HTX-HRM: Impact 11/4/2025

At least $410 million worth of flood projects throughout the county are going to be bid in the next 12 months, equaling more than 30 project packages, according to Harris County Flood Control District’s construction bid calendar.

Quote of note: Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said at the Oct. 30 court meeting the flood district is also working with federal and state partners for funding. 

“Identifying roughly $400 million in projects that will be bid in the next 12 months, that is encouraging,” Ramsey said. 

Zooming out: Various flood mitigation projects in high-flood-risk areas across Harris County have advanced with secured local, state and federal funding partnerships after the unanimous approval from Harris County commissioners in September as part of a restructured proposal built upon the work completed from the 2018 flood bond.

At 6 a.m. on Nov. 6, the doors for the newest Chick-fil-A in Houston will open at the cross streets of Washington Avenue and Yale Street.

Read all about it: According to an Oct. 30 news release, the new drive-thru restaurant will be locally owned and operated by Houston resident Drew Ellis, who also owns the Sawyer Heights location.

The restaurant will offer drive-thru, delivery, and catering options, as well as a new walk-up window for carry-out. The menu includes chicken sandwiches, strips and nuggets, along with sides such as salads, fries and fruit.

Something to note: Guests who visit the new location on Nov. 6 dressed in cow spots or cow-spotted accessories will be able to receive one free entrée or kids' meal in the drive-thru line. 

• 3800 Washington Ave., Houston

Travelers should prepare for longer security wait times at Houston's airports "until further notice" due to the federal government shutdown, according to a Nov. 2 advisory.

Two-minute impact: Transportation Security Administration wait times may exceed one hour at William P. Hobby Airport, or HOU, and three hours at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, or IAH, according to the advisory.

Security checkpoints at terminals A and E are the only TSA screening locations open at IAH as of press time, per the advisory. Additionally, passengers at HOU may see reduced lanes available.

Quote of note: "The federal government shutdown has impacted TSA staffing and operations nationwide, and Houston Airports is doing everything possible to support our TSA partners and keep passengers moving safely and efficiently," Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports, said in a statement. "We ask that passengers continue to arrive early and expect extended security wait times until the federal government shutdown is resolved.”

A total of 212,104 in-person and mail-in ballots have been cast in Harris County through the 12-day early voting period ahead of the Nov. 4 general and special elections, according to the county clerk’s office. The county’s voter registration department found that more than 2.5 million people are registered voters in Harris County.

By the numbers: Out of the 212,000-plus early votes cast in Harris County, more than 10,000 voters mailed in their ballots. More than half of the early votes cast, or 204,993, were completed in-person, according to data from the county clerk’s office.

The results are in: The top three early voting in-person voter turnout locations in Harris County were:

• Metropolitan Multi-service Center in River Oaks with 11,223 ballots cast
• Juergens Hall Community Center in Cypress with 8,708 ballots cast
• Richard and Meg Weekley Community Center in Cypress with 8,540 ballots cast

Election Day is Nov. 4. Polling places across Texas will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., according to the secretary of state’s office.

The overview: Voters in the following counties can vote at any polling place within their county of residence through the countywide voting program: Bastrop, Bexar, Brazoria, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Fort Bend, Galveston, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson. Registered voters in other counties are required to visit a polling place specific to their voting precinct.

On the ballot: Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution during the Nov. 4 election. Each proposition was approved by at least two-thirds of state lawmakers this spring before being placed on the ballot.

Voters in various communities across the state may also see local propositions and races on their ballots, including a 20% tax rate increase in Austin, a congressional race in Harris County and a state Senate race in Tarrant County.

Learn more: To get to know the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.