Verizon experienced a significant service outage affecting voice and data, particularly in the eastern U.S., impacting emergency services and prompting responses from T-Mobile, AT&T, and municipal authorities. Verizon is working on a fix.

Google filed plans to open a 4,500-square-foot store at The Galleria with a $2M interior renovation and a mid-March construction window.

Constellation completed its $26.6B purchase of Houston-based Calpine, reshaping the city's energy landscape and triggering regulator-mandated asset sales.

Lowe's will open a large-format store in Manvel at the end of January, introducing self-service paint kiosks and a two-day grand opening. The location will anchor Manvel Town Center and bring more than 100 jobs.

Sprouts is confirmed to be opening in Kingwood's King's Crossing this spring, anchoring the redeveloped shopping center and expanding specialty-grocery options nearby.

Sprinkles Cupcakes abruptly closed its bakeries on Wednesday. Founder Candace Nelson confirmed the move on Instagram; employees say many got little notice.

Alief in Houston has experienced a 7% population decline from 2018 to 2023, with a significant drop in school enrollments and concerns over housing and economic challenges.

Houston retailers have limited hours on December 24 and many are closed on Christmas Day. Some grocery stores, pharmacies, Waffle House, and Buc-ee's will remain open. Check individual store hours before visiting.

Houston stores close for Christmas, with a few like 99 Ranch Market and CVS open. Banks, post offices, and stock markets will be closed. Some chain restaurants like Starbucks and IHOP will be open.

Toyo opened a flagship solar module factory in Humble, near Houston, and says it plans to hire about 750 workers as it begins U.S. production. The plant will feed utility projects and aims to qualify for IRA incentives.

Permit filings show Hobby Lobby plans to renovate a 69,134‑square‑foot anchor at Meyerland Plaza, a move that would bring another national big‑box tenant to the Beechnut and Loop 610 corner. The work is tentatively slated for Aug. 2026–Mar. 2027.

Lululemon opened a 9,000+ sq ft Highland Village flagship in Houston with the brand’s first in‑store La La Land Kind Cafe and holiday discounts.

The Powerball jackpot has reached $1.25 billion with no winners in the last draw. The next chance to win is Wednesday, with tickets available until 8:59 p.m. Central Time.