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As one of the fastest-growing counties nationwide, Fort Bend County is expected to reach 1 million residents by 2030—with the population potentially doubling to 2 million by 2050.

What residents need to know: In conjunction with University of Houston associate professor Jeronimo Cortina, the Fort Bend Regional Partnership has released its new Fort Bend 2050 Report, which is aimed at providing a roadmap to guide the county’s preparation for the incoming growth.

Key findings include:

• 109.65% population growth expected by 2050

• 2.67% annual growth in household formation from 2025-30

• 3.01 average household size expected by 2030, down from 3.11 in 2020

• Mobility ranked No. 1 priority for stakeholders

Notable quote: “The report gives us a roadmap of how to meet the growth—it’s not whether we'll grow, we will—it’s whether our roads, water, housing and government can grow with us,” said Tariq Zafar, chair for the Fort Bend Regional Partnership.

After soft opening in April, Pranzo Lounge & Grill has opened its doors in Stafford, an employee at the business told Community Impact.

On the menu: The authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern menu features main dishes such as tandoori lamb chops, chicken and beef kofta and chicken tawook, according to its website. Customers can also order appetizers, including falafels, manakish, baba ghanoush and hummus.

One more thing: Pranzo also serves coffee, tea, juices and mocktails such as mojitos. 

• 11445 Fountain Lake Drive, Stafford

As Houston prepares to see the first of seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Chris Canetti, president of the Houston Host Committee, said the city is ready for the influx of visitors expected during the tournament beginning June 14.

Quote of note: “Our greatest asset in Houston is our people,” Michael Heckman, president and CEO of Houston First Corporation, said. “And when visitors come here ... you're not just a visitor, you're one of us. And what a great message from people from all over the world that come here, that see all the languages that are spoken here, our diversity that we welcome people, not just from the United States, but from all over the world.”

The overview: On May 11, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee gave updates from entities such as the Houston Host Committee, the airports, the Metropolitan Authority of Harris County, Downtown Houston, NRG representatives and FIFA Fan Festival representatives.

Democratic candidates Christian D. Menefee and Al Green will face each other once again in the May runoff election for Congressional District 18 after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primaries.

The overview: In a four-way primary race, Green secured roughly 47% of the vote while Menefee garnered about 41% of the vote. The winner of the May 26 runoff will face the Republican nominee—Ronald Dwayne Whitfield—in November.

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are elected for a two-year term with no term limits. Following congressional redistricting, which will take effect in January 2027, District 18 will cover portions of southwest, central and northeast Houston.

Preparing for the polls: Texans can vote early in the runoff election from May 18-22. Runoff election day is May 26.

On May 26, Democratic voters will choose their nominee for Texas lieutenant governor in a runoff election between state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, and union leader Marcos Vélez.

The big picture: The Democratic race for lieutenant governor 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.

Goodwin and Vélez were the two highest-performing candidates in the three-person primary race, with Goodwin collecting 48% of the vote and Vélez receiving 31%. The winner of the May 26 overtime round will face incumbent Dan Patrick and potential third-party candidates in the November midterm election.

Some context: The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

At the polls: Texans can vote early from May 18-22, and runoff election day is May 26.