Construction began in April and is expected to wrap up by December on a new Batters N Brunch location in The Groves, according to an April 17 TDLR filing.

On the menu: Per the online menu, the eatery specializes in brunch with dishes ranging from eggs Benedict and avocado toast to pancakes, croissants and biscuits. The brunch spot also offers drinks including mimosas, beer, wine and sangria as well as bubble tea, milkshakes, smoothies and coffee.

Something to note: It is unclear if The Groves eatery will be a second Batters N Brunch location or a relocation of the original restaurant at 9739 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., Ste. 200, Humble.

• 15930 Woodland Hills Drive, Ste. 8, Humble

Construction on a nearly $30 million flood mitigation project in Kingwood is set to begin in the second quarter of 2026, according to a May 12 news release from the Harris County Flood Control District.

The details: The Taylor Gully Channel Conveyance Improvements and Woodridge Stormwater Detention Basin project aims to reduce the risk of flooding in Kingwood through a combination of channel conveyance improvements and a stormwater detention basin, per the HCFCD website.

A closer look: Upon completion, the two-compartment, wet-bottom detention basin will be able to provide a combined 1,127 acre-feet of stormwater storage.

In addition to the stormwater detention basin, channel conveyance improvements are also planned for Taylor Gully, which runs primarily through the Elm Grove, Mills Branch, North Kingwood Forest and Woodstream Village subdivisions. 

What’s next: Residents who would like to submit feedback on the project can do so by clicking here. Construction is expected to wrap up by the fourth quarter of 2027, according to the news release.

Houston will add more funding for its homeless initiatives in fiscal year 2026-27.

On May 13, officials with the Houston Housing and Community Development Department presented their proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes a 107% increase for homeless initiatives.

Breaking it down: HCD presented a $37.3 million budget for the city’s special revenue fund, which includes the End Street Homeless plan. In FY2025-26, the same fund had a budget of $17.9 million, but is expecting to spend close to $22.5 million by the end of the fiscal year in June. The newly presented budget will result in a 107% increase.

According to the department, the entire special revenue fund will go to personnel, maintenance and operation for the End Street Homeless plan. The plan includes 419 Emanicipation, the city’s hub for homeless individuals to receive resources for housing and other needs.

The total budget for HCD is $38.6 million, with $1.2 million going to its general fund. Additional funding, such as for employee salaries, will come from grants.

As Houston prepares to see the first of seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Chris Canetti, president of the Houston Host Committee, said the city is ready for the influx of visitors expected during the tournament beginning June 14.

Quote of note: “Our greatest asset in Houston is our people,” Michael Heckman, president and CEO of Houston First Corporation, said. “And when visitors come here ... you're not just a visitor, you're one of us. And what a great message from people from all over the world that come here, that see all the languages that are spoken here, our diversity that we welcome people, not just from the United States, but from all over the world.”

The overview: On May 11, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee gave updates from entities such as the Houston Host Committee, the airports, the Metropolitan Authority of Harris County, Downtown Houston, NRG representatives and FIFA Fan Festival representatives.

After dozens of Texas primary races ended without a clear winner in March, candidates for those seats will face off in an overtime round, known as a runoff election, this month. Texans can vote early in the runoff election from May 18-22, with election day May 26.

How it works: State law requires that primary candidates receive more than 50% of the votes cast to advance to a general election.

In the May 26 runoff election, Republican and Democratic voters will choose who they want to represent them in statewide offices, legislative and Congressional seats, the State Board of Education and county-level positions. The winner of each runoff race will appear on the ballot in November.

On the ballot: The statewide Republican runoff races include:

• U.S. Senate: John Cornyn and Ken Paxton
• Texas attorney general: Mayes Middleton and Chip Roy
• Texas railroad commissioner: Jim Wright and Bo French

• Texas attorney general: Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski
• Texas lieutenant governor: Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Vélez