Officials with Cakery celebrated a Nov. 6 opening for their new location in Kingwood, according to the bakery's Facebook page.

The details: In September, owner Maral Veysalova said Cakery would offer a variety of handcrafted cakes, pastries and sweets, including the bakery’s signature Honey Cake, Milky Bird, traditional baklava and other Mediterranean-inspired desserts.

“We take pride in preparing our desserts with care and focusing on freshness, quality ingredients, and flavors that we would be proud to serve to our own family,” Veysalova said.

Quote of note: Veysalova added that the bakery aims to create a welcoming feel for customers.

“Whether someone is stopping by to try something new, picking up a dessert for a celebration or simply bringing home something sweet to enjoy with family, we hope our desserts can become a small part of those special moments," Veysalova said.

• Opened Nov. 6

• 2624 Chestnut Ridge Road, Kingwood

On Nov. 5, Lone Star College System trustees approved a $675,000 construction contract for the LSC-Kingwood fire training facility that is slated to open in 2027.

Latest update: LSCS trustees unanimously approved a $675,000 construction contract with Engco Group—a firm based in Tomball—per Nov. 5 meeting documents. The contract will cover services needed to extend water access to the LSC-Kingwood facility for fire training exercises.

A closer look: The fire training facility was designed in 2019 as a space for LSC fire science students to train to become firefighters, as previously reported by Community Impact. The 2,000-square-foot facility will:

• House equipment needed for firefighting exercises

• Feature training areas to simulate burning buildings, car fires and chemical emergencies

Houston officials approved a handful of properties in District C as protected landmarks.

What happened: The properties, which are all houses, will now be protected from demolition. They will also be eligible for a historic tax exemption and reduced parking requirements.

“This is really pertinent right now after what happened with the Kirby Mansion,” Panzarella said. “I want to commend the individuals who came forward and registered their houses.”

The approved properties include:

• Irene and George Robinson House — 2322 Dunstan Road

• Myrle and Vernon Williams House — 2107 Tangley St.

• Ince-Crain House — 1914 Dunstan Road

• Helen and Jesse O. Webb House — 2232 Dunstan Road

• Myer-Jones House — 2232 Tangley St.

• Mae and John Wallace Donaldson House — 2306 Tangley St.

Some background: The Kirby Mansion, located at 2000 Smith St., was built in 1894 and was remodeled in 1926, according to Preservation Houston. In late October, the new owners began demolishing the house without a permit, the organization said.

Half of the building was torn down before the city issued a stop-work order.

Lone Star College System did not cut any classes from its core curriculum after conducting a review mandated by Senate Bill 37, which went into effect in September 2025.

What’s happened: Under SB 37, governing boards of higher education institutions must review their core curriculum lists every five years, with the first review due by Jan. 1, 2027, according to the bill posted on the Texas Legislature’s website.

On Nov. 5, LSCS’s board of trustees unanimously approved a list of 135 courses for the college system’s core curriculum for the 2026-27 school year.

How we got here: A team of faculty members evaluated LSCS’s core curriculum list, in accordance with SB 37, from February to September.

From local churches to statewide traditions, see which organizations are collecting donations to feed Houstonians this holiday season. This list is subject to change and not comprehensive.

Participating organizations:

• Cy-Fair Helping Hands

• St. John Vianney Catholic Church

• Prince of Peace’s Thanksgiving Loaves & Fishes

• 14th Annual Fifth Ward Fall Festival & Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

• Keep US Fed Montgomery County

• City Wide Club and CW 39 Super Feast

• Operation Turkey

• Montgomery County Food Bank

• East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry

State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving woman and Black legislator in Texas history, said she has the votes to become Texas House speaker when the legislature convenes in January.

What to know: Thompson released a list Nov. 6 of 90 House members whom she said pledged to support her speaker candidacy.

The 87-year-old was first elected to the legislature in 1972 and took office the following year. She would become the first woman and the first Black lawmaker to serve as Texas House speaker.

The context: Thompson's candidacy comes after Democrats swept Texas' statewide seats in the Nov. 3 election, ending 24 years of Republican dominance. Rep. Eddie Morales, D-Eagle Pass, threw his hat in the ring for speaker on Nov. 5 before endorsing Thompson less than a day later.

Quote of note: "I know that with the colleagues that are being sent to the legislature, both Democrats and Republicans working together, we can make a difference in the state of Texas and the lives of the people that we represent," Thompson said.