Early voting for the uniform May 2 elections begin April 20. Here’s what voters in Pearland, Friendswood and Manvel need to know before heading to the polls.

The gist: Early voting will run from April 20-28, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website.

On the ballot: School board positions for Alvin and Pearland ISDs are on the ballot, as well as an $81.5 million bond package from Friendswood ISD.

The cities of Friendswood, Manvel and Pearland have City Council positions on the ballot, as well as a mayoral election in Pearland.

Tax plans, population growth and drainage were some of the topics discussed at a forum to hear from Friendswood City Council candidates running in the upcoming May 2 election.

What you need to know: The Friendswood Chamber of Commerce hosted the event April 13, which featured a Q&A panel between incumbent Sally Branson and challenger Shawna Talton, who are running for Position 2, and incumbent Joe Matrange and challenger Randy Hale, who are running for Position 5. 

One more thing: Early voting will run from April 20-28. To get to know the candidates on more local ballots, visit www.communityimpact.com/election.

District strengths, enrollment, fiscal responsibility and technology were some of the topics discussed at a candidate forum for Pearland ISD’s board Positions 1 and 2 candidates.

The forum was hosted by the Pearland Chamber of Commerce on April 15.

Position 1: Incumbent Toni Carter will face Chris Counts and Rich Bradley for Position 1 on Pearland ISD’s board of trustees. To read Community Impact's Q&A for this race, click here.

Position 2: Incumbent Kris Schoeffler will face Azania Salazar for position 2 on Pearland ISD’s board of trustees. To read Community Impact's Q&A for this race, click here.

One last thing: Early voting for the May 2 election will run from April 20-28. To learn more about other local elections, visit communityimpact.com/elections.

Painted Tree Boutiques permanently closed all of its locations—including six Greater Houston-area stores—on April 14, according to the business’s website.

The details: Among the Houston-area locations listed on the company’s website include:

• Baybrook, 1003 W. Bay Area Blvd., Webster
• Champions, 5407 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston
• Cinco Ranch, 6729 S. Fry Road, Katy
• Kingwood, 1153 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood
• Sugar Land, 15555 Hwy. 59, Sugar Land
• Westchase, 10957 Westheimer Road, Houston

• Closed April 14
• Locations vary 

Do you miss any of Community Impact’s coverage from last week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from April 13-17.

• Pearland authorizes eminent domain near Smith Ranch Road
• Enrollment erosion: HISD to close 12 schools in face of student loss, maintenance costs
• Trader Joe's announces plans to open Spring-area store
• Magnolia Mayor Matthew ‘Doc’ Dantzer arrested; council sets April 20 censure meeting
• See what's happening at The Grid development in Stafford