County Judge Tim O'Hare delivered his annual State of the County address, touting lower taxes and public safety efforts ahead of early voting. He is seeking his second term as county judge and faces Democratic Commissioner Alisa Simmons.
$County commissioners lowered the county tax rate for the fourth consecutive year, saving property owners an estimated $1 per year on their tax bills. [1]
Tim O'Hare, County Judge, Tarrant County; Alisa Simmons, County Commissioner, Tarrant County, Democratic nominee for County Judge; Fort Worth Chamber, Host of State of the County address
Harris County officials held a press conference to call for expanded local authority to regulate data center development. The Commissioners Court passed a motion requiring county departments to report on oversight options and identify statutory changes needed for the next legislative session.
$eight gigawatts by 2029, plus approximately four additional gigawatts afterward for expected data center electricity demand addition
Abbie Kamin, Harris County Attorney; Lesley Briones, Harris County Commissioner; Adrian Garcia, Harris County Commissioner and 1 more
Harris County commissioners voted to delay widespread action on Flock license plate cameras and create an oversight committee to recommend rules for data collection, access and sharing. The cameras continue operating in most precincts while the committee works.
Harris County commissioners, voted to form oversight committee; Ed Gonzalez, Sheriff, to lead oversight committee; Lesley Briones, Commissioner, took all 61 Flock cameras on Precinct Four offline and 1 more
The Dallas City Council unanimously approved renaming the historic Houston Street Bridge ceremonially after late Dallas Cowboys legend and civil rights advocate Pettis Norman. The bridge, over 100 years old, connects downtown Dallas to Oak Cliff.
Dallas City Council, approved the ceremonial renaming; Pettis Norman, late Dallas Cowboys legend, civil rights advocate and business leader being honored; Joe Greene, NFL Hall of Famer who spoke in support and 4 more
Walker County Water and Sewerage approved a budget with no rate increase despite plans to replace more than a mile of waterline and address long-standing water pressure problems. The department has not raised rates in three years.
Brandon Whitley, General Manager of Walker County Water and Sewerage; Walker County Water and Sewerage, Water utility department
Data center companies QTS and Lancium announced an agreement with the city of Turkey to provide funding for municipal infrastructure improvements. The agreement includes annual payments, a one-time contribution for water and sewer work, and additional infrastructure assistance.
$$1.5 million per year for annual payments to city through 2032
QTS Data Centers, data center company committing funding; Lancium, data center company committing funding; City of Turkey, recipient of funding agreement and 2 more
Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai delivered his final State of the County address at the Greater San Antonio Chamber event, discussing jobs, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, and downtown San Antonio's future. He highlighted the county's decision not to raise property taxes and major hospital projects underway.
$County made a decision not to raise property taxes during what Sakai described as hard economic times.
Peter Sakai, Bexar County Judge; Rebecca Clay Flores, Speaker credited with support for Palo Alto Hospital project; Tommy Calvert, Commissioner credited with support for north side hospital project
Demolition began Tuesday at the former Greenspoint Mall in North Houston as developers prepare to redevelop the property into CityNorth Industrial Park, a $150 million industrial development spanning approximately 80 acres.
$$150 million for industrial park development cost
Lincoln, Developer; New York Life Investment Management, Developer; John Whitmire, Houston Mayor and 3 more
The Bryan City Council voted to waive attorney-client privilege and release a legal opinion questioning whether the city has authority to remove medians on Texas Avenue, even if voters approve a proposed charter amendment in November. The opinion states the city would likely need consent from the Texas Department of Transportation or a court ruling to remove the medians.
$$8 million for estimated cost of median removal
Bryan City Council, voted to waive attorney-client privilege and release legal opinion; Nicole Lamb, Strategic Communications department, city of Bryan; Denise Fries, led resident organizing effort for charter amendment petition and 1 more
AMC Theatres closed its Galaxy 16 theater in Waco on October 8, 2026. The cinema, which opened in February 1998 as Starplex Galaxy 16 and was rebranded after AMC acquired Starplex Cinemas in 2015, was the second movie theater in Waco.
$$175 million for acquisition price for Starplex Cinemas
Multiple candidates are running for El Paso City Council seats in the November 2026 election. Incumbent Alejandra Chávez faces three challengers in District 1, and incumbent Ivan Niño faces Richard Genera in District 5. City Council members serve four-year terms and are paid $72,800 annually.
$$72,800 for annual salary for City Council representatives
Alejandra Chávez, Incumbent City Council District 1 representative; Matthew James Kozik, Candidate for City Council District 1; Daniela Garcia, Candidate for City Council District 1 and 3 more
The Real County Sheriff's Office hired two veteran deputies to fill vacancies after three officers left for other jobs. Donald Page brings more than 22 years of law enforcement experience, and Matthew Brown has 10 years of peace officer experience.
Nathan T. Johnson, Sheriff of Real County; Donald Page, Newly hired deputy; Matthew Brown, Newly hired deputy
Houston County is replacing computer hardware for its court management system to support growing court operations and county growth. The upgrade follows a roughly $2 million system overhaul completed in 2019 that was funded by 2018 SPLOST.
$roughly $2 million for court management system overhaul cost
Katherine Lumsden, Chief Superior Court Judge, Houston County; Will Davis, Director of Management Information Systems, Houston County; Houston County, Local government entity performing the upgrade
El Paso County is hosting a trick-or-treat event at its downtown offices on October 30. Families will visit the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse and Downtown Annex from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and county employees will participate in costume and office-decorating contests.
El Paso County, Host of event; Betsy Keller, County Administrator
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones decommissioned all 61 Flock Safety license plate reader and security cameras in her jurisdiction after residents raised privacy concerns. The cameras were physically covered as of October 8, 2026.
$roughly $2 million for flock Safety contract renewal
Lesley Briones, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner; Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Judge; Mark Herman, Precinct 4 Constable and 2 more
State Fair of Texas visitors received free parking on October 9, 2026, with costs covered by DraftKings. It was the first time in the fair's history that free parking was offered at official lots.
$$25 for parking cost per vehicle
DraftKings, Digital sports and gaming company that covered parking costs; Mitchell Glieber, President of the State Fair of Texas
Houston City Council voted unanimously to transform 12.22 acres of city-owned land in south Houston into a single-family housing community called Braes Park. The development will include 144 total homes, with 89 priced for low- to moderate-income buyers.
$more than $13 million for purchase price for property
Houston City Council, voted unanimously to approve the development; Martha Castex-Tatum, Mayor Pro Tem, District K, led the effort; Willie Davis, Council Member, At-Large Position 2 and 1 more
The San Antonio City Council voted to approve proposed San Antonio Water System rate hikes of up to 30% spanning 2027 through 2030. The measure passed 8-3, with three councilmembers voting no. An earlier SAWS proposal for 32.7% rate increases was rejected by the council.
$up to 30% for SAWS rate hikes
San Antonio City Council, voted to approve rate hikes; Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, District 2 Councilmember, voted no; Marc Whyte, District 10 Councilmember, voted no and 5 more
Plano residents opposed to a proposed arena for the Dallas Stars held a rally to present their case against Proposition A, a ballot measure that would authorize venue taxes to help fund the project. The competing campaign backed by the Dallas Stars has raised over $200,000 to support the measure.
$Proposition A would allow Plano to levy venue taxes on tickets, parking, hotel stays, rental cars, and arena user fees to help fund a new Dallas Stars arena.
Stop the Stars Arena political action committee, Opposition group against Proposition A; Dallas Stars, NHL franchise seeking arena funding; Victory Green Plano, Political action committee supporting Proposition A and 3 more