Improvements will soon come to parts of Robinson Road in Missouri City. 

What you need to know: At an Oct. 5 meeting, Missouri City City Council approved a $1.52 million construction contract with Houston-based ARS Construction LLC for the first phase of reconstruction on Robinson Road from El Dorado Boulevard to Golden Hills Lane. 

The project, which comes as the existing pavement has “reached its useful life,” will also replace water lines, Public Works Director Mustafa Albassam said.

Also of note: Construction will be done in 500-foot sections on one side of the road, meaning about three driveways will be in the work zone at a time, Albassam said. However, residents will still be able to get into their driveways. 

Looking ahead: Phase one construction is expected to begin in November and end in the summer of 2027, Albassam said. 

St. Luke’s Health – Sugar Land Hospital has officially adopted the name CommonSpirit – St. Luke’s Hospital – Sugar Land, officials announced in an Oct. 8 news release.

The name change—which aligns the campus with the national CommonSpirit Health network—also affects other campuses across the Greater Houston area, per the release.

Why it matters: Interim President Freemon Walker said the adoption of the CommonSpirit name coincides with significant clinical progress, including achieving DNV Primary Stroke Center certification, adding new medical technology and launching a Virtually Integrated Care program.

“We’ve spent nearly 20 years building this hospital into what it is today, and the work we’ve done this past year shows just how far we’ve come,” Walker said. “In healthcare, we know that if we aren’t changing, we aren’t growing. The name ‘CommonSpirit’ is a reminder that while we have the strength of a national system behind us, we’re still the same team, serving the same community we call home."

Fort Bend County residents will choose between Tamara McFarlane and Sonya Jones for county clerk in the Nov. 3 election.

The details: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been minimally edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

Here's what we asked them:

• Why did you choose to run for this position?

• What are your qualifications for why you’d be a strong candidate in this role?

• What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fort Bend County?

• What do you think is the most pressing issue for Fort Bend County, and what will you do to address it?

• How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?

• How should the county prepare to address its fast-growing population?

The Texas Renaissance Festival will return to Todd Mission for its 52nd season in 2026, running from Oct. 10 through Nov. 29.

Read all about it: Spanning 70 acres, the nation's largest Renaissance-themed event features 21 stages, more than 400 artisanal shops and over 200 acres of camping facilities.

The festival will showcase eight themed weekends from Oktoberfest on Oct. 10-11 to Celtic Christmas on Nov. 27-29. Additional themes include Pirate Adventure, Barbarian Invasion and All Hallows Eve.

What's new: This year the festival will bring back fan-favorite attractions alongside new acts, including Paladin, the Errant Fool; Sons of Olympus; and Lester Jesterson.

Tickets range from $16 to $40. Admission is free for kids 5 and under on Saturdays, and kids 13 and under get in free on Sundays.