A regional flood resiliency coalition among the Brookshire-Katy Drainage District, Harris County and Waller County will join efforts to reduce flood damage in the region.

The overview: Officials with the four entities signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, during a ceremony Aug. 31. Harris and Waller counties will partner with the Brookshire-Katy Drainage District to “expand flood warning systems, build strategic detention capacity and protect families across jurisdictional lines,” according to a news release. The entities have interconnected watersheds and drainage systems that require “proactive regional coordination,” according to the MOU.

The context: Harris County previously partially funded a study with the Brookshire-Katy Drainage District, which looked at ways to mitigate flooding along major creeks in the Katy area. The coalition will expand on that relationship, potentially improving the flood warning system and sharing technology between counties, Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones said.

Happyland Playground opened its indoor playground to the public July 25, owner Iyari Guzman said.

What you need to know: The playground offers attractions for children ages 2-12 to explore. The facility also offers a coffee bar, high-speed Wi-Fi and a full concession area for family meals.

• Opened July 25
• 25903 Elmfield Drive, Ste. 100, Spring

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 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 include The Annie Cafe & Bar, Velvet Taco, Chick-fil-A, Einstein Bros. and a full-service Chili's, as previously reported by Community Impact. 

• Opened Aug. 23 
• 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.

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.