Jinxie Peruzzi, mother of eight children and business owner of The Caffeine Collective and Buddy and Sis Co., said she founded her own coffee shop to offer a community space for other mothers to feel welcome and at ease in a family-friendly environment.

Quote of note: “Coming from a space where I have eight kids, there are times when we walk into establishments and people sigh or roll their eyes because there's so many kids, and unfortunately, people have preconceived notions about you and your family,” Peruzzi said. “And so I wanted to create a space where moms could come as they want to, drink coffee and where kids are welcome.”

Staying local: Founded as a low-risk storefront for her clothing business Buddy and Sis Co. where she offers organic children’s clothing, as well as other women-owned businesses, The Caffeine Collective offers coffee, a community space and shopping experience where customers can support locals.

Turquoise Door Boutique relocated in downtown Tomball on March 17, owner Jamie Carlton confirmed.

What they offer: The boutique sells women’s clothing, accessories and gifts, Carlton said. The shop strives to offer customers the latest trends as well as gift items for a range of occasions, she said.

The details: Turquoise Door Boutique moved from 314 Market St. to 120 N. Walnut St. in Tomball. The business has been in Tomball for nearly 14 years, Carlton said.

• 120 N. Walnut St., Tomball

Montgomery County commissioners will discuss potential financing options, including a possible future bond election, for a justice center or courthouse facilities at the March 26 Commissioners Court meeting.

How we got here: In an Aug. 26 county commissioners meeting, Montgomery County commissioners voted to create the 523rd Criminal District Court due to growing caseloads and overcrowding at the county jail.

Also of note: County staff estimated that the total annual cost, including district attorney’s office, county clerk and court staff positions, would total around $1.5 million. The current courthouse was built in 1938, and the last time a rebuild was attempted was in 1997, according to county and district judges.

As part of Harris County’s goal to reform its criminal justice system, county leaders want to expand the capabilities of public attorneys who represent criminal defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, known as “indigent” cases.

The big picture: March data from the Public Defender's Office show public attorneys have been appointed to about 15% of felony indigent cases and 30% of misdemeanor cases so far this year. However, county leaders want the office to be able to take on half of all indigent cases in the legal system.

To do so, officials told commissioners they will need more funding for increased staffing and expanded services.

Did you know? All defendants charged with a crime in Harris County have a right to an attorney regardless of their ability to pay. In 2025, more than 88,000 indigent defendants in Harris County were appointed legal counsel, approximately 17% of whom were public attorneys. 

Looking forward: The PDO and the Managed Assigned Counsel Office will present commissioners with a strategic plan for expanded services by Aug. 1.

On March 20, student doctors at Sam Houston State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine celebrated Match Day and learned where they would go for their residencies.

Some context: Student doctors interview with residency programs across the country, and submit a ranked list of the residency programs where they’d like to train, COM Dean Thomas Mohr said. The residency programs also rank the students they’ve interviewed, and after the preferences are processed, student doctors are paired with residency programs.

By the numbers: According to a March 20 news release:

• COM’s residency placement rate exceeded 99%.
• Almost 66% of student doctors will remain in Texas for their residencies.
• A little over 51% of student doctors matched into primary care specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics.
• 26% of student doctors matched into emergency medicine.

There are several places to visit in the Greater Houston area to celebrate MLB’s Opening Day. Check them out below. This is not a comprehensive list and events are subject to change.

Stats Sportsbar
For the Astros Opening Day, Stats will be hosting a watch party with 23-ounce beers, $1 wings all night, $2 off Stats’ signature drinks and old fashioneds and $5.50 purple Gatorade shots.

• March 26, 5 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 10850 Louetta Road, Houston

• March 26, 3 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 2503 Covey Lane, Pearland

• March 26, noon-3 p.m.
• $62-$498 (March 26 game ticket)
• 501 Crawford St., Houston

On March 31, Texas’ roughly 9,000 licensed consumable hemp retailers will face sweeping regulations, including a more than 3,000% increase in annual licensing fees and a ban on most smokable cannabis products.

The overview: The new rules, which also include age verification requirements, stricter packaging guidelines and more rounds of product testing, were originally proposed in December. The Texas Department of State Health Services, which regulates the state’s hemp industry, adopted the rules March 2.

The debate: Supporters of the increased regulations previously said they hoped the changes would result in more comprehensive oversight of Texas’ hemp industry and improve consumer safety. 

Some experts said they were concerned the new rules were taking effect too quickly and could lead some hemp businesses to close their doors.

"It is really tragic that these entrepreneurs are being faced with this, especially in a state like Texas that touts being pro-business ... and here we are shutting down businesses and relegating consumers to an illicit market," said Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center.