The Houston Police Department has spent over 31% of its overtime budget for fiscal year 2026-27.

What this means: During a Nov. 2 Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting, Finance Director Melissa Dubowski presented information on public safety’s overtime spending for FY 2026-27, which began July 1.

As of Sept. 30, the city spent $6.7 million of its $21.2 million overtime budget, Dubowski said. The department had a total of 5,438 officers when the report was compiled.

“For HPD, they’re pretty close to running on budget when you look at the total bottom line for the department,” Dubowski said.

Diving deeper: Other funding sources help reimburse overtime spending, including the Houston Airport System and the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO). So far for FY 2026-27, HPD has been reimbursed $1.08 million from the two systems or roughly 32%.

A new restaurant called The Fifth Table Kitchen & Bar held its soft opening in late October on Washington Avenue.

What is it: The concept blends new American cooking with bold Malaysian flavors, led by American chef Tina English and Malaysian-born chef Pineapple.

The menu features a mix of traditional Malaysian dishes and Americanized options such as Golden Kerabu Softshell Crab, Ember-Kissed Curried Beef, Hainanese Chicken and catfish fillets, braised short rib tacos and lamb shank.

Also of note: The establishment features a full bar with crafted cocktails. Weekly promotions include complimentary selected bites on Wednesdays and 30% off chef specials on Thursdays.

• 4015 Washington Ave., Ste. F, Houston

From French festivals to cozy fall workshops, Houston is celebrating this fall season with events that celebrate good food, family and tradition. Check out 6 events happening this month.

• French Festival on Nov. 11 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Artechouse, featuring French food, wine and business. Tickets start at $69.

• Gather & Glow: A Cozy Fall Creative Workshop at Restoration Studio on Nov. 12, 14, 19 and 21 from 6 to 8 p.m.

• The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America tasting on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m., hosted by chefs Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of JŪN. Tickets start at $175.

• ROCO In Concert: Fellow Travelers on Nov. 14 and 15 at the Ismaili Center. This free chamber orchestra event is led by guest conductor Rei Hotoda.

• 77th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26 at 9 a.m. in Downtown Houston.

• Christmas, Made Slowly on Dec. 5 from 1 to 8 p.m., offering a two-hour holiday creative experience for $92.10.

This list is not comprehensive and details are subject to change.

Houston and Texas saw significant races called this morning following the Nov. 3 election.

Check out the results for key state, Senate, congressional, county and city elections that affect Houston residents within Loop 610

The results are in: Voters in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties approved Proposition A with 71.8% of the vote. The measure makes misdemeanor marijuana possession the lowest possible enforcement priority for police and bans no-knock warrants in Houston.

On the ballot: Key Harris County election winners include:

• County Judge: Democrat Letitia Plummer

• County Attorney: Abbie Kamin

• Precinct 4 Commissioner: Incumbent Lesley Briones

In the Texas House, Democratic incumbents Gene Wu, Christina Morales, Lauren Ashley Simmons, Jolanda Jones and Ann Johnson won their respective races.

Before you go: Statewide, Democrats Gina Hinojosa and Vikki Goodwin declared victory in the races for Texas governor and lieutenant governor, respectively. Democrat James Talarico is also projected to win his race against Republican Ken Paxton.