HTX-CYF: Impact 10/7/2025

The Jersey Village comprehensive planning team released a final draft of its 10-year vision plan Sept. 29, detailing recommendations for future land use, flood risk reduction, transportation and economic growth. 

The big picture: In partnership with urban planning and engineering firm Antero Group, the planning team created 53 strategies for the city to implement by 2035, guided by five goals:  

• Encourage a resilient and thriving local business environment.
• Cultivate a thriving community that attracts young families and supports residents across all generations.
• Preserve and enhance parks and green spaces for multiple functions.
• Promote economic development by marketing Jersey Village’s successes.
• Create a safe, multimodal transportation network for all users.

Cy-Fair ISD will host a Q&A forum Oct. 15 featuring candidates in the upcoming board of trustees election. The public forum will be held in the theater of the Berry Center, located at 8877 Barker Cypress Road, and livestreamed on the district's website and YouTube channel.

Nine candidates are on the ballot for three trustee positions, including:

• Terrance Edmond, Lesley Guilmart and Radele Walker for Position 5
• Scott Henry, Cleveland Lane Jr. and Natalie Blasingame for Position 6
• Elecia Jones, Kendra Camarena and George Edwards Jr. for Position 7

Officials with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo announced in an Oct. 1 news release that Kyle Olsen, a seven-year veteran of the organization, will be the new chief show operations officer. He is the first CSOO of the show in over three decades.

What we know: According to the news release, Olsen brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in managing large-scale, high-profile events and complex public venues. His career background includes:

• Director of events and production at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona
• Event services at NRG Park
• Director of operations for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The University of Houston is launching UH Next, a new transfer program designed to help community college students more easily and affordably complete their bachelor’s degrees, starting in spring 2026.

The details: Housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the pilot will streamline transfers after students complete associate degrees at one of five Houston-area community colleges, reducing the cost of a four-year degree.

UH Next is part of UH’s broader effort to improve affordability, alongside programs like Cougar Promise and various scholarships and financial aid options.

How it works: Enrolled students will follow four-year degree maps, co-created by advisors at both UH and the partner college to ensure they take the right courses in the right order, minimizing credit loss and keeping them on track for graduation, although the program is only available for select majors within each partner community college. 

Next steps: While there is no timeline for expansion to other colleges, officials said several are assessing opportunities to create a UH Next pathway.