After spending 15 years in the hospitality industry, Farrah Cauley discovered a passion for wine and returned home to Houston with an idea: a neighborhood wine bar.

“I wanted to create a place where people didn’t feel intimidated by wine but instead felt comfortable exploring something new,” she said.

That vision became Sonoma Wine & Cheese, a space where people could gather and discover wines from smaller, family-owned wineries.

Zooming in: Two decades later, Sonoma now operates two Houston-area locations, including one in Katy that recently celebrated its fifth anniversary and another in Garden Oaks that has been open for three years.

What's changed: Over the years, that vision has evolved to include pop-up events with local chefs and makers, wine classes, guided tastings and private events designed to bring people together.

What’s next: Cauley said Sonoma plans to continue expanding its wine education offerings, a wine club and private events, while growing its mobile wine and charcuterie services.

• 9920 Gaston Road, Ste. 130, Katy

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has shuttered its doors in Katy as the chain closes down all remaining Houston area locations, restaurant representatives confirmed.

In a nutshell: Known for its tacos and wide selection of drinks, the brand had recently rebranded to Fuzzy's Tacos and Margs featuring table service after moving away from primarily counter service, Community Impact previously reported.

The other two Greater Houston locations in Sugar Land and Kingwood have also closed their doors, although representatives did not provide a reason for the closures.

• 233 S. Mason Road, Katy

Houston approved $129.9 million for seven infrastructure projects at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The overview: The projects include aircraft parking, employee parking, stormwater detention, utility improvements and pedestrian bridge repairs.

The city also authorized an agreement with United Airlines to deliver the work. The entire project will cost $229.9 million and Houston will reimburse United Airlines. The first payment of $129.9 million will be disbursed in fiscal year 2026-27. The remaining $100 million will be paid out in FY 2027-28. Funding will come from airport funds.

City officials said international travel at IAH has increased as the airport saw a record of 12.4 million international travelers in 2025. That international demand, along with an expanding route map, underscores the need for infrastructure.

Design and construction are expected over the next three years, officials said.

Also of note: Under the agreement, United will manage development and construction. Houston Airports will reimburse approved project costs from airport system funds and recover those costs through rates and charges paid by airlines and other airport users, including United.

On Sept. 1, the State Board of Education moved forward with an overhaul of what Texas high schoolers will learn in four social studies courses: U.S. History, U.S. Government, World History and World Geography.

What's happening: Roughly 100 Texans testified about the high school curriculum rewrite at an Aug. 31 meeting, with the debate revolving around how students would learn about the two largest world religions, Christianity and Islam.

Dozens of Muslim Texans asked that students learn about the religion’s core principles and how Muslims have contributed to advancements in math, science and medicine throughout history.

Some testifiers said the social studies curriculum should highlight the role of Christianity in the founding of Texas and the U.S., praising the board for prioritizing “American exceptionalism” and topics that they said would teach students to love the country.

The context: The discussion comes as the Republican-led board nears the finish line on its new K-12 social studies curriculum standards.

If approved, the new requirements will be rolled out to public school classrooms in the 2030-31 school year.