Each summer, Allen ISD officials invite a handful of teachers to shadow industry professionals at businesses like financial institution CUTX, telecommunications infrastructure firm MD7 and the city of Allen.

The gist: AISD partners with Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas and the Allen Economic Development Corp. on the program and has participated since 2023, Chief Communications Officer David Hicks said.

WSNCT Executive Director Phedra Redifer said the externship program “cinches down” the connection point between classrooms and employers. Businesses change rapidly to adapt to “current-day challenges” and classroom teaching may not reflect that, she said.

The context: The program can benefit CTE teachers who are typically hired from the industries that they teach about at AISD, said Toni Crisler, director of College, Career and Military Readiness. The district actively prioritizes hiring people directly from the industry to teach in the classroom and the externship helps teachers stay up to date on the industry, she said.

Psycho Bunny is now open in Allen, according to an Allen Premium Outlets news release.

A closer look: The business offers apparel for men, women and children, including shirts, sweatshirts, outerwear and swimwear, per its website. The business also offers accessories including hats, bags, wallets and socks.

• 820 W. Stacy Road, Ste. 174, Allen

Prosper officials recommended denial of a $580 million proposed data center, while Rio Mambo Tex Mex y Mas closed in Colleyville. Check out six trending stories from Community Impact’s Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas.

1. Prosper commission OKs commercial development
2. Rio Mambo closes in Colleyville
3. Prosper commission recommends denial of $580 million data center
4. Frisco delays zoning changes for 21-home community near FM 423
5. Chicken Salad Chick to open first Denton location
6. JPMorgan Chase leases 41,000 square feet at Frisco’s Hall Park

Four candidates are running for Texas lieutenant governor—the second-in-command to the governor—in the Nov. 3 election.

What's happening: Libertarian Anthony Cristo, Democrat Vikki Goodwin and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick are challenging Republican incumbent Dan Patrick, who is seeking a fourth term.

The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

How we got here: Patrick won his Republican primary race in March, while Goodwin advanced to the general election after beating another Democrat in a May primary runoff, Community Impact reported. Cristo and McCormick were selected as their parties' respective candidates during nominating conventions in April.

Looking ahead: Early voting in the midterm election runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.