On June 16, the Texas Education Agency released results for the spring 2026 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR. Willis ISD exam results show a slight drop in several of its math and reading categories, while also matching several statewide results.

Breaking it down: WISD did not meet last spring's test scores in multiple categories this year. For spring 2026, WISD recorded lower test scores in third and fourth grade math and reading, as well as in seventh grade math. The seventh grade math category was the lowest test score WISD recorded at 36%, which falls behind last spring’s district score of 44% and the statewide results at 48%.

What else: WISD did see improvement in other categories this spring. The highest score WISD recorded was a 94% in the biology EOC, or end-of-course exam, which was also higher than the statewide results at 93%. The biology EOC is also the only course in which WISD surpassed the state for spring 2026.

Little Pookie Kids Co. is owned and operated by local Conroe mother of two, Bree Olivares. On June 22, the children's boutique’s second location officially opened inside Main Street Merchants in downtown Conroe.

Two-minute impact: Little Pookie Kids Co. is a mobile children's boutique that specializes in children's clothing and accessories ranging from newborns to 12-year-olds. The name for the boutique stems from a nickname that Olivares gave to her firstborn son, she said. The style of clothing offered includes mommy-and-me pieces, tween clothing and gender neutral styles.

What else: The boutique has two main business locations, found inside Top This Party Co. and Main Street Merchants, Olivares said. The boutique is also mobile and attends local pop-up events throughout the Montgomery area several times a week.

• 208 N. Main St., Conroe

In a June 24 news release, Houston Methodist announced its acceptance of a $110 million philanthropic gift that will further advance research and care related to neuroscience, women’s health and other diseases among various neurological conditions. The gift is the largest sum donated to the health system in its more than 100-year history.

The impact: Officials said the commitment will establish two new funds in support of research acceleration and the improvement of several care services offered by the system. 

How it happened: The donor behind the gift, The Brockman Medical Research Foundation, is a private, Houston-based foundation established by the Brockman Family, according to the news release.

More details: Houston Methodist will formally recognize the foundation for its gift by establishing the name of its newest hospital facility as the Brockman Centennial Tower, officials said.

Former state Sen. Don Huffines was appointed as the Texas comptroller of public accounts, Gov. Greg Abbott announced July 2.

Huffines, a Dallas-area native with a bachelor's degree in business administration in finance from The University of Texas at Austin, will take over as the state's finance and budgeting officer from acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. Huffines will officially begin his service Aug. 1.

Huffines defeated Hancock, who became acting comptroller one year ago, in the March Republican primary. He'll now face former state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt in the November general election for a four-year term.