New Trader Joe’s announced, Houston ISD school closures: 5 trending stories in the Greater Houston area

Do you miss any of Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from April 13-17.

1. Pearland authorizes eminent domain near Smith Ranch Road

Pearland City Council voted unanimously at its April 13 meeting to authorize eminent domain to acquire 0.1246 acres of land along Smith Ranch Road to secure road right of way and an easement for water and sewer lines.

Eminent domain is the legal authority of the government to take private property for public use, provided they pay "just compensation,” according to the Texas Government Code.

What you need to know

The city appraised the subject land’s value at $10,000 and made an offer to the property owner, but to date, have not received a counteroffer, according to city documents.

"At one point in time, the property owner said, ‘I think I should get paid more,’ but never gave a counteroffer,” City Attorney Lawrence Provins said at the meeting.

Read the full story by Reporter Rachel Leland.

2. Enrollment erosion: HISD to close 12 schools in face of student loss, maintenance costs

With almost 35,000 students leaving Houston ISD from the 2016-17 school year to the 2024-25 school year, enrollment losses have been a persistent problem, local stakeholders said.

“When a school district loses ... students, they’re also losing funds generated by the state education formulas,” said Toni Templeton, University of Houston senior research scientist, who co-authored a Jan. 15 report on the district’s enrollment loss. “Without funds generated from those formulas, you don’t have money to pay teachers ... [or] money to keep the lights on.”

The overview

Enrollment loss played a large part in why HISD leaders recommended the district’s board of managers close 12 schools in June, Superintendent Mike Miles said during the district’s Feb. 26 special meeting. The same day, HISD’s board of managers unanimously voted to close the schools—a choice district leaders said will save HISD between $14.6 million and $20 million.

Get more details from Reporters Emily Lincke and Wesley Gardner.

3. Trader Joe's announces plans to open Spring-area store

Trader Joe’s will be opening a new store in Spring, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations filing from April 14.

Some context

Trader Joe’s is a national grocery store chain known for their lack of outside branded items in their stores, according to their website.

There are currently eight operating Trader Joe’s scattered throughout the Houston area, but this will be the first Spring location.

Learn more with Reporter Ella Barnes.

4. Magnolia Mayor Matthew ‘Doc’ Dantzer arrested; council sets April 20 censure meeting

Magnolia City Council will meet April 20 to consider censuring Magnolia Mayor Matthew “Doc” Dantzer following his arrest April 14.

The announcement of the special meeting came on the same day as the mayor’s arrest, at Magnolia City Council’s previously scheduled regular meeting.

What happened?

Dantzer was arrested April 14 and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on a felony charge of assault on a pregnant person, per a Montgomery County jail representative. His arrest follows a Texas Rangers investigation tied to allegations that surfaced late 2025.

As previously reported by Community Impact, former Magnolia Human Resources Director Kristy Powell sued the city and Dantzer, alleging retaliation after reporting what the lawsuit describes as an October 2025 incident involving City Secretary Christian Gable during a Texas Municipal League conference in Fort Worth.

Uncover the full story by Reporter Nichaela Shaheen.

5. See what's happening at The Grid development in Stafford

Plans are being made to see Fort Bend County’s The Grid development to completion, officials said.

What's happening?

The 192-acre undertaking, located in Stafford’s Innovation Corridor off Hwy. 59, has seen a growing number of retail, restaurants, apartments, offices and recreation options within walking distance since construction began in 2018.

The initial plan was to convert the center of the development into offices and have a surrounding gathering space. However, due to the lack of a financeable office market, Brian Murphy, the managing principal of StreetLevel Investments, said they have had to adapt, bringing in a hotel group, a multifamily group partner to construct 250 multifamily units, restaurants and other forms of entertainment.

Read on with Reporter Bradley Dountz.