Originally expected to open in January, Casa Julia Tex Mex officials said the new location in New Caney is now expected to open by late February or early March. Officials noted updates on the opening will be available via the restaurant's Facebook page.

On the menu: Like its original establishment located in Mont Belvieu, Casa Julia Tex Mex plans to offer a Tex-Mex menu with scratch-made items including house-made chips and margaritas.

Dishes offered will include quesadillas, loaded nachos, fajitas and enchiladas, among other Tex-Mex favorites.

• Opening in late February or early March
• 23706 Speed St., New Caney

Through Jan. 16, parents living outside of New Caney ISD’s Highlands Elementary School boundaries can still apply for their child to attend first grade at the campus in the 2026-27 school year.

Explained: Highlands Elementary—a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Year Program—opened in August. For the school’s inaugural year, 2025-26, 50 students per grade level—first through fifth grade—were accepted at the campus for a total of 250 students.

What parents should know: The applications will be considered by an NCISD committee. Parents or guardians should remember the following before applying:

• The district will not provide transportation for students attending Highlands Elementary outside of the attendance boundaries, even for children of NCISD employees.
• Parents hoping to apply for multiple children should submit all of their names on one application.
• NCISD will not accept more students than the school’s capacity, which may change based on enrollment of students living within the school’s attendance boundaries.
• Parents will have seven days to accept their child’s enrollment after they’re notified of acceptance.

The entertainment lineup for the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was announced Jan. 8 and includes artists such as Lizzo and Tim McGraw.

Read all about it: Since 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has promoted agriculture and Western heritage through family-friendly experiences, competitions and live entertainment.

This year, Rodeo Houston will run from March 2-22, featuring 20 days of competition in bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping and women’s barrel racing and breakaway roping.

What to expect: On weekdays, NRG Stadium gates for the rodeo open at 6 p.m., with the rodeo starting at 6:45 p.m, according to Rodeo Houston’s website. The entertainer then takes the stage at 9 p.m., depending on the number of rodeo competitors and other production elements.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Jan. 5-9.

Latest update: Airport passengers in the Greater Houston area who are also CLEAR members can utilize new biometric eGates aimed at expediting identity verification at both George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports, officials announced in December. 

Also of note: Houston-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.

Annual memberships, Sept. 1-Aug. 31, cost $25 per person and provide access to programming across Lone Star College System campuses, the release states.

One more thing: American steakhouse chain Texas Roadhouse is set to bring its menu once again to the Cypress area as construction has began on a new location on West Road near the Grand Parkway.