Ember & Oak Counseling is set to celebrate its one-year anniversary in October, owner Brittany Rucka confirmed via email Sept. 5.

How it works: Rucka, a licensed professional counselor associate, said the practice offers virtual therapy statewide as well as in-person "nature therapy" walks along the Kingwood greenbelt trails. She noted the practice specializes in supporting:

• Burned-out mothers

• Postpartum women

• Highly sensitive women navigating anxiety, trauma and life transitions

"With an intentionally small caseload, the practice offers unhurried, deeply personal care for women who are ready for more than just getting by," Rucka said in the email.

Check it out: Rucka added she takes a whole-person approach to mental health, caring for the mind while honoring the role the body and nervous system play in lasting healing.

Prospective clients can book a free 15-minute consultation online.

• Based in Kingwood; serves patients statewide virtually

Two candidates are vying for Congressional District 2 in the upcoming Nov. 3 general election.

Meet the candidates: Republican Steve Toth will face Democrat Shaun Finnie in the race for U.S. House District 2, which covers portions of the communities of New Caney, Porter, Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, Cy-Fair and the Lake Houston area.

Toth is currently a state representative for District 15, and won the Republican primary in March against three candidates, including incumbent Dan Crenshaw. Finnie is an oil and gas investment banker in The Woodlands.

Something to note: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

The YMCA of Greater Houston will host a Senior Open House on Sept. 9 in honor of Healthy Aging Month, YMCA officials announced in an Aug. 27 news release.

What's happening? Open to residents age 55 and older alongside their families, friends and caregivers, the open house will take place at YMCA locations across the Greater Houston area. Per the release, the event will allow attendees to explore their local YMCA and learn more about ForeverWell programming. Open house activities will include:

• Vendor fairs with community partners
  

• Facility tours
  

• Prize drawings and giveaways
  

• Educational programs with demonstrations
  

Quote of note: "Many are entering a new phase of life, and doing so alongside a community while participating in activities that encourage movement, relationship building and exploring new interests keeps adults of all ages active and engaged," said Stephen Ives, president and CEO of YMCA of Greater Houston, in a statement. "Through our ForeverWell program, specifically for adults 55 and better, we create opportunities for connection and engagement."

The Texas comptroller's office is requesting that lawmakers provide more than $2 billion for the state's education savings account program, which subsidizes private education and homeschooling for participating families.

How we got here: The legislature created the program in 2025, allocating $1 billion for the 2026-27 school year. Nearly 110,000 students have received state dollars from the program so far, and officials said funding should be doubled to ensure more students can enroll in the next two years.

Zooming in: According to the comptroller's legislative appropriations request for the 2028-29 biennium, it would cost:

• $916 million per year to continue funding the roughly 110,000 students currently enrolled

• $82 million annually would be needed to fund siblings of participating children who will soon qualify for the program

• $980 million per year to provide funding for more than 106,000 students on the program's waitlist

Something to note: The comptroller's $2 billion base budget request would not fully cover the waitlist and interest list, which would cost nearly $4 billion for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years.