Houston ISD administrators and campus leaders were granted authority to consider cutting or reorganizing teacher and other employee positions for the 2026-27 school year during the district’s board of managers’ regular April 9 meeting.

What’s happening: On April 9, HISD’s board of managers unanimously approved two “Reduction In Force” initiatives. The initiatives allow district and campus leaders to work toward a budget reduction via multiple staffing avenues.

The “Reduction In Force” initiatives:

• Do not require teacher or employee positions or campus programs be changed, but allow them to be
• Could impact elementary and secondary school teachers, other campus employees and some central office positions

Houston Lymphatic is an expansion of its Austin partner, a well-established practice known for working with physicians and surgical patients.

In a nutshell: The Bellaire location brings clinical manual lymphatic drainage therapy to Houston patients recovering from surgery, managing chronic inflammation or seeking structured lymphatic care, company officials said.

Manual lymphatic drainage, according to UT MD Anderson, is a tool that physical therapists use to redirect excess fluid out of swollen limbs and into unaffected areas.

What they offer: Houston Lymphatic offers a variety of services, including health and wellness options such as lipedema therapy, post-operative care and autoimmune and chronic condition support. Additional services include face and body sculpting and a deep release lymphatic flow massage. Most services are offered at $140 per session.

"Our mission is to raise the standard of care," owner Jessica Johnson said. "There's a big difference between trend-based lymphatic massage and clinically delivered lymphatic therapy. We focus on outcomes, education and working collaboratively with healthcare providers."

Houston City Council approved an additional $1.1 million to go toward homelessness services for over 700 individuals.

Funding will support SEARCH Homeless Services, a nonprofit that provides interventions, assessments and referrals to services for unhoused individuals. It also includes the Engagement Center, a day shelter that serves individuals with access to other services.

What it means: Through funding, approximately 770 individuals will receive services, including housing case management, navigation and engagement services through the center.

Why it matters: City officials said this supports Mayor John Whitmire’s broader strategy to end street homelessness and aligns with the region’s broader Homeless Response Strategy.

Quote of note: “Safe, clean spaces with food, a bed and supportive services that allow an unhoused person a place to go that is not the street or other place not meant for human habitation are the most in-demand items,” a spokesperson for the city’s Housing and Community Development Department said.

The additional funding will extend the program through January 2027.

The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority announced April 8 that the home of the Houston Rockets will receive $180 million in upgrades through fall 2027.

Mapping it out: During a presentation to the HCHSA board of directors, Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations with the Rockets, announced significant interior and exterior changes coming to the Toyota Center, which opened in 2003.

“When you look at what has happened in those 23 years, and you think about what will happen in the next 23 years, we’re really excited about it,” Sheirr said.

Those upgrades include:

• 3,100 square feet extended main entrance with a glass facade
• New atrium upon entering the main entrance, with space for gathering
• Members lounge over the new entrance
• Expanded team store with an additional set of doors
• Standing room and general admission space for events
• Heightened suites that will raise ceilings about 18 inches for more space

Texas education officials are currently overhauling the state’s social studies curriculum standards, with policymakers, teachers, parents and historians clashing over how students should be taught about the history of Texas, the U.S. and the world.

The overview: The State Board of Education reviews standards for all curriculum areas every 15-20 years, dictating what Texas' 5.5 million public school students should learn at each grade level.

As written, the plan would reduce how much time students spend learning about world history and cultures in favor of more Texas-focused subjects. Critics of the proposal have pushed to include a more diverse set of perspectives to ensure all students feel represented in the curriculum, while those who support it said students’ education should be centered around American exceptionalism, state history and Christianity.

Next steps: The SBOE, which has the final say on the curriculum changes, was taking an initial vote on the plan as of press time and is scheduled to adopt the final standards in June. The new requirements would be rolled out to classrooms in 2030.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from April 6-10.

Houston's District C moves forward with drainage projects, study for new trail

Harris County, Houston officials green light $56.9M flood project in Kingwood

Coastal Prairie Conservancy preserves final 221 acres of Three Oaks Farm

H-GAC officials launch new transportation website ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Vonlane adds new luxury motor coach route in The Woodlands, connecting Houston metro and Austin