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Learn more about what programs are offered by local colleges.

1. University of Houston Sugar Land campus
Programs offered: biotechnology, computer engineering technology, computer information systems, digital media, electrical power engineering technology, human resource development, mechanical engineering technology, political science, retailing and consumer science, RN to BSN, second degree nursing, supply chain and logistics technology, teaching and learning, technology leadership and innovation management

• 14000 University Blvd., Sugar Land

• 1600 Texas Parkway, Missouri City

• 26706 Southwest Freeway, Rosenberg

• 14004 University Blvd., Sugar Land

During the first official 2026-27 school year budget update at Fort Bend ISD’s Feb. 9 board meeting, Chief Financial Officer Bryan Guinn predicted there will be a $56.4 million budget shortfall.

The new prediction grows on last summer’s $26.2 million shortfall calculated when subtracting revenue and expenditure changes from the $7.5 million budget surplus.

What’s changed: The change comes after the district saw 1,801 fewer students enrolled than who were budgeted for based on the Oct. 31 Public Education Information Management System snapshot.

What’s being done: District operational and staffing changes could produce $13 million-$15 million in savings by primarily looking at positions that are currently vacant, Guinn said. 

Furthermore, the proposed elementary school consolidations have the potential to yield annual savings of $5 million-$7 million, but with $2 million contributing toward relocating faculty and students to new campuses, the revised total would be around $3 million-$5 million.

Next steps: Superintendent Marc Smith said options and programs aimed at retaining and recruiting students to the district will be presented during the Feb. 23 board meeting.

Arcade chain Kawaii Klaws is now open at First Colony Mall in Sugar Land.

What they offer: The business allows visitors to play claw machines to win prizes including plushies, according to its website.

Zooming out: The chain has 20 stores nationwide, including five currently open in Texas—including one in The Woodlands—with another coming soon to Hurst, per the website.

• 16535 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land

An airline at George Bush Intercontinental Airport will premiere two new nonstop routes to Mexico beginning June 1.

What’s new: Volaris—which opened at IAH in 2015—will launch flight routes from Houston to Querétaro, Mexico, and Puebla, Mexico. Flights will be offered three times per week, and tickets became available for purchase Feb. 3.

Notable quote: “Houston is a key market for the airline, and these connections to Querétaro and Puebla strengthen a network designed to serve the needs of our binational communities,” Volaris Executive Vice President Holger Blankenstein said.

Some context: Volaris also offers flights from Houston to:

• Guadalajara, Mexico
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Morelia, Mexico
• San Luis Potosí, Mexico
• San Salvador, El Salvador