HTX-NCP: Impact 9/25/2025

Good Morning, New Caney & Porter!

Top Story

Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Roman Forest City Council Position 4

Roman Forest City Council will hold two contested races in the Nov. 4 election, City Administrator Scott Castleberry confirmed in August.

Some context: While three council positions will be up for grabs in November, Castleberry said Mayor Chris Parr is running unopposed. The Roman Forest City Council is made up of five council members and a mayor, according to the city’s website. Both council members and the mayor serve staggered, two-year terms.

Meet the candidates: Incumbent Greg Partin will be taking on challenger Ricky Warwick for the Position 4 seat on the council.

Read here.

Stay In The Know

Impact roundup: 5 business coming soon, undergoing remodels in New Caney, Porter

Several businesses are coming soon to or have recently completed renovations in the New Caney and Porter area.

Coming soon
Tall Bottle Liquor, a liquor store, is slated to open soon in Roman Forest. The business will be located in the same building as Appian Deli, which opened in late August.

Opening in October
2615 Appian Way, New Caney

The East Montgomery County Improvement District convention center has entered the vertical phase of construction. The project will be located in Valley Ranch's Entertainment District and will feature a 55,000-square-foot ballroom/exhibit hall, nearly 20,000 square feet of meeting space, and 35,000-40,000 square feet of prefunction and lobby areas with outdoor courtyards.

Opening late 2026
Near the intersection of Valley Ranch Parkway and Market Place Drive in New Caney (exact address TBD)

Discover more.

Statewide News

Texas to overhaul STAAR, launch 3 new exams in 2027

The Texas Education Agency will begin transitioning to a new standardized testing system after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law Sept. 17 to replace the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness with three shorter exams.

The overview: Through the 2026-27 school year, Texas public school students in third through 12th grade will continue taking the STAAR each spring. Beginning in fall 2027, students will take three tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year under House Bill 8, the new law.

Students’ results will be released within 48 hours after each new test is administered. STAAR scores are currently released about six weeks after a test ends, according to the TEA.

The debate: Bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, said the new system will reduce test-related anxiety; give students and teachers feedback throughout the school year; and increase legislative oversight of Texas’ assessment and accountability systems. Critics of the plan said it would increase the amount of time students spend taking exams and essentially create “another STAAR test” developed by the TEA.