Apollo Junior High is on track for expansion into a middle school after Richardson's City Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval for a rezoning Dec. 16.

The rezoning will allow for the school's planned renovations as part of the district's larger initiative to convert all junior highs into middle schools by fall 2028.

The gist: The proposed development includes a full renovation and expansion of the main classroom area on the north side, construction of a new main entrance and the addition of a southern wing, which will include new and expanded gymnasiums, a media center, a cafetorium, and Career and Technical Education space.

Zooming in: The renovation also includes a new traffic plan for drop-off and pickup around the relocated main entrance, with the goal of keeping cars on-site rather than extending queues into nearby public streets.

What they're saying: Several residents on Amherst Avenue expressed concern about the additional traffic caused by the relocated entrance and the new circulation plan.

Handcrafted Therapy, a massage supply store and training center, is moving to Richardson in January, according to a social media announcement.

The store first opened in Plano in June 2023 and announced its move to Richardson in early December. Handcrafted Therapy offers self-care products and massage supplies in its store and classes and workshops in its training facility.

• Opening January 2026
• 2095 N. Collins Boulevard, Ste. 201, Richardson

Looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve? Check out these events in the Dallas-Fort Worth area happening Dec. 31.

This list is not comprehensive, and events are subject to change.

1. New Year’s Eve at Free Play Arcade in Richardson
Ring in the new year at the Free Play Arcade with arcade games, along with food and drinks.

• Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
• 1730 E. Belt Line Road, Richardson

• Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
• 6765 Winning Drive, Ste. 810, Frisco

Approximately three dozen new Texas laws are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, impacting how artificial intelligence is used in state government, when local officials can raise taxes after natural disasters and how much of businesses' inventory is taxed.

The background: The changes come after Texas’s biennial legislative session ended in early June. Gov. Greg Abbott signed over 1,100 laws passed by state lawmakers, many of which took effect in June or September.

The details: Some of the bills becoming law in the new year are:

• House Bill 9, which will expand a tax exemption for business owners
• House Bill 30, which will tighten regulations on counties' and cities' abilities to raise tax rates after natural disasters
• House Bill 149, which will regulate the fast-growing AI industry
• House Bill 247, which will exempt certain border security infrastructure from property tax increases
• House Bill 1399, which will create a property tax exemption for stores selling animal feed
• House Bill 2508, which will establish a property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of certain military members