Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Feb. 16-20.
2026 Tour de Houston bike ride set for April 12
Tour de Houston will take place this year April 12.
The popular annual bike ride will be produced for the third year by the Mayor’s Office and Houston First, with the Apache Corporation, a Houston-based independent energy company, as the presenting sponsor for the 13th year.
This year’s event will be the 19th edition of the popular tour. Registration opened in early 2026, starting at $50, according to a Feb. 10 news release. However, prices will increase after March 1.
The route will feature three distances, including:
A 10-mile family route: suited for riders of all ages and abilitiesA 20-mile intermediate route: catered to experienced riders and fitness enthusiastsA 45-mile training ride: ideal for riders preparing for the MS 150 in late AprilRead all about it with Editor Cassandra Jenkins.
Houston to apply for $80M in federal grants to enhance security at FIFA World Cup
Houston will apply for over $80.5 million in grants to help fund public safety efforts while it hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June.
On Feb. 18, Houston City Council approved the city’s public safety department to apply for two federal grants to enhance security and preparedness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
One grant for $15.8 million will allow the city to purchase advanced drone detection and mitigation technology, according to the agenda item.
“Sometimes at these events there will be drones up in the air, and nobody will know who they belong to or who’s controlling them,” council member Julian Ramirez said. “So this system allows them to protect the public against someone who would do harm using a drone.”
Read the full story from Reporter Ariel Worthy.
$617M NRG Energy power plant moves forward at Greens Bayou site, state says
A major new natural gas power project in east Houston just cleared another state milestone, pushing a planned 455-megawatt plant closer to reality as Texas races to add generation amid rising demand.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the new unit planned at the existing Greens Bayou facility has been designated a qualified project under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation program, according to a Feb. 17 news release. The plant represents $617 million in capital investment and is expected to start producing electricity for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas region in 2028, according to the governor’s office.
The project is intended to strengthen grid reliability and create jobs, crediting state leaders and local partners for helping move the plan ahead, per the release.
Take a closer look with Reporter Nichaela Shaheen.
Houston City College launches workforce connection, reconnect programs
Houston City College is working to provide opportunities for high-demand fields with its Connect 2 Workforce Program.
The program offers scholarships for dozens of short-term training tracks in construction, digital technology, health sciences, manufacturing and transportation, which can all be completed in less than 16 weeks, officials said.
Following program completion, graduates may qualify for technician jobs in several fields including air conditioning, plumbing, electrocardiography, phlebotomy, patient care, welding, commercial truck drivers and data analysts.
“Not everyone needs or wants a four-year degree,” said Daniel Dylla, HCC director of instructional initiatives. “Right now, Houston needs skilled workers who can quickly step into roles where demand is high.”
Find out what it means with Editor Aubrey Vogel.
University of Houston-Downtown to guarantee admission for Houston ISD graduates
All graduating Houston ISD high school students will have guaranteed admission to the University of Houston-Downtown thanks to a new program announced by the school’s leaders Feb. 17.
If an HISD student graduates with at least a 2.5 grade point average, they will be accepted to UHD, HISD Chief Academic Officer Kristen Hole said during HISD’s and UHD’s joint press conference.
The application fee will also be waived for students participating in this program, said Long Huynh, UHD’s vice president of enrollment management.
“This agreement creates an opportunity by removing barriers for increasing numbers of HISD students to attend UHD and earn a bachelor’s degree,” Huynh said.