Several Texas Department of Transportation projects aiming to reduce congestion and improve safety on several thoroughfares west of I-45 in Montgomery County are set to wrap up this year.

What you need to know: Those projects include the continued construction of raised medians along FM 1488 from Mostyn Drive to I-45, and FM 1488 widenings west of and through Magnolia. In addition, county projects further west in Precinct 2—funded by the 2025 road bond—are slated to take shape in 2026 to keep traffic circulating around the Magnolia area near FM 2978 and a portion of Kuykendahl Road further east.

What's next: The clearing phase for the Kuykendahl Road project is underway, according to Precinct 2’s website. After clearing, construction is expected to follow, Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley said. Precinct 2 will also complete the Woodtrace Boulevard extension—an east-west connector between Hwy. 249 to FM 2978. Riley said the first phase of the project—from FM 2978 to Dobbin-Hufsmith Road—is out for bid, with construction potentially being able to start in early 2026.  

Hotworx Tomball owner Lisa Miller said the new location is offering services as of Dec. 22 and has plans to hold its ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening in January.

The details: With over 800 locations worldwide, Hotworx offers a variety of fitness classes, including hot yoga and hot pilates classes that take place in infrared saunas, blending heat and movement for faster results, per the website.

• 1417 Graham Drive, Ste. 300, Tomball

With the holiday season right around the corner, see what grocery stores in the Houston area will be open and closed Dec. 24-25. This list is not comprehensive.

Trader Joe's

• Dec. 24: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Dec. 25: Closed

• Dec. 24: 6 a.m.-9 p.m. (stores), 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (pharmacy)
• Dec. 25: Closed

• Dec. 24 6 a.m.-8 p.m. (stores), Closes at 5 p.m. (pharmacy),  7 a.m.-7 p.m. (curbside), 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (home delivery)
• Dec. 25: closed

With the opening of a Family Place Library at the Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library on Dec. 15, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation has completed a $1 million multiyear initiative to expand literacy access across the Greater Houston area, nonprofit officials announced in a Dec. 18 news release.

Read all about it: Per the release, the BBHLF's Family Place Libraries initiative launched in 2017 following the death of former first lady Barbara Bush to honor and advance her lifelong commitment to family literacy and early childhood education.

Quote of note: "Mrs. Bush believed deeply that parents are a child's first and most important teachers, and that libraries play a vital role in supporting families. Family Place Libraries bring her vision to live every single day," BBHLF President and CEO Julie Finck said in a statement.

Through partnerships with the Houston Public Library and Harris County Public Library, the BBHLF was able to open 40 Family Place Libraries across the Greater Houston area by the end of 2025—the year Bush would've turned 100 years old.

Frontier Airlines has added three new nonstop routes out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, airline officials announced in a Dec. 18 news release.

The details: Per the release, the new nonstop routes include IAH to:

• La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, Guatemala, beginning Dec. 18
• El Salvador International Airport in Comalapa, El Salvador, beginning Dec. 19
• Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, beginning Dec. 20

• Guatemala: $49
• El Salvador: $59
• Honduras: $49