The Brazos County District Attorney's Office announced the launch of a new specialty court on April 21, designed to connect people with mental illnesses in the criminal justice system to treatment instead of repeat jail stays.

About the program: The Rehabilitation Skills for Transformation, Adaptation, and Resiliency Court, or RESTART, began operating in April under Judge David Hilburn. The program focuses on those with serious mental illness, intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders who face low-level charges.

RESTART is led by the Brazos County DA's Office and brings together multiple local partners, according to a news release.

What they're saying: Stephanie Younis, who helped develop the program and specializes in mental health courts, said the specialty courts aim to intervene before someone becomes trapped in repeated contact with the justice system.

How it works: Participants accepted into the program will undergo clinical evaluations and follow individualized treatment plans developed with support from Texas A&M clinicians. The DA's office said the approach combines court supervision with counseling, medication management and assistance in navigating social services.

Bryan ISD's board of trustees approved several construction and renovation contracts at its April 20 meeting, all tied to the district's 2025 bond program. This moves forward with major upgrades at multiple campuses.

The gist: The board approved a design and construction contract with engineering firm Arcadis for renovations at several campuses, totaling about $2.52 million. Projects will include upgrades to multipurpose and teaching spaces at Fannin, Jones and Navarro elementary schools, as well as Long and Rayburn intermediate schools.

Sorting out details: The multipurpose room renovation is one of multiple approved renovation projects across the district.

• $3.6 million for floor finishes, renovations at Branch, Fannin, Jones and Navarro elementary schools, Long and Rayburn intermediates, Davila Middle and Rudder High.
• $4.6 million for restroom renovations at Mitchell, Navarro and Jones elementary schools.
• $5.3 million for restroom renovations at Bowen Elementary and Long and Rayburn intermediates.
• $3.7 million for wall finish improvements at Bonham Elementary, Long and Rayburn intermediates and Davila Middle.

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is now available at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, or IAH, and William P. Hobby Airport, giving eligible travelers another way to move through security, according to an April 23 news release from Houston Airports.

What you need to know: The system "enhances security screening by using facial comparison technology to verify identity faster and more efficiently," the news release notes.

Enrolled travelers with participating airlines can move through dedicated lanes at Hobby Airport and at IAH TSA Checkpoints Terminal A-North, Terminal C-North and Terminal E.

More details: Passengers must meet the following requirements to be eligible for TSA Precheck Touchless ID:

• Have TSA PreCheck
• Have an active airline profile with a participating airline
• Upload valid passport information to their airline profile

Texans are expected to save millions in sales taxes on emergency supplies—everything from tarps to generators—during an annual tax holiday April 25-27.

How it works: The sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. April 24 and lasts until midnight April 27.

Texans are expected to save about $2.4 million in state and local taxes, according to the comptroller’s office. Last year, Texans saved about $2.3 million, agency spokesperson Kevin Lyons said.

According to the comptroller’s office, items qualify for the tax exemption if they are priced at:

• Less than $75 for items including household batteries, fuel containers, flashlights, smoke detectors, tarps and first aid kits

• Less than $300 for hurricane shutters and emergency ladders

• Less than $3,000 for portable generators