Allen ISD is hosting another Community Engagement Night in September offering parents and students a chance to connect with district officials.

The full story: The event will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Allen ISD STEAM Center, located at 1680 Ridgeview Drive. A complimentary pizza dinner will be offered at 5:30 p.m., and informational sessions are expected to start at 6 p.m.

Families can RSVP to the event through Allen ISD’s website. The district is also offering child care for kids between 3 and 12 years old during the event. Space is limited, according to the website.

Families can choose from several informational sessions touching on a variety of topics including artificial intelligence, e-bike safety, sports injury prevention and budget-friendly cooking. Sessions are scheduled during two time windows between 6-8 p.m.

Flat Grounds Coffee is coming soon to Allen, owner Michael Rammal said.

A closer look: The coffee shop will offer a variety of drinks, including espresso and matcha, as well as sandwiches, salads and pastries, Rammal said.

Also of note: What makes Flat Grounds Coffee unique is that it will also have a vintage clothing store, Rammal said.

• 790 Waverly Drive, Ste. 200, Allen

Texas does not have a single system to connect first responders in emergencies, meaning local and state agencies often operate on a network of radio systems that are not always compatible with one another.

The big picture: State leaders said there are more than 50 different radio systems used by first responder agencies across Texas.

"We have situations where counties and cities are on separate ones, and they never know it until they have to [communicate with] each other," state Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, said during a Sept. 14 legislative hearing.

Looking ahead: King has vowed to pass a bill to integrate first responder communications under a statewide system during the 2027 legislative session, with some emergency management experts calling interagency communications "the No. 1 issue" in the aftermath of disasters.

"[This] is not simply a communication issue—it's a responder safety issue and an operational effectiveness issue," said Kyle Mills, head of planning and preparedness for the Texas A&M Forest Service.