Commercial leasing data from early October in The Woodlands area shows shifting trends when compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, according to data from Caldwell Cos. The trends are similar to those reported in September.

According to the data, the market experienced the following changes:

• Commercial leasing rates are up in the office sector, down in industrial and the same in retail.
• Rental rates are down in the office and retail sectors but up slightly in industrial.
• Less retail and industrial space is under construction compared to last year.
• One office building is under construction in 2026, compared to none in late 2025.

Formed in 2024, local band The Harris County Band fuses Latin roots with a contemporary sound. The group is scheduled to perform at Rock the Row on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at Hughes Landing in The Woodlands.

Read all about it: Band leader Armando J Garcia explained that the drive to form the band came from his years of working with different groups, usually as a drummer, where he noticed things he wanted to do differently but could not achieve.

The band said its most memorable performance to date has been one of its previous Rock the Row performances, noting that the musical lineup at the time was tight and the audience-to-band interactions were excellent.

Montgomery County groundwater officials announced on Oct. 29 that the county is not an attractive location for new data center development. Leaders from the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (LSGCD) explained that existing regulations protecting against the overuse of water make it unlikely for developers to target the area. The county relies mostly on groundwater for its water needs.

Key details from the LSGCD officials include:

• The district has spacing rules governing new wells that would make it difficult for data centers to win approval.
• Data centers would need cooling systems that do not tax the water system to be feasible.
• Strong regulations make the county less attractive to data centers that would cause large production damage or impacts.
• The county is investing in science to estimate how groundwater pumping will affect land subsidence by 2080.
• The county cannot rely exclusively on groundwater and uses Lake Conroe to fill the gap.

On Oct. 28, the Lone Star College System formally signed a Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement (GTPA) with five higher education institutions.

The framework: The partnership includes Prairie View A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Texas State University, Texas Tech University and the University of Houston-Downtown. The program is part of Lone Star College's 2025–2030 strategic plan to create pathways for students to get gainful employment and transfer opportunities. The GTPA will create 50 different guaranteed transfer pathways to degrees. Under this program:

• Students will know which credits transfer toward their degrees from the start for up to six years.

• Continuously enrolled students do not lose ground if course requirements change.

• High school students taking dual credit courses can apply those credits toward a bachelor's degree at a partnered university.

What they are saying: University of Houston-Downtown interim president Deborah Bordelon noted the agreement is about accountability and holding each other to higher standards.

Looking to catch up with coverage from Community Impact? Check out these eight stories from across the North Houston area, Oct. 23-30:

• Klein Collins High School to begin $29M project in 2027

• GALLERY: IAH celebrates opening of Terminal B featuring 'football field-sized' United Club

• Jimmy Butler's cafe BIGFACE is setting up shop in Cypress

• Montgomery County commissioners vote to proceed with mounted patrol services

• QuikTrip files plans for new location on FM 1960

• Montgomery County Precinct 4 to open new park

• Local record store Sound Revolution celebrates 50 years

• More than 100,000 people cast ballots in first week of early voting in Montgomery County

Texans' last chance to vote in this year's midterm election is Nov. 3. Polling places across the state will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day, according to the secretary of state's office.

What to expect: Dozens of races will appear on the ballot, from U.S. Senate and governor to local officials and propositions.

If a voter runs into an issue at the polls that cannot be immediately resolved, such as a lack of photo ID or an administrative error, they have the right to cast a provisional ballot, per state law. Some voters may be required to return to the local voter registrar's office by Nov. 9—six days after Election Day—to resolve the issue after voting.

Stay informed: Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide to read Q&As with hundreds of candidates, find coverage of local propositions and print a custom sample ballot to bring to the polls.

After polls close at 7 p.m. Nov. 3, election results will be posted on the same webpage.