National beverage chain Swig, which specializes in customizable "dirty soda" drinks, opened a new location off Hwy. 249 near Spring Cypress Road.

The details: The new Cypress Village drive-thru shop adds to a growing list of Swig stores in the Greater Houston area, with another shop coming soon in Cypress along Fry Road, according to Community Impact. 

On the menu: Swig combines sodas with a customized mix of flavors, creams, purees and fresh fruits, according to its website.

Popular menu items include the Texas Tab, which blends Dr. Pepper, vanilla and coconut cream, as well as the Strawberry Breeze, a water-based beverage with strawberry puree and sugar-free coconut. The business also serves a variety of energy drinks, teas and refreshers, and customers can build their own drinks.

Zooming out: Founded in Utah, Swig has more than 150 shops across the country and nine throughout Greater Houston, including Katy, Magnolia and Atascocita, per its website. 

• 22532 Hwy. 249, Houston

Need to catch up on March local government and education news? Check out six stories that impact residents in Cy-Fair, Cypress and Jersey Village.

As part of Harris County’s ongoing goal to reform its criminal justice system, county leaders want to expand the capabilities of public attorneys who represent criminal defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, known as indigent cases.

In case you missed it: Harris County leaders want to expand the capabilities of public attorneys who represent criminal defendants that cannot afford a lawyer, known as indigent cases.

Representatives from the Public Defender's Office and Managed Assigned Counsel Office told commissioners March 19 they will develop strategic plans outlining steps to expand their services and staff. 

Also of note: The Cy-Fair Fire Department will break ground on a new station near Settlers Village in April, project officials told the Harris County ESD 9 board of commissioners March 26.

One more thing: Lone Star College System finished fiscal year 2024-25 with a net income of $163 million, per a March 5 presentation to the board. 

Eligible Texans have until April 2 to register to vote if they would like to cast a ballot in the May 2 elections. Races that will be up for election include city council member seats and school district board of trustee spots across the Greater Houston area.

What you need to know: Texas requires voters to be registered 30 days before election day. Missing the deadline could prevent eligible residents from casting a ballot, unless they qualify for a limited ballot during early voting.

Key dates include:

• April 2: voter registration deadline
• April 20-28: early voting
• May 2: election day (7 a.m.-7 p.m.)

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta's company entered into an agreement, made public in March, to purchase the Women's National Basketball Association's Connecticut Suns, an American professional basketball team that finished 11-33 in the Eastern Conference in 2025.

What we know: The agreement, which was announced on the Houston Rockets' social media page March 30, involves relocating the franchise to Houston and rebranding the team as the Houston Comets, a historic title tied to the former WNBA team that was based in Houston from 1997 to 2008.

Pending league approval, the franchise is expected to begin playing at the Toyota Center for the start of the 2027 WNBA season, per the post.

The history: The Comets were one of the WNBA's original eight franchises, and during their reign, won four consecutive championships from 1997 to 2000 with top names like Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson.

Before you go: The Connecticut Suns will play its final season at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut in 2026 before relocating to Houston.