The filing deadline for the March 2026 primary elections has passed, showing contested races for three Texas House of Representatives seats alongside the upcoming Kendall County elections.

The overview: In 2026, Kendall County voters will choose the candidates for Kendall County judge, Precinct 2 commissioner, Precinct 4 commissioner, county clerk and all four of the Justice of the Peace representatives.

For the judge seat, incumbent Shane Stolarczyk will run against Ricky Gleason and Besa Martin, with all three of the candidates running in the Republican primary.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Andra Wisian will run in the primary against Richard W. Elkins and J.C. Taylor. Precinct 4 Commissioner Chad Carpenter will run against Brett D’Spain.

What you need to know: The primary elections will determine the frontrunners for each party, and the election for the candidate to serve the position will be in November.

Voter registration for the primary election closes Feb. 2, and early voting will begin Feb. 17. Election day is March 3.

Ralph Fair Road is one of the primary thoroughfares running through the city of Fair Oaks Ranch. Texas Department of Transportation representatives shared an update on its road construction with Fair Oaks Ranch City Council on Dec. 4, including a potential speed limit reduction within the city limits and the final phase of bridge work.

TxDOT representatives told City Council that the speed along Ralph Fair Road near Fair Oaks Ranch could be reduced from 55 mph to 50 mph. The process for the reduction is expected to take a few months, with implementation taking place around April if approved at the state level.

What else? The bridge construction along Ralph Fair Road is planned to shift traffic lanes during the week of Dec. 8. Traffic along the bridge has been utilizing the northbound lane, and the pattern is planned to shift drivers to the southbound lane. This is the last traffic switch of the project, and the new traffic pattern will be effective until the project's completion in March.

After closing earlier this year for a renovation project, a dual-branded Applebee’s and IHOP restaurant has reopened its doors on San Antonio’s Northwest side.

Current situation: The restaurant opened at 9911 I-10, San Antonio, near Wurzbach Road.

Restaurant staff told Community Impact the eatery officially opened Oct. 27.

Originally a single IHOP, the restaurant is one of several throughout the area to close and reopen as the dual-branded concept.

Recently, a new location opened in northeast San Antonio featuring both restaurants, according to previous reporting from Community Impact.

Both Applebee’s and IHOP are owned by the parent company Dine Brands Global.

The dual-branded concept “leverages both brands to provide guests two unique dining experiences under one roof,” according to the company’s website.

Explained: The eatery is split in half, one side containing the Applebee’s menu and the other serving IHOP breakfast items.

• 9911 I-10, San Antonio

Texas voters will see 18 statewide races on the ballot in 2026.

The overview: Texas will hold Republican and Democratic primary elections on March 3 to determine who will appear on the statewide ballot in November. Texas is one of 17 states with open primaries, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, meaning registered voters can cast their ballots in either primary and do not need to register with a specific party.

What to know: The 18 statewide races on the 2026 primary ballots are:

• U.S. Senate
• Governor
• Lieutenant governor
• Attorney general
• Comptroller of public accounts
• General land commissioner
• Agriculture commissioner
• Railroad commissioner
• Texas Supreme Court, chief justice
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 2
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 7
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 8
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 3
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 4
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 9
• 15th Court of Appeals, chief justice
• 15th Court of Appeals justice, Place 2
• 15th Court of Appeals justice, Place 3