PetSet debuted a custom-built mobile spay-and-neuter clinic Dec. 18, expanding the nonprofit’s ability to bring preventative veterinary care directly to Houston neighborhoods with limited access to services, according to a news release.

The details: The state-of-the-art unit was designed to increase efficiency and capacity, allowing PetSet to perform more surgeries each day and serve larger and older animals, according to the release.

PetSet officials said the mobile clinic is expected to support up to 1,200 additional surgeries annually and is designed specifically for high-volume surgery days. 

The mobile unit includes an expanded number of kennels and a second surgical table to support multiple procedures at once. 

In their words: "With these enhancements, we expect to perform hundreds more spay and neuter surgeries each year,” Co-President Tama Lundquist said. “This new mobile unit is a critical step forward in addressing the root causes of animal overpopulation across Greater Houston.”

Looking ahead: The clinic is scheduled to begin full operations in January and will rotate through communities across Greater Houston.

Austin-based private school Alpha School is expanding with the opening of several new Texas Sports Academy locations across the state.

How it works: The sports-centric academies will allow students to receive athletic training while completing their academic coursework through an artificial intelligence platform known as 2 Hour Learning.

The overview: Texas Sports Academy campuses opened several locations in Community Impact's coverage area in mid-August, including one in the Cy-Fair area:

The Bennett School

• Address: 2626 W. Sam Houston Parkway N., Houston
• Specialty area: baseball
• Grades served: 7-10

Ring in the new year with various celebrations going on across the Greater Houston area.

High Noon Countdown 2026: Attendees can ring in the New Year with a balloon drop extravaganza at The Woodlands Children's Museum.

• Dec. 31, 9:30-11 a.m., 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., 2-3:30 p.m.
• $10 (adult), $25 (child)
• The Woodlands Children’s Museum, 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, Ste. 280, The Woodlands

• Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m.-Jan. 1, 12:30 a.m.
• $30 (individual ticket), $50 (couple admission)
• Tomball VFW, 14408 Alice Road, Tomball

• Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-Jan. 1, 2 a.m.
• $99.29 (per ticket)
• 401 Franklin St., Houston

From DJ sets to jazz performances, the following parties each offer unique ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Houston. 

Doc’s Houston: The jazz club is kicking off New Year’s Eve with back-to-back performances led by Tianna Hall and The Houston Jazz Band at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Guests can also enjoy a festive four-course prix fixe menu, beginning with a cozy black-eyed pea soup, followed by a grape-arugula salad with walnuts, ricotta and pomegranate molasses.

• Dec. 31, 7 p.m.
• $75-$125 (per ticket)
• 1201 Westheimer Road, Ste. A, Houston

Moon: Enjoy New Year’s Eve at the newly opened Post Oak cocktail bar. Guests can start the night with regular service before a DJ brings in curated sounds to celebrate the hour. 

• Dec. 31, 5 p.m.-Jan. 1, 2 a.m.
• Prices vary
• 1800 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 6110, Houston