Manvel City Council is considering a 14.9% overall increase in water and wastewater rate revenue for fiscal year 2026-27 to help close a projected gap in the utility fund, following a budget update at its Aug. 17 workshop.

Under the proposed scenario, the residential combined minimum bill for the first 2,000 gallons would increase by about $9 per month, city documents show.

What residents need to know: The current residential rates for the first 2,000 gallons are $28.36 for water and $34.03 for wastewater, for a combined minimum bill of $62.39 per month. Usage above 2,000 gallons is currently charged at $2.60 per 1,000 gallons, city documents show.

The discussion: Mayor Dan Davis raised concerns over raising utility rates, saying he would have difficulty supporting an increase on existing ratepayers to cover costs associated with new growth.

What’s next: City Council will discuss the FY 2026-27 budget and hold a public hearing on the proposed rates at its Sept. 8 meeting, city officials said.

Alvin, Friendswood and Pearland ISDs either improved or stayed at the same scores in the state’s annual A-F accountability ratings for the 2025-26 school year, according to new data released by the Texas Education Agency.

How it works: Texas schools are rated on an A-F scale based on three criteria: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps.

Alvin ISD: AISD scored an 86 out of a possible 100 points, which translates to a B, according to the TEA. The score has risen by two points compared to the 2024-25 school year, which was an 84.

Friendswood ISD: FISD scored a 92 out of a possible 100 points, which translates to an A, according to the TEA. The score remains stagnant compared to the 2024-25 school year.

Pearland ISD: PISD scored a 91 out of a possible 100 points, which translates to an A, according to the TEA. The score remains stagnant compared to the 2024-25 school year.

The subway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport—designed by Disney engineers using the same technology used in Disneyland—recently celebrated 45 years of service, per an Aug. 3 news release from the Houston Airport System.

How it happened: The airport was expanding heavily in the 1970s, as was Disney’s linear induction motor technology for transportation across the Disneyland theme park. Per the release, the company was looking into expanding the use of its technologies at other facilities, which is when they set eyes on IAH.

Disney eventually put a successful bid in for the project in 1979, with construction ending and the subway opening in 1981. Per the release, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck attended the grand opening, marking the occasion with a Disney touch.

The bottom line: IAH saw 12.4 million passengers in 2025, with the Disney transit system serving over 3.3 million of those passengers. Houston Airport System officials said the foundation of that travel around the terminals can be attributed to Disney’s technology and some "Disney magic."

Many Texas students began returning to the classroom for the 2026-27 school year in mid-August.

Here are five things Texans should know as the 2026-27 school year kicks off.

The details:

• 2026 school accountability ratings issued
• New rule impacts accountability-related school closures
• 100K students using new Texas Education Freedom Accounts
• Public school closures deepen across Texas
• Check out recent public education laws