Police departments across the Greater Houston area have requested pay raises following an $832 million agreement by Houston City Council to raise police pay by 36.5% over the next five years and Harris County commissioners approving a $81,000 pay increase for constables Sept. 9.

What's happening: Now, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s office and local police departments have joined the trend, with both the county and city of Fulshear forming police salary committees, Community Impact reported.

Why it matters: For residents, public safety consistently ranks among their top priorities, along with mobility and other city services, especially for Fulshear, which is ranked one of the safest cities in the state, officials said.

Fulshear and Fort Bend County officials said they hope the pay committees will help to recruit and retain qualified officers.

Scoops, a Georgia-based ice cream shop, has opened its first Texas location in Fulshear.

The Fulshear location will be the chain’s first location outside of Georgia, which houses 17 shops.

On the menu: The shop offers 32 homemade ice cream flavors including chocolate covered cherry, banana pudding, Hawaiian coconut and cotton candy, officials previously said. Guests will also be able to customize their sweet treat by adding toppings such as Oreo cookies, raspberries and white chocolate chunks.

Patrons can also indulge in coffees, assorted candies, gourmet chocolate by the pound and gift baskets.

In their own words: “We’ve been working hard to get the sprinkles ready, and we can’t wait to finally meet y'all,” Owner Alexandra Estela said in an email. “Whether you’re a fan of classic vanilla or looking for your new favorite flavor, we’ve got a seat saved for you.”

• 6601 Skyline Drive, Ste. 200, Fulshear

Houston City College officials announced a $2 million investment from Google to expand its artificial intelligence and robotics programs. The grant funding is expected to support new AI faculty and technicians and reach thousands of local high school and college students.

The impact: With the grant, HCC officials said they will establish a variety of initiatives, including:

• Hire at least 10+ full-time faculty and technicians specializing in AI
• Develop a new curriculum
• Enhance lab facilities
• Train 40 college and 40 high school instructors who could reach an estimated 3,200 high school and 4,800 HCC students
• Establish a regional coalition of 20 institutions and partners to meet the needs of the local economy

At the Houston campus, Conroe ISD high school junior Ezra Dakatubia and HCC classmate Ahad Maredia presented their robotics and software program project. The robot was programmed to recognize hand pattern movements that propel the robot's direction—a capability that could be utilized as safety products within the industrial industry, they said.

Central Texas counties could begin receiving up to $1.25 million each in state funding for flood warning sirens in the coming weeks and months, officials announced Dec. 16.

The overview: The funding comes less than six months after historic flooding hit parts of Central and West Texas over the July 4 weekend, killing at least 137 residents and visitors. During special legislative sessions this summer, state lawmakers approved requirements that 30 counties included in a July disaster declaration install flood warning systems with the help of $50 million in state grants.

Zooming in: Each county is expected to receive up to $1.25 million from the Texas Water Development Board. Counties seeking more money will need their requests approved by the three-member board.

Counties are required to submit detailed project plans to the TWDB and can use the grants to install physical infrastructure such as sirens, rain gauges, flood gauges and solar panels to power the warning systems. The money can also be used for local flood education, outreach and training programs, TWDB staff said.