Richardson ISD fell short of its attendance goal in fall 2025 and plans to implement new strategies to increase attendance this spring, according to a presentation at the Jan. 15 school board meeting.

Breaking it down: Average daily attendance is the percentage of students physically present each day. RISD’s average daily attendance for the 2025 fall semester was 94.69%, putting the district a little over 1 percentage point behind its goal set in the District Improvement Plan.

Going forward: Matthew Gibbins, assistant superintendent of administrative services, introduced several new strategies aiming to increase attendance this spring, including creating incentive programs and offering parent information sessions.

Why it matters: Attendance is the biggest predictor of student success, Gibbins said, and directly correlates with increased academic achievement, fewer learning interventions, better test scores and higher graduation rates. Additionally, school funding in Texas is based on the average daily attendance, not on student enrollment.

Put in perspective: Texas is one of six states that still base district funding on student attendance rather than enrollment.

Texas State Optical in Richardson is now closed.

What happened: The location is no longer listed on Texas State Optical's website and a lockout notice is posted on the door.

The details: The business offered eye exams, a selection of eyewear and other additional eye care options.
 

Two Republican candidates are running for a four-year term as Collin County judge in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Rick Grady and Chris Hill are looking to earn the Republican nomination for the county judge seat. The winning Republican candidate will face Democrat John R. Buster Brown in November. Brown is running uncontested in the Democratic primary.

Preparing for the polls: Early voting begins Feb. 17 for March 3 primary races across Texas, including 18 statewide races and various local races. Registered voters may cast ballots in either Texas’ Republican or Democratic primary, but not both. Third-party candidates will appear on the ballot in November.

Construction for the 2026 FIFA World Cup's International Broadcasting Center has started and is among other projects recently filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Here are five of the most expensive permits filed with TDLR in the past week.

1. Harmon Road Apartments: A 3,143-square-foot leasing office in north Fort Worth is scheduled to begin construction in March of this year, according to a TDLR filing. The apartments will be located off US 287 near the Chisholm Ridge.

• Location: 1701 E. Harmon Road, Fort Worth
• Estimated timeline: March 1, 2026-Aug. 1, 2027
• Estimated cost: $41 million

Pappalecco’s newest location is now open in Plano, franchise owner Chi Yan confirmed.

On the menu: Their menu features coffee, pastries, gelato and light bites like salads and sandwiches.