardson.

Update: Installation of the water line sewers from the roundabout to Campbell is currently underway, along with work in the Lawnview median.

• Timeline: winter 2024-spring 2026
• Cost: $10 million
• Funding source: city of Richardson

• Timeline: The project will go out to bid for a construction company later this year.
• Cost: $199,000 for designs
• Funding source: city of Colleyville

Nearly eight months after a Democratic walkout over congressional redistricting, a GOP-led Texas House committee moved to charge 52 of their Democratic colleagues up to $8,354.25 each in fines.

What happened: After six hours behind closed doors, the House Administration Committee approved the fines in a brief public session April 10. The panel's six Republicans voted to impose the fines, while the five Democrats voted against them.

The background: Over 50 House Democrats left the state in early August to fight a plan to redraw Texas’ congressional boundaries. They remained out of Texas for two weeks, impeding the progress of legislation during two special legislative sessions, although the congressional map and more than a dozen other bills ultimately passed after the Democrats returned to Austin.

Something to note: The fines were reduced by $1,000 per person to reflect two days when the House was not in session, lawmakers said. Some Democrats were also charged lower amounts because they did not participate in the full two-week walkout or their absences were partially excused.