The big picture: During a Sept. 15 regular meeting, the Jersey Village City Council discussed the city's herbicide and pesticide usage in city parks but took no action to change current methods. Council member Brian McCauley originally requested the agenda item following resident concerns regarding potential exposure. City staff guidelines for herbicide applications include:

• Using chemical treatments only when mechanical methods are not practical or effective

• Following EPA-approved product labels

• Scheduling application in high-use areas during low-traffic times

• Requiring documentation throughout the application process

Also of note: Council members unanimously approved budget amendments to the fiscal year 2025-26 budget with $2.9 million in revenues and $2.1 million in expenditures. Additionally, the council appointed residents to various boards and commissions, including the Planning and Zoning Committee and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.

Candidates Letitia Plummer and Orlando Sanchez are running to lead Harris County government.

What you need to know: Plummer, a Democrat and Orlando, a Republican, will face off in November’s general election to become Harris County’s next judge. The judge oversees the Harris County Commissioners Court, which governs the county. The court and county judge are responsible for the about five million residents who live in Harris County.

Before you go: Early voting begins Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30, according to the Texas Secretary of State's website. Election day is Nov. 3 and polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Registered voters can cast their ballot at any polling location during early voting and election day.

According to the August monthly housing update from the Houston Association of Realtors, the number of single-family home sales has decreased by 11.5% across the Greater Houston region.

The breakdown: With the decrease in single-family home sales, affordability rates for home owners saw year over year growth for 22 of the last 25 months, HAR data shows. The nationwide growth rate stood at 15 out of the last 25 months.

When compared to single-family home sales in 2019, the 2026 market has seen a 20.1% decrease overall.

In their words: “Buyers have more options and more time to make decisions, while sellers continue to benefit from relatively stable prices," HAR Chair Theresa Hill with Compass RE Texas, LLC - Houston said. "That's a healthier environment for consumers and a positive sign for the long-term strength of our market.”

To strengthen consumer protections, the Texas Department of Insurance is asking state lawmakers to consider adjusting when new home and auto insurance rates are implemented.

What's happening: Texas currently operates under a "file-and-use" system, allowing insurance companies to begin using new rates immediately after they are filed, regardless of whether the TDI has reviewed them.

In a Sept. 14 letter detailing actions the department is taking to address Texas' high home insurance costs, Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford suggested that the legislature look into "adding a delay between a rate filing and its use in the market." Under the current system, if the TDI finds an issue with a new insurance rate, there is "limited" redress for affected policyholders if that rate is already in effect.

The background: Crawford's letter comes after Gov. Greg Abbott directed the TDI to take affordability-focused actions in an Aug. 24 letter.

Texans paid the nation's fourth-highest home insurance premiums at the end of 2025, according to previous Community Impact reporting.