Atascocita Branch Library will undergo a series of renovations that will close the library for several days beginning Aug. 8, according to a post on the library’s Facebook page.

The details: Officials said the library will be closed while officials conduct HVAC repair work at the location, according to the post. The library will reopen to the public Aug. 10.

The Atascocita Branch Library offers a variety of books to check out for Harris County residents. Additionally, the library hosts events and classes for children and adults throughout the week.

• Temporarily closed Aug. 8-9; reopening Aug. 10 
• 19520 Pinehurst Trail Drive, Humble

For nearly 40 years, the Lake Houston Musical Arts Society has cultivated the talent of local aspiring musicians, while simultaneously making world-class performances accessible to the Kingwood community.

The framework: Originally founded in 1988, LHMAS serves as the sponsor organization for the Kingwood Chorale—also founded in 1988—and the Kingwood Jazz Orchestra, which was founded in 2004 as the Kingwood Big Band.

Made up of both community musicians and student musicians, the Kingwood Chorale has about 80-100 members, while the Kingwood Jazz Orchestra has 18 members. Behind the scenes, the LHMAS provides the funding and logistics needed for both groups to perform, while also fostering opportunities for local student musicians.

Quote of note: “Music is a gift to the world, and I think the mark of a good society is to have music around, not just in a church setting, but in our community and that’s really why the LHMAS exists ... for the betterment of the community,” said Todd Miller, Kingwood Chorale conductor and chair of the Music Department at LSC-Kingwood

A new laundry pickup and delivery service is now serving customers across the Greater Houston area. LaundryGrab opened in early 2026 and is aimed at helping busy residents who would rather spend time with their families than do laundry.

How it works: The delivery-only service allows customers to place orders online or via the company's app. According to a July 27 emailed statement, workers then collect the laundry from the residents' doorstep, wash and fold or dry clean the items and then deliver them back within a 24- to 48- hour timeframe. Pickup and delivery are free. Services include:

• Washing and folding

• Dry cleaning

• Cleaning household and event linens such as comforters, bedding, sheets, towels and tablecloths

• Same-day service for urgent orders

Starting rates for a wash and fold service are set at approximately $3.95 per pound. Dry cleaning is priced per garment, starting at $2.95 per item.

• Locations vary, delivery only (no storefront)

Greater Houston suburban areas such as Magnolia, Brookshire and La Marque are trending in home sale growth, according to the Houston Association of Realtors' latest Hottest Communities report for the second quarter of 2026.

Breaking it down: Construction of new homes was a significant factor for the growth of many of the top 10 communities, per the report. Additionally, six of the top 10 communities had an average home price below the Houston-area average of $455,159.

The list is led by the Magnolia/1488 West area, which saw a 61.6% increase in sales compared to 2025. Meanwhile, the Huffman area, east of Atascocita, had a 58.2% increase, while Conroe Southwest saw a 38% gain.

What they’re saying: “The communities seeing the most growth right now are the ones where buyers have choices,” HAR Chair Theresa Hill said. “New construction is expanding options and helping more buyers find homes that align with their needs and budget.”

Texas is halting the approval of new data center projects until state regulators can audit all data centers seeking to connect to the power grid, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Aug. 3.

The overview: The governor directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to conduct “a comprehensive verification and audit” of all data center applicants “before any additional data centers are approved to move forward.” 

Data center regulation has emerged as a bipartisan issue in recent months, and the move comes amid both growing public criticism of Texas’ booming data center industry and recent political pressure for Abbott to respond.

Zooming in: Abbott asked the PUC and ERCOT to collect information about the tax exemptions each data center is collecting; details about each project's anticipated water and electricity usage; and how data center developers will work to limit noise, light pollution and other impacts on local communities.

Officials did not say how long the pause would last or when the audits would begin.