The Harris County Office of Budget and Management rolled out its proposed budget to county commissioners Aug. 17, with priorities for pay parity, bolstering the justice system and maintaining existing services outlined amid a $181 million shortfall.

The gist: OMB Executive Director Daniel Ramos presented the $3.096 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. However, the proposal also comes with a recommendation for a 3.5% tax rate increase, according to budget documents. 

The budget was created amid financial pressures from “rising healthcare costs, jail outsourcing, increased indigent defense expenses, state-mandated spending requirements, continued jail outsourcing and diminishing federal aid,” per a news release.

Also of note: The county also has to grapple with losing federal funding it received during the pandemic, with money from the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, ending at the end of the year.

Craving Kernels is now serving gourmet popcorn and sweets at its second location in Spring, General Manager Julie Carranza confirmed.

The full story: Owned by Randy and Tracey Harmon, the antique style sweet shop offers over 80 different types of popcorn including Extra Buttery, Cheddar and Zebra Drizzle both in-store and online.

Alongside its popcorn and specialty tins, Craving Kernels sells:

• Homemade fudge and cookies

• Silly sodas

• Malt Milkshakes

• Hershey's ice cream

• Candies

According to previous Community Impact reporting, the new Spring location will sell the same goodies as the original Tomball location that the Harmons opened in 2018, but will offer additional seating options.

• Opened Aug. 15

HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. 

The medical center, which was originally the Tomball Community Hospital, was purchased by HCA Houston Healthcare in 2019. 

The history: The Tomball Hospital Authority originally built the Tomball Community Hospital in August 1976. Years later, in 2011, it was sold to Community Health Systems, which transformed it into the Tomball Regional Medical Center. Soon after, in 2017, HCA purchased the medical facility, and it fully rebranded to HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball in 2019. 

According to a news release, HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball CEO Robert Marmerstein said this anniversary is due to every patient and colleague who has helped the hospital grow.  

In their words: “While we are proud of all we have accomplished together, we are even more excited about the future as we continue to advance healthcare and fulfill our mission of providing exceptional, compassionate care for generations to come,” Marmerstein said. 

HCA also announced plans for a special commemorative ceremony to celebrate the anniversary on Sept. 23 from 3-5 p.m. at the medical center. 

Many Texas students began returning to the classroom for the 2026-27 school year in mid-August.

Here are five things Texans should know as the 2026-27 school year kicks off.

The details:

• 2026 school accountability ratings issued
• New rule impacts accountability-related school closures
• 100K students using new Texas Education Freedom Accounts
• Public school closures deepen across Texas
• Check out recent public education laws