Sugar Land is now a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community by Travel Texas, city officials announced in a Dec. 12 news release.

Zooming in: The city received certification, which shows its dedication to developing tourism as an economic growth strategy, after following a multistep process, according to the release. Sugar Land also earned a Music Friendly Texas designation in late 2024.

Notable quote: “Tourism is an increasingly important part of Sugar Land’s total picture of economic development and growth,” Sugar Land Mayor Carol McCutcheon said in the release. “Becoming a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community is a key part of our strategy to grow this sector, which in turn will, through tourism-related income, continue to support the quality of life that makes Sugar Land such an attractive city to visit and live.”

Remember this: Sugar Land debuted a new social district Dec. 5 where residents can consume alcoholic beverages within set areas of the Sugar Land Town Square and First Colony Mall.

Moshi Moshi Gifts, a Houston-based kawaii gift shop, is now open in Tang City Plaza in Missouri City.

What they offer: The store offers a large variety of kawaii plushies, stationery and character merchandise from brands such as Sanrio, Kirby, Pokémon and San-X, according to its social media.

Important to note: While the store has opened, hours and days are limited and are posted on social media sites, a representative confirmed. 

Zooming out: The boutique shares its Tang City Plaza home with newcomers Hong Kong Food Court,, Love Me Twice Vintage, Keep Fit Yoga Pilates and Karma Lounge, Community Impact reported.

• 4899 Hwy 6, Ste. 109D, Missouri City 

Coming off November’s $1.95 billion bond approval, Lamar CISD officials are framing the vote as a sign of community trust and a signal of the challenges ahead with a two- to three-year bond cycle expected to accommodate the "hypergrowth" of roughly 2,000 students annually.

Superintendent Roosevelt Nivens acknowledged public hesitations about continued bond spending, but pointed to academic programming initiatives—including the upcoming Career and Technical Education center—and bond accountability as examples of the work fueling public confidence in the administration’s efforts to build what he calls an “elite school system.”

"For the community to actually vote for this and give us $1.95 billion ... shows the faith that they have in our school system," he said at the Dec. 12 Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Moving forward: He said that as long as the board determines that the stadium repairs are necessary on the following bond cycle, it's his “job to make sure it happens.”

Pending single-family sales in the Greater Houston area rose 7.2% year over year in November, according to the Houston Association of Realtors’ November 2025 Housing Market Update released Dec. 10. Meanwhile, single-family home sales decreased year over year in November from 6,499 to 6,347, according to the report.

What else: In terms of home prices, the median home price decreased 1.5% to $325,000, according to the report.

Quote of note: “Houston’s housing market is setting into a balanced pace,” HAR Chair Shae Cottar with LPT Realty said via news release. “Buyers now have more time, more options and a little more breathing room to negotiate. Sellers are still attracting offers, but realistic pricing and expectations make all the difference.”