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Katy ISD received a ‘B’ accountability rating for the 2025-26 school year from the Texas Education Agency based on its A-F accountability system, according to TEA data released Aug. 14.

The overview: As previously reported by Community Impact, 85% of campuses in the state received a rating of ‘C’ or higher, which is considered “acceptable academic performance” by the TEA. Per the TEA, the system measures students' learning and whether or not they are ready for the following grade-level. 

The details: Katy ISD’s overall rating remained the same compared to the previous year scoring 88 out of 100 possible points and the district had identical scores in all three domains compared to the 2024-25 school year, per TEA data.

Overall, 72 of 78 KISD campuses received a rating of ‘C’ or higher, with TEA data showing:

• 42 campuses receiving an ‘A’
• 20 campuses receiving a ‘B’
• 10 campuses receiving a ‘C’
• Four campuses receiving a ‘D'
• Two campuses were not rated

Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse will open its second Greater Houston location in Katy, General Manager Guilherme Da Silva confirmed. 

Main course: The restaurant centers on a “traditional, tableside service” of carving open-flame grilled meat including unlimited servings of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage right in front of customers, Da Silva said.

Beyond tableside service, Chama Gaúcha also features a salad bar with over 30 items including cheeses and charcuterie.

Also of note: The Katy location will also feature five private dining rooms accommodating groups from 20 to 150, per the release.

• 24205 Bella Katy Drive, Katy

The Harris County Office of Budget and Management rolled out its proposed budget to county commissioners Aug. 17, with priorities for pay parity, bolstering the justice system and maintaining existing services outlined amid a $181 million shortfall.

The gist: OMB Executive Director Daniel Ramos presented the $3.096 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. However, the proposal also comes with a recommendation for a 3.5% tax rate increase, according to budget documents. 

The budget was created amid financial pressures from “rising healthcare costs, jail outsourcing, increased indigent defense expenses, state-mandated spending requirements, continued jail outsourcing and diminishing federal aid,” per a news release.

Also of note: The county also has to grapple with losing federal funding it received during the pandemic, with money from the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, ending at the end of the year.

Apple officials opened a new manufacturing facility in Houston as part of a $500 billion initiative from the company to strengthen production in the U.S. and the Houston area.

The big picture:  The new 20,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Center will be the second largest facility that produces Apple technology in the U.S., according to an Aug. 13 news release. The new facility will also provide interactive classes and trainings for businesses and entrepreneurs on principles such as:

• Advanced manufacturing 
• Smart technology use in manufacturing
• Advanced automation techniques

Many Texas students began returning to the classroom for the 2026-27 school year in mid-August.

Here are five things Texans should know as the 2026-27 school year kicks off.

The details:

• 2026 school accountability ratings issued
• New rule impacts accountability-related school closures
• 100K students using new Texas Education Freedom Accounts
• Public school closures deepen across Texas
• Check out recent public education laws