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Former figure competitor Tracie Tabrizi said that as an athlete with over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, she joined Balanced Foods as the franchise owner of the Cypress and Katy locations to further promote fitness and wellness.

Quote of note: “'I’ve always been passionate about healthy living,” Tabrizi said. “I have two amazing children and a great husband. So, while finding the balance of being a full-time mom at the same time, I'm just excited to build a wonderful community of people wanting to live their best lives.”

The details: At Balanced Foods, customers can find over 40 meals consisting of fresh, preservative-free ingredients with a five-to-six-day shelf life. From breakfast, lunch and dinner options as well as snacks, protein coffee and protein shakes, Balanced Foods has something for everyone, Tabrizi said.

On the menu: With over 40 fresh meal options offering different flavors, Tabrizi menu favorites include:

• Chicken Scramble
• Lemon pepper turkey
• Turkey chili

Houston Cosmetic Surgery Center officials said a new location opened in Cypress on May 14. The cosmetic surgery center has an additional location in Vintage Park, per the website.

The details: Houston Cosmetic Surgery Center offers a wide array of procedures such as facelifts, Brazilian butt lifts and rhinoplasty, according to the website. Houston Cosmetic Surgery Center also supports overall wellness through Evexipel hormone replacement therapy.

On June 4, a $25 million funding increase was approved for Lone Star College System’s textbook program in order to continue the services through fiscal year 2026-27.

In a nutshell: The maximum amount to be spent to fund LSCS’ textbook program’s was raised to $79.24 million total, according to June 4 meeting documents. The maximum amount was last increased by $34.24 million to about $54.24 million in December 2024 to cover the program through FY 2025-26.

In case you missed it: However, the new textbook program allotment total includes services that have been evolving at the college system since 2023, according to a June 4 presentation from Kristy Vienne, LSCS’ vice chancellor for finance and administration. The current iteration of the program, dubbed the STAR Bundle, officially launched in the fall of 2025 and:

• Automatically provides students with their required textbooks and class materials by the first day of class
• Costs $24 per credit hour enrolled, no matter the actual textbook costs

In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2127, a sweeping regulatory measure designed to prevent cities and counties from adopting local ordinances that conflict with various sections of state law. Three years later, there is confusion about what local governments can and cannot do under the law.

The background: At the time, some legislators and other proponents of the bill said it would ensure consistency among Texas cities, citing ordinances passed by “liberal blue cities” that they said made it hard to run a business. Opponents of HB 2127, including some local leaders, said the law would prevent cities from addressing residents’ needs while undermining local worker safety provisions and nondiscrimination ordinances.

What's happening: During a June 4 hearing, the law’s critics said it has had a “chilling effect” on some local actions, while those who support the law expressed concerns that cities have not removed ordinances that are preempted by the state.

Ahead of the 2027 state legislative session, lawmakers are considering whether changes are needed to clarify or better enforce the law.