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Despite nearly half of Greater Houston ZIP codes showing a lack of mental health providers, a University of Houston “mental health deserts” study found Katy and Fulshear’s mental health needs are mostly met.

The study, published Oct. 15, found that even neighboring ZIP codes may have sharp differences in accessibility to mental health resources, as areas with lower education levels and higher poverty rates had fewer—sometimes zero—licensed mental health professionals.

About the study: Carmack and co-author Damien Kelly coined the term “mental health deserts” after deciding to compare the availability of mental health resources in Houston using the concept of food deserts.

The local impact: The Katy-Fulshear area ranks consistently “prosperous” with only ZIP code 77423 ranking mid-tier on the DCI, which was last updated with 2023 Census data, according to the map.

The big picture: Of the 96 ZIP codes mapped, 43% were considered “distressed”—averaging only 1.9 licensed mental health professionals, with 39 having none at all, per the report.

Katy officials are continuing post-Hurricane Harvey drainage improvements on the city's west side.

The big picture: At a Jan. 26 meeting, Katy City Council unanimously approved a $4.2 million construction contract with Pinehurst-based AAA Asphalt Paving Inc. for drainage improvements. The project also includes the realignment of Franz Road near Magnolia Cemetery.

The details: According to agenda documents, AAA Asphalt will be responsible for several drainage improvements, including:

• Over a mile of new storm sewer pipe
• Asphalt pavement overlays
• Concrete street panel replacements

Gyro Hut is set to open four new locations in the Greater Houston area, officials confirmed.

The big picture: The New York-inspired restaurant offers various Mediterranean options, including various rice, salad and fry platters as well as sandwiches, according to its website.
Upcoming locations include:

• Missouri City: 8027 Hwy. 6
• Katy's Morton Ranch: 3011 W. Grand Parkway N., Ste. 600
• Aliana: 19320 W. Bellfort, Ste. 500
• Houston: 8733 Hwy. 6 S., Ste. Z

Harris County commissioners will meet Jan. 29 with more than 300 agenda items on the docket, including discussion items regarding Harris Health’s proposed hospital expansion in Hermann Park, the county’s response to Winter Storm Fern and the countywide policy for law enforcement salaries.

What you need to know: Harris Health officials have complied with Commissioners Court’s October request and have prepared their public presentation on community engagement efforts regarding the $410 million Ben Taub Hospital expansion in the Texas Medical Center.

After the presentation, Commissioners Court will hold its Chapter 26 public hearing on the agenda item and is expected to also vote to authorize a formal public hearing on the hospital expansion March 19.

Also of note: Officials with Harris County’s budget office look to discuss the countywide policy for the new law enforcement salary scale. Law enforcement pay parity has reached various points at Commissioners Court, including a decision to spend $104 million on county law enforcement pay in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, which required identifying necessary savings to provide for raises. 

Four Republican candidates are running for Texas lieutenant governor—the second-in-command to the governor—in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Republican incumbent Dan Patrick is seeking a fourth term in the lieutenant governor's office. The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Patrick is challenged by three Republican candidates: Timothy Mabry, Perla Muñoz Hopkins and Esala Wueschner. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Republican primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

Stay tuned: The winning Republican candidate will face the winner of the Democratic nomination in November. The winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

Three Democratic candidates are running for Texas lieutenant governor—the second-in-command to the governor—in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The overview: Vikki Goodwin, Courtney Head and Marcos Vélez are seeking the Democratic nomination for Texas lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Stay tuned: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Democratic primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

The winning Democratic candidate will face the winner of the Republican nomination in November, and the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.