Magnolia ISD Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Sarah Colleen Wright provided an update on the district's emergent bilingual program, which currently serves over 2,500 students.

The gist: The district offers a one-way dual language program for Pre-K through third grade and an English as a Second Language (ESL) program. This year, 173 students reclassified and exited the program, while over 1,700 students are still working toward reclassification. On the STAAR reading exam, the percentage of emergent bilinguals achieving Approaches Grade Level or higher test scores included:

• 73% of elementary students

• 56% of intermediate school students

• 64% of junior high students

• 52% of high school students

One more thing: The Magnolia ISD board of trustees voted to approve the process of advertising 1.853 acres of unused land near Grand Pines Road for sale.

Platinum Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, a beauty and wellness facility owned and operated by Sherry Mitchell Hickman and her husband Mark Hickman, is opening a new location in Tomball in fall 2026. The couple are Tomball locals who chose the area for their latest expansion due to their ties to the community.

The history: Sherry Mitchell Hickman has more than 20 years of experience in women's healthcare. The locally owned practice has multiple locations in the greater Houston area and is dedicated to helping patients look, feel and function at their best. Services offered at the facility include:

• Hormone optimization and replacement therapy

• Medically supervised weight management

• Peptide therapy

• Chemical peels

• Customized facial treatments

• Laser hair removal

The new facility will be located at 27104 Tomball Parkway, Ste. A300.

Several Montgomery County nonprofits and community groups announced updates and upcoming events in October:

• Market Street donated $11,500 to Keep Us Fed Montgomery County through its Change for Charity initiative.
• The AABY Foundation is rebranding as the ABBY Foundation, standing for Animals Better By You, while continuing its pet services in New Caney.
• Mayday Fairs launched in August to support firefighters and their families experiencing life-altering hardship in Harris and Montgomery counties.
• Thrive With Autism is planning the 5th annual Montgomery County Children & Families Expo on Nov. 7 in Magnolia.
• Interfaith Community Clinic is marking 30 years of providing healthcare to uninsured people with an anniversary reception on Nov. 16.
• FaithsTogether of The Woodlands will host its 28th Annual Community Observance on Nov. 17.
• Family Promise of Montgomery County announced its football-themed Night of Promise Bowl Gala fundraising event scheduled for Feb. 13.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will offer complimentary rides to and from the polls on Election Day, Nov. 3.

How it works: To receive a free ride, riders must show their voter registration card to a METRO operator or fare inspector when boarding. Regular fares still apply during the early voting period, as the complimentary rides are only available on Election Day.

Available fare services for the offer include: METRORail, local bus routes, METROLift, curb2curb and community connector.

“Every voter deserves the opportunity to make their voice heard, and transportation should never stand in the way,” said METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock via news release.

One more thing: METRO leaders encourage riders to plan their trips using the transit authority's Trip Planner and to confirm polling locations before traveling. Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

More than 4.5 million Texans cast ballots in the first seven days of early voting in the Nov. 3 election, state data shows.

The overview: From Oct. 19-25, 23.8% of Texas' 19 million registered voters had voted in-person or by mail, according to voter turnout data submitted by counties and reported by the secretary of state. This is slightly below early voting turnout at the same point in 2018 and several percentage points above turnout in 2022.

Some context: Turnout this fall follows voter enthusiasm during the March primary election, when more Texans voted early than in recent primaries. In total, about 4.5 million people—or one-fourth of voters registered at the time—cast ballots in Texas' March election, setting a primary turnout record.

At the polls: Registered voters can visit any polling place in their county through Oct. 30, the last day of early voting. Election Day is Nov. 3. Texans can read Q&As with dozens of candidates, find local polling sites and print a custom sample ballot at communityimpact.com/voter-guide.