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Humble ISD officials are touting a more than 20-percentage-point increase in the district’s year-over-year college, career and military readiness scores, which were included in the 2025-26 Texas Education Agency accountability ratings released Aug. 14.

The overview: CCMR scores measure how well high school graduates are prepared for higher education, the workforce or the military, according to the TEA.

Melissa Leigh, HISD senior director of personalized student success, said officials implemented several new programs and initiatives at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year to boost scores after identifying several areas of opportunity to better support students.

“By expanding college preparatory opportunities, aligning coursework with industry-recognized credentials, and embedding assessment preparation within instruction, we are working to ensure that more students graduate prepared to successfully pursue college, career, and other postsecondary opportunities,” Leigh said.

In the 2024-25 school year, HISD’s score for total CCMR criteria came out to 62%—20 percentage points behind the state average of 82%. By the end of the 2025-26 school year, the district’s total score increased to 88%, TEA data shows.

Humble City Council members approved an ordinance regulating the type of pipe required to be used for all private fire service water mains throughout the city.

The details: Council members approved the measure during the Aug. 27 meeting.

City Manager Jason Stuebe said the ordinance will require the use of AWWA C900 DR- 14 piping in all private fire service mains, which he said will make the size of piping used standardized through the city.

A closer look: In an Aug. 12 letter, Humble Chief Fire Marshal James Nykaza said the measure was needed to ensure proper water supply and safety to the private water main systems within the city.

What’s next: Moving forward, individuals responsible for the construction of any new private fire service water mains who fail to adhere to the new standard will be subject to a daily fine of up to $2,000.

At an Aug. 27 regular meeting, the San Jacinto River Authority approved the operating budget for FY 2026-27, set to begin on Sept 1. Within the budget, the Groundwater Reduction Plan rates are expected to remain the same, while the raw water rate will rise.

The breakdown: Presented by SJRA Controller Jamye Lewis, the SJRA has nine divisions as a quasi-state agency. When creating the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Lewis said the focus was on making sure the divisions can provide high levels of service to customers rather than generating revenue.

The nine divisions and their total operating revenues for FY 2026-27 are:

• Groundwater Reduction Plan division: $70.4 million

• Woodlands division: $46.6 million

• Raw water supply division: $25.1 million

• Highlands division: $5,000

• Lake Conroe division: $6.2 million

• Flood management division: $160,705

• General and administrative division: (no operating revenues budget)

• Region H (Greater Houston area): $653,469

• Bear Branch: $582,618

Need to catch up with Community Impact’s coverage this week? Check out these trending stories from across the northern portion of the Greater Houston area from Aug. 21-28.

1. Montgomery County approves law enforcement overtime, advances flood and road projects
2. Houston Premium Outlets expands retail lineup with designer store, bar
3. Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees considers superintendent’s 2025-26 evaluation
4, Magnolia ISD officially approves tax rate at Aug. 24 public tax hearing
5. The Woodlands Township slates $600K for sports facility study
6. The Woodlands approves $50M Houston deal as city delays vote

The Texas Department of Transportation manages over 200,000 miles of state highways. Roughly 72% of all vehicle travel in the state occurs on TxDOT-maintained highways, TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said.

As Texas’ population continues to grow, so does “demand on our transportation systems, from busy urban corridors to rural communities,” Williams told lawmakers during an Aug. 17 hearing held by the Texas House Transportation Committee.

What's happening: More than 11,000 TxDOT projects are currently in the works, according to the agency’s website.

To keep motorists informed about road construction, TxDOT collects public input during the project planning process, then conducts outreach on social media, on project websites and through email notifications before and during closures, according to Eric Lykins, TxDOT’s senior director of district operations. The agency also places electronic message signs on roadways ahead of closures or detours, he said.

Some state lawmakers are encouraging transportation officials to improve outreach to motorists when roads, lanes and exits are closed or adjusted.