Area residents ages 50 and older can explore everything from history and creative writing to hands-on hobbies through Lone Star College System’s Academy for Lifelong Learning, a low-cost program offering classes, activities and social connections across the system’s campuses, as stated in a Lone Star College Dec. 19 news release. 

Quote of note: "I have enjoyed the ALL courses tremendously, especially those that I have been able to attend remotely. I enjoy meeting other people and sharing ideas as well as learning new things,” LSC-Montgomery ALL member Frank Imburgio said. 

The details: The Academy for Lifelong Learning offers short, interest-based courses designed for older adults, with topics that range from Intro to Birding and History of Ancient Rome to Basics of Home Repair and Backyard Chicken Farming, according to the release. Other options include classes and activities such as Tai Chi for Beginners, Competitive Chair Volleyball, intermediate ceramics, French cooking and practical sessions like Travel on a Budget and Smart AI Skills for Seniors. 

The Harris County ESD 9 board of commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 18 to provide additional free counseling sessions to Cy-Fair Fire Department responders who need extra care.

Two-minute impact: The department’s THRIVE program, established in 2022, allows first responders and their families to access 12 counseling sessions per year, CFFD Wellness Officer James Moyer said. The board’s Dec. 18 decision will allow CFFD to double the number of counseling sessions offered for responders who require additional clinical support.

Why it matters: According to previous Community Impact reporting, first responders deal with anxiety, depression and suicide at higher rates. More than 900 first responders died by suicide in the U.S. between 2020-24, 73 of whom were Texans. 

Quote of note: “I didn’t know how to deal with the pain,” a CFFD firefighter told the board Dec. 18. “I’m a lot stronger today due to THRIVE and the counseling that I got. I feel like I’m in a safer place with my life.”

In the Greater Houston area in November, single-family rental leases grew 10.2% year over year, while lease prices remained statistically flat, with a 0.4% increase to $2,244, according to the Houston Association of Realtors’ November 2025 Rental Market Update report released Dec. 17.

More details: This November, there were 3,459 leased homes, compared to 3,139 last November, according to the report. Active listings also increased, with 11,933 single-family homes available.

What they're saying: “As the year moves into its final stretch Houston renters are receiving a welcome gift in the form of more options and stable prices,” HAR Chair Shae Cottar with LPT Realty said via news release. “As interest rates continue to ease, we may see more people feel confident about making the transition from renting to buying in the new year.”

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Dec. 15-19.

Did you know? Grand Parkway, or State Hwy. 99, is now moving into the southeastern region, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. 

The project will extend the highway 14 miles from FM 646 in League City to south of FM 2403 in Alvin, TxDOT documents show. The expansion project is slated to start construction in 2027.

In case you missed it: Two Spring ISD schools, Link Elementary School and Dueitt Middle School, will close next school year as the district faces falling enrollment and a $13 million fiscal year 2025-26 budget shortfall, according to a Dec. 10 SISD news release. 

Check this out: From a new burger spot to a new taco truck, read six dining updates across the Greater Houston area, including restaurants that recently opened or are celebrating anniversaries, as reported by Community Impact.

Community Impact compiled important holiday travel-related information, including what to know about traffic and airport activity, gas price data, and driver safety tips ahead of the year-end travel season, which runs Dec. 20-Jan. 1.

The overview: Texans should give themselves extra time to reach their destinations the weekend before Christmas, with many travelers expected to hit the road Dec. 21-22. Congestion is also expected as some Texans return home Dec. 26, according to INRIX, a transportation data company.

Minimal traffic is expected Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1, although AAA warned in a Dec. 10 news release that unexpected delays could arise from severe weather or crashes.

For the first time, more than 8 million people nationwide are expected to take domestic flights during the year-end holidays.

More information: Texas drivers will likely pay less for gas this holiday season than in recent years, AAA fuel data shows. On average, one gallon of unleaded gas costs about $2.51 in Texas as of Dec. 18, down from $2.65 one year prior.