1. Zipline drone delivery launches in McKinney
The service launch comes months after McKinney City Council members approved zoning for drone delivery infrastructure at the Walmart on Redbud Boulevard in April. Zipline is partnering with Walmart to launch drone delivery services at stores across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Zipline co-founder and CEO Keller Rinaudo Cliffton said he expects McKinney to be the fastest growing Zipline site they’ve launched. At launch, drones will only deliver to addresses within a 2-mile radius, but that radius is expected to expand in the future, according to officials.
Read more from Reporter Colby Farr.
2. McKinney ISD to close, repurpose 3 elementary schools
McKinney ISD will see three elementary campuses closed prior to the 2026-27 school year. The district’s board of trustees voted unanimously at a Nov. 5 special meeting to approve the closure of the three schools, which are set to be repurposed for alternative district uses. The campuses considered for closure included 13 elementary schools that are located south of US 380 and west of US 75, which is an area that is expected to see decreased enrollment in coming years, district documents state.
Find more details from Editor Shelbie Hamilton.
3. Burgers, barbecue and a bistro: 6 restaurant updates in Dallas-Fort Worth
Several new restaurants have opened recently or are coming soon in the DFW area. Check out a list of new restaurants, including a burger restaurant, barbecue and a cocina.
Read here from Reporter Hannah Johnson.
4. What to know about SNAP delays, other effects of monthlong federal shutdown
SNAP is a federally funded program that provides low-income individuals and families with monthly stipends to spend on groceries. Over 3.5 million Texans receive SNAP benefits each month, according to Feeding Texas, the statewide network of food banks. Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole told Community Impact that SNAP payments are issued on a rolling basis throughout each month, meaning that each day benefits are delayed, about 126,000 Texans would be impacted.
Find key information from Reporter Hannah Norton.
5. Frisco ISD to launch virtual learning program in 2026
Frisco Flex offers several education pathways for families. The fully online model provides a path to graduation through online courses taught by FISD teachers. The program is available to Texas residents, and coursework must be completed within Texas. The hybrid program will combine online and on-campus learning.
Discover more details from Reporter Hannah Johnson.
6. Voters maintain support for NISD tax rate election
This is the second consecutive year NISD has called a tax-rate election. This election comes after the district eliminated more than 100 teaching positions and maximized staffing ratios to mitigate a projected $16 million budget shortfall for the 2025-26 school year, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Read the full story from Reporter Patricia Ortiz.
