City officials announced in mid-December that Police Chief Onesimo Lopez would be stepping down from the police department after serving for seven years to enter retirement.

The announcement came shortly after an internal investigation was completed that involved Lopez being placed on paid administrative leave in late November. A statement from the city noted that the leave was due to "an employment matter." However, more details were not given at the time.

What's next: City officials noted that Lt. Shane O'Sullivan will serve as acting chief of police while the city begins the search for a new chief in the coming weeks.

"Throughout this transition, the Bellaire Police Department remains fully operational and committed to providing the highest level of service," a note from the city reads. "Public safety continues to be a top priority, and residents can be assured that the department's dedication to professionalism and community protection remains strong."

Houston was hit by a wave of restaurant closures in 2025, with a list that includes casual and neighborhood favorites, longstanding spots and fine dining staples.

Here is a list of 22 places that closed this year that Community Impact reported on in and around Loop 610.

Thai Village: The owners of this locally owned Thai and Asian food restaurant announced its closure in mid-May. The Rice Village staple operated for 35 years before shutting down.

• Closed May 30
• 2512 Times Blvd., Houston

• Closed Dec. 30
• 4219 Washington Ave., Houston

• Closed Nov. 15
• 1125 W. Cavalcade St., Houston

In 2025, Community Impact has covered Harris County government, development, education and health care news.

Read on to learn more about some of the top stories this year. The following stories are not listed in any particular order.

1. Proposed hospital expansion could impact parkland
2. Harris County commissioners approve $2.7B FY 2025-26 budget prioritizing pay parity, public safety
3. Harris County Flood Control District advances $3.5B in approved projects stemming from 2018 flood bond
4. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo won't seek third term ahead of 2026 election
5. Harris County commissioners negotiate $81K pay raise for county's 8 elected constables
6. School district enrollment trends, closures

Approximately three dozen new Texas laws are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, impacting how artificial intelligence is used in state government, when local officials can raise taxes after natural disasters and how much of businesses' inventory is taxed.

The background: The changes come after Texas’s biennial legislative session ended in early June. Gov. Greg Abbott signed over 1,100 laws passed by state lawmakers, many of which took effect in June or September.

The details: Some of the bills becoming law in the new year are:

• House Bill 9, which will expand a tax exemption for business owners
• House Bill 30, which will tighten regulations on counties' and cities' abilities to raise tax rates after natural disasters
• House Bill 149, which will regulate the fast-growing AI industry
• House Bill 247, which will exempt certain border security infrastructure from property tax increases
• House Bill 1399, which will create a property tax exemption for stores selling animal feed
• House Bill 2508, which will establish a property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of certain military members