HTX-BMW: Impact 10/20/2025

In early September, Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles announced a new initiative called "The Houston Promise," a plan that includes ensuring all campuses in the district are A- or B-rated by August 2027.

The feat includes finding a way to lift up 64 campuses that received a C or D rating in the 2024-25 Texas Education Agencies A-F accountability rating to an A or B.

About the program: According to previous Community Impact reporting, Miles and Alexandra Elizondo, the former chief of public affairs and communications for the district, said the initiative included utilizing local businesses and nonprofit organizations to adopt or sponsor a school with a C or D rating. Sponsorship duties would include:​​​​​ funding two teacher appreciation lunches, student celebrations, campus cleanup days and donating dollars to principals to use for the academic needs of students.

In an Oct. 15 news release, Houston ISD announced that all 64 campuses were officially "adopted" by a local business, nonprofit, church, or community organization.

Panera Bread is slated to open a new Houston location at the Meyerland Crossing shopping center. 

What we know: Officials with the national fast-casual restaurant will begin construction on the 3,000-plus square foot location at the end of November, with an estimated completed construction date in May 2026, according to project registration information from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

What they offer: The fast-casual restaurant that serves sandwiches, pizza, soups, pastries, desserts and more. Details are subject to change. Panera Bread officials did not respond to requests for detail at the time of press. 

Zooming out: Meyerland Crossing is a new five-acre retail development located along I-610 nestled between Jackwood and Jason Street across from Meyerland Plaza.

Harris County commissioners implemented a burn ban beginning Oct. 16 for unincorporated Harris County due to what county officials are calling "ongoing dry weather and heightened fire danger."

Quote of note: "In these dry conditions, a small spark could cause a big problem for our community," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a statement.

The big picture: More than 150 counties across Texas are also under burn bans to reduce wildfire threats, according to the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, including Montgomery, Fort Bend, Waller, Chambers and Liberty counties.

What you need to know: The ban will last for 90 days or until the Texas Forest Service determines drought conditions no longer exist in Harris County. The TFS measures drought conditions based on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index scale, which finds conditions between 600-800 with the potential to lead to intense, prolonged wildfires. County officials found Harris County averaging 671, according to a news release.

Early voting in the Nov. 4 election begins Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31. During early voting, registered voters can cast ballots at any polling place within their county of residence, according to the secretary of state’s office.

What to bring: Voters must bring one of seven forms of identification to the polls:

• A Texas driver license (issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety)
• A Texas personal ID card (issued by the DPS)
• A Texas handgun license (issued by the DPS)
• A Texas election ID certificate (issued by the DPS)
• A U.S. military ID card with the voter’s photograph
• A U.S. citizenship certificate with the voter’s photograph
• A U.S. passport

As water restrictions and shortages become more common in Texas communities, state lawmakers are asking voters to approve $20 billion to fund new water supply projects and improve existing systems over the next 20 years.

The overview: If voters approve State Proposition 4, which is on the November ballot, the state will create a dedicated funding stream to help local utilities access more water and upgrade their infrastructure. Without the new funding, Texas’ water crisis could deepen, experts say.

“We’ve got 1,500+ people moving to Texas every day, and not one of them is bringing a single drop of water with them,” Dean Sharp, who leads the management division of the Texas American Water Works Association, said Oct. 16.

Key takeaway: Despite the $1 billion annual price tag, Proposition 4 would not create any new state taxes or increase costs for Texans, lawmakers and experts said. Beginning in 2027, the money would come from existing sales tax revenue and be deposited in the Texas Water Fund, a state account that voters approved in 2023.

As Community Impact enters its third decade, it’s returning to its roots of growth and deeper reader connections. The “Patron” program, which began in 2020 by reader demand, is relaunching as the InCIder this month.

“This relaunch represents our renewed commitment to readers who support our local news,” CEO John Garrett said. “Beyond funding great journalism, we also want to reward our InCIders and build deeper connections with them, creating a true sense of community around the work we do.”

The InCIder program currently gives donors access to a special Saturday email edition across each metro: Austin, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio.

Memberships are currently $10 per month or $110 annually. A membership will include the previously mentioned perks, as well as:

• Quarterly discounts at local businesses 
• Invites to in-person events
• Optional naming and “thank you” in our newspaper
• Community Impact swag
• InCIder anniversary gift