Denton residents will see an increase in their gas rates starting in October after Denton City Council unanimously voted to pass a rate-increase settlement with Atmos Energy at its Aug. 18 regular meeting.

What’s happening? The unanimous vote was prompted after a presentation from Chief Financial Officer Matt Hamilton, who said Atmos made a filing to increase rates for the upcoming fiscal year.

The average Denton residential customer will see a $13.37 monthly increase, or 14.5%, in their gas bill and the average Denton commercial customer will have a $44.82 increase, or 9.9%, in their monthly bill.

Hamilton said that while the city still sets rates within its jurisdiction, the increases are systemwide. The specific increases were provided for the Denton average resident and commercial property owner.

Denton Mayor Chris Watts and council members George Ferrie and Joe Holland commented that the increase was substantial but Hamilton said since this is a settlement, City Council members could incur larger fees for fighting the settlement instead of just accepting the rate.

Third Bend Studio opened its doors for preschool and after-school care in mid-August. 

What’s happening? Third Bend Studio is a preschool, afterschool program and family studio space in Denton. Enrollment for preschool serves children ages 3-5 and after-school care is for children ages 6-12.

Enrollment options for preschool children include half days (7:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) or full days (7:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) Extended day and after-school care runs from 2:30-5:30 p.m. The school offers two-day, three-day and five-day weekly programs, its Facebook page states.

Zooming in: The business features several different play areas where children can draw, play with building blocks, create fabric and Play-Doh art, and play with animal and dinosaur figures.

The facility also has a dedicated space for reading and an outdoor play area with yard games, and co-owner Decota Johnson said she is working to install more playground equipment such as swings and a slide, according to previous reporting.

Looking ahead: Third Bend Studio will release its summer camp schedule in December, according to a social media post.

• 516 N. Locust St., Denton

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is seeing an uptick in premium lounges in Terminals C and D and the still-under-construction Terminal F.

“We continue to advance one of the nation's most comprehensive premium lounge portfolios, with more than 20 existing spaces and a planned 45% expansion in total lounge space over the next few years,” DFW Airport CEO Scott McLaughlin said at the Aug. 6 board meeting.

1. American Airlines
Fort Worth-based American Airlines plans to open its largest Admirals Club lounge within Terminal C at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, according to a news release.
The airline also plans to include a grab-and-go option inside the initial phase of Terminal F, which is expected to open next year.

2. American Express
American Express will expand its Centurion Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Terminal D.
The $35 million project, according to a state filing, will expand and renovate the lounge into a neighboring vacant space near Gate D12.

SH 5 in McKinney is turning into a 4-lane roadway and a hospital in the Alliance area is expanding its neonatal unit. Check out some of the latest construction projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

1. Core Scientific renovations
One of Denton’s two data centers, Core Scientific, will see renovations for a 27,678 square-foot facility to be used as a data hall, according to a TDLR filing.

• Location: 8171 Jim Christal Road, Denton
• Estimated timeline: Sept. 1, 2026-May 31. 2027
• Estimated cost: $110 million

• Location: From Spur 399 to south of FM 1378
• Estimated timeline: June 1, 2026-Dec. 1, 2028
• Estimated cost: $60 million