DTX-PLS: Impact 10/6/2025

Drivers along Custer Road can expect ongoing lane closures through 2026 as a major water main replacement project moves forward in southern Plano and into Richardson.

Some context: The North Texas Municipal Water District, in partnership with the city of Plano, is working to replace an aging 30-inch pipeline, originally installed in 1975, with a new 36-inch water main to boost service reliability and capacity.

What you need to know: Lane closures along Custer Road are expected to continue through February during the main construction phase. The work will affect sections of Custer Road from Renner Road, just past the President George Bush Turnpike, to 15th Street as crews complete the installation.

Zooming in: The far-right northbound lane of Custer Road will continue to be closed, with temporary center lane closures expected through Nov. 3. Construction work is scheduled from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the city’s website.

Bondi Bowls opened Sept. 26 in Plano’s Legacy Hall, a Legacy Hall representative said.

What they serve: The menu features acai bowls, smoothies, lemonade, shaved ice, locally sourced coffee and more, the company website states.

The backstory: Bondi Bowls was founded by Bailey Wilson following a family member’s health scare. She named the company after Bondi Beach, where she lived and where açaí bowls had become a staple of her daily diet, according to the company website.

In 2015, when Richardson resident Corey Hyden opened Free Play in Richardson with his wife Kelsie Hyden and brother-in-law Richard Tregilgas, he thought his primary customers would be reflective of himself. However, in the ensuing decade, he has been pleasantly surprised by the far-reaching demographic his arcade business attracts.

“I was 29 [years old] and a lawyer, so I assumed we're gonna target young professionals,” Hyden said. “I very quickly found out this is a place for everyone. Our primary core demo is families and the going-out-at-night crowd.”

The ambiance: From the music to the games, Free Play aims to provide a “time-travel experience”, Hyden said.

“We have spent 10 years building the greatest 80s playlist that exists in the world,” Hyden said. “We are not technologically advanced. We're running the cutting edge of 1988 … and that's really hard to do. It's really special that we have it here in DFW.”

From Oct. 13-19, Texas residents will not have to pay to apply to in-state public colleges and universities.

The details: During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.

What they're saying: “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.” 

Put in perspective: Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.