HTX-HRM: Impact 10/31/2025

On Oct. 21, officials with the city of Houston announced the details of a new pilot program aimed at increasing recycling efforts for multifamily units.

Growing challenges: According to a news release, District C council member Abbie Kamin is partnering with Houston's Solid Waste Management Department to lead the program to help address the lack of recycling services available to residents in multifamily housing.

Environment Texas, a nonprofit organization focused on environmental advocacy in the state, released a report in 2021 showing that Houston only has a recycling rate of 19%, which is 15 points below the national average of 34.7%.

What's being done: The one-year pilot program officially launched Oct. 1, 2025, with six properties participating in the initial rollout. However, officials with Kamin's office said the program remains open to any multifamily complex in the city of Houston that wants to participate, at no cost for the first year.

How it works: Multifamily complexes interested in joining the program can contact the office of council member Abbie Kamin at [email protected].

Created by Burger Joint partners Chef Mathew Pak and Shawn Bermudez, The Taco Stand centers around traditional street-style meats such as pastor, barbacoa, lengua and carnitas.

The details: Located at 1503 Westheimer Road, the newest Taco Stand is the third location to open in Houston and is built out of a 1920s apartment building. According to an Oct. 29 news release, the spot is 2,101 square feet and includes a 1,000-square-foot patio. The Montrose outpost will also feature both dine-in and full drive-thru services.

On the menu: In addition to traditional street-style meats, the menu offers fish, shrimp, vegan and vegetarian options. Customers can also order any choice of protein or vegetables served as a taco, burrito, quesadilla or bowl.

Cocktails available include canned and frozen drinks, Mexican and domestic beers, margaritas, Palomas and Ranch Waters. Agua Frescas are also available.

• 1503 Westheimer Road, Houston

Since Nov. 7, 2000, at least one person has died on Texas roads every day, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. As the Lone Star State nears 25 years of daily traffic deaths, officials at all levels of government are investing in new roadway safety projects and encouraging Texas drivers to do their part to curb deadly crashes.

The big picture: In the past 25 years, over 91,000 people have died on Texas roads. That is enough people to fill Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, according to TxDOT.

On average, 11 people died daily on Texas roads last year. In 2025, an average of 10 people had died per day as of Sept. 24.

Zooming in: State and local leaders found that the top factors in severe crashes include:

• Impaired driving
• High speeds
• Distracted driving
• Pedestrian and cyclist safety
• Lack of seatbelt use
• Roadway or lane departures
• Wrong-way driving

Approximately 460,000 Texans have Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Advocates are encouraging Texas voters to approve State Proposition 14, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to spend $3 billion to launch the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

The overview: Proposition 14 would allocate $3 billion in state dollars to fund the institute for the next 10 years. The institute would work with researchers and doctors to study the prevention and treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

All funding for the institute would come from existing state revenue, donations and potential federal grants, meaning no new state taxes or fees would be created.

What they're saying: "If Proposition 14 passes, it really will establish Texas as an incredible leader in our country," neurological researcher Joshua Shulman said. 

At the polls: Early voting runs through Oct. 31, and Election Day is Nov. 4. For more information about the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.