Harris Health eyes Hermann Park land for $410M Ben Taub hospital expansion
The Harris Health board of trustees unanimously approved a resolution Sept. 23 calling for the acquisition of a portion of Hermann Park to support the expansion of Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital, according to a news release.
Current situation: The board authorized the Harris Health legal team to take all necessary actions to purchase three parcels of land in Hermann Park—totaling about 8.9 acres, or 2% of the park—by eminent domain. The land currently belongs to the city of Houston, which oversees the park’s operations.
How we got here: Harris County voters approved a $2.5 billion Harris Health hospital bond in 2023, which included plans for the Ben Taub expansion, according to past Community Impact reporting. The $410 million project would add approximately 100 patient rooms to the hospital, which has been consistently operating at and beyond its 402-bed capacity, according to the release.
Sewing & Vacuum Warehouse officials confirmed the sewing retail center relocated from 18351 TX-249, Houston, to Cypress in early September. The warehouse has an additional location in Conroe. What they offer Per the website, Sewing & Vacuum Warehouse offers an array of sewing equipment and vacuums including:
Sewing machines
Embroidery machines
Sewing furniture
Quilting machines
In addition to its retail services, Sewing & Vacuum Warehouse offers service and repair services including in-store and virtual assistance. The sewing center also offers sewing classes.
Texas to overhaul STAAR, launch 3 new exams in 2027
The Texas Education Agency will begin transitioning to a new standardized testing system after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law Sept. 17 to replace the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness with three shorter exams.
The overview: Through the 2026-27 school year, Texas public school students in third through 12th grade will continue taking the STAAR each spring. Beginning in fall 2027, students will take three tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year under House Bill 8, the new law.
Students’ results will be released within 48 hours after each new test is administered. STAAR scores are currently released about six weeks after a test ends, according to the TEA.
The debate: Bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, said the new system will reduce test-related anxiety; give students and teachers feedback throughout the school year; and increase legislative oversight of Texas’ assessment and accountability systems. Critics of the plan said it would increase the amount of time students spend taking exams and essentially create “another STAAR test” developed by the TEA.
