As part of Harris County’s goal to reform its criminal justice system, county leaders want to expand the capabilities of public attorneys who represent criminal defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, known as “indigent” cases.

The big picture: March data from the Public Defender's Office show public attorneys have been appointed to about 15% of felony indigent cases and 30% of misdemeanor cases so far this year. However, county leaders want the office to be able to take on half of all indigent cases in the legal system.

To do so, officials told commissioners they will need more funding for increased staffing and expanded services.

Did you know? All defendants charged with a crime in Harris County have a right to an attorney regardless of their ability to pay. In 2025, more than 88,000 indigent defendants in Harris County were appointed legal counsel, approximately 17% of whom were public attorneys. 

Looking forward: The PDO and the Managed Assigned Counsel Office will present commissioners with a strategic plan for expanded services by Aug. 1.

The Harris County Flood Control District on March 23 celebrated the completion of a six-month channel restoration project near Little Cypress Creek that will improve stormwater flow and decrease flood risk to surrounding neighborhoods.

About the project: HCFCD officials completed the $3.2 million restoration project in collaboration with Harris County Precinct 3 and Northwest Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 5, which has utility plants near the watershed. Chief Infrastructure and Operations Officer Jason Krahn said the purpose of the project was to restore the water system to its original condition and “reset the clock” on critical infrastructure.

Some context: HCFCD Executive Director Tina Petersen said the project was identified as an urgent need given its proximity to pedestrian and utility infrastructure. Funding came from the $3.5 billion flood control bond that Harris County voters approved in 2018. 

Why it matters: Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said the amount of silt and debris in the channel prevented water from properly moving downstream, increasing the risk of flooding that could have damaged nearby homes and trails.

There are several places to visit in the Greater Houston area to celebrate MLB’s Opening Day. Check them out below. This is not a comprehensive list and events are subject to change.

Stats Sportsbar
For the Astros Opening Day, Stats will be hosting a watch party with 23-ounce beers, $1 wings all night, $2 off Stats’ signature drinks and old fashioneds and $5.50 purple Gatorade shots.

• March 26, 5 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 10850 Louetta Road, Houston

• March 26, 3 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 2503 Covey Lane, Pearland

• March 26, noon-3 p.m.
• $62-$498 (March 26 game ticket)
• 501 Crawford St., Houston

On March 20, student doctors at Sam Houston State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine celebrated Match Day and learned where they would go for their residencies.

Some context: Student doctors interview with residency programs across the country, and submit a ranked list of the residency programs where they’d like to train, COM Dean Thomas Mohr said. The residency programs also rank the students they’ve interviewed, and after the preferences are processed, student doctors are paired with residency programs.

By the numbers: According to a March 20 news release:

• COM’s residency placement rate exceeded 99%.
• Almost 66% of student doctors will remain in Texas for their residencies.
• A little over 51% of student doctors matched into primary care specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics.
• 26% of student doctors matched into emergency medicine.

Beginning April 1, Texans can no longer use food stamps to purchase sweetened beverages and candy.

How we got here: During the 2025 legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 379, which prohibits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from being used to purchase candy and sweetened drinks. In August, the federal government approved a waiver allowing Texas to implement the prohibition beginning April 1.

Texas will be the ninth state to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used on sugary items, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How it works: Under SB 379, Texans will not be allowed to use their SNAP benefits to buy sweetened drinks containing any artificial sweeteners or at least 5 grams of added sugar, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. SB 379 also bans the purchase of candy with Lone Star Cards.

It is up to Texas businesses to determine which items are no longer SNAP-eligible, update their store purchase systems and train staff to recognize the newly restricted items, according to the HHSC.