Cypress Star Cinema Grill plans to open its new IMAX theater on Nov. 18 alongside updated seating options. Located at 8920 Fry Road in Cypress, the venue will be the only dine-in concept theater in the Houston area to offer IMAX.

Updated seating options across the theater's auditoriums include:

• Plush heated recliners
• Massage seating
• Privacy Pods

The Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees will meet on Nov. 5 and 9 to discuss budget amendments and improvement plans for the 2026-27 school year. The meetings come as five district propositions are on the Nov. 3 ballot, including a voter-approval tax rate election and a $1.63 billion bond referendum. If the tax rate election is unsuccessful, trustees must adopt a rate of $1.0369 per $100 of valuation for the 2026 tax year.

During the meetings, the board is scheduled to:

• Consider the annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2025-26
• Receive administration reports on formative assessment data and student screentime monitoring
• Consider approving the recommended 2027-28 instructional calendar
• Consider three district policy revisions regarding required instruction, naming facilities and library materials

According to unofficial results from the Harris County Clerk’s Office, 1.08 million voters participated in early voting for the general election.

Zooming in: This turnout surpasses the early voting numbers for the 2018 and 2022 midterm elections. The county has more than 2.7 million registered voters and experienced record turnout on its first day of the 12-day early voting period.

Also of note: The election will determine officeholders in federal, state and local races. Election Day on Nov. 3 is the last opportunity for voters to cast a ballot, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at more than 600 locations across Greater Houston. Local races on the Harris County ballot include:

• County judge

• County attorney

• District clerk

• County clerk

• County treasurer

• County Department of Education Place 5

• County Department of Education Place 7

The Harris County Clerk's Office announced the U.S. Department of Justice intends to send federal election monitors to Harris County polls on Election Day, Nov. 3.

The details: The DOJ Civil Rights Division plans to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws, specifically Voting Rights Act provisions protecting voters from discrimination.

What you need to know: Key details regarding the federal monitors and voting locations include:

• Monitors are expected to wear everyday clothing and may ask voters about their experiences as they exit.

• Monitors may be stationed outside the 100-foot electioneering boundary.

• Guidance from the Secretary of State confirmed federal monitors are not permitted inside polling locations under Texas law.

• Voters can cast ballots at more than 600 locations in Harris County.

• Voters should not anticipate disruptions, as county election operations will proceed as scheduled.

The Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 board of commissioners received the financial and HR audit results for the Cy-Fair Fire Department during an Oct. 29 meeting. The fire department received only one adjustment in its financial audit, earning the highest opinion a district can achieve, while the HR audit revealed no critical compliance concerns.

During the meeting, the board approved several agenda items, including:

• Renewal of training and compliance applications

• Renewal of annual health and wellness physical contracts

• Purchase of bunker gear

Additionally, three of the five board seats are up for election with four candidates on the ballot. A groundbreaking ceremony for Station 17 is planned for Nov. 17, and the board is scheduled to meet next on Nov. 19.