HTX-LHK: Impact 10/10/2025

On the Park Toy and Candy Store officials announced plans to host a grand reopening for the 25-year-old shop, via a Sept. 29 news release. 

Meet the owners: According to the release, On the Park Toy and Candy Store was recently purchased by Kingwood residents Eric and Candice Calderon. The grand reopening celebration will take place Oct. 11 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and feature free candy, popcorn, train rides, giveaways and balloons.

What's new: Under the new ownership, On the Park Toy and Candy Store is introducing:

• Fresh branding and a new logo
• Birthday party packages
• Mommy and me story times
• Lego playdates
• A helium balloon bar

• 1271 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood

Humble ISD trustees gave administrative officials a green light to create an application to serve on the district’s new library council.

Some context: The new council is being established as part of Senate Bill 13, which was passed in the 89th Texas Legislature earlier this year and expands parental rights to review and question instructional and library materials used in the district. The bill also districts to form local “school library advisory councils” if at least 50 parents or 10% of the parents in the district, whichever is less, sign a petition requesting a council.

A closer look: During the Sept. 30 meeting, HISD General Counsel Jeremy Binkley said the council would be in charge of recommending new library material, but he noted trustees would still be required to approve all recommendations. The library council will also be charged with hearing all challenges to library material currently on shelves.

What’s next: Binkley said administrative officials would move forward with creating an application before the board's Oct. 21 meeting.

Houston First Corporation, the parent organization of the Houston Film Commission, announced Oct. 8 the launch of a new local film incentive program designed to attract film and television productions to the Houston area.

What this means: The announcement comes amid growing momentum for Houston’s film industry. Productions filmed in the region generated $27.1 million in direct spending and an $81 million economic impact in 2024, according to the Houston Film Commission.
The program offers a 10% rebate on local spending, capped at $100,000 per qualifying project, with a total of $400,000 available annually, per the news release. Officials said the initiative, the most competitive of its kind in Texas, aims to boost local job creation and strengthen Houston’s position as a film production hub.

Diving in deeper: To qualify, projects must film at least 60% of principal photography within 60 miles of downtown, spend at least $500,000 locally and hire at least 55% Texas residents as cast and crew. Houston First and the Houston Film Commission will oversee the application process.  

U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Houston, announced Oct. 6 that he will be running to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate, joining the March 2026 Republican primary election.

The details: Hunt was the first person elected to represent U.S. Congressional District 38 in 2022. Hunt announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Austin, who was first elected in 2002.

Next steps: Hunt will appear on the GOP primary ballot scheduled for March 3, 2026.