West University Place officials were hesitant to approve recommendations that would make traffic improvements along several intersections in the city.

What happened: A traffic study was conducted over two days in January and February, after residents brought up concerns of speeding on certain city streets. The results of the study found that installing bulb-outs at four intersections could help address concerns. Bulb-outs are curb extensions that can be used as a traffic-calming feature that widens the sidewalk for a short distance.

However, City Council members brought up concerns about the necessity of the changes after seeing the results of the study, which showed that at most only 13 people were at a given intersection during peak hours.

The approach: Engineering firm BGE observed four different intersections along Wesleyan Street over two days during morning and evening peak hours. Their recommendations also included a pedestrian-activated flashing sign and high-visibility crosswalk striping, as well as flashers for motorists’ awareness.

Local Table, a Houston area family-owned concept, is celebrating ten years of business April 18 with a $10 discount on all tabs at every location, according to an April 13 social media post.

The context: Established in 2016, Local Table was created by the family behind Hungry’s Café and Bistro and was built with young families in suburban areas in mind, according to its website.

In the last ten years, Local Table has expanded to six locations, with the newest addition opening in Missouri City in March. The brand can also be found in Cinco Ranch, Cypress, Fulshear, Houston and The Woodlands.

On the menu: Offering brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour, Local Table serves hand-crafted recipes made with fresh ingredients with menu options including plant-based offerings, burgers, wraps, tacos and staple brunch dishes, per its website.

• Locations vary

Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin will serve as Harris County attorney effective June 15 after Commissioners Court approved her appointment April 16 in a 3-2 vote.

What happened: Kamin replaces County Attorney Jonathan Fombonne, who said he will serve in the position until she takes over in June. Commissioners Court named Fombonne as the county attorney Jan. 8 after now-U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee, D-Houston, resigned from the role to run for Congress, Community Impact previously reported.

Kamin must still earn voter approval in the Nov. 3 election, where she faces Republican candidate Jacqueline Lucci Smith, the sole Republican to enter the race to serve for the rest of Menefee's county attorney term, which expires in 2028.

What they're saying: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said she expects Kamin to garner the votes Nov. 3, but it "doesn't feel right" to appoint her to the role prematurely. Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey also said the process lacked transparency and that he could not support her appointment.

The State Board of Education gave preliminary approval April 10 to roughly 200 literary works that all Texas public school students would be required to read beginning in 2030.

What happened: The SBOE trimmed about 100 titles from a list proposed by the Texas Education Agency, which board members and educators criticized as too long to be taught. The Republican-led board signed off on a revised list in a 9-5 party-line vote April 10.

The details: The draft list ranges from nursery rhymes and short stories in early grades to classical and 20th-century literature in high school. The list also includes about a dozen excerpts from the Bible. While students learn about world religions today, Texans testified that if the reading list is approved, it would be the first time in recent history that state leaders mandate religious readings in the classroom.  

Next steps: Board members are scheduled to take a final vote on the reading list in June. If approved, the list will be used in classrooms in the 2030-31 school year.