Early drafts of Houston ISD’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget feature $46.8 million in spending cuts as the district faces about $50 million in lost revenue due to roughly 4,000 expected student enrollment losses.

The projections: HISD’s draft FY 2026-27 budget estimates a roughly $33.5 million shortfall between funding and expenses in the district’s general fund budget. The draft general fund budget boasts about $2.019 billion for revenues and about $2.052 billion for expenditures.

Breaking it down: Other highlights of the FY 2026-27 draft budget include approximately:

• $98 million in cuts to expenses, but $51.3 million in increases to expenses

• $35 million in central office cuts

• $15 million in salary increases for central office employees

• $15 million saved due to school consolidations

“We have to make tough decisions, and I know that's hard on people, but I appreciate those tough decisions being made,” board of managers President Ric Campo said.

Stay tuned: A second HISD FY 2026-27 budget workshop is scheduled for May 20.

Burger-chan is currently located in the Galleria area near the Conservatory food hall, off West Alabama Street. Now the burger joint will expand to a second location in the Heights this spring.

What we know: Officials with the company announced on Facebook in early April that the decision on where to open a second location in Houston was made through a poll asking residents where they'd like the locally-owned business to open next.

What's on the menu: Burger-chan is described on its website as a counter-service gourmet burger concept that draws inspiration from Asian flavors.

The menu includes customizable burgers, chicken and fish sandwiches, hot dogs and falafel options, as well as milkshakes and soft drinks. The new location is also slated to include a full bar.

• 506 Yale St., Houston

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is now available at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, or IAH, and William P. Hobby Airport, giving eligible travelers another way to move through security, according to an April 23 news release from Houston Airports.

What you need to know: The system "enhances security screening by using facial comparison technology to verify identity faster and more efficiently," the news release notes.

Enrolled travelers with participating airlines can move through dedicated lanes at Hobby Airport and at IAH TSA Checkpoints Terminal A-North, Terminal C-North and Terminal E.

More details: Passengers must meet the following requirements to be eligible for TSA Precheck Touchless ID:

• Have TSA PreCheck

• Have an active airline profile with a participating airline

• Upload valid passport information to their airline profile

Eligible passengers will see a TSA PreCheck Touchless ID indicator on their mobile boarding pass.

Meg Lonero was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, posthumously joining the Class of 2026 during a ceremony held April 10 at the Lone Star Flight Museum.

Her induction recognizes more than 20 years as an airport executive and pilot with the Houston Airport System, including her role in modernizing William P. Hobby Airport and other facilities.

The context: Meg Lonero became manager at Hobby Airport in 1998, where she led a $227 million modernization program focused on infrastructure and capacity.

Some Texas families began learning April 22 if they were accepted to the state’s education savings account program for the 2026-27 school year, officials said.

The big picture: Over 42,600 students will receive funding notices through April 24, the state comptroller’s office announced April 22. The first awardees include low- and middle-income students with disabilities and their eligible siblings.

Families accepted to the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program will receive state funds to send their children to private school or homeschool them.

The details: The first round of awardees is set to receive about $400 million of the $1 billion allocated for the program. Up to 100,000 students are expected to qualify for the program's first year.

The comptroller's office will run a lottery the week of April 27 to determine which low-income students will be accepted based on a prioritization system.

Stay tuned: Families that do not qualify for funding will also be notified through April 24. Additional students will receive funding awards in the coming weeks, a program spokesperson said.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from April 20-24.

•New DPS building coming soon to League City
•Lake Conroe Dam celebrates new state historical marker
•Neighborhood Fishin' program bringing catfish, rainbow trout to local lakes
•Picos sets official closing date as owner Arnaldo Richards continues to search for new location
•Registration opens for West U summer classes