Police pay is now at the forefront of local government discussions following an $832 million agreement by Houston City Council to raise police pay by 36.5% over the next five years.

The status quo: Following the contract approvals, entities across the Greater Houston area have begun to look at police pay, including Fort Bend County commissioners who created the Blue Ribbon Committee—a committee tasked with reviewing the salaries and benefits of sheriff’s office employees, Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan said.

Although Fort Bend County and Missouri City only fall slightly behind Houston’s entry-level pay, both entities are focusing on retaining and recruiting officers.

Looking back: In September 2024, Missouri City City Council approved a 6% annual pay raise for three years as a result of the city’s Meet and Confer agreement. Meanwhile, Sugar Land City Council approved a revised compensation package in July 2024, which included $4.74 million toward creating a step program for public safety personnel.

Yummy Pho & Bo Ne, a Vietnamese restaurant, is now offering various pho, be ne, rice platters and noodle options in Sugar Land.

On the menu: Located near the intersection of Highway 6 and William Trace Boulevard, Yummy Pho & Bo Ne’s menu features six signature items, ranging from $11.99-$18.99. 

Additionally, the restaurant serves four types of banh mi, or sandwiches, as well as other dishes and a kids’ menu.

• 3376 Hwy. 6, Sugar Land

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Dec. 8-12.

A sneak peek: Vegas Texas Casino officials said the practice-style casino has plans to open between Dec. 15-Jan. 1 in Cypress pending receipt of its Certificate of Occupancy and TABC license. The casino is fully compliant with all Texas gambling and sweepstakes laws, and no gambling of any kind is offered, officials said. 

In case you missed it: On Jan. 1, drivers will see an increase in toll rates, according to a Nov. 18 news release from the Harris County Toll Road Authority. The toll rate increases are along the Montgomery County Toll Road Authority’s portion of Hwy. 249. 

Craving something new? From a new sushi spot to a rebranded Mexican birria locale, Community Impact compiled six dining updates across the Greater Houston area, including restaurants that recently opened or are coming soon.

Texas has grown rapidly in recent years, and data indicates that development is not slowing down. The Lone Star State gained about 168,000 jobs from September 2024-September 2025, leading the nation in job growth, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

The overview: Texas is attractive to businesses looking to relocate or expand their operations due to its tax incentives and grants, lack of a personal income tax and roughly 200 higher education institutions, business leaders said during a Dec. 10 summit held in College Station by industry network YTexas.

As businesses of all sizes continue to move to Texas, local governments and associations also need to “support the ones that are already here,” said Dean Browell, the chief behavioral officer for Feedback, a digital ethnographic research firm.

Zooming in: In an October study, Feedback found that long-term Texas residents want to live in growing communities with strong education systems and plentiful job opportunities. That growth, however, can lead to rising property taxes and living expenses before residents begin feeling the benefits, Browell said.