Five schools in Judson ISD will now be on targeted improvement plans based on Texas Education Agency criteria.

What's happening: At the Nov. 20 meeting of the JISD board of trustees, administrative staff told the board they were submitting improvement plans for Escondido Elementary, Converse Elementary, Paschall Elementary, Kirby STEM and Judson High schools.

According to the administration presentation, targeted improvement plans are assigned to campuses with either one F or three consecutive D TEA ratings, or an identification for comprehensive support and improvement.

The plans consider needs assessments and feedback to develop a strategy and action steps, according to the presentation. Implementation for each campus is scheduled through August 2026.

The Buffalo Valley South Resurfacing, Rehabilitation and Utility Replacements project is almost complete, according to an update provided to Schertz City Council during a Nov. 18 meeting.

In case you missed it: The project consists of water and sewer main replacements and street rehabilitation in the Buffalo Valley South neighborhood, as previously reported by Community Impact.

Utility replacement work is also ongoing, with more residents being connected to new water and sewer mains in the neighborhood. The project's estimated total cost is $5.7 million and will be funded through Schertz SPAM and American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Latest update: Street work is now underway, with focus on rehabilitating Zuehl, as well as Mill, First, Second and part of Church streets, according to agenda documents. Those streets, along with Bowman, Lee and Wuest streets, were chosen for the project based on Pavement Condition Index scores that assess local pavement that needs repair.

Next steps: The project—which began in March—is expected to be complete in early January 2026, according to agenda documents.

New businesses open in Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch and New Braunfels are just some of the headlines from Community Impact coverage of the San Antonio metro the week of Nov. 17-21.

• New African deli and new Trader Joe's around Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch.
• New Braunfels invests in right of way for intersection improvements project.
• Projects in the works for New Braunfels Utilities.
• Boba tea shop now open in San Antonio area.
• Academy Sports + Outdoors comes to New Braunfels.

With 85% of the $150 million Affordable Housing Bond funds already allocated, the San Antonio Neighborhood and Housing Services Department gave a presolicitation briefing to the City Council on the two most recent projects during a Nov. 12 meeting.

The big picture: Presented by Veronica Garcia, NHSD director, the presentation gave details on one project meant to increase affordable rental housing stock and another that seeks to build more homes for residents to own.

As part of the proposal, at least 15% of the units must be affordable to households earning less than 30% of the area median income, or AMI, which is roughly $26,000 for a family of three.

The homeownership RFP will facilitate the creation of new affordable housing for low-to-moderate-income families. The criteria also note that the target families will earn up to 80% AMI.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is moving forward with a set of permanent rules designed to prohibit the sale of consumable THC products to anyone under 21 years old.

The overview: The proposal is similar to emergency rules adopted Sept. 23, which are currently in effect and prohibit Texas alcohol retailers from selling intoxicating THC products to minors. The state health department adopted similar emergency rules in October.

The context: The existing and proposed THC rules are the result of a September executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

Earlier this month, federal lawmakers approved a ban on most consumable THC products, which is set to take effect in November 2026. The ban is part of a federal funding package that became law Nov. 12, ending a 43-day federal government shutdown.

Next steps: Texans can weigh in on the TABC's proposed permanent rules during a Dec. 11 virtual public hearing or submit written public comments through Jan. 4.