January has done its annual miracle in Sherman, where Enduring Strength Gym is seeing 1.5 times more visitors - and expects memberships to double as New Year’s resolutions kick in. Owner Nick Edwards says holiday feasting and broken routines push people back to the gym, where reality quickly meets ambition. His advice is refreshingly unglamorous: start small, ignore trendy diets, and remember fitness is a marathon, not a January sprint. For anyone easing in gently (or cheaply), the gym even opens its doors for free on Saturdays - because resolutions work better when they’re realistic.

This winter, creativity is staying warm indoors at the MillHouse Winter ArtFest, hosted at the historic McKinney Cotton Mill. Running February 14-15, the free, fully indoor festival offers handmade art, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, and more - all original, all weather-proof, and blissfully free of rain plans. Organized by the MillHouse Foundation, the event mixes shopping with community vibes, coffee, and the kind of atmosphere that encourages “just one more lap.” In short: it’s art, it’s local, and it’s the rare winter outing that doesn’t involve coats, cars, or compromise.

Greg Abbott has promised to “look into” the Dallas Police Department’s staffing shortage, hinting that the city may have run afoul of state law by not fully funding law enforcement. Speaking at a law enforcement endorsement event, Abbott blamed Dallas leaders for understaffing police, mishandling homelessness and even, indirectly, for AT&T deciding to leave downtown. He warned that Texas will “defund any city that defunds the police,” while pitching tougher bail laws and more accountability for judges and prosecutors as part of his reelection agenda.

Tiny plastic pellets known as “nurdles” are quietly clogging beaches and waterways across the US, with Texas emerging as an unlikely frontline in the fight against them. Veteran shrimper turned activist Diane Wilson says the pellets - the raw material of most plastic products - spill into rivers and oceans by the hundreds of thousands of tonnes each year, soaking up toxins and moving neatly up the food chain. While the plastics industry points to voluntary clean-up schemes, critics argue they lack teeth, which is why states from California to Illinois are now eyeing regulation. In deeply conservative Texas, even fishermen, tourism groups and some industry voices are backing tougher rules - a sign that when plastic starts hurting profits, environmental concern suddenly becomes bipartisan.

A rabid skunk has been confirmed in Pauls Valley-a reminder that wildlife doesn’t respect front porches or personal space. The animal was captured and euthanized by City of Pauls Valley Animal Welfare after a porch sighting, then tested positive at the state lab. Officials say quick action likely prevented exposure to residents, pets, and first responders. The city is now urging vaccinations and common sense-apparently still the most effective tools against rabies.

Mercy Hospital has unveiled a new high-tech LINAC radiation machine, finally bringing big-city cancer treatment to Ada. The upgraded system works faster and more precisely, sparing patients long, uncomfortable sessions-and even longer drives to Oklahoma City or Dallas. Staff say the machine can adapt in real time, which sounds very futuristic and, more importantly, very practical. With calming ceiling designs and cutting-edge tech, Mercy is betting that better treatment and a little less stress can go hand in hand.

Texas’s population boom-about 1,500 new arrivals a day-is turning the state’s long-standing water worries into a full-blown stress test, as experts warned at a recent industry conference. Agriculture still uses roughly half of all water in the Texas, even as cities, industry, and power-hungry AI data centres line up for their share. With reservoirs shrinking, the Ogallala Aquifer depleting, and Mexico falling behind on treaty water deliveries, farmers are being asked to do more with less-again. In short, everyone wants cheap food, green lawns, and endless growth, but nobody seems thrilled about paying for the water to make it all possible.

A historic wedding venue in Lubbock has apparently added “haunted” to its list of amenities, after new owners of the 98-year-old Baker Building were casually informed it comes with ghosts included. The couple say they’ve experienced unexplained smells, shadowy figures, and even a flirtatious spirit nicknamed “Naughty Nic”-proof that some guests really don’t believe in checking out. Local paranormal group Fear Faction Paranormal investigated the site, filming overnight sessions that quickly found an audience online. Skeptics are welcome too, the owners say-just bring $30, an open mind, and a tolerance for bumps in the night.

Longview, Texas, is crawling with very good dogs as more than 350 competitors arrive for the UKC Dog Show at the Maude Cobb Convention Center. From seasoned show animals to first-timers like Yukon the retired German Shepherd, the focus is on how closely each dog matches its breed’s “perfect” standard-no secret tricks required. Unlike some cutthroat canine sports, this event prides itself on friendliness, free advice, and free admission for spectators. In short: serious judging, relaxed vibes, and a lot of extremely well-behaved fur.

Texas has announced a brand-new state park-Post Oak Ridge-sprawling across 3,000 acres between Lampasas and Burnet, because the population is growing and, inconveniently, land is not. Backed by a $1 billion conservation fund, the park promises future camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking, once a four-year development timeline does its thing. Governor Abbott framed it as planning ahead for future generations, while hunters are already celebrating the prospect of a little more elbow room. The park is “open” in spirit for now, with the full outdoor experience arriving fashionably late.

