There are several events going on in the Tomball area early this year, including tribute shows and galas.

ABBA tribute shows
Main Street Crossing is holding ABBA tribute concerts featuring ABBA LA.

• Jan. 16, 6 and 8 p.m., Jan. 17, 2:30 and 4 p.m., 6:30 and 8 p.m.
• $54-$198 (admission)
• 111 W. Main St., Tomball

• Jan. 24, 6 p.m.-midnight
• $34-$400 (admission)
• Tomball VFW, 14408 Alice Road, Tomball

From vintage video games, gardening and handcrafted furniture, Tomball-Magnolia has a variety of businesses to visit. Here are some of the businesses highlighted in the Tomball/Magnolia edition of Community Impact in 2025.

Quicksave Games and Collectables
Quicksave Games and Collectibles moved into its spot on West Main Street in Tomball almost two years ago. Known for its retro video games, trading card games and community events, owners Taylor and Kayla Krinkie said they’ve grown to a point where they’ll need to move into a bigger store.

• 706 W. Main St., Tomball

• 32007 Hwy. 249, Pinehurst

Tomball Memorial High School’s Rolling Blue BBQ competitive team, which began in the 2024-25 school year, combines culinary arts and agriculture for students who are passionate about being behind the grill.

Respecting the craft: In its first year, the seven-member team competed in a regional and state competition and placed first in Texas for their jalapeno bacon jam grilled cheese. Team advisor Ashley Richey said the team was awake at 4 a.m. for the state competition, lighting fires to cook at 5 a.m. and pulled into the TMHS parking lot at 10 p.m. after a full day of competition.

Quote of note: “My favorite memories from [the barbecue team] were all of our practices and everyone being together. It felt like we were brothers, cooking around a campfire while camping,” TMHS freshman Tristan Kerrick said.

Original publish date: Aug. 28

From DJ sets to jazz performances, the following parties each offer unique ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Houston. 

Doc’s Houston: The jazz club is kicking off New Year’s Eve with back-to-back performances led by Tianna Hall and The Houston Jazz Band at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Guests can also enjoy a festive four-course prix fixe menu, beginning with a cozy black-eyed pea soup, followed by a grape-arugula salad with walnuts, ricotta and pomegranate molasses.

• Dec. 31, 7 p.m.
• $75-$125 (per ticket)
• 1201 Westheimer Road, Ste. A, Houston

Moon: Enjoy New Year’s Eve at the newly opened Post Oak cocktail bar. Guests can start the night with regular service before a DJ brings in curated sounds to celebrate the hour. 

• Dec. 31, 5 p.m.-Jan. 1, 2 a.m.
• Prices vary
• 1800 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 6110, Houston

Catch up on Community Impact’s coverage this week with five trending Greater Houston-area stories from Dec. 19-26:

1. Coastal Texas Project moves forward with two new design contracts

2. $81M Greenhouse Road underpass set for 2026 construction

3. 8 businesses coming soon to Sugar Land-Missouri City

4. Vevor to open at former Big Lots location on Jones Road

5. Singas Famous Pizza coming to Sugar Land
 

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.