Houston City Council members learned more about the city’s agreement with The Woodlands and how a proposed amendment could affect both municipalities.

During the Sept. 1 Budget and Fiscal Affairs committee meeting, Finance Director Melissa Dubowski explained to council how the changes could benefit Houston’s budget.

What's changing: The amendment would end the long-term RPF payment structure between Houston and The Woodlands, providing for a total of about $27.4 million in payments from The Woodlands Township to the city over the next three years, as well as releasing restrictions on the $22.6 million currently in the RPF to make those funds available to the city of Houston. 

One more thing: Houston City Council will officially vote on the changes at its Sept. 2 meeting. The Woodlands officials already voted on the agreement and passed it unanimously.

With three existing locations in the Heights, Montrose and Spring Branch areas, Japanese sushi restaurant Handies Douzo is expanding once again with a new space located at 3908 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, officials confirmed via email.

What's special about it: Coined as Texas’ first hand roll-focused sushi bar, Handies Douzo specializes in made-to-order hand rolls sourced from premium ingredients.

Its streamlined menu offers guests a variety of hand rolls that can be ordered individually or in sets of three, four and five. Specialty rolls include the Spicy Hotate, Masutoro and A5 Wagyu, according to its online menu.

Upon ordering in-person, guests are able to watch the preparation and creation of their meal in an interactive counter experience that highlights the meticulous artistry of hand roll making, officials said.

More details: Handies Douzo is one of seven chef-driven concepts brought to fruition by restaurant group Duckstache Hospitality, which seeks to reinvent traditional Japanese cuisine, officials said.

Construction is slated to begin in late September.

• 3908 Bellaire Blvd., Houston

Chili's To Go is now open at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston Airport System officials announced in an Aug. 25 news release. 

Check it out: Per the release, the 924-square-foot concept restores hot meal and bar service to Terminal E's pre-security space for the first time in more than a decade. The eatery is located on the arrivals level near Starbucks beneath the Oculus. 

Some context: Officials noted that the Chili's To Go opening marks the completion of a four-year food-and-beverage rollout tied to the $1.458 billion IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program. Among the 16 food and beverage options that have opened through the program are The Annie Cafe & Bar, Velvet Taco, Chick-fil-A, Einstein Bros. and a full-service Chili's, as previously reported by Community Impact. 

• 2800 N. Terminal Road, Houston

Greater Houston-area officials are monitoring conditions as a tropical system could bring heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding to the area through Sept. 2, per the National Weather Service.

What’s happening: The latest update from the National Weather Service states Tropical Storm Edouard is moving inland, and is expected to bring heavy rains and flash flooding to portions of the area on Sept. 2.

Gov. Greg Abbott at an Aug. 31 press conference said the forecast could include a storm surge of 2-4 feet in Chambers and Jefferson counties, as well as local rainfall getting as high as 10-15 inches, including in some areas getting 3-4 inches per hour.

While the rainfall is expected to affect the area’s rivers, it’s too early to tell if it will pose any imminent danger, Abbott said.

The office of Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $138 billion investment in Texas transportation infrastructure, including projects in the Greater Houston region, according to an Aug. 27 news release from the Texas Department of Transportation.

The Unified Transportation Program for 2026 was approved during an August meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission.

The breakdown: The program’s funding is divided into two portions, $95 billion for transportation projects across the state, and $43 billion, which is reserved for routine maintenance and development. The total of $138 billion is intended to be spent on projects and maintenance over the next 10 years, according to the news release.

Here are some of the plans for the 2027 UTP:

• The North Houston Highway Improvement Project continues to be a priority for the Houston District, with several projects planned within the first four years of the UTP.

For the first time in over a decade, there is no incumbent in the Texas attorney general's race as Republican Ken Paxton runs for U.S. Senate.

Democrat Nathan Johnson, a state senator from Dallas; Republican Mayes Middleton, a state senator from Galveston; and Libertarian Tom Oxford, an attorney from Nederland, are running to replace him this November. Community Impact asked the candidates for their perspectives on Texas' open records laws, state litigation and other topics.

How we got here: Johnson and Middleton each won their primary runoff elections in May, Community Impact reported, while Oxford was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

Looking ahead: Early voting in eight statewide races and dozens of local elections runs from Oct. 19-30. Election Day is Nov. 3.