Fort Bend County will sponsor Sugar Land’s run as an official Host City Supporter for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

At a Jan. 22 meeting, Fort Bend County commissioners unanimously approved the $250,000 sponsorship agreement for economic development and tourism as the Houston area prepares for over 500,000 tourists expected to bring in $1.5 billion in economic impact.

Diving in: The partnership will allow the county to support the city’s World Cup initiatives, participate in benefits received as a host city supporter and help offset costs, Sugar Land Director of Tourism Allison Brooks said.

Remember this: At a Sept. 2 meeting, Sugar Land City Council voted 6-1 to allow Visit Sugar Land to pursue a $2.5 million sponsorship with the Houston 2026 World Cup Host Committee, Community Impact reported.

What’s next: Seven total matches will be played in Houston, including five group stages and two knockout-round games between June 14 and July 9. More details on events, entertainment, participating businesses and more will be announced in early 2026.

Sugar Land's Brick House Tavern + Tap could become a Landry's Kitchen, according to a Dec. 24 filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. However, a company spokesperson said "no decision has been made."

The details: The 7,636-square-foot restaurant, located in the Riverpark Shopping Center, is currently a sports tavern, although could change its concept to Gulf Coast seafood, according to the filing.

What else: The $350,000 renovation is set to add shade to the uncovered portion of the patio as well as the addition of a gated children's playground area, according to the filing.

• 19740 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land

• Aldine ISD
• Alvin College
• Alvin ISD
• Clear Creek ISD
• College of the Mainland
• Conroe ISD
• Cy-Fair ISD
• Friendswood ISD
• Fort Bend ISD
• Harmony Public Schools
• Houston City College
• Houston ISD
• Humble ISD
• Katy ISD
• Klein ISD
• Lamar CISD
• Lone Star College
• Magnolia ISD
• Montgomery ISD
• New Caney ISD
• Pearland ISD
• San Jacinto College
• Splendora ISD
• Spring ISD
• Tomball ISD
• University of Houston
• Willis ISD

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County announced in a Jan. 14 news release the expansion of an initiative which aims to increase the amount of law enforcement officers across the system's facilities.

The details: Per the release, METRO is partnering with the following law enforcement agencies for additional uniformed officers on trains, buses, platforms and transit centers:

• Houston Police Department
• Harris County Sheriff’s Office
• Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office
• Harris County Precinct 6 Constable’s Office
• Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office

Chuck Wemple, Houston-Galveston Area Council executive director, announced Jan. 23 that he will retire in August following nearly 24 years with the agency.

The impact: During Wemple's time as executive director, H-GAC's operating budget nearly doubled, reaching $600 million, and the organization's team grew to almost 500 members, according to a news release. H-GAC consists of local governments representing 13 different counties in the region, which collaborate to prevent and solve shared issues, per its website. 

What's next? The board of directors will conduct a national search for Wemple's replacement, per the release. His retirement is effective Aug. 20.

Quote of note: "After working alongside Chuck for over a decade, I can say there's been a lot to be proud of and even more to be thankful for," Jay Knight, Liberty County judge and chair of the H-GAC board of directors, said in a statement. "Chuck's steady vision, can-do spirit and willingness to try new things have truly set this organization apart. Thanks to his leadership, we've become the benchmark for councils across the country."