PISD CTE Director Karen Buechman said that the CTE Center will allow the district to expand on its “already rapidly growing” CTE programming in a space accessible to all students.

“We had programs that were at specific schools ... so we needed to expand,” she said. “We needed to add programs that are high-wage and in demand—once our kids leave, we’re setting them up to be leaders in a global workforce.”

The specifics: The center will feature 18 programs ranging from automotive repair to cybersecurity and several more, each with a dedicated space. Certain programs will be accessible to the public, such as a full-service restaurant run by Culinary Arts students and a functioning credit union run by finance students.

Looking ahead: CTE Center Principal Jean Laswell said that staff is remaining adaptable with the curriculum.

“It was all about how we can make those spaces as fluid as possible,” she said. “We adapt as quickly as possible, and make sure the students are ready."

Crispy Cones is now open in Plano.

Zooming in: The business serves soft-serve ice cream in grilled dough cones covered in cinnamon and sugar, with customizable toppings and flavors. Crispy Cones is also opening a location in Southlake at 2101 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 120, but an exact opening date has not yet been announced.

• 9613 Coit Road, Ste. 108, Plano

Frisco ISD students will be out of school a week earlier than usual in the 2026-27 school year due to the upcoming PGA Championship.

The championship, which will be held the week of May 17, 2027, creates operational and safety concerns that district officials began discussing a year ago, FISD Deputy Superintendent Todd Fouche said during a Nov. 17 board meeting. 

Put in perspective: Officials estimate the PGA Championship will bring in 30,000 people daily to Frisco. Fouche explained that a temporary city will essentially be built in the northwest side of the school district near about nine FISD schools and that the tournament will not just affect those schools, but the entire FISD community.

District leaders met with the Frisco Police and Fire Departments, emergency medical services and city officials, Fouche said, and determined from a safety and security standpoint that the best way to move forward was to end the school year a week earlier than typical.

A new 215-acre development in east Plano is close to final approval, while several new housing developments are underway in Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake. 

See details on these stories and more in a list of the top five most-read stories from Community Impact's Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas from Nov. 17-21.

🏘️ 215-acre Lavon Farms development in east Plano moves forward

🍩 New 6,400-square-foot shopping center on Plano, Richardson border to be anchored by Dunkin’

🍕 Check out 6 restaurants newly opened in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

🍣 Bread Zeppelin expands footprint, all-you-can-eat sushi coming soon: 6 Dallas-Fort Worth restaurant updates

🏠️ 5 housing developments updates in Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is moving forward with a set of permanent rules designed to prohibit the sale of consumable THC products to anyone under 21 years old.

The overview: The proposal is similar to emergency rules adopted Sept. 23, which are currently in effect and prohibit Texas alcohol retailers from selling intoxicating THC products to minors. The state health department adopted similar emergency rules in October.

The context: The existing and proposed THC rules are the result of a September executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

Earlier this month, federal lawmakers approved a ban on most consumable THC products, which is set to take effect in November 2026. The ban is part of a federal funding package that became law Nov. 12, ending a 43-day federal government shutdown.

Next steps: Texans can weigh in on the TABC's proposed permanent rules during a Dec. 11 virtual public hearing or submit written public comments through Jan. 4.