McKinney has released a draft Transportation Safety Action Plan built around a "zero-deaths" goal - meaning the city is formally targeting the elimination of fatal and serious-injury crashes on its roads. The plan identifies high-risk corridors, proposes infrastructure and signal changes, and outlines a public education strategy. It's one of the more substantive road safety commitments a DFW suburb has put on paper.

The city is collecting public input before the plan is finalized. If you've ever sat at a dangerous McKinney intersection and wondered why nothing ever changes, this is your moment to put that on the record. Details on the input process are at mckinneytexas.org.

The zero-deaths framework aligns McKinney with Vision Zero, a road safety standard now adopted by dozens of American cities. Whether it stays a policy document or turns into funded action will depend on budget allocations in the coming fiscal year - which makes the public input phase more meaningful than it might seem. (Source: City of McKinney Transportation Safety Action Plan, Aug. 2026)

The Louisiana-born slider chain opened its McKinney location at 1640 N. Custer Road on Aug. 18. Smalls keeps the menu tight: beef sliders, cheese sliders, a short sides list, all from a fast walk-up or drive-through window. No frills, reliably solid. Opened Aug. 18 | 1640 N. Custer Road, McKinney

McKinney's proposed FY 2026-27 budget - adding 32 new positions while keeping the average homeowner's tax bill about $38 below last year - heads to a final council vote this Monday, Sept. 1. A public hearing precedes the vote. Full budget document at mckinneytexas.org. (Source: City of McKinney FY 2026-27 Proposed Budget)

The Better Together Initiative hosts a community conversation Thursday, Sept. 3 (6-8PM) at McKinney City Hall's Fitzhugh Event Hall. City staff and a UTD research team present draft recommendations and take public input before finalizing the strategic plan. If you've been following McKinney's approach to homelessness, this is the room to weigh in. (Source: City of McKinney, mckinneytexas.org)

Go to the Farmers Market in style with our original McKinney canvas tote bag. $9.99 OFF automatically applied at checkout to cover shipping & more.

🀄 Mahjong at Baron's Creek
Drop in, draw some tiles, and find your groove - this Monday mahjong meetup at Baron's Creek is a laid-back evening for players of all levels, from curious beginners to seasoned strategists.
Barons Creek Vineyards Tasting Room, 301 W Louisiana St, McKinney, 6-8PM

🎲 Game Night in McKinney
Unplugged Commons brings social board gaming to McKinney. Pick up a game to try, grab a seat, and play with whoever shows up. No experience required - just a willingness to learn and lose gracefully.
The Pub McKinney, 204 W Virginia St · 6-9PM ($5)

♟️ Chess Night at The Lion & Crown
Whether you're working on your opening theory or just trying to remember how the knight moves, Tuesday chess at the Lion & Crown is one of McKinney's best under-the-radar regulars. Smart crowd, good pints.
The Lion & Crown McKinney, 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy · 6-9PM (Free)

🎨 Creative Arts Studio
The John and Judy Gay Library is hosting an adult creative arts session Tuesday evening. A rare chance to make something with your hands on a weeknight without also buying a ticket or signing a waiver.
John & Judy Gay Library, 6861 W Eldorado Pkwy · 6:30-8PM (Free)

🎸 Henry Coke Live at Harvest
Singer-songwriter Henry Coke takes the stage at Harvest at the Masonic for a Tuesday night set. Harvest's midweek lineup has a quiet track record of discovering acts worth watching before they get bigger.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N Kentucky St · 6:30-9:30PM (Free)

🎭 The Yes, And Improv Jam
Part show, part open mic - you can watch the whole thing or jump on stage if you're feeling it. The Comedy Arena's Tuesday improv jam is one of the friendliest intro-to-improv nights in DFW. No experience needed.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E Virginia St · 7-9PM (tickets via venue)

📚 Adult Book Club
McKinney's library book club - a genuinely good midday hour for smart conversation, no prerequisites. Check the library calendar for this month's title.
John & Judy Gay Library, 6861 W Eldorado Pkwy · 12-1PM (Free)

