HTX-SKL: Impact 10/21/2025

Harris County commissioners implemented a burn ban beginning Oct. 16 for unincorporated Harris County due to what county officials are calling "ongoing dry weather and heightened fire danger."

Quote of note: "In these dry conditions, a small spark could cause a big problem for our community," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a statement.

The big picture: More than 150 counties across Texas are also under burn bans to reduce wildfire threats, according to the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, including Montgomery, Fort Bend, Waller, Chambers and Liberty counties.

What you need to know: The ban will last for 90 days or until the Texas Forest Service determines drought conditions no longer exist in Harris County. The TFS measures drought conditions based on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index scale, which finds conditions between 600-800 with the potential to lead to intense, prolonged wildfires. County officials found Harris County averaging 671, according to a news release.

AR's Entertainment Hub celebrated its grand opening Oct. 18, bringing a variety of gaming attractions to Spring.

The details: Located at 19746 I-45 in Spring, this is the business' third location in Texas, with one in Baytown and a second in San Antonio. 

Attractions include roller skating, arcade games, laser tag, black light mini-golf and XR play areas, according to the business' website. In addition to general admission, AR's Entertainment Hub coordinates birthday parties and other events. The entertainment space includes a bistro and bar, serving up pizza, wings, desserts and more.

The nonprofit Harris County Public Library Foundation has officially launched, a press release from the organization announced. 

What to know: The nonprofit is dedicated to supporting and enhancing library services for the more than 5 million residents of Harris County and was established to champion the library's mission and secure financial support to expand its services and collections of materials and resources according to the foundation's website.

What else: The HCPL Foundation will hold its first annual Booked for Lunch event on Nov. 10 at the Junior League of Houston. The 2025 Booked for Lunch event is specifically focused on raising funds to increase the quantity of both printed and digital books in the Harris County Public Library collection and reduce wait times for borrowers.

As water restrictions and shortages become more common in Texas communities, state lawmakers are asking voters to approve $20 billion to fund new water supply projects and improve existing systems over the next 20 years.

The overview: If voters approve State Proposition 4, which is on the November ballot, the state will create a dedicated funding stream to help local utilities access more water and upgrade their infrastructure. Without the new funding, Texas’ water crisis could deepen, experts say.

“We’ve got 1,500+ people moving to Texas every day, and not one of them is bringing a single drop of water with them,” Dean Sharp, who leads the management division of the Texas American Water Works Association, said Oct. 16.

Key takeaway: Despite the $1 billion annual price tag, Proposition 4 would not create any new state taxes or increase costs for Texans, lawmakers and experts said. Beginning in 2027, the money would come from existing sales tax revenue and be deposited in the Texas Water Fund, a state account that voters approved in 2023.