St. Luke’s Health-Sugar Land Hospital has earned a designation as a primary stroke center, which affirms the hospital's readiness to treat stroke-related illnesses.

What it means: The designation—awarded by DNV, a global independent certification, assurance and risk management provider—assures that the hospital addresses the full spectrum of stroke care, including diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education resources, hospital officials announced in a Jan. 15 news release.

In their own words: Interim Hospital President Freemon Walker said the certification "powerfully affirms" the hospital's commitment to community stroke care.

"It validates our comprehensive approach, combining cutting-edge equipment, highly trained staff, and efficient processes to rapidly assess, treat and manage strokes effectively," he said in the release. "This achievement reflects the tireless dedication of our team to ensure the best possible outcomes and safety for our patients."

Gyro Hut is set to open four new locations in the Greater Houston area, officials confirmed.

The big picture: The New York-inspired restaurant offers various Mediterranean options, including various rice, salad and fry platters as well as sandwiches, according to its website.

Upcoming locations include:

• Missouri City: 8027 Hwy. 6
• Katy's Morton Ranch: 3011 W. Grand Parkway N., Ste. 600
• Aliana: 19320 W. Bellfort, Ste. 500
• Houston: 8733 Hwy. 6 S., Ste. Z

The University of Houston is set to open applications in February for a new online graduate certificate aimed at preparing students for jobs in Houston’s rapidly growing film and television industry, according to a Jan. 22 news release.

What you need to know: Housed in the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, the Graduate Certificate in Film and Media Production and Leadership will offer evening synchronous online classes and is designed to build a local workforce pipeline for producers and project leaders, said Fleurette S. Fernando, associate dean and director of the Arts Leadership Program.

Quote of note: “We really wanted to ride that wave and create a program that can help to strengthen workforce development in film and television in Houston,” Fernando said.

More details: UH officials tied the launch to growing production momentum statewide following Texas Senate Bill 22, which allocates $300 million every two years to film and TV incentives.

Harris County commissioners will meet Jan. 29 with more than 300 agenda items on the docket, including discussion items regarding Harris Health’s proposed hospital expansion in Hermann Park, the county’s response to Winter Storm Fern and the countywide policy for law enforcement salaries.

What you need to know: Harris Health officials have complied with Commissioners Court’s October request and have prepared their public presentation on community engagement efforts regarding the $410 million Ben Taub Hospital expansion in the Texas Medical Center.

After the presentation, Commissioners Court will hold its Chapter 26 public hearing on the agenda item and is expected to also vote to authorize a formal public hearing on the hospital expansion March 19.

Also of note: Officials with Harris County’s budget office look to discuss the countywide policy for the new law enforcement salary scale. Law enforcement pay parity has reached various points at Commissioners Court, including a decision to spend $104 million on county law enforcement pay in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, which required identifying necessary savings to provide for raises. 

Three Democratic candidates are running for Texas lieutenant governor—the second-in-command to the governor—in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The overview: Vikki Goodwin, Courtney Head and Marcos Vélez are seeking the Democratic nomination for Texas lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Stay tuned: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Democratic primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

The winning Democratic candidate will face the winner of the Republican nomination in November, and the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

Four Republican candidates are running for Texas lieutenant governor—the second-in-command to the governor—in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Republican incumbent Dan Patrick is seeking a fourth term in the lieutenant governor's office. The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Patrick is challenged by three Republican candidates: Timothy Mabry, Perla Muñoz Hopkins and Esala Wueschner. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Republican primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

Stay tuned: The winning Republican candidate will face the winner of the Democratic nomination in November. The winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.