🎨 Dragonflies in Soft Pastel with Alcohol Wash
Robin Pedrero leads this creative technique workshop at MillHouse McKinney - learn to build soft pastel dragonfly art using an alcohol wash for a beautifully blurred, dreamy effect. All skill levels welcome.
MillHouse McKinney, 610 Elm St Suite 1000 · 1-3PM ($80)

🎸 Paul Renna Live at Harvest
Dallas-based singer-songwriter Paul Renna plays his blend of acoustic folk and heartfelt lyricism at Harvest. His album Reflections is on iTunes if you want to preview before you go.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N Kentucky St · 6:30-9:30PM (Free)

🎵 Music Bingo at The Stix Icehouse
They call the song, you mark the artist - Music Bingo at The Stix Icehouse is the Wednesday night earworm you didn't know you needed. Free to play, prizes for winners, no sign-up required.
The Stix Icehouse, 301 Eldorado Pkwy #100, McKinney · 7-9PM (Free)

🎸 Aidan Berlioz Live at The Lion & Crown
Live music Wednesday night at the Lion & Crown McKinney. A good reason to close out a workday with a cold one and some local sound.
The Lion & Crown McKinney, 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy · 7-10PM (Free)

🎤 Karaoke at Chop Sports McKinney
You've been singing it in the car all week - now's the time to commit. Chop Sports McKinney keeps the mic open every Wednesday night from 9:30PM well past midnight. No cover, no courage required.
Chop Sports McKinney, 7300 TX-121 · 9:30PM-1:30AM (Free)

🌿 Plant Bingo & Pottery Painting Night
Walls of Clay is mixing pottery painting with live bingo games for a creative Thursday that actually sounds fun. Pick your piece, paint it, and play a few rounds while you're at it. Prizes involved.
Walls of Clay, Downtown McKinney (contact wallsofclay.com)

🔔 Sound Bath with Markita
An hour of immersive sound healing at The Wildflower Production House - bring your yoga mat and let the bowls, bells, and resonant frequencies do the work. All ages, free street parking nearby.
The Wildflower Production House, 312 E Louisiana, McKinney · 6:30-7:30PM ($40 ticket)

🎸 Justin Till Live at Harvest
McKinney native Justin Till brings his country-Americana sound to Harvest - an artist who's been honing his craft since his dad started teaching him guitar at age 4. Now with years of Texas touring behind him, this one lands.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N Kentucky St · 6:30-9:30PM (Free)

🎭 The Comedy Mix
The Comedy Arena's Thursday variety show packs improv, stand-up, and sketches into a tight 60 minutes. Everything you'd want from a comedy night, in a format that doesn't overstay its welcome.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E Virginia St · 7:30-8:30PM ($5-$15 tickets)

Tucked behind St. Gabriel's Catholic Church on South Chestnut Street, Chestnut Square Historic Village looks a little like time forgot it. That's the whole point. Established in 1967, the site was created by the McKinney Heritage Society specifically to rescue historic structures from demolition across Collin County - and move them here, to a single campus, where they could be preserved.

The village is a collection of original buildings relocated from various points around the county: a log cabin, a one-room church, a 19th-century schoolhouse, and a smokehouse, among others. Each one was physically moved to 315 S. Chestnut St. and restored. The goal wasn't to create a fake frontier town, but to save actual structures that would have been bulldozed during the rapid development of postwar North Texas.

The McKinney Heritage Society still operates the site today, hosting tours and events that connect residents - many of them transplants who moved here in the last decade - to the county's 19th-century roots. If you've driven past it without stopping, it's worth an hour of your weekend. It's the kind of place that makes you realize how much of Collin County's original built environment was almost lost before anyone got around to caring.

Mon: ☀️ Sunny and hot, high 101°F
Tue: ☀️ Sunny and hot, high 100°F
Wed: ☀️ Sunny, high 98°F
Thu: ☀️ Sunny and hot, high 99°F

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