HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood officials are celebrating 35 years of serving the northeast Houston area, according to a May 5 news release.

Some context: Since opening its doors in 1991, the hospital has grown into a 457-bed acute care facility offering a variety of advanced specialty services, per the release. 

Officials noted more than 1,500 colleagues and 600 physicians support the hospital’s mission to provide high-quality health care to patients and families across the region.

Quote of note: “This milestone reflects the dedication of our colleagues, physicians and caregivers who have made a difference in the lives of countless patients over the past 35 years,” HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood CEO John Corbeil said in a statement. “We are proud to continue serving this community with the same commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care that has guided us since the beginning.”

• 22999 Hwy. 59, Kingwood

Humble ISD will be serving free breakfast and lunch for children throughout the summer through the district's Summer Meals Program.

What you need to know: Children age 18 and younger and enrolled students with disabilities up to age 21 are eligible for cost-free meals at participating sites, including seven HISD elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools. 

Also of note: The summer feeding program is in partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Harris County commissioners are set to discuss the creation of a new committee aimed at improving communication and efficiency across county departments June 11, alongside the creation of a chief infrastructure officer position for the county.

The breakdown: Harris County precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey and Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia will also put forth a plan to create an Infrastructure Coordination and Performance Committee that will "streamline departmental execution to support effective and timely implementation of and progress on Commissioners Court’s infrastructure-related priorities."

What else? Commissioners are also set to continue discussion on a plan being presented by the Harris County Flood Control District to move forward on several flood mitigation projects funded by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development before losing access to the funding.

Stay tuned: Harris County Commissioners Court meetings are held at 9 a.m. in Downtown Houston. The administration building is located at 1001 Preston St., Houston. 

Houston city officials estimate that the budget for citywide projects and improvements over the next five years will cost an estimated $17.9 billion, up from 2026’s estimated $16.7 billion.

Officials also estimate that fewer projects will be taken on during that time due to rising costs.

Explained: Finance department officials presented the proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to the Budget & Fiscal Affairs committee meeting June 8.

The plan is a rolling five-year plan of forecasted projects and can change based on budgets, funding and priorities. The CIP looks at four components of the city, which are the Public Improvement Program, Build Houston Forward, Enterprise Fund Program and Component Units.

The details: Projects under the public improvement program include Hurricane Harvey recovery projects, which will improve municipal courts for $185 million and police facilities for $13.5 million. It also includes fire station improvements for over $26.5 million, city vehicle fleet for $246 million over the next five years and technology enhancements for $22.8 million.

As Houston prepares to see seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, several venues plan to hold watch parties across the Greater Houston area.

Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club invites soccer fans for the FIFA USA vs Paraguay match.

• June 12, 8 p.m.

• $15 (admission)

• 1700 Post Oak Blvd., 5th Level, Houston

Green Street
Taking place throughout GreenStreet Alley, programming will include experiences such as lasso competitions, axe throwing, Texas line dancing lessons, a Texas Makers Market curated by Feel Good Group, cowboy caricature artists, dueling mechanical bulls and cow milking contests.

• June 12-17, full schedule can be viewed on the website

• Free (admission)

• 1201 Fannin St., Houston

District 2.4.9 Bar & Grill
FIFA watch parties at District 2.4.9 Bar & Grill will feature large screens, cold drinks and specials, full kitchen all day.

• Through July 19

• Free (admission)

• 23238 Hwy. 249, Tomball

In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2127, a sweeping regulatory measure designed to prevent cities and counties from adopting local ordinances that conflict with various sections of state law. Three years later, there is confusion about what local governments can and cannot do under the law.

The background: At the time, some legislators and other proponents of the bill said it would ensure consistency among Texas cities, citing ordinances passed by “liberal blue cities” that they said made it hard to run a business. Opponents of HB 2127, including some local leaders, said the law would prevent cities from addressing residents’ needs while undermining local worker safety provisions and nondiscrimination ordinances.

What's happening: During a June 4 hearing, the law’s critics said it has had a “chilling effect” on some local actions, while those who support the law expressed concerns that cities have not removed ordinances that are preempted by the state.

Ahead of the 2027 state legislative session, lawmakers are considering whether changes are needed to clarify or better enforce the law.