Howdy Frisco -
So the city is testing its emergency alert system on April 2 at 10 a.m. You might get multiple notifications. Don't spiral. It's a drill. (I'm going to try very hard to remember this when I'm elbow-deep in diaper duty and my phone starts screaming at me next Thursday morning.)
If you want to make sure you're actually in the system, update your info at FriscoTexas.gov/CodeRED. Free to sign up. Worth doing.
Now, onto the good stuff. ⬇️
🏆 New York Times Called Frisco a "Small Town." Frisco Residents Did Not Take It Well.
CoworkingCafe ranked nearly 300 U.S. cities with populations under 250,000 for career opportunity, and Frisco came in at #11 nationally, the top Texas city on the list. Flower Mound landed at #15, McKinney at #20.
The highlights for Frisco: median household income of $145,444, wage growth of 33% since 2019, low unemployment, and a strong employer base. Healthcare and safety got shoutouts too.
Here's the thing though, the New York Times featured the ranking on Instagram and called these places "smaller U.S. metros." Texans absolutely roasted that framing in the comments, and honestly, fair.
A few gems:
"Frisco and McKinney are the same thing."
"Try buying a house in Frisco or McKinney. We couldn't, if we wanted to move back there."
"Frisco and McKinney are closed. Please don't come here."
As someone who moved here in 2023, I get the frustration. Frisco just crossed 251,000 people and is getting a Universal Studios. Calling it a small town is like calling the Dallas Cowboys a local team. Technically... but also come on.
Still, the economic story is real. The job market in DFW is genuinely one of the best in the country, and our kids will grow up in a city that's still figuring out what it wants to be. I find that exciting.
🗳️ Frisco's Next Mayor Will Be Someone New. Here's Who's Running.
Jeff Cheney has been Frisco's mayor since 2017 and has officially hit his term limit. That means May 2 brings a wide open race with four candidates competing to lead one of the fastest-growing cities in America.
The four candidates:
John Keating - Private equity consultant, 15-year City Council veteran, Army combat vet. Running on his track record and long-term planning credentials.
Shona Sowell - Former City Council member (2016-22), recently retired from Texas Health Hospital Frisco. Focused on budget discipline as growth slows, and closing the gap between Frisco's east and west sides.
Rod Vilhauer - Consultant running on taxes, traffic, and unity. Wants to use AI data to improve traffic flow. Short on specifics in the Q&A but has a website with more.
Mark Hill - Business attorney, former Frisco EDC director, former Frisco ISD Trustee. Pitching himself as the candidate who actually has a family in Frisco schools and a business here today.
There are also contested races for City Council Place 5 (incumbent Laura Rummel vs. two challengers) and Place 6 (four candidates including Frisco P&Z Chair Brittany Colberg).
Key dates:
Last day to register: April 2
Early voting: April 20-28
Election Day: May 2
🥤 Texas Is Banning Sugary Drinks and Candy From Food Stamps. Starting April 1.
Not an April Fools joke.
Beginning April 1, 3.5 million Texans on SNAP can no longer use benefits to buy sweetened beverages or candy. Texas becomes the 9th state to do this, with at least 13 more states approved to follow.
What's banned:
Sodas, energy drinks, sweetened teas (5g+ added sugar)
Candy, gum, chocolate-covered nuts or fruit
Still allowed:
Milk-based drinks, juices (50%+ real juice), stevia/monk fruit drinks
Granola bars, trail mix, ice cream, ice pops
It's on retailers to update their systems and enforce it at checkout; the state has been prepping them since last summer.
Honest take: there's a real public health argument here, and there's also a real conversation about choice and dignity for families on tight budgets. Both things can be true.
Either way, if you or someone you know uses SNAP in Texas, April 1 is the date to know.
Questions? SNAP recipients: [email protected]
⚡ Real Estate Reality
What are the odds you’ll get less than your asking price? About 80% (Data: Zillow Home Value Index, Jan 2026).
In other words, most homes are selling below list right now. The difference between “close enough” and “nailed it” usually comes down to pricing strategy and agent execution - exactly what Emily’s free referral service is built for. She’ll match you with agents who know how to price (and negotiate) to win. Book a time with her here.
📅 Events This Week
Thursday, March 26
⚾ Opening Day at Rollertown Beerworks | 3:00 PM | 6450 Main St Rangers on the big screen, cold beer, Mueller hot dogs, and the Frisco RoughRiders in the house. Wiffle Ball experience, prize wheel, ticket giveaways, free face painting for kids, and autographed baseball chances.
Friday, March 27
☕ Black Rock Coffee Bar Grand Opening | 5:00 AM - 7:00 PM | 7030 Stonebrook Pkwy Free 16oz drinks all day on opening day. Daily deals and promos continue through the rest of the week. Black Rock does coffee, energy drinks, smoothies and teas.
Saturday, March 28
🏃 Field Day in the Rail District | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Imagine Park, 6990 Main St Free community event with balloon toss, tug-of-war, cornhole, live music from School of Rock, and a pie toss. Good excuse to walk Main St and check on the Rail District progress while you're there.
🐾 Easter Bunny & Pet Photos at CityVet | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 8837 Lebanon Rd Bring the dog. Easter egg hunt, pup cups, Easter Bunny photos for pets and their people. Genuinely one of the more original Easter event ideas I've seen this year.
🐰 5th Annual Egg-Stravaganza at Bethesda Gardens | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | 10588 Legacy Dr Easter egg hunt, crafts, finger foods, and Easter Bunny photos. Open to all ages.
📚 Business Book Club: The One Thing | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Frisco Library, Creativity Commons Monthly business book club meets the 4th Saturday of each month to discuss books on business, management, and personal growth. This month's read is The One Thing.
💛 Especially Needed Egg Hunt - Volunteers Needed | 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM | Miracle League of Frisco One of the largest Easter egg hunts for individuals with special needs in the area. They need volunteers for setup, egg stuffing, photography, parking, registration and more. If you have a few hours Saturday this is a great place to put them. Register at here - deadline is Friday 3/27.
Sunday, March 29
🥚 Community Egg Hunt at Grace Avenue UMC | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | 3521 Main St Staggered hunts by age group (toddlers through 5th grade), plus lawn games, inflatables, egg toss, treats and prizes. $5 suggested donation per child. Register at graceavenue.org/egghunt.
