HTX-SLM: Impact 10/9/2025

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'Mission Possible': Fort Bend ISD implements instructional guidance at 3 middle schools

Fort Bend ISD has deployed instructional teams to Lake Olympia, McAuliffe and Missouri City middle schools after the campuses received failing state accountability scores in 2023-24 or 2024-25, aiming to support staff at the start of the school year.

How we got here: McAuliffe and Missouri City middle schools both belong to the Willowridge High feeder partner, which Community Impact reported that all campuses have been flagged through federal or state levels as in need of comprehensive improvement, due to standardized test scores that stagger behind district averages.

Superintendent Marc Smith said that success of recent elementary-level intervention is evidence in no elementary campuses being rated F for the 2024-25 school year.

Moving forward: Officials said updates on the implementation and student achievement are scheduled for the Oct. 27 board meeting. The submission to the TEA is expected for Nov. 14.

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On The Business Beat

Life Time gym expands amenities with co-working lounge, cold plunge in Sugar Land

Sugar Land’s Life Time gym-goers can now enjoy a working lounge and a cold plunge as part of the franchise’s nationwide efforts to expand amenities, officials confirmed.

The details: Life Time work lounges are coworking spaces within select locations that offer members a comfortable place to work, relax or connect with other members to enhance their club experience, according to an Aug. 25 news release.

The space offers beverage selection, free internet connection and high definition televisions to “unwind and recharge.”

Another thing: Announced in January, Sugar Land alongside over 70 other nationwide locations have also opened its cold plunge, offering benefits such as boosting energy, alleviating inflammation and aiding recovery.

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Stay In The Know

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo announces new chief operating officer, special dates

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

Olsen replaces Mike DeMarco, who is retiring after 34 years with the Rodeo, per the release. During his tenure, DeMarco served as chief show operations officer, executive director and operations manager.

In similar news: Special days for the 2026 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo were also revealed Sept. 30.