Gold Sponsors

Several local real estate experts said rising interest rates are a growing concern for residents in Montgomery County and The Woodlands area. Home interest rates are the percentage that a lender charges to borrow money to purchase a home.

What you need to know: Data shows interest rates are 6.23%-6.40% as of late April, which is more than double the all-time low of 2.65% from January 2021, according to The Woodlands-based Christine Hale Realty Group.

What else: Despite the hike in interest rates, Chanel Raesis, director of agent development for CB&A and board member for the Houston Association of Realtors, said buyers are still purchasing because they want stability in long-term equity, especially in the luxury property market.

The impact: Interest rates were lowest during the pandemic at roughly 3.11%-3.88%, according to data from Christine Hale Realty Group.

TADA Texas Academy of Dance Arts is relocating its dance studio and black box theater in 2027, an official said.

What you need to know: "We are building a brand new, beautiful state-of-the-art dance studio and black box theater just down the street from our current location," owner and founder Kristan Ballard said. "It will have ample parking, more space, upgraded resources, increased performance, professional opportunities and so many exciting perks in store to bring our students the very best in dance education."

• Relocating in 2027
• 26347 Hanna Road, Spring

Magnolia Ritual is entering a new chapter with a refreshed name, storefront and brand identity.

The family-owned business will now operate as Magnolia Ritual – Texas Apothecary, according to a May news release from the business. The rebrand keeps the same ownership and handcrafted approach while shifting toward a more refined focus on bath, body and home goods.

What they offer: Magnolia Ritual creates handcrafted products centered on bath, body and home rituals. The business blends modern apothecary traditions with Texas-made goods designed for intentional living, per the release.

The updated brand will focus on quality ingredients, intentional product development and an elevated customer experience.

What this means: Over the next several weeks, customers will see updated branding, packaging, storefront signage and online platforms reflecting the Magnolia Ritual identity.
Existing customer rewards, gift cards, local partnerships and ongoing fundraisers will continue without interruption, according to the release.

• 6318 FM 1488, Ste. 110, Magnolia

Early runoff election results are in for the Democratic and Republican runoff elections in the races for Harris County judge and district clerk.

Some context: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo formally announced in September that she will not seek reelection for a third term as judge of Texas’ largest county.

Hidalgo has served as county judge since 2019 and was reelected after winning the county seat during the November 2022 general election. Her current four-year term ends Dec. 31, 2026.

Also on the ballot: In the race for Harris County district clerk, Jose "Alex" Maldonado and Darrell Jordan Jr. are facing off for the Democratic nomination.

In the May 26 runoff election, Republican voters across Texas cast their votes in a contentious U.S. Senate race between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The context: The Republican race for U.S. Senate is one of several statewide contests that advanced to May runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary election.

About the candidates: Cornyn, an incumbent senator with nearly 24 years in office, is seeking to hold his seat for another six years while being challenged by Paxton, the once-impeached state attorney general who was recently endorsed by President Donald Trump. Read each candidate's priorities in their own words here.  

The winning Republican candidate will face the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, state Rep. James Talarico of Austin, in November.
 
Keep reading to see the results in the Cornyn-Paxton race and find other runoff results at communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

For the first time in more than a decade, there is no incumbent in the Texas attorney general's race as Ken Paxton runs for the U.S. Senate. Voters across Texas made their picks for attorney general in the May 26 runoff election, with the winning candidate from each political party moving on to the November election.

The context: The Republican and Democratic attorney general races are among several statewide contests that advanced to May runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary election.

The attorney general serves as Texas' top lawyer and law enforcement officer.

About the candidates: On the right, state Sen. Mayes Middleton of Galveston and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy of Austin are each seeking the Republican nomination for the seat.

On the left, state Sen. Nathan Johnson of Dallas and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski are vying for the Democratic nomination.

Keep reading to see the results in the two attorney general races and find other runoff results at communityimpact.com/voter-guide.