HTX-TOM: Impact 10/31/2025

Magnolia ISD school board members approved pay raises for bus drivers and child nutrition food service technicians at its regular board meeting Oct. 27.

What you need to know: The pay raises came after the district’s student enrollment exceeded projections, leaving an extra $1.25 million on the table, according to a meeting presentation. Using the extra funds, the district is giving a $4-per-hour pay increase to bus drivers and child nutrition food service technicians.

The new starting pay rates, which are effective Nov. 1, include the following:

• Bus drivers: $23.25 per hour
• Child nutrition food service technicians: $15.60 per hour

There are several events going on in the Tomball and Magnolia area this holiday season, including community markets and festivals. 

‘Mary Poppins’
Enjoy a musical from National Youth Theater featuring “Mary Poppins” about a woman who takes children on magical adventures.

• Nov. 7, 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 7:30 p.m., Nov. 8-9, 2 and 6 p.m.
• $14-$22 (admission)
• Lone Star College-Tomball Performing Arts Center, 30555 Tomball Parkway, Tomball

• Nov. 7, 5:30–9 p.m., Nov. 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• $150 
• 12131 Northpointe Blvd., Ste. 7, Tomball

• Nov. 15, 2-7 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Unity Park, 19450 Unity Park Drive, Magnolia

Montgomery County commissioners have allocated almost $70 million to road bond projects, which is more than half of the first issuance from the county’s $480 million road bond program, according to an update presented during the Oct. 28 Commissioners Court meeting.

The breakdown: Budget Officer Amanda Carter told commissioners the first round of funds is already more than 50% allocated within just a few months. Officials said they are preparing for the next round of bond issuance to provide more funding for road bond projects.

How we got here: Montgomery County voters approved the $480 million road bond in May 2025, authorizing major transportation investments to address regional congestion and support growth across the county.

Gov. Greg Abbott appointed First Assistant District Attorney Mike Holley as the new Montgomery County district attorney on Oct. 29, according to a news release from the governor's office.

The details: Holley will serve as Montgomery County’s DA until Brett Ligon’s current term expires on Dec. 31, 2026, according to the release. Ligon resigned as the county’s district attorney on Oct. 2 to run for state Senate District 4 in the upcoming 2026 race.

Going forward: Holley will run for election in the county district attorney race in 2026, he told Community Impact.

The background: Holley has been a part of the county’s DA office since 2012, where he was a felony prosecutor and chief of the misdemeanor division. He was promoted to the first assistant of the district attorney in 2016, according to the DA’s website.

YES Prep Public Schools has launched a new four-year, $80 million campaign dubbed “The Power of YES," officials announced in an Oct. 23 news release.

The gist: The campaign will allow the Houston charter school system to invest in technology and facilities while working toward becoming an "A"-rated district. Per the release, the initiative will:

• Add 5,000 new school seats
• Complete YES Prep’s full pre-K-12 feeder pattern
• Fund the construction of six new schools
• Rebuild three of YES Prep’s oldest campuses
• Invest in innovative programs, bilingual education and tools that prepare students for college, careers and leadership

Since Nov. 7, 2000, at least one person has died on Texas roads every day, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. As the Lone Star State nears 25 years of daily traffic deaths, officials at all levels of government are investing in new roadway safety projects and encouraging Texas drivers to do their part to curb deadly crashes.

The big picture: In the past 25 years, over 91,000 people have died on Texas roads. That is enough people to fill Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, according to TxDOT.

On average, 11 people died daily on Texas roads last year. In 2025, an average of 10 people had died per day as of Sept. 24.

Zooming in: State and local leaders found that the top factors in severe crashes include:

• Impaired driving
• High speeds
• Distracted driving
• Pedestrian and cyclist safety
• Lack of seatbelt use
• Roadway or lane departures
• Wrong-way driving