North Texas just picked up a serious cultural bragging right: the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington has been named America’s Best New Museum by USA Today readers. Opened less than a year ago, the 31,000-square-foot space skips generic military history in favor of deeply personal stories of bravery from more than 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients. Designed by Rafael Viñoly, the building quite literally elevates the experience-floating above a “field of honor” and surrounded by reflective outdoor spaces. With the World Cup bringing global crowds to Arlington, visitors can now come for the game and leave with a humbling reminder of what real heroism looks like.

As health insurance premiums climb, many El Paso families are deciding that coverage simply costs too much to keep. One resident ditched a $17,000-a-year employer plan and now crosses into Juárez for care, where doctor visits and medicines cost a fraction of U.S. prices. Policy experts blame rising medical costs, expiring ACA tax credits, and a shrinking pool of healthy enrollees-while Washington debates extensions and families do the math at the kitchen table. The result: more people skipping coverage, rationing care, and learning the hard way that being uninsured is cheaper right up until it isn’t.

Texas has launched a new online portal inviting students-and anyone else-to file complaints against public colleges, formalising oversight under the freshly minted Senate Bill 37. The new ombudsman’s office will investigate alleged violations of the state’s DEI ban and other rules that now give governing boards more say over curriculum, hiring, and faculty governance. Supporters call it accountability; critics see another layer of political supervision after a string of headline-making classroom controversies. Either way, Texas universities are being reminded that academic freedom now comes with a comment box-and a 175-day countdown to explain themselves.

Laredo got a colorful preview of its beloved Abrazo tradition as children from the Abrazo organization unveiled official outfits for the 2026 International Bridge Ceremony. Young participants twirled, posed, and confidently modeled vibrant dresses and costumes, turning the reception into a full-scale fashion moment. For families and guests, it was both a celebration and a teaser of what’s to come. In a city that takes its traditions seriously, even the preview knows how to put on a show.

A new Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids has opened near the Liberty Hill-Georgetown line, officially welcoming customers from December 20. The salon offers everything from toddler first-haircut packages to teen styles - and yes, parents can get trimmed too. To keep young clients happy, haircuts come with TVs, video games, bubbles, balloons and the occasional lollipop. With over 100 locations across the US and Canada, the brand clearly believes that if kids are entertained, everyone survives the haircut.

Jersey Village has added a splash of tradition and glamour with the opening of Asian Style Boutique and Bridal on January 2. The new shop offers Asian fashion and accessories - from qipaos and kimonos to ao dai - along with ready-made and custom wedding outfits for brides, grooms and celebrations. Sizes range from petite to plus, making inclusivity part of the design. In short, it’s a one-stop bridal stop where cultural heritage meets modern wedding planning.

Houston may be famous for highways, but it’s quietly stacked with trails, bayous and green spaces for anyone willing to walk or pedal. From Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou’s long urban paths to wooded escapes like the Houston Arboretum, the city offers nature in many surprisingly reachable forms. Memorial Park alone spans 1,500 acres, proving you don’t need to leave town to feel outdoorsy. In short, Houston has plenty of places to escape traffic - without actually escaping Houston.

A beach volleyball team from East Texas Baptist University returned from an eight-day mission trip to Honduras saying it strengthened their faith - and their sense of perspective. On the island of Roatán, players shared the Gospel, ran volleyball camps for local children and discovered that teamwork works just as well off the court. Coaches say the trip wasn’t just about helping others, but about learning gratitude and connection in the process. As it turns out, sunshine, service and a volleyball can be surprisingly effective faith-builders.

Phoebe’s Diner is expanding again, with a fourth location set to open on Brodie Lane, giving southwest Austin one more excuse to take brunch very seriously. The diner blends classic Americana nostalgia with inventive twists, serving everything from smoked meats and chorizo hash to crab cake Benedict and chicken-fried ribeye. Named after chef Camden Sturzenberger’s daughter-born just weeks before the first location opened-the brand has grown steadily since 2017. In short, it’s comfort food with ambition, and Austin clearly isn’t done ordering seconds.

Texas students are going head-to-head in a statewide video contest that turns environmental awareness into a shot at real money. Middle and high schoolers have produced 30-second clips promoting eco-friendly habits, with scholarships up to $2,500 and prizes on the line. Twelve finalists have made the cut, and now the public gets to vote-because nothing says civic duty like judging teenagers’ green messaging online. Voting runs through January 25, proving that saving the planet can also be a popularity contest.

Hallmark is expanding its footprint in Houston’s Greater Uptown with Uptown Oaks, a 21-story luxury living complex for seniors who prefer their “golden years” with a yoga studio and fine dining. The project will feature 120 high-end residences, plus amenities ranging from a spa and art studio to a cinema and pool-because retirement should be busy, just not stressful. Construction is set to begin in 2027, with residents moving in by 2030, assuming patience ages as well as the target audience. Positioned near River Oaks and The Galleria, Uptown Oaks promises walkable convenience and full-spectrum care, proving that upscale senior living is very much planning for the long game.