The Houston Police Department will no longer alert U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if an officer stops a person who has committed a non-violent offense. Officers will now only notify ICE if the stop has led to a jailable arrest.

Breaking news: In a Nov. 6 press conference, Mayor John Whitmire announced the changes with HPD Chief Noe Diaz. Whitmire said that he signed an executive order to change the department’s policy.

“I do this to begin a healing process to reduce fear and anxiety across our community,” Whitmire said. “I also do this knowing that elections matter. I’ve been in contact with the new statewide elected officials, and SB 4 is not a priority.”

Senate Bill 4, or SB 4, is a state law that prohibits sanctuary city policies in Texas. It also requires local law enforcement agencies and jails to comply with ICE’s detainer requests for individuals.

Also of note: Democrats flipped control of the Texas House of Representatives in the Nov. 3 election, while Republicans retained their majority in the state Senate.

Holler Brewing Co., an independent microbrewery and taproom in Houston's Sawyer Yards art district, celebrated its 10th anniversary on Nov. 7.

The celebration: The daylong celebration, called Hollerpalooza, featured live music, a curated market, a special lineup of four beers and the unveiling of an expanded space. The brewery's expansion includes the following details:

• The addition of the Back Yard, which adds 1,300 square feet to the brewery and more than doubles its indoor seating capacity.

• A new on-site pizza kitchen featuring 14-inch pizzas, including pepperoni, Margherita, cheese and rotating weekly specialty pizzas.

• An offering of additional light bites, including pretzels and chips and queso.

Something to note: The kid-friendly and dog-friendly destination hosts weekly community events, including a bike club, run club, weekly karaoke and Saturday live musical performances.

• 2206 Edwards St., Ste. A.

Rice University officials broke ground Nov. 4 on the Arc, a nearly 200,000-square-foot research and office building in the Ion District.

The overview: The seven-floor building will feature:

• Flexible lab and office space supporting artificial intelligence, data science, robotics, quantum science and engineering

• The AI Foundry, a new Rice research and innovation hub occupying close to 80,000 square feet of the building

• Conference spaces, an amenity lounge, fitness center, outdoor plaza, underground parking and on-site retail and dining

The Arc will share a plaza with the Ion building in Midtown's technology park, which was established as a joint initiative between Rice University and the city of Houston.

The timeline: Developed by Rice Real Estate Co. for approximately $75 million, construction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2028.

Pre-leasing is currently open for interested companies and organizations.

Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System, announced during the Greater Houston Partnership’s 2026 State of the Airports event that six major developments are in the works at the city's airports.

What's new: Officials announced that travelers at William P. Hobby Airport will have seven more gates, a new baggage system and a covered walkway between the parking garage and terminal once the airport's West Concourse expansion is completed.

At George Bush Intercontinental Airport, HAS plans to expand the east cargo area by 183 acres. Future tenants could build warehouses, parking and other facilities based on their operational needs.

Houstonians picking up family and friends at IAH will also have a place to refuel, grab a bite and use the restroom under plans to redevelop the airport's cellphone waiting area along John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

One more thing: Lastly, officials announced that U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed IAH will be among eight airports receiving Global Entry Walk-Through technology in December.

Want to catch up on Community Impact's coverage from this week? Check out the five top stories across the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose from Oct. 30-Nov. 5.

• Voters approved Proposition A with 71.8% of the vote, making misdemeanor marijuana possession the lowest enforcement priority and banning no-knock warrants in Houston.

• Key election winners include County Judge Letitia Plummer, County Attorney Abbie Kamin and Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. Statewide, Democrats Gina Hinojosa and Vikki Goodwin declared victory for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively.

• Taiwanese restaurant chain Din Tai Fung plans to open its first Texas location in the Galleria mall, with construction anticipated to begin Feb. 1.

• The Houston Police Department spent $6.7 million of its $21.2 million overtime budget for fiscal year 2026-27 between July 1 and Sept. 30.

• Boomtown Coffee Roasters opened its third location in Memorial Park, featuring specialty drinks and pastries.

At her first public event since winning the Nov. 3 election, Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa announced her initial plans for the transition between gubernatorial administrations, emphasizing her plans to work across the aisle in "building a government that is working for the people of Texas."

The overview: Hinojosa also announced the team leading her transition to the governor's office:

• Joe Madden, former chief of staff for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo

• Former GOP state Rep. Ernest Bailes

• Ryan Pollock, executive director of the Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council

• Tamala Barksdale, a former Austin ISD trustee

Quote of note: "This is not about being a Democratic administration," she said. "I'm not going to be the governor for just Democrats—I'm going to be the governor for all the people of Texas."

One more thing: Hinojosa said Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, whom she unseated in the Nov. 3 election, had been "gracious" and expressed that his office would "fully cooperate with this transition and be helpful as they can."