Classes for the upcoming 2026-27 school semester are set to begin Aug. 12 and end May 27, according to the newly approved academic calendar by Montgomery ISD.

The framework: The calendar’s development was supported by the Montgomery ISD District Advisory Committee, which is made up of district staff, community members and student parents. 

Every year, the DAC surveys to get a consensus on priorities for next year's academic calendar. A majority of committee members—as well as 68% of respondents across multiple surveys—said they wanted MISD’s fall break to be extended to a full week next semester. 

Below are other highlights for the updated academic calendar from MISD:

• Classes begin Aug. 12 and end May 27.
• Academic days are extended to 174 days compared to the previous 172.
• Fall break: An extended fall break for students and staff. Oct. 9 will be a staff work day and student holiday, followed by districtwide holidays for all students and staff Oct. 12-16.

Family-owned by Montgomery locals, Fleur and Decor owner and designer Ami Smith has taken her business to the next level with a new retail location, she confirmed via email. 

Meet the owner: Smith said she received her education at the Floral Design Institute in Portland, OR, and is a certified floral designer through the Houston School of Flowers. Her reasoning for opening her business back home in Montgomery is due to its strong community ties and to fill the cracks other national floral services fail to reach, she said. 

Quote of note: “A florist is present for all of life's events and celebrations, from birth to death and everything in-between,” Smith said. “With the growth that the community has experienced, we saw a need for a florist that services the greater Montgomery area with everyday floral arrangements, reliable daily delivery and personalized service.” 

• 21372 Shannon Circle, Ste. D, Montgomery

According to the National Weather Service, Winter Storm Fern is expected to move through the region starting Jan. 24 and bring freezing temperatures through Jan. 27. Officials with the NWS also noted wind chills will likely range from 5-15 degrees, which poses hypothermia and frostbite risks with prolonged exposure.

The update: Harris County and city of Houston officials announced 13 warming centers that will open Jan. 24, including:

• Acres Homes Multi-Service Center: 6719 W. Montgomery Road, Houston
• Bayland Community Center: 6400 Bissonnet St., Houston
• Denver Harbor MSC: 6402 Market St., Houston
• Fifth Ward MSC: 4014 Market St., Houston
• Fonde Community Center: 110 Sabine St., Houston
• Kashmere MSC: 4802 Lockwood Drive, Houston
• Magnolia MSC: 7037 Capitol St., Houston
• Metropolitan MSC: 1475 W. Gray St., Houston
• Moody Community Center: 3725 Fulton St., Houston
• Northeast MSC: 9720 Spaulding St., Houston
• Southwest MSC: 6400 High Star Drive, Houston

A far-reaching winter storm is expected to bring below-freezing temperatures, wintry precipitation and “dangerous ice” to Texas beginning Jan. 23, according to the National Weather Service. As residents brace for days of potentially hazardous conditions, state leaders said Jan. 22 that the Texas power grid “has never been stronger” and will withstand the storm.

What's happening: Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 of Texas’ 254 counties, telling reporters that the northern two-thirds of the state—from San Antonio to the Panhandle—will be impacted by the storm.

Officials said they do not expect a repeat of the widespread power outages that occurred during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, emphasizing that changes have been made in recent years to harden the grid against extreme weather. The governor said some Texans could see “local, isolated” outages due to fallen tree branches or ice on power lines.

"The severity of it is not quite as great... as Winter Storm Uri," Abbott said. "That said, people would be making a mistake if they don't take it serious."

Four Republican candidates are running for Texas comptroller in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Michael Berlanga, Christi Craddick, Kelly Hancock and Don Huffines are seeking the Republican nomination to be Texas' next chief financial officer. The Republican nominee will face the winner of the Democratic primary in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

The background: The comptroller's office is open after former state comptroller Glenn Hegar stepped down in July to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Former state Sen. Kelly Hancock currently serves as acting state comptroller and is running in the Republican primary, although he is not considered the incumbent in the race.

The comptroller is tasked with overseeing government spending, projecting Texas' biennial budget for state legislators, reporting on statewide economic issues, and managing the state treasury and unclaimed property programs. Hancock's office also recently launched the state’s new education savings account program, as mandated by the Texas Legislature.

Three Democrats are running to be Texas' next chief financial officer in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The overview: Sarah Eckhardt, Michael Lange and Savant Moore are seeking the Democratic nomination for Texas comptroller. The winning Democratic candidate will face the Republican nominee in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

The context: The comptroller's office is open after former state comptroller Glenn Hegar stepped down in July to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Former state Sen. Kelly Hancock currently serves as acting state comptroller and is running in the Republican primary, although he is not considered the incumbent in the race.

The comptroller is tasked with overseeing government spending, projecting Texas' biennial budget for state legislators, reporting on statewide economic issues, and managing the state treasury and unclaimed property programs. Hancock's office also recently launched the state’s new education savings account program, as mandated by the Texas Legislature.