Local officials and community leaders are scheduled to gather in downtown Plano on September 29 to discuss the rapid expansion of Collin County. The panel, titled "The Future of Collin County," will take place in the rooftop event space at Urban Rio. Doors are set to open at 5:30 p.m., with the discussion beginning at 6 p.m.
The event is part of a three-day pop-up newsroom initiative by The Dallas Morning News, running from September 28 to 30. This temporary setup marks the newspaper's fourth pop-up in the past year and its northernmost location to date. The initiative aims to connect journalists with North Texas communities and strengthen relationships with local media.
Sarah Blaskovich, a veteran journalist at The Dallas Morning News who grew up in Plano, will moderate the panel. Participants include Plano Mayor John Muns, former Frisco Mayor Maher Maso, Janet Collinsworth of Agape Resource and Assistance Center, Neil Matkin of Collin College, Galen Roberts of the North Texas Municipal Water District, and Gloria Salinas of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation.
The pop-up newsroom will be located at Urban Rio, 1000 14th St. #100, Plano, TX 75074. On Monday, September 28, journalists will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for informal conversations. An evening event focused on public art is also planned at Ten 20 Gallery on the same day.
On Tuesday, September 29, a "Coffee with Reporters" session will be held at Lemma Coffee from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The pop-up newsroom will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. before the evening panel. On Wednesday, September 30, the newsroom will operate from 9 a.m. to noon.
