HTX-NCP: Impact 10/6/2025

Every morning from Tuesday-Friday, Brandon and Stephanie Leyva pull their walk-in coffee trailer to the Evergreen Baptist Church parking lot in Porter to serve coffee to locals ranging from teachers and police officers to parents looking for a pick-me-up.

Blending their Native American and Mexican culture, the husband-and-wife duo opened Cinco Vidas Coffee Company on Sept. 15, 2024.

How it happened: The duo began selling coffee and flavored whipped honeys at farmers markets in 2023 and decided to make their business official on FM 1314 where they saw a need for a local coffee shop with a different concept. Though business was slow at the beginning, Brandon Leyva said it was as if the coffee shop blew up overnight. However, the couple gives credit to community events that bring people together.

What they offer: With coffee sourced from local vendor Talavera, a Mexican-inspired coffee shop, Cinco Vidas Coffee Company specializes in lattes made with different flavors.

Lumos officials celebrated the grand opening of Valley Ranch's new entertainment venue on Oct. 2.

What to expect: Bowling, laser tag, ax throwing, a virtual roller coaster and an arcade are among the entertainment options at Lumos, according to the company's website. As previously reported, the 45,000-square-foot venue also features a full-service restaurant and bar as well as an outdoor patio.

What else? The entertainment center is available to host private events such as holiday parties, school events, corporate gatherings and live music.

• Opened Oct. 2
• 22296 Market Place Drive, New Caney

The University of Houston has been awarded a $1 million grant from the non-profit Houston Endowment to analyze how school districts are implementing various teacher certification pathways—including teacher residency programs and grow-your-own models—with the goal of improving student achievement and bolstering teacher recruitment and retention.

The two-year project is intended to generate data, research, and policy recommendations that could help reduce the number of uncertified teachers in classrooms across Texas.

Why does it matters: Amid a growing percentage of uncertified teachers, a UTeach Institute study showed uncertified teachers are more likely to leave early, and their students can lose up to six months of learning.

Zooming out: To curb the teacher shortage during the 2024-25 school year, Community Impact reported that Fort Bend, Georgetown and Leander ISDs had waived teacher certification requirements for certain subjects and opted to require their staff to enroll in alternative certification programs, or nontraditional programs that can often be completed online.

It's officially October, which means it's time to sport the color pink. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs Oct. 1-31 to honor those affected by breast cancer and raise awareness about the disease, and community members across Greater Houston have planned an abundance of events in support. 

Pink Pumpkin Painting
Kid Scholars Academy, a child care center and preschool in Sugar Land, will host a pumpkin painting event for children and parents in support of breast cancer awareness.

• Oct. 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 2229 Cypress Lane, Sugar Land

• Oct. 4, 6:15 a.m. check in and on-site registration; 8 a.m start
• $55 (timed registration) or $45 (untimed registration)
• 1000 Bagby St., Houston

All Texas retailers are barred from selling consumable THC products to customers under 21 years old after the Texas Department of State Health Services adopted two emergency rules Oct. 3.

The details: The new rules, which took effect immediately, state that businesses may lose their hemp licenses for selling THC products to minors.

Ten days earlier, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved emergency rules prohibiting bars, liquor stores and other alcohol retailers from selling THC products to anyone under 21. A TABC spokesperson told Community Impact the two state agencies are working together to enforce a Sept. 10 executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

More context: Approximately 8,000 businesses are licensed by the DSHS to sell consumable hemp products in Texas, including some retailers that also sell alcohol.

The emergency rules from both agencies will be in effect for 120 days and could be extended for an additional 60 days while permanent regulations are drafted.

From Oct. 13-19, Texas residents will not have to pay to apply to in-state public colleges and universities.

The details: During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.

What they're saying: “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.” 

Put in perspective: Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.