Richardson City Council directed city officials to move forward with a new water and wastewater rate plan that will increase rates for all users and restructure base fees to pass more charges to commercial users.

The overview: The new rate structure will be further developed by city staff this summer during budget development for fiscal year 2026-27 before council officially approves the changes. Residents would see the new rate plan reflected in their November water bill.

City officials said the new rate plan reflects rising water costs from the North Texas Municipal Water District, increasing utility operating costs and the cost of needed infrastructure work across the city.

“Nobody sitting on this dais is in favor of raising rates, but I think we recognize that it’s necessary to do so here,” council member Jennifer Justice said.

What you need to know: Under the proposed plan, the average residential user would see between a 7.9% and 9% increase on their water bill each year for the next five years.

Petals and Stems Florist is relocating from its current north Dallas location to the Richardson border.

The specifics: The florist will be moving to 7989 Beltline Road, Ste. 142, across the street from Dal-Rich Towne Square in Richardson, at the end of June, according to a social media post from the company.

The florist offers a wide selection of flower arrangements for weddings, proms and many other occasions.

The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine is getting updates to its coffee shop and a Dave and Buster’s in Frisco will receive facade improvements.

Check out 5 major construction permits filed around Dallas-Fort Worth.

1. Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center coffee shop renovations
The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center will receive improvements to its coffee shop, kitchen and retail space, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The hotel opened in 2004 and features a 10-acre waterpark, according to its website.

• Location: 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine

• Estimated timeline: Aug. 1-Nov. 3

• Estimated cost: $3 million

2. Keller office building construction
A new office building in Keller will start construction in early July and complete in April 2027, according to TDLR documents. The $1.35 million building will serve three tenants and cover about 5,500 square feet.

• Location: 404 Keller Parkway, Keller

• Estimated timeline: July 1, 2026-April 1, 2027

• Estimated cost: $1.35 million

Texas education officials gave preliminary approval June 23 to the state’s first mandatory reading list, which includes nearly 200 literary works that public school students would begin reading as soon as 2030.

The overview: The proposed list incorporates about a dozen stories from the Bible, including the tale of David and Goliath in second grade and direct biblical excerpts beginning in fourth grade. In total, students would be required to read more than two dozen texts in early elementary grades and about 10 literary works per year from sixth grade through high school.

What's happening: Members of the Republican-led State Board of Education voted 9-5 to cut several titles from the reading list June 23, following nearly eight hours of public testimony a day earlier.

More than half of those who testified June 22 asked the board to shorten the list, include more diverse authors and remove religious references. Others praised the SBOE for creating a list that they said would teach students about “American exceptionalism” and prioritize classical literature.