The North Harris County Regional Water Authority has approximately $406 million of construction projects planned for 2026, with several in the greater Cy-Fair area, as part of its decades-long effort to keep up with a state-mandated groundwater reduction plan.

The big picture: The NHCRWA is responsible for carrying out surface water conversion projects across northwest Harris County as mandated by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, or HGSD. 

Entities within HGSD’s jurisdiction were supposed to have at least 60% of water supplies sourced from surface water by the end of 2025. However, the NHCRWA has only achieved about 35% conversion to surface water, officials said, citing challenges related to COVID-19, supply shortages and easement delays. 

Something to note: Despite a growing debt projection from project financing, the NHCRWA board of directors decreased water rates three times since 2022. However, District 3 Director Melissa Rowell said rates must inevitably increase to pay off the debt—likely tripling within the next 10 years. 

Another perspective: HGSD officials said the regulatory plan is necessary to prevent long-term subsidence, or land sinking. 

Check out spring events going on in the Cypress area through May 18.

Fairfield Spring Market
The Fairfield Spring Market features an array of vendors offering fresh produce, music and shopping.

• April 19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Free (entry)
• 15103 Mason Road, Cypress

• April 23, 5:30 p.m.
• Free
• Lone Star College-Cy-Fair, 9191 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress

• April 25, 6:30 p.m.
• $5 (admission)
• Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 N. Sam Houston Parkway W., Houston

St. Luke’s Health has awarded $1.01 million in philanthropic grants to 19 nonprofits in the Greater Houston area, according to an April 6 news release. The grants are intended to address health disparities and enhance the well-being of underserved populations, according to the news release.

What we know: The grants are a part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program.
According to a news release, the program will:

• Improve community health

• Advance health equity

• Enhance local services through charitable contributions

The impact: Participating nonprofits applied to receive grant funding to cover issues found within St. Luke’s community health needs assessments.
Needs include:

• Improving access to care

• Behavioral health

• Chronic disease

• Food security

• Preventative practices

• Social determinants of health

What they're saying: The local initiative by St. Luke’s is a part of a larger effort by CommonSpirit Health, which has awarded $15 million to 329 organizations nationwide, according to the release.

Tickets for the 2026 Texas Renaissance Festival will go on sale April 15, according to an April 2 news release. There will be a 20% discount from April 15-30.

Quote of note: “April 15 marks the beginning of the journey towards this year’s festival, and we’re excited to offer this special discount to our guests to celebrate the season ahead,” TRF Marketing Director Tyler Moyer said via news release. “We can’t wait to open the gates of the Texas Renaissance Festival once again and create magical memories for every visitor.”

More details: The Texas Renaissance Festival’s 52nd season is scheduled to take place from Oct. 10 through Nov. 29, and will feature over 70 acres of activities, entertainment and markets for attendees, according to the news release.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from April 6-10.

Houston's District C moves forward with drainage projects, study for new trail

Harris County, Houston officials green light $56.9M flood project in Kingwood

Coastal Prairie Conservancy preserves final 221 acres of Three Oaks Farm

H-GAC officials launch new transportation website ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Vonlane adds new luxury motor coach route in The Woodlands, connecting Houston metro and Austin

Texas education officials are currently overhauling the state’s social studies curriculum standards, with policymakers, teachers, parents and historians clashing over how students should be taught about the history of Texas, the U.S. and the world.

The overview: The State Board of Education reviews standards for all curriculum areas every 15-20 years, dictating what Texas' 5.5 million public school students should learn at each grade level.

As written, the plan would reduce how much time students spend learning about world history and cultures in favor of more Texas-focused subjects. Critics of the proposal have pushed to include a more diverse set of perspectives to ensure all students feel represented in the curriculum, while those who support it said students’ education should be centered around American exceptionalism, state history and Christianity.

Next steps: The SBOE, which has the final say on the curriculum changes, was taking an initial vote on the plan as of press time and is scheduled to adopt the final standards in June. The new requirements would be rolled out to classrooms in 2030.