West University Place Fire Chief James Novak will retire May 28 after 30 years of service.

Career history: Novak has been the city's fire chief since December 2024 and joined the department in 1996, starting as a firefighter-paramedic.

In 2010, he became a lieutenant, and in 2013, he was named assistant chief/fire marshal. During his time as chief, the city said he strengthened partnerships with the cities of Bellaire and Southside Place.

“It has been an unbelievable honor,” Novak said at West U’s May 11 City Council meeting. “Thank you for trusting me to do the job and for your support.”

What they're saying: City Manager Dave Beach said during Novak’s time with the city, he extended his retirement by two years.

During the May 11 meeting, the city read a proclamation honoring him and designated May 28, 2026, as James Novak Day.

BarkSuds has opened a location in the Houston area.

What is it: A monthly membership-based spa for dogs, BarkSuds offers the following services: bathing, teeth brushing, nail trimming and haircuts.

Memberships start at $45 per month for dogs weighing 25 pounds or less and include unlimited visits.

Who it's for: Nellie Hicks, manager of BarkSuds, said they cater to all dogs.

“Whether they are older or are puppies, we cater to them,” she said. “We have a few handicap clients that we cater to.”

BarkSuds is based in Florida and has locations across Texas.

• 8419 Stella Link Rd., Houston

Early runoff election results are in for the Democratic and Republican runoff elections in the races for Harris County judge and district clerk.

Some context: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo formally announced in September that she will not seek reelection for a third term as judge of Texas’ largest county.

Hidalgo has served as county judge since 2019 and was reelected after winning the county seat during the November 2022 general election. Her current four-year term ends Dec. 31, 2026.

Also on the ballot: In the race for Harris County district clerk, Jose "Alex" Maldonado and Darrell Jordan Jr. are facing off for the Democratic nomination.

Early voting results are in for four key runoff elections for United States House of Representatives races.

Some background: Selected races include only contested U.S. House seats that fall within Community Impact’s Houston coverage zone and that were sent to a runoff election after the March primaries, which include Districts 7, 14, 18 and 38.

For District 7, Republican candidates Alexander Hale and Tina Cohen were sent to the runoff after neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primaries. Other Republican candidates facing off for a place on the November ballot include Jon Bonck and Shelly Dezevallos for District 38.

On the other hand, Democratic candidates for U.S. House District 18, Christian Menefee and Al Green, were sent to face each other in the runoff election after the March primary votes were split, as well as Richard Davis and Thurman Bill Bartie squaring off for District 14.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

In the May 26 runoff election, Republican voters across Texas cast their votes in a contentious U.S. Senate race between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The context: The Republican race for U.S. Senate is one of several statewide contests that advanced to May runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary election.

About the candidates: Cornyn, an incumbent senator with nearly 24 years in office, is seeking to hold his seat for another six years while being challenged by Paxton, the once-impeached state attorney general who was recently endorsed by President Donald Trump. Read each candidate's priorities in their own words here.  

The winning Republican candidate will face the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, state Rep. James Talarico of Austin, in November.
 
Keep reading to see the results in the Cornyn-Paxton race and find other runoff results at communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

For the first time in more than a decade, there is no incumbent in the Texas attorney general's race as Ken Paxton runs for the U.S. Senate. Voters across Texas made their picks for attorney general in the May 26 runoff election, with the winning candidate from each political party moving on to the November election.

The context: The Republican and Democratic attorney general races are among several statewide contests that advanced to May runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary election.

The attorney general serves as Texas' top lawyer and law enforcement officer.

About the candidates: On the right, state Sen. Mayes Middleton of Galveston and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy of Austin are each seeking the Republican nomination for the seat.

On the left, state Sen. Nathan Johnson of Dallas and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski are vying for the Democratic nomination.

Keep reading to see the results in the two attorney general races and find other runoff results at communityimpact.com/voter-guide.