Trader Joe's is now open in Kingwood, following a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grocery store at 8 a.m. Dec. 5. As previously reported by Community Impact, the new grocer is located in the Kingwood Commons shopping center. 

What they offer: Trader Joe's is a California-based national chain of neighborhood grocery stores that offers specialty food and beverages, frozen meals and everyday items. 

Some context: The company has six additional locations in the Greater Houston area including three in Houston and one each in Katy, Sugar Land and The Woodlands. A new location is also planned for 9715 Towne Lake Parkway in Cypress. 

• Opened Dec. 5 
• 600 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood 

Across the six ZIP codes that make up Community Impact's Lake Houston-Humble-Kingwood coverage area, data for November 2025 compared to November 2024 shows: 

• Approximately 37 fewer homes sold.
• The median home sales price decreased in all but two ZIP codes.
• Homes are staying on the market longer in all but one ZIP code.
• Nearly 72% of homes sold were in the $200,000-$399,999 price range.

Effective Dec. 5, the Harris County Commissioners Court has lifted a burn ban in unincorporated Harris County, the county fire marshal’s office announced on social media.

Some context: Harris County commissioners previously implemented the burn ban Oct. 16 due to “ongoing dry weather and heightened fire danger,” Community Impact previously reported.

What you need to know: Outdoor burning is still not allowed in many counties across Texas, per the announcement. Additionally, outdoor burning in most cases is illegal in Harris County as it contributes to air pollution, according to Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, or HCPHES.

However, outdoor burning is permitted in some instances, such as vegetation management, so long as it follows guidelines established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 

Before you go: Alternatives to burning include recycling, composting plant waste and mulching wood, according to HCPHES. Report illegal outdoor burning to Harris County at 713-920-2831. 

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from last week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Dec. 1-5.

Activities to do: There are several options to see Christmas lights around the Tomball and Magnolia area, including Magnolia Musical Christmas, Gullo House Christmas Lights and Tomball Methodist Church’s Trail of Lights. 

At a glance: In a Dec. 2 news conference, officials with Airbnb announced that Houston will receive a $1 million investment that will go toward supporting major community initiatives, expanding green infrastructure and increasing youth access to soccer. Airbnb was selected in June to serve as an official partner for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Community Impact previously reported. 

One more thing: Whataburger officials celebrated a Dec. 1 opening of their new location at 15940 Woodland Hills Drive, Humble. The eatery features a double drive-thru, dining room and digital menu boards, according to a Nov. 28 news release. 

The Texas comptroller’s office has released a set of rules to govern the state’s $1 billion education savings account program, or ESAs. Accepted families will receive thousands of dollars in state funds to send their children to a private school or homeschool them.

The overview: Accredited private schools and education vendors can begin applying to join the program as soon as Dec. 9, and applications will open for interested families Feb. 4.

Most families accepted into the program will receive about $10,300 per student, which can be spent on tuition at accredited private prekindergarten or K-12 schools and related expenses. Homeschooled students will receive up to $2,000 per year, while students with disabilities will be eligible for up to $30,000 annually.

Zooming in: Depending on a family’s income, students with disabilities may receive priority acceptance into the ESA program. Families can submit documentation from a physician or the U.S. Social Security Administration to be prioritized, although a detailed evaluation and individualized education plan are required to receive the additional special education funding.