Howdy Frisco -
The Seahawks just won the Super Bowl 29-13 over the Patriots, and before you ask "why should I care," here's why: Elijah Arroyo, Independence High School grad and Seahawks tight end, just got himself a Super Bowl ring.
Yes, he was on injured reserve for the game (knee injury from Week 14), but the kid who caught touchdowns in Frisco is now a Super Bowl champion at 22 years old.
Anyway, here's what happened in Frisco this week. ⬇️
🏗️ Frisco Just Told Austin "Not So Fast" on That Housing Law
Remember that big state housing law supposed to force cities to allow more apartments everywhere?
Frisco found a loophole and drove a Chevy Suburban through it. It’s a move that’s technically legal, but almost certainly headed for court.
The background: Texas lawmakers passed a law requiring our 19 biggest cities to automatically allow apartments in areas previously zoned only for commercial use. Goal: unlock more housing, bring down costs.
Frisco's response? Changed the zoning code to technically allow heavy industrial use in those same areas.
Since the law forbids apartments in zones that allow heavy industry, Frisco basically opted out.
Other suburbs are pushing back too:
Irving: 8-story minimums with mandatory dog parks, gyms, yoga rooms
Arlington: 6-story minimums
Plano: 45-foot height minimums
The fallout: Housing advocates are preparing lawsuits. State Senator Paul Bettencourt says cities are "leading the resistance to good ideas like housing affordability."
Why this matters: I get both sides. I've watched Legacy West transform since I started at JPMC. The right development can elevate an area.
But I also get why longtime residents don't want their neighborhoods upended by state mandate.
My take? This is going to get messy. And with Emily and me thinking about where we'll be when our oldest hits high school, the housing decisions Frisco makes now will shape what kind of city our kids grow up in.
🎓 17 FISD Kids Just Achieved What Less Than 1% of Students Do
While I'm proud of myself for moving the laundry to the dryer, 17 Frisco ISD students just scored perfect 36s on the ACT or perfect 1600s on the SAT.
The perspective: Millions take these tests yearly. Less than 1% get perfect scores. Frisco had 17 this year.
The students:
Centennial: Jathin Battepati, Srineeth Maddike, Yohan Nguimfack, Nitin Sathish, Bill Wang
Heritage: Deeptanshu Devatha, Vijval Katepally, Krish Sinha
Liberty: Sabari Meenakshi Nagarajan
Reedy: Jacob Moats, Ava Newbury, Ved Srinivasan
Independence: Subanth Nanda Kumar, Sai Anish Palleti
Wakeland: Nicole Nikolaytchev
Lebanon Trail: Raghav Pillai
Frisco High: Mehul Pahuja
These aren't just test-taking robots. Several are National Merit Semifinalists who also play football, tennis, band, orchestra, and take AP classes.
🏊 FISD Dominated Regional Swimming and Wrestling
This was a big weekend for FISD athletes, and I'm not just saying that because I peaked athletically in 8th grade.
Swimming: Wakeland boys and Reedy girls won team titles at 5A Region 3 Championships.
FISD swimmers won 18 of 24 total events.
Boys: Wakeland (455), Reedy (298), Liberty (231)
Girls: Reedy (491), Wakeland (282.5), Centennial (240)
Standouts:
Shanzay Tufail (Centennial) won the 50 and 100 free
Charlie Wang (Wakeland) won 200 IM and 100 breast
Ella Pitts (Reedy) named Girls Diver of the Meet
Wrestling: 35 FISD wrestlers qualified for UIL State Championships. Frisco High girls finished second as a team.
Jordyn Parker (Centennial) and Nolan Koons (Liberty) were named Outstanding Wrestlers.
State championships are this weekend (Feb. 13-14). If you want to see the future of FISD athletics, now's your chance.
📅 Upcoming Frisco Events
Tuesday, Feb 10
📚 Undead & UnRead Book Club - 7 PM at Frisco Library (Creativity Commons, Level 1). This month: The Salt Grows Heavy. Sci-fi, horror, and fantasy fans, this is your crowd. Can't make it? Join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 825 9329 6018, Passcode: Undead2026).
Thursday, Feb 12
🏀 Texas Legends vs Rio Grande Valley Vipers - 7:00 PM at the Comerica Center (2601 Avenue of the Stars). Complimentary tickets.
Friday, Feb 13
🎭 Working a Musical - 8 PM at Theatre Frisco (8004 N. Dallas Parkway). Features music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephen Schwartz, and others. 8 performers, 26 characters exploring everyday workers through song. Tickets available.
Saturday, Feb 14
🏛️ Second Saturday: Celebrating the Divine Nine - 10 AM-3 PM at Frisco Heritage Center (6455 Page St). New exhibit honoring the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities. Kids can make Greek shields, friendship bracelets, and Divine Nine buttons. Free admission.
🍖 Sweet Quality Lickin' BBQ Grand Opening - 10 AM-4 PM at Frisco Fresh Market (9215 John W. Elliott Dr). New BBQ spot opening at the market. Service starts at 10 AM Saturday, 11 AM Sunday.
🐕 Texas Husky Rescue Meet & Greet - 11 AM-1 PM at Pet Evolution (8175 S Custer Rd). Looking to adopt? Come meet some huskies looking for forever homes.
💐 Frisco Fresh Market Opening Weekend - Saturday 8 AM-4 PM, Sunday 8 AM-4 PM (9215 John W. Elliott Dr). Local small businesses, baked goods, coffee, meats, bodycare. Plus Valentine's Day Goat Yoga because apparently that's a thing now.
Sunday, Feb 15
💝 Frisco Galentine's Vendor Market - 1-5 PM at Frisco Rail Yard (9040 First St). Women's clothing, custom hat bar, home decor, candles, food trucks. Grab your friends and celebrate friendship. Family and dog friendly.
