Two candidates are competing in the May 2 local election for a soon-to-be vacant Place 1 seat on the Jersey Village City Council.

What you need to know: City Council Places 1, 4 and 5 are up for election, held by council members Drew Wasson, Connie Rossi and Jennifer McCrea, respectively.

The Place 1 candidate will need to secure a majority of votes will replace Wasson, who did not file to run for reelection. Jersey Village City Council members serve two-year terms.

Preparing for the polls: April 2 is the last day to register to vote in time for the May 2 election. Early voting runs April 20-28, according to the Texas secretary of state's website.

A quick note: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot: 

• Michael Brittain
• Curt Beasley

Harris County Emergency Service District No. 9 commissioners will hear updates on the ongoing construction of new fire stations, as well as discuss potential legal issues involving Commissioner Rob Pavia at their upcoming meeting.

The big picture: According to agenda documents, commissioners will receive an update from Martinez Architects on the status of construction for several new fire stations across the district.

Commissioners will also hear an update on the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning software, as well as progress on the strategic implementation plan to address challenges listed in a 2023 audit report, such as deployment service gaps and personnel shortages.

Before you go: The March 26 meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the ESD 9 Administration Building at 10710 Telge Road, Houston.

On March 19, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced the opening of its new Colorectal Center located on the second floor of its Duncan Building, per a news release.

More details: The 24,565-square-foot center blends art and technology, aiming to create a calm, healing environment focused on patient experience, per the news release. This center includes 32 exam rooms, along with a lobby featuring three focus rooms. Patients will have access to supportive services such as nutrition counseling, pain management, genetic counseling and risk assessment.

Quote of note: “When we treat young patients, we are addressing more than just the cancer,” Dr. Y. Nancy You, professor of colon and rectal surgery and director of the young-onset colorectal cancer program, said via news release. “We also recognize the significant psychological impact that a diagnosis can have on their lives. This new center provides a dedicated space where we can deliver personalized, whole-person care and walk that journey with every patient, so they know they are not alone."

More than 229,000 students have applied to receive state funds for private education or homeschooling under Texas’ education savings account program, according to the state comptroller’s office.

By the numbers: State data indicates that the most applications have been submitted on behalf of students living in urban areas and the surrounding suburban communities. As of March 8, students living in Houston ISD’s boundaries led the pack with over 8,900 applications, followed by 6,700 applicants in Dallas ISD.

The data reflects how many students living in each district's boundaries have applied, including those not currently enrolled in a public school.

The background: State lawmakers created the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program in 2025.

Students accepted for the 2026-27 school year will receive $10,474 for private education or up to $2,000 for homeschool. Students with disabilities can receive up to $30,000 each.

More details: Of the first 152,000 program applicants, nearly three-quarters were not enrolled in a public school during the 2025-26 school year, data obtained by the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency shows.