Montgomery County commissioners March 5 approved updates tied to the May 2 election, but the discussion quickly widened into election day operations regarding staffing shortages and how the county runs polling sites.

What happened: Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler asked the court to remove the Kevin Brady Community Center as an early voting location in exchange of adding the George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library as part of the May 2 joint election preparations. 

Wheeler said because of last-minute location changes during the March 3 primaries, voters were left searching for the right polling site.

Diving deeper: He said that staffing—not equipment—may be the biggest strain on local elections heading into May 2, with officials saying the county is struggling to fill the poll worker roles needed to keep dozens of sites operating smoothly.

Officials said it has become increasingly difficult to recruit enough election workers—especially for May elections, which typically draw lighter turnout and fewer volunteers.

LifeRx Wellness is now open in Willis, President of Operations Wendi Kirkland said in an email.

In a nutshell: The business offers therapies designed to reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery, including whole-body cryotherapy, infrared sauna, red light therapy, compression therapy and artificial intelligence-driven fitness technology, Kirkland said.

Quote of note: “LifeRx Wellness is more than a clinic—it’s your partner in lifelong vitality. We’re here to help you live better, longer, and stronger,” Kirkland said.

• 10655 FM 1097 W., Willis

Families making up to $100,000 are now eligible for Sam Houston State University’s Bearkat Promise program, after the university announced Feb. 24 that it was raising the family income eligibility threshold from $40,000.

In a nutshell: The Bearkat Promise program provides eligible students with the mandatory tuition and fees they need for up to 15 credit hours per semester, according to its website. The increased income threshold starts in fall 2026.

More details: According to the news release, to qualify for the program, students must:

• Be an entering freshman or transfer student
• Be a Texas resident with demonstrated financial need
• Be eligible for a federal Pell Grant
• Submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the priority deadline of March 1
• Enroll in at least 12 credit hours per semester