Comal ISD has maintained its 'B' rating in the state's annual A-F accountability ratings across the 2025-2026 school year, according to new data released Aug. 14 by the Texas Education Agency.

The 'B' rating recognizes districts that serve many students well, encourage high academic achievement and appropriate academic growth for most students, according to TEA.

Zooming in: CISD scored 88 out of 100 points, which is a 1-point increase from 2024-25 and four points above New Braunfels ISD. There were no CISD schools within New Braunfels that scored a D or F rating. Canyon Middle School, Clear Springs and Morningside Elementary were the only schools that scored a 'C' rating in New Braunfels. Comal Academy, Hoffmann Lane Elementary and Memorial Early College High School were the only CISD schools in New Braunfels that received an 'A' rating.

Vinyl Haus, a locally owned custom apparel business, is relocating to a new space in New Braunfels.

The overview: Vinyl Haus will be relocating from 242 Trade Center Drive, Ste. 102 to 1705 S. Walnut Ave., Ste. 103, Owner Beth Neill told Community Impact. The new location will be open Aug. 24.

Neill bought the business in April 2024 and decided to relocate to a larger space to better accommodate her equipment, provide more retail space and an area to host classes.

What they offer: Vinyl Haus sells custom shirts, sweatshirts, hats, onesies, drinkware and vinyl sheets for at-home use. Customized orders can be embroidered or designed with adhesive vinyl. Vinyl Haus also does bulk orders as well as single prints.

• 1705 S. Walnut Ave, Ste. 103, New Braunfels

A new counseling practice has opened an office in San Marcos, bringing individual and group counseling services to the city.

The gist: Jessica Lepore, founder, owner and primary counselor at Mella Counseling, opened her San Marcos office to serve emerging adults, around 18 to 28 years old, and seniors aged 55 and up, she said.

Lepore decided to open her practice in the city so she could serve the Texas State University and Kissing Tree populations, she said. As a graduate of the university, she views Mella Counseling as a way to give back to the community.

The details: Mella Counseling provides mental health support to community members experiencing challenging times, transitions and seasons.

Lepore offers a free 15-minute consultation for interested clients. New clients will determine their first steps with Lepore and participate in an intake session to begin services.

• 220 Opportunity Blvd., San Marcos

The Texas House State Affairs Committee heard from power grid officials; data center developers and industry representatives; local government officials; cybersecurity experts; and utility companies during an Aug. 19 hearing on the growth of data centers in the state. Dozens of Texas residents also testified about the impact of data centers in their communities.

The details: Pablo Vegas, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said it will take the grid operator several months to audit about 200 gigawatts of data center proposals. ERCOT will request information from all large and medium-sized data centers that are expected to use at least 25 megawatts of electricity.

ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission were ordered on Aug. 3 to audit all data centers seeking to connect to Texas’ power grid. They anticipate completing that audit in late November or early December, Vegas said.