Magnolia ISD officials discussed at a Jan. 13 board meeting the growth the district is expected to face in the next decade, and the various effects it could have across the district.

According to district officials, MISD saw enrollment increases by over 1,773 students in the last five years. The district saw an increase of over 480 students entering the 2025-26 school year.

What's happening?: A possible overcrowded district means a lack of space and opportunities for students in school programs and athletics, said MISD's Assistant Superintendent of Administration Ben King. He said a likely measure to address the needs of a crowded campus would be for certain programs to pack as many students as they can, despite the lack of space, or for other smaller programs to be cut in order to accommodate.

MISD officials will host a community finance event called Money Matters Magnolia on Jan. 20 at Magnolia Event Center to detail the ripple effects of the three rejected bonds and what the next steps will be for the district.

Blue Willow Bookshop opened in 1996 and is named after the china pattern, a popular design from the late 1700s that includes white and blue color waves. 

Read all about it: Located in West Houston, Blue Willow Bookshop will celebrate 30 years of business in 2026.

What they offer: The charming bookshop sells a variety of genres, including travel, true crime and thriller. The store also hosts seven different book clubs, such as the Tough Broads Out at Night Book Club and Blue Herring, a new mystery book club. 

• 14532 Memorial Drive, Houston

Houston-area hospitality businesses can now earn points for their sustainability practices as part of a new program that aims to limit environmental harm ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a nutshell: The FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee launched the “New Year, New Hou” initiative Jan. 12 to mitigate the environmental impact of tourism during the tournament, which will run from June 11 to July 19, per a news release. Roughly 500,000 people are expected to visit Houston to watch the games, Community Impact previously reported.

About the program: Hotels, motels and restaurants—including cafés and bars—based within the Houston-Galveston Area Council's boundaries can participate in the program through Feb. 28, according to the release.

Qualifying businesses can earn badges by implementing environmentally friendly practices pertaining to waste management, energy efficiency and natural resources, according to the committee’s Hospitality Sustainability Toolkit. 

What to expect: Verified businesses will be added to a “sustainable tourism guide” for World Cup visitors, per the release.