On Nov. 9, the Tomball ISD board of trustees reviewed a report on 15 new courses offered at the junior and high school levels for the next school semester. Michael Webb, TISD Chief Academic officer, presented the report, which includes seven new courses planned for the Tomball Academy of Future Educators and eight planned for the Tomball Virtual Academy of Cybersecurity.

What parents should know: The Academy of Future Educators is a program run out of Tomball West High that provides a debt-free pathway for students to graduate with a high school diploma and an associate's degree. The proposed courses include:

• Grade 10: Dual credit chemistry and dual credit child development

• Grade 11: Dual credit Instructional practicum A&B

• Grade 12: Dual credit math for teachers and dual credit physical geology

The Virtual Academy of Cybersecurity, partnering with Sam Houston State University, will allow students to earn an associate degree or 60 transferable college credits. The proposed courses include:

• Grade 9: Foundations of cybersecurity

• Grade 10: Computer maintenance

• Grade 11: Interworking tech 1

• Grade 12: Practicum in information technology

Magnolia’s Malcolm Purvis Library debuted its makerspace on Nov. 9, providing shared access to advanced machinery where patrons can learn new skills and create.

Zooming in: The Malcolm Purvis Library is the second branch in the Montgomery County Memorial Library System to get what the system calls an innovation space — where the public can use machinery like a Cricut, 3D printers and embroidery machines at little or no cost.

At a ceremony celebrating the opening of the innovation space, Montgomery County Memorial Library System Executive Director Janna Hoglund said the space is meant to motivate people of all ages “to come and learn new 21st century skills.”

“Learning computers and being able to operate technology is extremely important,” Hoglund said, “because everywhere you go, every step of our life, it is technology based.”

Before you go: Those wishing to use the machinery can attend equipment-specific orientations to learn how to operate the innovation space's 3D printer, Cricut and embroidery machines, according to a news release.

Lone Star College System did not cut any classes from its core curriculum after conducting a review mandated by Senate Bill 37, which went into effect in September 2025.

What’s happened: Under SB 37, governing boards of higher education institutions must review their core curriculum lists every five years, with the first review due by Jan. 1, 2027, according to the bill posted on the Texas Legislature’s website.

On Nov. 5, LSCS’s board of trustees unanimously approved a list of 135 courses for the college system’s core curriculum for the 2026-27 school year.

How we got here: A team of faculty members evaluated LSCS’s core curriculum list, in accordance with SB 37, from February to September.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the Greater Houston area is hosting several turkey trot races. The details: The events are subject to change and include:

• The second annual 1K Turkey Trot at Peckham Park in Katy on Nov. 14

• The District 2.4.9 Turkey Trot in Tomball on Nov. 21, benefiting the nonprofit Kirstyn’s Krew.

• The Better Together Turkey Trot in Spring on Nov. 26, hosted by Kids R Kids.

• The 18th annual Bay Area Turkey Trot in Houston on Nov. 26, where dogs are welcome.

• The Friendswood Turkey Trot on Nov. 26, featuring a post-race festival at Centennial Park.

• The 41st annual Sugar Land Turkey Trot on Nov. 26.

• The 37th annual Run Thru the Woods in The Woodlands on Nov. 26, supporting local YMCA programs.

• The Jersey Village Turkey Trot on Nov. 26 at Jersey Village High School.

• The Addi's Faith Turkey Day 5K and Kids Wishbone 1K in Kingwood on Nov. 26, supporting Addi's Faith Foundation.

Texas' first female lieutenant governor, Austin state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, held her first news conference since the election on Nov. 10 in Austin.

What happened: Goodwin, a Democrat, also announced her political transition team, which is led by lobbyist Angela Hale and outgoing state Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie.

The team, which includes four former state senators—two Democrats and two Republicans—will help prepare Goodwin to take over as lieutenant governor in January and work with state senators.

"My focus right now is sitting down with each senator, many of whom I worked with while in the House, to talk about their individual priorities and how we can work together so they can represent their districts," Goodwin told reporters Nov. 10.

More context: Goodwin will preside over the Republican-majority Texas Senate. How much power she will have over the chamber is largely up to senators, who will approve new Senate rules when the legislature convenes Jan. 12.