Primary watering days will change for about one-third of the Allen community beginning in January, Director of Engineering Chris Flanigan said.

Flanigan gave a presentation to members of Allen City Council and city staff outlining the watering schedule changes during a Nov. 10 work session.

The big picture: The city’s watering schedule has not changed since 2011, but the community’s population growth and new technology that can more accurately measure water usage led city staff to consider an update, Flanigan said.

The specifics: Beginning in 2027, watering hours during April through October will shift from 6 p.m.-10 a.m. to 6 p.m.-7 a.m., per city documents. Residents will still be able to water their yards anytime on their primary watering day from November to March.

In addition, about one-third of households will have a different primary watering day.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Texas Health Resources a grant worth up to $1.5 million for the expansion and strengthening of suicide prevention efforts in hospitals and physicians group practices across north Texas, according to a Nov. 11 press release.

At a glance: As one of only 32 applicants awarded grants from a pool of 235, Texas Health proposed a broader implementation of the nationally-recognized Zero Suicide tactics and screenings.

The evidence-based framework is part of Texas Health’s goals to improve access to mental health services and prevent suicide by integrating behavioral health services into everyday patient care, according to the release.

The details: The first phase of the five-year implementation plan will start in counties with a statistically higher level of suicide risk.

The second phase will include Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance, and the third phase will include Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton.

State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving woman and Black legislator in Texas history, said she has the votes to become Texas House speaker when the legislature convenes in January.

What to know: Thompson released a list Nov. 6 of 90 House members whom she said pledged to support her speaker candidacy.

The 87-year-old was first elected to the legislature in 1972 and took office the following year. She would become the first woman and the first Black lawmaker to serve as Texas House speaker.

The context: Thompson's candidacy comes after Democrats swept Texas' statewide seats in the Nov. 3 election, ending 24 years of Republican dominance. Rep. Eddie Morales, D-Eagle Pass, threw his hat in the ring for speaker on Nov. 5 before endorsing Thompson less than a day later.

Quote of note: "I know that with the colleagues that are being sent to the legislature, both Democrats and Republicans working together, we can make a difference in the state of Texas and the lives of the people that we represent," Thompson said.