Houston City Council may discuss adding digital billboards throughout the city, though no official ordinance has been proposed yet.

What happened: On June 17, Houston’s economic development committee heard a presentation from Clear Channel Outdoor, the company that owns and operates billboards, about creating more digital billboards for Houston.

Lee Vela, vice president of public affairs at Clear Channel Outdoor-Houston, said there were several benefits to digital billboards, such as updated technology, sign reduction and community messaging.

For updated technology, Vela said Clear Channel is proposing a “responsible update” to the city’s sign code that would allow legally permitted signs that already exist to be converted from printed signs to electronic messages.

“You can think of this kind of like having an older model car that had a hand-crank window,” Vela said. “Versus a newer model where you just push a button.”

Something to note: The signs would be limited to commercial and industrial areas, controlled access interstates and roadways and would be a certain distance from other billboards.

Cooper and Thomas Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will relocate by the end of 2026.

What is it: Started by oral surgeons Dr. Deborah Cooper-Newland and Dr. Andrew Thomas, they practice a full scope of oral and maxillofacial—jaw and face—surgery with expertise ranging from corrective jaw surgery to wisdom tooth removal. Some of the procedures they perform include dental implants, bone grafting, pre-prosthetic surger, TMJ disorders and pediatric oral surgery.

The staff is also trained in assisting with I.V. sedation in the office.

Staying local: The practice will move but remain in the Bellaire area. Currently, they are located at 5001 Bissonnet Street and will move to 4950 Bissonnet Street, Suite 200, by December 31, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The move will include a renovation estimated to cost over $376,000. The new space will be 5,478 square feet, and remodeling will include adding an elevator.

• 4950 Bissonnet St., Ste. 200, Bellaire

Here are six events happening in and around the Greater Houston area, June 20-21, to celebrate Father’s Day.

This list is not comprehensive, and events are subject to change.

Houston Zoo Father’s Day Event
The Houston Zoo is hosting a Father's Day weekend event with special ticket packages, giraffe feedings and family activities June 20–21

• June 20-21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• $99 for two guests
• 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston

• June 21
• Menu special prices vary
• 2044 E. TC Jester Blvd., Houston

• June 21
• Free (admission)
• 23101 Hwy. 242, New Caney

Rice University officials unveiled the 2026 State of Housing report for Harris County and the city of Houston, highlighting a number of challenges, including over 50% of surveyed residents expressing concern regarding home affordability.

The breakdown: According to the data, there are 14,000 fewer homeowners within the city of Houston and 19,000 fewer homeowners in Harris County compared to 2023. However, a growing number of homeowners are also expressing new uncertainty about affording housing, Kinder Institute research scientist Stephen Averill Sherman said.

Major concern points for existing and potential homeowners include:

• 56% are at least "a little" worried about becoming priced out of housing.
• 58% are at least "a little" worried about being able to afford housing costs.
• 25% worry "sometimes" or "more often" about being forced to move due to being priced out of housing.

In a new 12-year partnership with intelligent mobility solutions company Miovision, Harris County emergency medical services will now be able to develop quicker routes to destinations in the northwest area during an emergency.

The breakdown: Miovision is the provider of Opticom, a cloud-based system that recognizes first responder vehicles at traffic signals and changes signals to ensure emergency vehicles are able to clear intersections in a timely manner.

While Harris County ESDs implemented a similar system in 2007 to provide more streamlined communication between traffic signals and first responders, a number were damaged or destroyed due to multiple severe storms and weathering since 2017.

Quote of note: "When we saw Miovision’s Opticom system, it was a no-brainer. The fact that we don't need resources committed to supporting the day-to-day operation of the system is a godsend because in public safety, you never have enough money and you never have enough people," Mike Pate, project manager at Harris County ESD 16, said.