Kim McKinnon and Denise Lamanna work together as realtors on their “Downsizing Made Easy” program at Southlake-based McKinnon Real Estate, which focuses on helping homeowners across the region transition to senior living.

Community Impact interviewed McKinnon and Lamanna to provide families additional knowledge while considering a transition. Answers have been edited for length, style and clarity.

How can families determine if senior living is a good fit for their needs?
McKinnon: If someone is having a hard time functioning at home, meaning running errands, being able to get meals prepared. Are they able to walk freely?

Lamanna: Are their physical needs being met? We also run into loneliness or their ability to maintain their home from a maintenance perspective. That becomes an issue a lot of times with seniors.

Stonebriar Centre is set to welcome new tenants in 2026, Stonebriar Centre Senior General Manager Randy Barnett said.

Zooming in: The new tenants will include a mix of clothing retailers and a restaurant, including:

• Abercrombie & Fitch: sells men's, women's and children’s clothing and accessories
• Alo Yoga: sells yoga wear and accessories for yoga and working out

Several developments are underway in Dallas-Fort Worth, including a new 141-acre multifamily and industrial development in McKinney and a 215 mixed-use development in Plano. Other news includes business updates across the metroplex and Frisco ISD expanding its open enrollment program.

See details from these stories and more in this list of the top six most-read stories from Community Impact's Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas from Dec. 8-12.

Industrial, multifamily development planned along US 75 in McKinney

Frisco ISD expands open enrollment program to high school

Plano council approves 215-acre Lavon Farms mixed-use development

Burgers and books: Check out 16 businesses now open, coming soon in west McKinney

A new Chuy's, scratch-made bagels and baked goods: 6 Dallas-Fort Worth restaurant updates

H-E-B could be coming soon to Plano, Carrollton border

Texas has grown rapidly in recent years, and data indicates that development is not slowing down. The Lone Star State gained about 168,000 jobs from September 2024-September 2025, leading the nation in job growth, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

The overview: Texas is attractive to businesses looking to relocate or expand their operations due to its tax incentives and grants, lack of a personal income tax and roughly 200 higher education institutions, business leaders said during a Dec. 10 summit held in College Station by industry network YTexas.

As businesses of all sizes continue to move to Texas, local governments and associations also need to “support the ones that are already here,” said Dean Browell, the chief behavioral officer for Feedback, a digital ethnographic research firm.

Zooming in: In an October study, Feedback found that long-term Texas residents want to live in growing communities with strong education systems and plentiful job opportunities. That growth, however, can lead to rising property taxes and living expenses before residents begin feeling the benefits, Browell said.