Here’s what’s up in SETX, 

Happy February! We’re officially in the month of Mardi Gras, Black History Month, and of course Valentine’s Day. We’re turning up the energy this month to keep you even more connected to the best of Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange.

Big win for Beaumont families: Lamar University now ranks first in Texas for the lowest average student loan debt among public four-year universities, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

What this means for your wallet: 90% of full-time LU students receive financial aid, and nearly half graduate with zero student loan debt. The university awards over $20 million in scholarships annually…more than 2,000 individual awards. Average debt for LU grads? Just $14,780, compared to the state average that's nearly double.

🏗️ Beaumont Seeks $1.9M for Alice Keith Park Upgrades

City Council is voting on a Texas Parks & Wildlife grant that would fund new pavilions, playground upgrades, a drinking fountain, and court conversions — turning tennis courts into basketball and pickleball courts plus creating soccer and football fields. State Rep. Christian Manuel sponsored the legislative rider.

💯 United Way Celebrates 100 Years with 100,000 Meals & $100K Pledge

Double celebration: United Way of Orange County marked its centennial by hosting "Feed the Funnel," packing 100,000 meals in a single day for families facing hunger. Meanwhile, United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County received a $100,000 pledge from Golden Pass LNG to honor their own 100th anniversary. A century of neighbors helping neighbors.

🏠 Girls' Haven Opens Texas' First Purpose-Built Foster Facility

Historic ribbon cutting in Beaumont: Girls' Haven unveiled its new $1.7M residential campus at 3460 Fannin St. — the first facility in Texas designed and built from the ground up as a General Residential Operation for foster youth. Every detail, from safety features to therapeutic spaces, was planned specifically for girls ages 6-18 experiencing abuse or neglect.

🎓 Texas Families: School Choice Applications Open Feb 4

Mark your calendar: The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program opens for applications February 4 through March 17. Eligible families could receive approximately $10,000/year for private school tuition, up to $30,000 for students with disabilities, or $2,000 for homeschool expenses. This is Texas' first statewide school choice program — $1 billion in funding for the 2026-27 school year.

⚽ Rice University Named Official World Cup Houston Host City Supporter

Soccer fans take note: Rice is the only university serving as an Official Houston World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter. They'll host watch parties at Tudor Fieldhouse, soccer clinics, and community events when the tournament kicks off this June. Houston hosts 7 matches at NRG Stadium, projected to draw 500,000+ visitors.

The month is packed! Mark your calendars for these upcoming highlights.

THIS WEEKEND

MOVIE NIGHTS @ JEFFERSON THEATRE

COMING UP

BB's Tex-Orleans is Coming to Beaumont! 🦐

Houston's beloved crawfish and po'boy destination is finally heading east. BB's Tex-Orleans will open its 12th location at 2325 Calder Ave (the former Park on Calder spot) in April.

What to expect: 3,200 sq ft inside + a massive 5,000 sq ft patio with a kids' play area and 225-inch outdoor screen for game days. Menu features boiled crawfish, shrimp, crab legs, their famous po'boys (try the Bedtime in the Bayou — fried shrimp heaven), and gumbo made from scratch.

The Golden Triangle connection: Founder Brooks Bassler's grandmother ("Maw Maw") was born in Winnie, and her sister still lives there. "Finally opening in Beaumont feels like coming home," he said.

💕 Valentine's Day Pick

The Garden District — Orange, TX | Dinner, dancing, DJ, and photo ops for Valentine's Day. Reserve now before tables fill up.

Girls' Haven: 30 Years of Restoring Hope

Founded in 1994, this Beaumont nonprofit has spent three decades providing safe homes for girls experiencing abuse, neglect, or family dysfunction. Their new purpose-built facility represents the next chapter — complete with age-appropriate bedrooms (from Barbie dreamhouses for the youngest to mature spaces for teens), study desks, a spacious kitchen, and walls filled with books.

Remarkably, two original board members from 1994 still serve today. They also helped create Ehrhart Charter School — which earned the region's only "A" rating in 2025 — to ensure their girls have access to educators who understand their experiences.

Learn more: girlshaveninc.org

Beachcombing Season 

If you’re heading to the coast this week, keep your eyes peeled. Recent reports show "mop-full squid" appearing along the Texas shoreline, a fascinating winter sight for local nature enthusiasts.

Did you know? The 1901 Spindletop gusher in Beaumont produced more oil in one day than all other U.S. wells combined, launching the modern petroleum industry and putting Southeast Texas on the global map. That single well changed the course of American industry and our region's identity…forever. 🛢️

That’s it for now, see you in a few days! 

Stay in the know, 

The What’s Up SETX Team