HTX-LHK: Impact 10/21/2025

Construction on a new Dunkin’ in Humble is projected to begin in October, according to a Sept. 11 filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The details: Per the filing, the $560,000 project will consist of the renovation of roughly 2,000-square-foot existing space.

On the menu: Dunkin’ will serve a variety of coffee drinks, doughnuts and food items. Additionally, the location will offer complimentary Wi-Fi, according to the company's website.

The timeline: While the filing states construction is expected to wrap up in December, a projected opening date had not yet been announced as of press time. 

• 15906 Woodland Hills Drive, Ste. 100, Humble

During the Oct. 21 board meeting, Humble ISD trustees are expected to receive an update on the district's efforts to acquire additional computers in line with the goal to have at least one computer for every student.

Some context: The district’s efforts to obtain at least one computer for every student comes after the Texas Legislature approved House Bill 1481 in July. According to previous reporting, HB 1481 requires school districts to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal wireless communication devices—including cellphones, tablets, smartwatches and any other devices capable of digital communication or telecommunication—on school property during the school day.

A closer look: According to a presentation included in the meeting’s agenda documents, HISD currently has roughly three computers for every four students. However, district data shows the number of computers per student varies by campus, with 24 of the district’s 45 campuses already at or above the one-computer-per-student ratio.

What’s next: Trustees will hear the presentation from the district’s Technology Committee during the board’s Oct. 21 meeting.

In November, Harris County Commissioners Court will consider a worksite safety policy proposal seeking to standardize safety protocols countywide in order to reduce injuries and strengthen worker protections on authorized construction sites. 

By the numbers: Workplace injuries in 2021 cost $167 billion and amounted to $47.4 billion in wage and productivity losses, according to a 2024 report from a Houston-based Occupational Safety and Health Administration training organization.

The experts: Linda Morales is the organizing coordinator at the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation. Harris County’s current contractor safety record policy is taken into account during the bidding process, Morales said, where contractor and subcontractors must show a proven safety record that complies with industry standards.

In their words: “What it does is that it helps prevent habitual violators of health and safety standards from operating on Harris County projects, but what they don’t have is a policy that addresses real-time safety issues that arise on county projects," Morales said.

As water restrictions and shortages become more common in Texas communities, state lawmakers are asking voters to approve $20 billion to fund new water supply projects and improve existing systems over the next 20 years.

The overview: If voters approve State Proposition 4, which is on the November ballot, the state will create a dedicated funding stream to help local utilities access more water and upgrade their infrastructure. Without the new funding, Texas’ water crisis could deepen, experts say.

“We’ve got 1,500+ people moving to Texas every day, and not one of them is bringing a single drop of water with them,” Dean Sharp, who leads the management division of the Texas American Water Works Association, said Oct. 16.

Key takeaway: Despite the $1 billion annual price tag, Proposition 4 would not create any new state taxes or increase costs for Texans, lawmakers and experts said. Beginning in 2027, the money would come from existing sales tax revenue and be deposited in the Texas Water Fund, a state account that voters approved in 2023.