In 2025, Community Impact covered an array of stories in the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose neighborhoods. See which stories were the most read this year and check out any new updates.

1. Houston’s Backstreet Cafe to relocate to new River Oaks Space
2. Gov. Abbott launches reelection bid, vows to end school property taxes
3. A tale of two districts: Houston ISD state takeover still divisive despite student gains
4. Ballot set for Houston City Council At-Large Position 4
5. Kirby Ice House to open new Heights location in fall 2025
6. See all candidates running for Texas’ 18th Congressional District
7. The Ritz-Carlton to bring first branded residences, hotel to Houston
8. Texas homeowners could see larger tax breaks after Nov. 4 election
9. District Clerk Office launches Harris County’s only walk-in passport office
10. White Oak Bayou elevation project begins first steps on I-10 Katy Freeway

The stories are in order of most page views.

A pop-up on the Backstreet Cafe website shows that the restaurant will reopen in a brand new building in the summer of 2026.

The latest update: The veteran establishment along Shepherd Drive originally closed at the start of 2025, with the owners sharing details that they planned to move the cafe down the street from its original location. Spokesperson Paula Murphy shared in January that the owners hoped to reopen in the fall of 2025. However, that date has been pushed back.

Some details: The new location will be located at 1201 S. Shepherd Drive, and is expected to be around 6,600 square feet and include a second floor. The original location, at 1103 S. Shepherd Drive, was estimated at 4,500 square feet and was occupied inside an old 1930s home.

While Backstreet Cafe remains closed for remodel, the owners continue to operate their sister restaurants, including Hugo's, Caracol, Xochi, URBE and Zaranda.

• 1201 S. Shepherd Drive, Houston

Ring in the new year with various celebrations going on across the Greater Houston area.

High Noon Countdown 2026: Attendees can ring in the New Year with a balloon drop extravaganza at The Woodlands Children's Museum.

• Dec. 31, 9:30-11 a.m., 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., 2-3:30 p.m.
• $10 (adult), $25 (child)
• The Woodlands Children’s Museum, 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, Ste. 280, The Woodlands

• Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m.-Jan. 1, 12:30 a.m.
• $30 (individual ticket), $50 (couple admission)
• Tomball VFW, 14408 Alice Road, Tomball

• Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-Jan. 1, 2 a.m.
• $99.29 (per ticket)
• 401 Franklin St., Houston

2026 is a big election year in Texas. Voters will see 18 statewide races, all congressional seats, most state legislative seats and a variety of local positions on the ballot.

The overview: The Republican and Democratic primary elections will be held March 3, and the midterm election is set for Nov. 3.

Texas holds primaries for all partisan elected positions, such as state officials; state and federal lawmakers; and county judges, commissioners and justices of the peace. Third-party candidates, including independents, Libertarian Party candidates and Green Party candidates, have separate election processes will not be listed on the primary ballots in March. Eligible candidates representing various parties will appear on the November ballot.

Looking back: All statewide offices on the ballot are currently held by Republicans, although some are not running for reelection. No Democrat or third-party candidate has won a statewide office in Texas since 1994, election records show.

Check out the full article for more details on election processes and an overview of state-level races.