Harris County commissioners will review the future of several county programs created with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, a 2021 federal aid package supporting local governments after the COVID-19 pandemic.

What happened: With ARPA support set to expire at the end of 2026, Commissioners Court voted Feb. 26 to consider nearly $14 million in general fund appropriations in fiscal year 2026-27 that would allow the county to continue the services.

Some context: Harris County launched an array of services related to job training, public health, housing and more using the one-time $915 million grant, Community Impact previously reported. 

Latest update: Commissioners Court directed staff to include funding for nine ARPA programs in the county's baseline FY 2026-27 budget. If adopted in September, the general fund allocations would allow programs to continue operations beyond 2026.

The county's ARPA steering committee recommended continued funding for the Apprenticeship Advantage, Eviction Support and Behavioral Health programs, among others, according to Commissioners Court documents. 

The first Cypress location of Einstein Bros. Bagels is now open on Tuckerton Road, the business announced in a March 2 news release.

At a glance: The new restaurant can be found at the intersection of Tuckerton and Fry roads near Via 313 Pizza and SweetCup Gelato and Sorbet Originale. The Cypress location is the fast casual chain's 16th store in the Greater Houston area, per the release.

On the menu: Einstein Bros. Bagels serves a variety of fresh-baked bagels, whipped cream cheese schmears and breakfast sandwiches, per the business' website. 

Quote of note: "Opening in Cypress is about showing up for this community the same way we do every morning, with fresh bagels in the oven before sunrise, ready to be a part of people's daily routines," Chief Operating Officer Adam Modzel said in a statement.

• 20725 Tuckerton Road, Ste. 400, Cypress

Families making up to $100,000 are now eligible for Sam Houston State University’s Bearkat Promise program, after the university announced Feb. 24 that it was raising the family income eligibility threshold from $40,000.

In a nutshell: The Bearkat Promise program provides eligible students with the mandatory tuition and fees they need for up to 15 credit hours per semester, according to its website. The increased income threshold starts in fall 2026.

More details: According to the news release, to qualify for the program, students must:

• Be an entering freshman or transfer student
• Be a Texas resident with demonstrated financial need
• Be eligible for a federal Pell Grant
• Submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the priority deadline of March 1
• Enroll in at least 12 credit hours per semester

Primary election day in Texas is March 3. With dozens of state, regional and local races on the ballot, voters in the Republican and Democratic primaries will determine their parties’ nominees for the November midterm election.

At the polls: Polling places across Texas will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. March 3, according to the secretary of state.

On election day, voters in the following counties in Community Impact’s coverage areas can vote at any polling location within their county of residence: Bastrop, Bexar, Brazoria, Brazos, Collin, Comal, Fort Bend, Galveston, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Tarrant and Travis. Registered voters in other counties are required to visit a polling place specific to their voting precinct.

Voters are required to bring photo identification to the polls.

On the ballot: Voters will choose their political parties’ nominees for the U.S. Senate, seven state offices, 10 state judicial seats, 38 congressional seats, nearly all state legislative seats and over half of the State Board of Education. Candidates who win their primaries will advance to the November ballot.