According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the United States increased by 118,376 between 2023 and 2024.

In New Braunfels, similar trends are taking place, with the estimated number of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness rising by 200% since 2020, according to Comal County's 2026 Point in Time count, or PIT.

Digging deeper: The PIT gauges changes in homelessness in the surrounding area, year over year. The data was compiled in partnership with the Comal County Homeless Coalition and the McKenna Foundation, Kellie Stallings, executive director of NB Housing Partners, said. NB Housing Partners is a local nonprofit that aims to provide assistance to the homeless population in Comal County through affordable housing, outreach and shelters. 

In 2020, 11 individuals in Comal County claimed to be experiencing chronic homelessness. So far in 2026, that number has risen to 33.

Guadalupe County commissioners have a new timeline for potentially updating their major thoroughfare plan that could help dictate future infrastructure in the region.

The timeline: The final draft of the major thoroughfare plan update will be available for public review May 5. The first public hearing for the plan will take place May 19, Guadalupe County Assistant Engineer Barry Black said during an April 21 Commissioners Court meeting.

Guadalupe County Judge Kyle Kutscher said a second public hearing for the plan will be held June 2. Kutscher said the ending process will be determined by public input and changes requested from commissioners.

More details: A major thoroughfare plan is a long-range planning tool used for potential future roadways. The plan does not define the final alignment of roadways, nor does it construct roadways and acquire new property. Instead, the plan aims to identify general alignments and roadway classifications needed to accommodate transportation needs and facilitate mobility and connectivity, according to Guadalupe County's website.

Since Aug. 12, 2025, the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s San Antonio Pool has been under a Stage 4 drought designation, reducing permit holders’ authorized annual water withdrawals by 40%. The EAA announced a transition from Stage 4 drought to Stage 3, which will increase allowed pumping.

What happened: The Stage 3 drought designation went into effect Sunday, April 26, as a result of improved aquifer conditions, according to an EAA news release. The San Antonio Pool provides water to permit holders in Medina, Bexar and parts of Atascosa, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Comal and Hays counties.

The impact: Edwards Aquifer groundwater permit holders authorized to pump more than 3 acre-feet annually must reduce the amount of water withdrawn by 35% of their normal permitted allowance during the days the Stage 3 drought is active, according to the Critical Period Management Plan.

The reductions apply to industrial users, agricultural users and water utilities permitted to pump from the aquifer. All impacted permit holders must report pumping totals to the EAA on a monthly basis.

Over 130 Central Texas residents and visitors died over the July 4 weekend as an intense rainstorm and flooding swept through the region. Among them were 28 deaths at Camp Mystic: 25 young campers, two 18-year-old counselors and Richard "Dick" Eastland, the camp's executive director.

The private Christian girls camp has been under scrutiny for the actions camp leaders took to attempt to save campers in cabins near the Guadalupe River.

What's happening: During the second day of public hearings April 28, a panel of lawmakers investigating the July 4 flood was scheduled to hear testimony from:

• The Eastland family, which owns and operates Camp Mystic
• The head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management
• Leaders from the Texas Department of State Health Services
• Flood victims' families
• The parents of some campers who survived the flood