On March 3, voters in the primary election will decide who will be the Democratic candidate in the race for Texas House District 130 in November. Two candidates are running, and Republican incumbent Tom Oliverson is running in the Republican primary uncontested.

The details: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

Boba tea franchise The Alley is coming to Cy-Fair, according to a Harris County tenant permit.

What we know: The Alley is slated to open in a shopping center along North Eldridge Parkway and FM 1960, the permit shows. Construction is expected to begin by mid-March, but the exact opening date is unknown as of press time.

Zooming out: The Cy-Fair shop marks the fifth franchise location in the Greater Houston area, with other shops open in Katy, Sugar Land, and Houston's Chinatown, according to The Alley's website. The tea shop also has an international presence spanning Northeast and Southeast Asia, Europe, Canada and Australia.

What they offer: The Alley's menu features milk teas, boba, fresh-brewed iced teas and cold brew drinks, per the website. Popular items include Brown Sugar Boba Creme Brulée, Garden Milk Tea, Strawberry Green Tea with Jelly and a Snow Strawberry Smoothie.

• 12262 FM 1960, Ste. 24, Houston

Houston’s single-family rental market experienced solid growth in 2025, according to a new update from the Houston Association of Realtors.

Long story short: HAR reports single-family rental leases have increased 9.4% year over year, with a total of 3,283 homes leased in December. There was a 21.2% increase in listings, with 5,486 listings added to the Multiple Listing Service in December compared to 4,525 the prior year.  

Chuck Wemple, Houston-Galveston Area Council executive director, announced Jan. 23 that he will retire in August following nearly 24 years with the agency.

The impact: During Wemple's time as executive director, H-GAC's operating budget nearly doubled, reaching $600 million, and the organization's team grew to almost 500 members, according to a news release. H-GAC consists of local governments representing 13 different counties in the region, which collaborate to prevent and solve shared issues, per its website. 

What's next? The board of directors will conduct a national search for Wemple's replacement, per the release. His retirement is effective Aug. 20.

Quote of note: "After working alongside Chuck for over a decade, I can say there's been a lot to be proud of and even more to be thankful for," Jay Knight, Liberty County judge and chair of the H-GAC board of directors, said in a statement. "Chuck's steady vision, can-do spirit and willingness to try new things have truly set this organization apart. Thanks to his leadership, we've become the benchmark for councils across the country."