Fort Bend County Animal Services is carrying out several changes in 2026 to enhance animal care and community services, officials announced in a Dec. 19 news release.

The big picture: Built on insights from its 2025 independent shelter assessment—which was passed by Fort Bend County commissioners Dec. 18—animal service officials will focus on several improvements, including:

• A 14-day length of stay goal
• Enhanced medical care
• Behavioral support and enrichment
• A pathway plan program, which will implement clear, efficient and transparent pathways for every animal from intake to outcome
• Community accessibility

The new space for Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics is roughly a 10-minute drive from the former office at 9230 Katy Freeway, Ste. 520, Houston.

What’s changed: The new state-of-the-art medical office building was built around comfort, privacy and care, the company’s website states. Along with Body by Ravi, the space will also be home to RISE Med Spa.

What they offer: Led by Dr. Ravi Somayazula, Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics offers procedures such as breast augmentations, lifts and reductions, as well as tummy tucks and mommy makeovers.

• 19135 Katy Freeway, Ste. 110, Houston

Less than a month away from when Harris County Commissioners Court will hold a formal public hearing on the Ben Taub Hospital expansion in the Texas Medical Center, members of the Hermann Park Conservancy hosted the first town hall Jan. 7, alongside Harris Health officials, to inform the community about the group’s stance on the proposed land condemnation.

The standing-room-only audience gathered at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion at Hermann Park to hear from several city, county and state officials. HPC President and CEO Cara Lambright said Houston already ranks poorly when it comes to park access. 

Quote of note: "Parkland is not replaceable," Lambright said. “It is an endangered species, and once taken, it is generally gone forever."

Next steps:

• Jan. 29: public hearing of Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Code to take place at Harris County Commissioners Court
• February-March: additional review and public comment
• March: Harris County commissioners to vote

Officials with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County announced Jan. 5 its transition to a new fare system, RideMETRO, which replaces and discontinues the METRO Q Fare Card.

The gist: METRO riders can purchase the RideMETRO $2 fare card, according to METRO’s website, and load money at any of the following locations:

• METRO RideStore locations
• METRO Online RideStore
• RideMETRO app
• Participating retail locations
• Ticket vending machines

Riders can check their balance on the RideMETRO app. After 10 paid trips, riders get one free trip, according to METRO’s announcement.

The cost: No fare increases are taking place as part of the new fare system, according to the METRO website.

Hundreds of Texas private schools have been approved to participate in the state’s new education savings account program, per a map released by the state comptroller in early January.

The overview: As of press time, 775 private schools and prekindergarten providers had been approved to accept education savings accounts, or ESAs. There are over 1,300 accredited private schools in the state, according to the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission. 

Of the approved schools, there are:

• 233 schools in the Houston area
• 195 schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
• 94 schools in the San Antonio area
• 70 schools in the Austin area