At the May 11 regular board meeting, Tomball ISD Chief Financial Officer Zack Boles said the district is facing a projected $8 million shortfall for fiscal year 2026-27 due to the opening of two new schools in August.

Budget explained: For FY 2026-27, the projected revenue is $256.4 million, and the expenditures are projected to be $264.4 million. The proposed budget represents a 7.59% increase in revenue compared to FY 2025-26, but leaves a total projected shortfall of around $8 million.

More details: Boles said the projected shortfall is due to the openings of Tomball West High School and the fifth-grade addition at Creekside Park Junior High in August, along with a general pay increase for employees.

According to Fire Ant Brewing Company officials, after operating for eight years, the brewery owners are retiring and closing the restaurant on May 17.

The details: Owned by Bruce Kissinger, Fire Ant Brewing Company was a community staple offering craft beer and bites such as its Texas Pretzel and chicken wings.

Quote of note: “This place has been so much more than a business to us, it has been our passion, our pride, and truly a second home. The friendships we have built, the memories we have shared, and the community that formed within these walls mean more to us than we could ever put into words,” officials said via Facebook.

• 308 Market St., Tomball

Harris County commissioners are set to receive a number of financial updates ahead of budget season on May 14 alongside over 400 additional agenda items.

The big picture: According to agenda documents, commissioners are set to receive updates from the Harris County Office of Management and Budget regarding the county's financial standings so far in fiscal year 2025-26.

Commissioners will also receive an update on the five-year financial plan to avoid additional budget shortfalls by finding ways to generate revenue and create savings opportunities.

Also on the agenda: With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, commissioners will also receive an update on security and general preparedness for the event.

Stay tuned: Harris County Commissioners Court meetings are held at 9 a.m. in Downtown Houston. The administration building is located at 1001 Preston St., Houston.

As Houston prepares to see the first of seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Chris Canetti, president of the Houston Host Committee, said the city is ready for the influx of visitors expected during the tournament beginning June 14.

Quote of note: “Our greatest asset in Houston is our people,” Michael Heckman, president and CEO of Houston First Corporation, said. “And when visitors come here ... you're not just a visitor, you're one of us. And what a great message from people from all over the world that come here, that see all the languages that are spoken here, our diversity that we welcome people, not just from the United States, but from all over the world.”

The overview: On May 11, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee gave updates from entities such as the Houston Host Committee, the airports, the Metropolitan Authority of Harris County, Downtown Houston, NRG representatives and FIFA Fan Festival representatives.

On May 26, Democratic voters will choose their nominee for Texas lieutenant governor in a runoff election between state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, and union leader Marcos Vélez.

The big picture: The Democratic race for lieutenant governor is one of several statewide contests that advanced to May runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary election.

Goodwin and Vélez were the two highest-performing candidates in the three-person primary race, with Goodwin collecting 48% of the vote and Vélez receiving 31%. The winner of the May 26 overtime round will face incumbent Dan Patrick and potential third-party candidates in the November midterm election.

Some context: The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

At the polls: Texans can vote early from May 18-22, and runoff election day is May 26.