In a June 24 news release, Houston Methodist announced its acceptance of a $110 million philanthropic gift that will further advance research and care related to neuroscience, women’s health and other diseases among various neurological conditions. The gift is the largest sum donated to the health system in its more than 100-year history.

The impact: Officials said the commitment will establish two new funds in support of research acceleration and the improvement of several care services offered by the system. 

How it happened: The donor behind the gift, The Brockman Medical Research Foundation, is a private, Houston-based foundation established by the Brockman Family, according to the news release.

More details: Houston Methodist will formally recognize the foundation for its gift by establishing the name of its newest hospital facility as the Brockman Centennial Tower, officials said.

Large-format printing and sign company inkDOTS has served the Cypress area since 2006, and recently relocated to Jarvis Road on June 29, officials confirmed.

In a nutshell: Owned by Aaron Slavik, inkDOTS provides community organizations including, but not limited to, schools, churches, relators, and local businesses with custom signs and graphics in-house, per a news release.

Their products include custom signs, banners, vehicle graphics, window graphics, and more, according to the website.

• Relocated June 29

• 15615 Jarvis Road, Cypress

Have a minute to catch up with Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out eight trending stories in the North Houston area from June 29-July 2.

1. Tomball ISD surpasses state and previous district scores for spring 2026 STAAR

2. Golden Chick opens first Conroe location

3. Elite Dermatology & Plastic Surgery coming soon to Bridgeland

4. Primark coming soon to Willowbrook Mall

5. Live music, Pokemon games: 8 events to attend in Spring-Klein

6. The Woodlands Transit Department announces updates to The Woodlands Express schedule

7. H-E-B to build $45M grocery store in Valley Ranch

8. Construction on Will Clayton Shopping Center in Humble expected to begin this summer

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas operates the state power grid, overseeing the flow of electricity to over 27 million customers. Yet ERCOT does not directly participate in Texas’ electric market or own any of the facilities that deliver power across the state.

The big picture: Power generation plants, transmission facilities and distribution lines are owned by outside companies, meaning that local power outages are typically isolated and handled by individual companies, rather than ERCOT.

How it works: In 1999, Texas legislators passed a law deregulating the state’s retail electric market. The law was designed to “introduce competition in Texas’ electric market by allowing consumers to choose their retail electric provider,” according to ERCOT.

Previously, most Texas utility companies owned all aspects of the electric supply chain, including generation, transmission and the delivery of power to customers.

Today, approximately 85% of electric customers in Texas can choose their retail electric provider, including those across the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth regions. Customers in Austin and San Antonio get their electricity from municipally owned utilities.