Two candidates are running for Montgomery City Council Place 4 in the May 2 election, including incumbent Cheryl Fox.

What you need to know: Early voting begins April 20 and runs through April 28, according to the Texas Secretary of State's website. Election day is May 2. In Montgomery County, voters can cast their ballot at any polling location during early voting. However, on election day, voters must vote at their designated voting precincts. 

More details: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, visit communityimpact.com/election.

United Refrigeration Inc. officials confirmed the opening of a new branch in Conroe on March 11. 

Two-minute impact: Founded in Philadelphia in 1947, United Refrigeration Inc. carries products across the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, according to its website. The new Conroe franchise joins the 36 other locations found across the state. 

• 118 S. Frazier St., Conroe

Montgomery County Commissioners Court is set to meet April 9 to consider several countywide items, including the fiscal year 2026-27 budget calendar, a financial report tied to the 2025 road bond program and a discussion on the state of the Montgomery County Jail, according to the agenda. 

What you need to know: Commissioners will consider and potentially take action on the county’s FY 2027 budget calendar. Another agenda item calls for discussion on the state of the Montgomery County Jail and related matters. The item comes after county officials said in July that the jail was operating at 97.9% capacity, with 1,289 inmates housed in a 1,317-bed facility, as previously reported.

At the time, officials said the county had repurposed available space inside the jail, faced rising maintenance costs and was spending more than $1 million annually to house some inmates in Waller County. Officials also said the county would need more than 2,350 beds by 2040 based on population growth.

Funding for Texas’ education savings account program is expected to dry up before it reaches all low-income applicants, the state comptroller’s office announced April 2.

The overview: More than a quarter of a million students applied for the first year of Texas Education Freedom Accounts, which will give participating families access to state funds to send their children to private school or homeschool them.

The details: Most eligible students will be placed on a waitlist for the 2026-27 school year, as the $1 billion program is expected to serve between 90,000 and 100,000 students. State officials said all funds are expected to go to students with disabilities, their siblings and children from low-income families.

The state will use a four-tier, randomized lottery system to determine who is accepted. Once funding runs out, the remaining students will be placed on a waitlist.

How it works: Students with disabilities can receive up to $30,000 each in ESA funding, depending on their individual needs. Other accepted students will receive $10,474 for private education or $2,000 for homeschooling.