Read the top business and community news from the past week from the Greater Houston area.

Fort Bend County

Fort Bend County Judge KP George announces mask mandate in public schools and county buildings, among other COVID-19 measures

Fort Bend County Judge KP George announced he was reinstating a mask mandate in all county buildings, including public schools—defying Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order, which in part prohibits local government entities from issuing mask mandates.

Harris County



Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issues mask mandate effective immediately for schools, child care centers in Harris County

The order, issued on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 12, states all public and nonreligious private schools along with licensed child care centers must follow the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, on the use of masks.

Cy-Fair

Cy-Fair ISD announces temporary virtual learning option, COVID-19 guidelines for 2021-22


After canceling plans to launch a virtual school for the 2021-22 school year because state lawmakers did not approve funding for such programming by the end of the 87th Texas Legislature, Cy-Fair ISD officials announced Aug. 9 there will be a temporary virtual learning option at the start of the school year.

The Woodlands

Two new stores open in The Woodlands Mall in early August

TX7 and Premier Select opened in The Woodlands Mall, 1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, in early August.


Spring-Klein

GALLERY: Spring-area community welcomes Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles home from Tokyo Olympics

Members of the Spring-area community lined up in the grass along Rayford Road in Benders Landing in Spring to welcome home gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles from the Tokyo Olympics.

Danica Lloyd, Claire Shoop, ABC 13 and Ally Bolender contributed to this report.