Qargo Coffee—an Italian-style cafe—will be opening a new location soon in Valley Ranch Town Center in New Caney.

The overview: The coffee shop will be Qargo’s 13th location in the Greater Houston area, and the space will be 1,850 square feet. Based in Miami, Qargo Coffee sells drinks, pastries, breakfast and lunch. Beverages offered include:

• Italian blended frappes
• Espresso drinks, such as macchiatos
• Boba teas
• Energy drinks

• Opening date TBD
• 21580 Market Place Drive, Ste. 100, New Caney

New Caney ISD bus drivers and police officers will receive a pay increase in the 2026-27 school year after the district’s board of trustees approved the pay changes March 16.

The gist: Under the new compensation plan, NCISD police officers will be paid a $5-per-hour increase, beginning in the 2026-27 school year. Bus drivers will be paid $19.45 per hour—a 25 cents-per-hour bump.

Pay was not changed for other NCISD employees for the 2026-27 school year.

In other news: Also at NCISD's March 16 regular board meeting, Superintendent Matt Calvert’s contract for 2026 was approved. Calvert did not receive a pay raise, but an addendum was added to his contract stating that the district will provide him with a vehicle.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from March 16-20.

• Fleet Week Houston ship lineup announced
• Photos: Houston officials give HUD Deputy Director tour of new hub for individuals experiencing homelessness
• Houston Methodist announces $104M expansion in Cypress
• Greater Heights Strategic Connections Plan to see final round of resident engagement in March
• See when these 9 Greater Houston-area water parks will open for the 2026 season

On March 31, Texas’ roughly 9,000 licensed consumable hemp retailers will face sweeping regulations, including a more than 3,000% increase in annual licensing fees and a ban on most smokable cannabis products.

The overview: The new rules, which also include age verification requirements, stricter packaging guidelines and more rounds of product testing, were originally proposed in December. The Texas Department of State Health Services, which regulates the state’s hemp industry, adopted the rules March 2.

The debate: Supporters of the increased regulations previously said they hoped the changes would result in more comprehensive oversight of Texas’ hemp industry and improve consumer safety. 

Some experts said they were concerned the new rules were taking effect too quickly and could lead some hemp businesses to close their doors.

"It is really tragic that these entrepreneurs are being faced with this, especially in a state like Texas that touts being pro-business ... and here we are shutting down businesses and relegating consumers to an illicit market," said Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center.