Starting Dec. 1, Harris County Precinct 3 cleanup crews will be dispatched in northwest Harris County neighborhoods impacted by two tornadoes that damaged the area Nov. 24.

“At this time, crews are working diligently to remove roadside storm debris that was left by the recent tornado,” a Precinct 3 Nov. 25 announcement reads. “Please follow the debris separation guidelines below to ensure safe and efficient pick-up.”

What residents should know: Residents can report their debris by calling 713-274-3100. Residents must bring proof of residency while dropping off vegetative, construction and demolition debris, according to the announcement.

Temporary debris drop-off sites have been set up by Precinct 3 officials at the following locations:

Deputy Darren Goforth Park, dog park area
9402 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress

• Dec. 1-5, 2-6 p.m.
• Dec. 6-7, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Kissing Tree Park
5707 Louetta Road, Spring

• Dec. 1-5, 2-6 p.m.
• Dec. 6-7, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Blinn College District will complete its new 17,000-square-foot facility dedicated to workforce training and technical education in May 2026—just in time for summer 2026 classes, Leighton Schubert, executive vice chancellor at Blinn College, confirmed.

How it works: The new complex, named the Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex, will sit on Binford Park Road. According to a Sept. 15 news release, the facility will have three lecture classrooms, a computer learning lab, a medical learning lab, a mechatronics and advanced manufacturing lab, and a skilled trades lab, as well as faculty and staff offices.

According to the release, programs within the new facility on the Waller Campus will include:

• Expanded mechatronics and advanced manufacturing courses
• Emergency medical technician basic certification
• Phlebotomy

At least 10 Greater Houston area Shoe Carnival locations are poised for a name change by back-to-school season in 2026.

The national retailer offers both name brand and private label merchandise including footwear and accessories, according to its website.

The big picture: Board members with the family footwear retailer Shoe Carnival announced Nov. 13 they unanimously voted to change the company name to Shoe Station, subject to approval from company shareholders ahead of its annual meeting in June 2026.

The following shoe stores are in the Greater Houston area, the list is not comprehensive:

• Northline Commons, 4436 Hwy. 290, Houston
• Gulfgate Shopping Center, 512 Gulfgate Center Mall, Houston
• Northwest Marketplace, 13784 Hwy. 290, Houston
• Southway Shopping Center, 8032 S. Gessner Road, Houston
• Almeda Crossing Shopping Center, 10011 Almeda Genoa Road, Houston
• Deerbrook Marketplace, 20506 Hwy. 59 N., Humble
• Price Plaza, 20280 Katy Freeway, Ste. A, Katy
• Victory Lakes Town Center, 2544 Gulf Freeway S., League City
• Conroe Marketplace Shopping Center, 2812 I-45 N., Conroe

A new $617 million natural gas power plant is slated to be built in east Houston after the project was selected for a loan by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

About the project: North American power company NRG Energy’s 455 megawatt power plant will provide power from the company’s Greens Bayou Generating Station to Electric Reliability Council of Texas' grid beginning in 2028. The new plant will connect with ERCOT’s Houston Load Zone, which provides power to Houston, Pasadena and The Woodlands, and is one of Texas’ largest electricity centers.

Quote of note: “Our investment at Greens Bayou reflects NRG’s commitment to delivering dependable, dispatchable generation when Texans need it most,” said Robert J. Gaudette, NRG executive vice president and president of NRG business and wholesale operations. “These units will strengthen grid resilience, create local jobs and support economic vitality.”

• Severe storms, tornado cause damage across northern Harris County
• New Caney ISD high schools to add 15 minutes to each school day
• Major projects in Humble and Kingwood result in increased water rates
• Waymo to launch fully autonomous driving in Houston and Dallas in coming weeks
• NRG Energy to build 455-megawatt natural gas power plant in Houston