McKinney ISD officials are looking to secure voter-approved funding for new schools, facility maintenance and more in an effort to keep schools “safe, modern and ready,” the district’s website states.

The current situation: McKinney ISD voters will consider a $500 million bond package and a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, at the polls this November.

The specifics: The VATRE, listed on the ballot as Proposition A, could net an additional $4.1 million in revenue for teacher compensation and student programs if approved. The four bond propositions include funding for two new elementary schools, upgrades to existing facilities, new technology purchases and safety upgrades, according to district documents.

What else?: If all propositions are approved by voters, the district’s total tax rate will be $1.0664 per $100 valuation, which is $0.0379 cents lower than the prior year’s property tax rate, according to district documents.

Get involved: Election Day is Nov. 3, and early voting will be held Oct. 19-30. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 5.

AMD Trailer Rental is now offering trailer rental pickups in McKinney, a company news release states.

The gist: The business, formerly located in Allen at 115 Richardson Court, announced its relocation to McKinney in September. The business offers 24-hour pickup and offers a fleet of trailers for rent

Quote of note: "We moved from Allen to McKinney to make rental simpler for the people who actually use these trailers: builders, landscapers, and homeowners who need something ready when the job can't wait," AMD Trailer Rental owner Amer Daka said in the release.

• 5168 Baxter Well Road, McKinney

A $430 million data center is planned for north Fort Worth and an Amazon facility will be constructed at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Check out some of the latest North Texas construction projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

1. DSV warehouse in Denton: A transportation and logistics company founded in Denmark is remodeling and expanding an existing warehouse space for its new facility in Denton, per a TDLR filing.

• Location: 1110 N. Western Blvd., Denton

• Estimated timeline: Sept. 28, 2026-March 12, 2027

• Estimated cost: $1.24 billion

2. Colovore Alliance data center in Fort Worth: Construction on a new data center is expected to begin before the end of the year at AllianceTexas, per a TDLR filing.

• Location: 14700 Heritage Parkway, Fort Worth

• Estimated timeline: Dec. 1, 2026-2028

• Estimated cost: $430 million

A new program from the Transportation Security Administration, new speed limits on International Parkway, new parking and access fees, hotel topping out and flight changes are among the updates from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

Gateside by TSA PreCheck: Gateside is a new program launched that allows non-flyers with an eligible TSA PreCheck membership to enter the secure area to meet or see off friends and family at the gate, meet for a layover, or shop or eat at restaurants within the airport. The TSA website says the program is free and to apply one to three days before a planned visit. Children can also participate but must be included on their parent/guardian's application.

Heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding will threaten large parts of Texas this week, Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters Sept. 28.

The overview: The governor pointed to severe flooding that occurred in South-Central Texas in mid-July, damaging property, sweeping cars off roadways and killing two people. This week's storms will impact "a far more vast portion of the state" than the July flooding, he warned.

The details: Abbott said heavy rains will "really dramatically affect" the majority of the state on Sept. 30, and the National Weather Service noted that "North-Central Texas is a particular concern."

"We don't have the information needed right now to advise Texans on exactly what's going to happen in our rivers," Abbott told reporters. "I can tell you this, however: Everyone should expect the rivers to rise."