The city of Houston is on track to spend about $9 million less on police overtime in fiscal year 2025-26 compared to last year.

Budget explained: In fiscal year 2024-25, the city spent $39.7 million on overtime pay for the police department, according to Houston’s finance department. For FY 2025-26, the city is expected to spend approximately $30.9 million on overtime. However, city officials said that while the cost is lower than the previous year, it is still slightly over the budgeted amount, which was $30.8 million.

On the other hand, the Houston Fire Department is projected to be under budget by $3.4 million for overtime spending. The department budgeted for $82.6 million in FY 2025-26 and is projected to spend just over $79 million.

Something to note: Finance Director Melissa Dubowski said much of the overtime spending is unpredictable and event-driven. She said the final savings are still not yet calculated, as the city is still finalizing its savings and paying invoices before it can give a final offset.

Bellaire households can now receive around-the-clock laundry service at a new laundromat on the corner of Chimney Rock Road and Bissonnet Street.

The 24-hour location, aptly named Wash24 Laundromat, is currently welcoming customers for its soft opening period, officials confirmed. Its first day of business was Aug. 1, with limited-time deals still ongoing in celebration of the location opening its doors.

A closer look: The laundromat is owned by Laura Osorio, officials told Community Impact.

What they offer: A unique offering of Wash24 is its drop-off option, which allows clients to bring in and drop off their items to be washed, dried and folded by a professional on-site team. Also available 24 hours, clients can return at their designated pickup time once their order has been fulfilled, according to the company's website.

Wash24’s self-service route allows clientele to come in and manage their own laundry at their individual pace, officials said.

• 7133 Chimney Rock Road, Houston

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Aug. 7 that eight higher education institutions across Texas would receive more than $5.6 million in state grants to support new and expanded projects that improve or extend nursing programs.

Of the $5.6 million, the University of Houston received $750,000 from the Nursing Innovation Grant Program to expand its expertise, learning and technology at the Andy & Barbara Gessner College of Nursing.

The local impact: Raji Pillai, assistant professor at the nursing college, said receiving this grant from Gov. Abbott is a "significant investment" in both the students at UH and the future of healthcare in Texas.

University officials said they intend to use the $750,000 grant to advance UH Health, the campus's integrated academic health enterprise and its focus on connecting education, research, innovation and community impact.

The need: Kathryn Tart, founding dean of the UH Gessner College of Nursing, said this investment comes at a critical time as Texas works to meet the growing demand for highly skilled and educated nurses.

A permanent public mural within Houston’s Southwest District is now complete, according to an Aug. 10 news release from officials.

The mural, entitled “Painted Bridges,” was officially unveiled at 9750 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, in a formal ceremony hosted Aug. 7.

The background: Spearheaded by EpNex, the international initiative paired six emerging artists and designers from Taiwan with Houston street art pioneer Mario E. Figueroa Jr.—more popularly known as GONZO247—for the co-creation of a new public landmark.

The details: The finished mural is centered around the program’s theme, “The Space Between,” and reflects upon the meaningful moments and shared experiences that define strangers-to-collaborators relationships, officials said.

In case you missed it: At one point, the ceremony featured a proclamation reading from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who officially designated the date as “Painted Bridges Houston Mural Program Day,” according to the release.

The festivities concluded with a group photo of the artists, partners and community leaders posing in front of the newly completed wall.

Texas A&M has partnered with gas station and convenience store Buc-ee’s to launch co-branded merchandise to be available on campus and at select Buc-ee’s locations.

The gist: The university was the first institution in the country to partner with Buc-ee’s in March, with some of the store’s products sold on campus. Buc-ee’s founder Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, who is also a graduate of the university, said the partnership is a way to celebrate both brands.

According to a news release from the university, the launch of the merchandise partnership will include a shirt featuring Buc-ee the beaver and Texas A&M iconography. According to the news release, the shirt will also be sold at the Barnes & Noble on the university’s campus.

What’s next: The co-branded material will be available at Buc-ee's locations in Central Texas and the greater Dallas and Houston areas. The university said future product releases are planned throughout the upcoming school year, which coincides with Texas A&M's 150th anniversary celebration.

Community Impact is seeking input from Bellaire residents who would like to share their thoughts on the city’s plan for more commercial development in the new fiscal year that could result in easing parking regulations and creating one or more special districts. If you are interested, please reach out to [email protected]. Must be willing to speak on record.