Missouri City firefighters will see a pay increase this May.

In a nutshell: At a May 4 meeting, Missouri City City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to increase firefighter pay by 5.5%, including a 3% overall increase and a 2.5% step increase.

The first reading of the ordinance was approved at an April 20 meeting, Community Impact reported.

Zooming in: The ordinance increases the pay plan for firefighters from $64,104 to $66,027, while firefighter specialists' pay will increase to $88,798, up from $86,211, per agenda documents.

City Manager Angel Jones previously said the pay increase was a part of the $255.63 million in expenses approved for fiscal year 2025-26 budget in September. The last firefighter pay increase was approved by council in April 2025.

What's next: The new pay rates will go into effect May 17, per agenda documents.

ParkerJoe has opened its 3rd location in Sugar Land's First Colony Mall, officials shared in an April 22 news release.

The brand was founded in 2021 by a mother-daughter duo who saw a gap in stylish, high-quality boys’ clothing available in one place.

What they offer: The boutique offers thoughtfully curated boys’ clothing including underwear, playwear, dressier pieces and formal wear from newborn to size 18, owners Lisa and Chelsea Hostler previously said. The store also offers “Daddy and Me” matching styles.

Additionally, the shop offers children’s books, toys, blankets and tableware.

Also of note: The Sugar Land location is the brand's largest location yet, joining locations in Rice Village and Las Vegas, per the release.

The 3,012-square foot location features a plush play area with toys, a space for private shopping events and group happy hours as well as a large dining table for in-store baby showers.

• 16535 Southwest Freeway, Ste. 2004, Sugar Land

From Mother's Day brunch to markets, there are several events to celebrate Mother's Day in the Greater Houston area.

Mother's Day Downtown Conroe Sip & Stroll
This event is designed to pamper mothers with a shopping experience featuring local vendors with handcrafted gifts, jewelry and seasonal finds. The first to arrive will be given a free, limited edition Mother's Day tote bag.

• May 9, 10 a.m.

• Free

• 213 North Thompson St., Conroe

Mother's Day Once Upon a Tea
The Tomball Methodist Church is holding a Mother's Day event with refreshments, games, a flower bar and kids' activities.

• May 9, 10 a.m.-noon

• $20 (per person over 18 years old)

• Tomball Methodist Church, 1603 Baker Drive, Tomball

Mother’s Day Edition screening
Rooftop Cinema Club is celebrating Mother's Day with several screenings including "Mamma Mia!" and "Gilmore Girls."

• May 10, 5 p.m. ("Mamma Mia!’", May 12, 7 p.m. ("Gilmore Girls")

• $19.75-$27

• Uptown Houston, 1700 Post Oak Blvd., Houston

On May 26, Texas Republican voters will choose their nominee for the U.S. Senate in a runoff election between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The big picture: The Republican race for U.S. Senate is one of several statewide contests that advanced to May runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary election.

Cornyn and Paxton were the two highest-performing candidates in the eight-way primary race, with Cornyn securing 42% of the vote to Paxton's 41%.

At the polls: Early voting in Texas' runoff elections runs from May 18-22, and runoff election day is May 26.

Looking ahead: The winner of the May 26 overtime round will face the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate—state Rep. James Talarico of Austin—in the November midterm election. Third-party and independent candidates may also appear on the November ballot, and the winner of that election will be sworn in to the U.S. Senate in January 2027.

Texas residents are increasingly facing damaging storms that drive up home insurance rates and other housing costs. Ahead of the state's 2027 legislative session, consumer advocates and insurance industry representatives are urging lawmakers to consider affordability solutions.

What's happening: The average Texas home insurance premium—the amount paid to an insurance company—was $3,291 in 2024, according to the latest Texas Department of Insurance data. In total, premiums rose about 50% between 2022-24.

Texas’ high propensity for natural disasters has been “the No. 1 driver” behind recent rate increases, said Rich Johnson, a spokesperson for the Insurance Council of Texas.

Stay tuned: While Texas can't legislate itself out of weather risks, lawmakers have considered some policy changes to increase disaster resiliency and boost regulatory oversight of the insurance industry. Proposals range from creating grants to help residents weather-proof their homes to placing limits on future rate hikes.