Ben Taub Hospital is planning a $410 million expansion in the Texas Medical Center to address increasing demand for medical services. The proposal includes using nearly nine acres of land in Hermann Park—a prospect that has raised concerns among some residents and officials.

The bottom line: The expansion is a key player in serving the county’s uninsured and federally subsidized individuals, Harris Health officials said. They added that Ben Taub has been operating beyond its 402-bed capacity with an expected additional 22% demand for emergency visits in the next six years.

However, Hermann Park Conservancy President Cara M. Lambright said if they can't preserve the 8.9 acres, park users and taxpayers deserve an equal or greater benefit in return to help fund park projects.

What's changed: While a public hearing for land condemnation was originally scheduled for Dec. 11, Harris County commissioners unanimously voted Oct. 30 to delay the decision, citing a need for more transparency in the process. Two townhalls are scheduled for January to allow more community input.   

Houston Public Library has partnered with the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy and the CenterPoint Energy Foundation to create and distribute Lifesaver Literacy Kits, according to a Dec. 12 news release from the city. 

How it works: Each literacy center participating in the program receives one Teacher Kit, five Student Kits and digital licenses for online learning. The kits include Brainchild Study Buddy devices, Challenger books, dictionaries and calculators, as well as additional materials that can be reused across multiple classes, according to the release. 

More details: The program will use assessments and monthly reports to track progress and ensure transparency. Feedback surveys will also be introduced to “help scale the model to additional literacy centers in the future.”

“These kits reflect [Houston Public Library’s] commitment to meeting learners where they are and removing barriers to education,” said Sandy Gaw, Director of the Houston Public Library. “By combining hands-on tools with digital resources, we’re helping adult students access the support they need to succeed at every stage of their learning journey.”

With a unanimous vote on Dec. 11, Harris County commissioners reauthorized 100% property tax exemptions for qualified child care providers for 2026 onward in a move that is expected to save thousands of dollars for providers, county officials said.

The full story: Commissioners first approved the 100% property tax exemption for qualified child care centers in March 2024, with the stipulation that the exemption would expire every two years unless commissioners voted for an extension. With the December vote, commissioners also approved removing the expiration clause, which allows the exemption to continue without requiring the two year reapproval from Commissioners Court.

Latest update: Eligible child care providers can apply for the exemption Jan. 1 through March 1.

Quote of note: “Today’s unanimous vote shows that every single one of us on commissioners court, regardless of political party, understands the importance of protecting access to high-quality, early childhood education and supporting the providers who make those opportunities possible,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a news release.  

Texas has grown rapidly in recent years, and data indicates that development is not slowing down. The Lone Star State gained about 168,000 jobs from September 2024-September 2025, leading the nation in job growth, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

The overview: Texas is attractive to businesses looking to relocate or expand their operations due to its tax incentives and grants, lack of a personal income tax and roughly 200 higher education institutions, business leaders said during a Dec. 10 summit held in College Station by industry network YTexas.

As businesses of all sizes continue to move to Texas, local governments and associations also need to “support the ones that are already here,” said Dean Browell, the chief behavioral officer for Feedback, a digital ethnographic research firm.

Zooming in: In an October study, Feedback found that long-term Texas residents want to live in growing communities with strong education systems and plentiful job opportunities. That growth, however, can lead to rising property taxes and living expenses before residents begin feeling the benefits, Browell said.