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What Houston is talking about
development
Harris County officials said the county has 46 operating data centers and at least six more in development, while county authority to control their siting is limited. Commissioners Lesley Briones and Adrian Garcia, joined by County Attorney Abbie Kamen, are seeking earlier notice of proposed projects, legal guidance and possible state legislation addressing electricity, water, pollution, safety and neighborhood impacts. The county discussion comes amid statewide action: Gov. Greg Abbott directed TCEQ to halt data-center permits pending ERCOT and water-use audits.
via click2houston.com·2d agoDetails →
weather
A cold front was forecast to move through the Houston region early on October 16, ending a stretch of hot, humid weather and bringing a short-lived taste of fall. The National Weather Service forecast strong northerly winds behind the front, with land and marine advisories in effect through early Saturday. Cooler, drier conditions were expected to persist through the weekend before temperatures moderate next week.
via forecast.weather.gov·2d agoDetails →
public safety
Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras capture vehicle plates and allow authorized law-enforcement users to search sightings. Harris County’s review followed public concerns about privacy, data sharing and incomplete information on camera ownership, locations and access. The county directly funds 154 Flock systems, but reports cited estimates of thousands more devices operating countywide through other entities.
via houstonchronicle.com·2d agoDetails →
public safety
Houston voters are scheduled to decide Proposition A, also called the Houston Freedom Act, in the November 3, 2026 charter-amendment election. The measure combines two policies: making HPD enforcement of Class A and B misdemeanor marijuana-possession offenses its lowest priority and barring HPD no-knock warrants. The proposal follows years of scrutiny of no-knock policing after the 2019 Harding Street raid, in which Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas were killed.
via houstontx.gov·2d agoDetails →
sports
The Savannah Bananas are part of the Banana Ball Championship League, a touring baseball-entertainment operation that pairs competitive play with theatrical elements. The 2027 schedule expands the league’s stadium footprint, including Major League Baseball and football venues. Houston previously hosted the Bananas at Constellation Field in Sugar Land and at the Astros’ ballpark, according to the Houston Chronicle.
via houstonchronicle.com·2d agoDetails →
business
Houston is one of the nation’s largest new-home construction markets, according to the Greater Houston Builders Association. Construction relies substantially on immigrant labor nationally: Axios, citing Census Bureau data, reported that immigrants made up more than 26% of the construction workforce in 2024. Local contractors told KPRC 2 that enforcement-related fear and worker departures are making it harder to maintain Houston-area crews.
via click2houston.com·2d agoDetails →
local government
Texas City, Texas, said it terminated its communications director and a multimedia specialist after an internal investigation found city-policy violations connected to fictitious Facebook accounts. The personnel action follows earlier allegations that the two employees were involved in an online impersonation of a La Marque city councilmember; a grand jury did not indict either employee.