HTX-BMW: Impact 10/31/2025

On Oct. 29, Houston City Council accepted about $1.7 million in state funding to eliminate and prevent youth and adult homelessness.

At a glance: The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs awarded the city $1.3 million to address homelessness and $405,000 specifically to combat youth homelessness. The funds are part of TDHCA’s fiscal year 2026 Texas Homeless Housing and Services Program and were approved under City Council’s consent agenda—which is made up of multiple items voted upon in one motion—during its regular Oct. 29 meeting.

The $1.3 million can be used for actions helping people experiencing homelessness, such as:

• Building or procuring housing
• Renovating homelessness service facilities
• Funding homelessness and case management services
• Funding emergency shelters

The coffee shop and eatery has been serving New York-style bagels in the Bellaire area since 1975.

What’s new: To celebrate 50 years of business, New York Deli & Coffee Shop is hosting a day of family fun, with live music, face painting and a tie-dye station. The event will take place Nov. 2 at the shop’s location on Hillcroft Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On the menu: Along with savory and sweet New York-style bagels, the deli sells soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Customers can also order breakfast items, such as omelets, pancakes and pastries.

• 9724 Hillcroft St., 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.