Traders Joe's officials are planning to open a new location in Kingwood on Dec. 5, a manager of Trader Joe's in The Woodlands confirmed Dec. 1. Also confirmed by the Trader Joe’s Media Department, the new location will hold a ribbon cutting minutes before the doors open at 8 a.m.

Some context: Per previous Community Impact reporting, the new 17,180-square-foot grocery store is located in the Kingwood Commons shopping center. Trader Joe's has six additional locations across the Greater Houston area with an additional location planned for 9715 Towne Lake Parkway in Cypress. 

Zooming in: Officials with Trader Joe's Media Department said the new location will be the first location in Kingwood and has already hired over 25 employees. In addition, the new location will donate 100% of products that go unsold but remain fit to enjoy to a range of nonprofit, community-based organizations, seven days a week.

• Opening Dec. 5
• 600 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood

Caldwell Companies is planning to open Cadence Creek—an active-adult rental community—in Kingwood, officials with the development company announced in a Dec. 1 news release.

The big picture: Per the release, the community will be located off Woodridge Parkway just north of Northpark Drive and feature approximately 220 residences. Cadence Creek Kingwood will feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as one- and two-bedroom cottage homes with attached garages and private yards. Floor plans are expected to range from 700 square feet to 1,300 square feet, per the release.

Quote of note: "Cadence Creek communities are designed to bring neighbors together in a vibrant setting that blends luxury, activity and meaningful connection," said Todd Johnson, president of residential rental for Caldwell Companies, in a statement. "Kingwood is a natural next step for us—an established and scenic part of the Houston area that aligns perfectly with the engaging lifestyle Cadence Creek residents value."

The timeline: Construction is expected to begin in early 2026 with the first move-ins anticipated in 2027, per the release.

Early voting for the runoff election between Dwight A. Boykins and Alejandra Salinas for Houston City Council, At-Large Position 4, started Dec. 1 and will go through Dec. 9. Election day is Dec. 13.

Taking a step back: Fifteen candidates originally ran for the position in November. However, after residents across Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend counties cast their votes, Boykins and Salinas were sent to a runoff after no candidates received more than 50% of the votes.

Salinas received 38,127 votes, while Boykins trailed slightly behind with 37,816 votes.

Something to note: The winner of the runoff election will fill an unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2028.

Lone Star College System will offer a new bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with an expected launch date of fall 2026 after the help of a $200,000 grant from Houston Endowment, according to an Aug. 13 news release.

The gist: The four-year degree will end in a teacher certification in elementary education, said Rebecca Saiz, LSCS executive director for the educator preparation program.

How we got here: There has been a significant rise in the number of uncertified teachers in Texas for the past five years, according to the Texas Education Agency. Saiz said LCSC hopes to help tackle the rising numbers in uncertified teachers with the new bachelor’s program.

Looking forward: The initial cohort will launch with 150 teacher candidates, pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as well as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, per the release.