Coconut Grove, a Mexican-fusion restaurant, opened along Hwy. 146 in Kemah on Oct. 17, according to a social media post.

The details: The opening is part of a wider trend of businesses slowly returning to the Hwy. 146 corridor, following a five-year project led by the Texas Department of Transportation to widen the highway, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.

• 207 FM 2094, Kemah

• Nov.15-Jan. 4, times vary
• $19.95-$27.95 (per ticket)
• 1601 E. NASA Parkway, Houston

• Dec. 18-21, times vary
• $24-$38 (per ticket)
• 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Ste. 2602, Houston

• Dec. 31, 1-9 p.m. 
• Free (admission)
• 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah

With Christmas quickly approaching, here are eight organizations hosting toy drives for children that anyone can participate in. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change.

Pearland Neighborhood Center Toy Drive: The Pearland Neighborhood Center is partnering with the Pearland Police Department for a holiday toy drive. Local businesses can contact officer Ryden Cohen to sign up to host a donation box where residents can drop off new toys for families in need.  

• Donations needed by the week of Dec. 12
• 2335 N. Texas Ave., Pearland
• Suggested donations: new, unused and unwrapped toys

Holiday Toy Store: Ronald McDonald House is collecting toy donations for babies and teens. Gifts must be new, in original packaging and unwrapped, and will be delivered to residents’ doors on Christmas morning. 

• Donations needed by Dec. 5
• 1907 Holcombe Blvd., Houston
• Suggested donations: video game systems, video game controllers, headphones, jewelry, diaper bags, teething toys, play mats

On the heels of what proponents have called “historic” property tax relief, some Texas lawmakers are questioning whether the state can afford to continue increasing the tax exemptions passed in 2023 and 2025.

The big picture: Texas homeowners pay property taxes to various local entities, although lawmakers can limit how much entities increase taxes each year and provide state funding to expand tax exemptions.

Texas is spending $51 billion on property tax relief in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 alone and may be required to spend more to maintain existing tax exemptions in future bienniums, lawmakers said.

What they're saying: "We're kind of maxed out at what we can do for property tax reform, from a budget perspective," said Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a Nov. 20 event.

"$51 billion ongoing, it's a huge amount to continue to support. To think about doing anything more seems very fiscally irresponsible," Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said.

The other side: Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, said creating limits on local government spending would be critical to keeping Texas affordable.