Katy and Fulshear residents can partake in early voting for the Nov. 3 election from Oct. 19-30.

What residents need to know: Fort Bend County residents can cast their votes at any of the 38 early voting locations countywide, which are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 19-24 and Oct. 26-30, according to Fort Bend County’s election website. Some locations will also be open from noon-6 p.m. Oct. 25.

Meanwhile, Harris County residents can weigh in at any of 75 early voting locations from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 19-24 and Oct. 26-30, according to Harris County’s election website. Some locations will also be open from noon-7 p.m. Oct. 25.

Additionally, Waller County voters can cast ballots at any of four early voting locations from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19-23, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 24 and Oct. 26-30 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 25, per Waller County’s election website. 

Looking ahead: Election Day is Nov. 3 with voting locations open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website. 

Dunkin' is set to open a new Katy location on Cane Island Parkway, officials announced in an Oct. 7 news release.

What they offer: The new 1,850 square-foot restaurant will showcase the company's Next Generation design featuring:

• Signature cold beverages such as iced coffee, iced tea, cold brew and nitro-infused cold brew poured through an innovative tap system

• Front-facing bakery case showcasing donuts, bagels and sandwiches

• Increased energy efficiency

Also of note: The new location will employ approximately 25 crew members, per the release.

• 136 Cane Island Parkway, Katy

Two candidates will face off for the Texas House District 149 seat in the November general election.

What you need to know: Dave Bennett and Darlene Breaux—Republican and Democratic candidates, respectively—will compete to represent District 149 on Nov. 3. District 149 covers portions of Katy and southwest Houston, according to the Texas House of Representatives' website.

Incumbent Hubert Vo was unseated during the May primary election, as previously reported by Community Impact.

What else: 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.

Three Harris County leaders held a press conference Oct. 15 to call for local data center development oversight and protections for residents.

The overview: County Attorney Abbie Kamin and commissioners Adrian Garcia and Lesley Briones are asking the state legislature to expand the county's authority, as counties currently have little to no authority to stop these developments.

Harris County has 55 operating, under construction or planned data centers. During an Oct. 15 meeting, the Harris County Commissioners Court passed a motion requiring:

• County departments to notify the court when major data centers apply for permits

• The County Attorney’s Office to report on existing county authority and oversight

• The Office of Intergovernmental and Global Affairs to advocate for statutory changes to strengthen county oversight in unincorporated areas during the next legislative session

The impact: Residents have raised concerns regarding grid reliability, noise, water and energy use, and utility costs. CenterPoint Energy expects to connect eight gigawatts of new data center load in the Houston area by 2029.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out six trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Oct. 9-16.

• Sugar Land launches Feral Hog Mitigation Pilot Program

• Good Bull Capital asks Friendswood to create PID for 135-lot Falling Leaf Ranch on previously foreclosed property

• Houston Methodist holds groundbreaking ceremony for new emergency care center

• West U awards nearly $630K construction contract for recreation center renovations

• Commission of politicians, community members releases report on state takeover of HISD

• Harbor Health to acquire 27 Village Medical clinics