North Texas transportation leaders have approved a study exploring a potential passenger rail line connecting Plano to McKinney. The Regional Transportation Council voted Thursday to move forward with the analysis, which could look at extending DART’s Red Line, expanding the Silver Line, or creating a new regional rail service.

The study is part of the region’s Transit 2.0 initiative aimed at improving public transportation across North Texas. Officials also said the study may also consider bus rapid transit along the corridor as a lower-cost alternative. The study must be completed by early 2027, and no construction timeline has been proposed yet.

Source: KERA News

🍗 Bojangles Opening On Tuesday
After months of rumors, fried chicken chain Bojangles is opening its new McKinney location this month, bringing its famous buttermilk biscuits, Cajun-style sides, chicken sandwiches and the iconic Bo-Berry Biscuit to town.
Opening Mar 17 | 200 S Central Expressway (Source: Community Impact)

🥩 Southern Steer Butcher
A specialty butcher shop is coming to McKinney offering fresh cuts of beef, chicken and pork, along with marinades, sides and prepared items.
5100 Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 108. Source: Community Impact.

The McKinney Economic Development Corporation added PracticePlan to its Innovation Fund portfolio, selecting the company from about 300 applicants. The McKinney-based platform helps schools, churches, and cities rent out underused facilities like gyms and fields - turning empty spaces into revenue with automated bookings, insurance checks, and payments.
Source: McKinney Economic Development Corporation

McKinney will host its first-ever Historic Half Marathon on March 28, with runners passing landmarks like Downtown McKinney Square, local parks, and the Mill District. Registration for the half marathon, 5K, and kids’ dash remains open until March 26, with the finish line celebration at TUPPS Brewery. The event is organized by the people behind the BMW Dallas Marathon. Source: Local Profile

🚁 DroneTogether – RCTL (Monday-Thursday)
Learn to fly, flip and maneuver drones while building skills through fun challenges like obstacle courses, tricks and team flying adventures. All skill levels welcome.
Recreation Center at Towne Lake, Monday-Thursday, 9AM–12PM ($150 residents | $155 non-residents).

🦋 Wings & Things Spring Break Camp (Monday-Thursday)
A week of hands-on nature discovery where kids explore the world of bugs, birds and reptiles through animal encounters and interactive activities.
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, Mar 16–20, 9:30AM–2:30PM ($225 members | $250 non-members).

🏕️ Family Campout
Spend the night at the Heard with wildlife encounters, team activities and a classic campfire evening with s’mores. A sweet way for families to experience the sanctuary after dark… and make s’more memories together.
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, Mar 13, 6PM ($24 kids | $29 adults, reservations required).

📻 Golden Age of Radio - March Mystery: “Hall of Fantasy”
Step back in time with a classic radio mystery listening session featuring Death in the Bayou from the series Hall of Fantasy. Limited seating around the radio for a cozy old-school experience.
Heard-Craig Center for the Arts, 2:30–3:30PM (Free).

🎶 Chadwick Cook – Live Music
A high-energy solo act with over 2,000 songs across every style, delivering a full band sound with no backing tracks.
Harvest at the Masonic, 6:30-9:30PM.

🎤 Open Mic Night
Anything can happen at this laid-back comedy showcase where local comics, from first-timers to seasoned vets, test new jokes and sharpen their best material in front of a live crowd.
The Comedy Arena, 7–10PM (Free).

☘️ St. Patrick’s Day at The Celt!!
The Celt Irish Pub, voted Best Irish Pub in the Americas, is throwing a full-on St. Patrick’s Day party with Guinness, whiskey and high-energy Irish rock, ending with a lively performance by River Driver (who in their own words are so good they were asked to perform twice at a wake).
The Celt Irish Pub, 7-10PM.

🎨 Printmaking Studio Hours with Mary Hannigan
Try your hand at printmaking in this relaxed, hands-on studio session where you’ll learn how to transfer images onto paper or fabric using a traditional printing press. Beginners welcome and space is limited so everyone gets plenty of time and guidance.
MillHouse McKinney, 2–4PM ($50).

🎶 Jett Platt – Live Music
Texas-born one-man-band Jett Platt blends classic country, pop, rock and more with soulful vocals, guitar and piano for a versatile live set where audiences can request everything from Rat Pack to Top 40.
Harvest at the Masonic, 6:30-9:30PM.

🐦 Third Thursday Bird Walks
Join Heard staff for a guided bird walk focused on spotting and identifying seasonal birds while learning practical birding tips along the trail. Great for beginner and intermediate birders alike.
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 8–9AM ($15).

🔮 Psychic Night McKinney
Connect with experienced readers offering tarot, astrology, mediumship, Reiki and more during this monthly Downtown McKinney tradition. Come with questions or simply see what insight the cards have in store.
Uptown Style Home Furnishings, 5–9PM ($30).

😂 Not Our First Rodeo - Stand-Up Comedy Tour
Two nationally touring comedians take the stage for a night of bold, honest and laugh-out-loud stand-up.
Barons Creek Vineyards Tasting Room McKinney, 7PM (tickets from $26, doors open 6:30PM).

💧 Drip Irrigation Basics (Adults)
Learn how drip irrigation can water your landscape more efficiently and how to maintain systems so they last for decades. The session includes a 45-minute presentation followed by a Q&A with Texas AgriLife Extension.
John and Judy Gay Library, 7-8PM (Registration required).

🎶 Zin Zen Live Music Featuring Roger Escobedo
Roger Escobedo delivers a laid-back live set of classics spanning Ray Charles to Willie Nelson, Beatles to R.E.M., plus favorites from the ’60s through the ’80s.
Zin Zen Wine Bistro, 7–10PM.

Before McKinney became one of North Texas’ fastest-growing cities, it was a small farming hub powered by the railroad. When the Houston & Texas Central Railroad arrived in 1872, it suddenly connected local farmers to markets across Texas. That helped turn Collin County into a major producer of corn, wheat, oats, and especially cotton, with several cotton gins operating in town.

Cotton quickly became the backbone of the local economy. Farmers from across the county hauled wagonloads of cotton into McKinney where it was cleaned and processed at the town’s gins before being shipped out by rail. Around these gins grew a network of supporting businesses like grain mills, cotton presses, farm equipment shops, and wagon builders serving the agricultural trade.

By the late 1800s, McKinney had also developed small manufacturing tied to farming. Local mills produced flour and animal feed, blacksmiths and workshops repaired plows, tools, and wagons, and warehouses along the rail line stored crops waiting to be shipped across Texas. The town square became the place where farmers sold harvests, bought supplies, and kept the regional agricultural economy moving.

Mon: 🌤️ Brisk and much colder, high 50°F
Tue: ☀️ Mostly sunny, breezy later, high 63°F
Wed: 🌤️ Breezy, warmer & pleasant, high 75°F
Thu: ☀️ Hot and sunny, high 86°F

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