Government News
PREVIEW: Willis ISD to review district purchases, educational reports at upcoming meeting
At the upcoming Sept. 9 regular meeting, the Willis ISD board of trustees is set to review multiple agenda items concerning district purchases, construction updates and educational reports for the upcoming school semester. On the agenda WISD will review multiple agenda items conc...
EMCID board approves name for convention center
The East Montgomery County Improvement District ‘s new 210,000-square-foot convention center in Valley Ranch has been named “Caney Pines,” according to a Sept. 1 news release from the district. What’s in a name EMCID’s board of directors approved the convention center’s name, whi...
Q&A: Meet the candidates for U.S. House District 8
Candidates Jessica Hart Steinmann and Laura Jones are slated to face off in November’s general election for a seat in the U.S. House. What you need to know The district covers parts of Harris and Montgomery counties. U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, who has served two terms, a...
Q&A: Get to know the candidates running for Congressional District 2
Two candidates are vying for Congressional District 2 in the upcoming Nov. 3 general election. Meet the candidates Republican Steve Toth will face Democrat Shaun Finnie in the race for U.S. House District 2, which covers portions of the communities of New Caney, Porter, Conroe, T...
Candidates set for Conroe ISD November election
Conroe voters will have multiple candidates to consider in the upcoming Nov. 3 election for the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees . Candidate filings for Positions 1, 2 and 3 closed on Aug. 17. On the Conroe ballot Conroe ISD, Position 1 Aggie Gambino (incumbent) Ryan Tsamouris Conroe...
Conroe holds off on $4 residential stormwater fee, seeks closer look at drainage needs
Conroe residents and businesses will not see a new stormwater charge just yet. The City Council did not vote on the proposed fee during its Aug. 27 meeting. Instead, council members asked staff to return with more information about the condition of the city’s drainage system, kno...
Q&A: Meet the candidates for Texas House District 3
Two candidates, Kristen Plaisance and Nicole King, will face off during the Nov. 3 election for the seat representing Texas House District 3 for the next two years. District 3 covers portions of Montgomery County. The seat is currently held by Rep. Cecil Bell Jr., R-Magnolia, who...
Old Houston Road widening project to kick off soon in New Caney
A $7.25 million construction project focused on widening part of Old Houston Road from two to four lanes is scheduled to begin Aug. 31, according to Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray’s Office . What residents should know Work to expand the roadway will take place over the next ye...
Q&A: Meet the candidates for Texas House District 16
Incumbent Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, and Democratic challenger Bobbie Clayton will face off in the Nov. 3 general election for Texas House District 16. What you need to know District 16 spans northern Montgomery County and includes Conroe and Montgomery, according to a map of the di...
Texas Veterans Commission to Present More Than $6.3 Million in Grants to 27 Veteran Service Organizations in the Southeast Texas, Coastal Bend Area
Texas Veterans Commission to Present More Than $6.3 Million in Grants to 27 Veteran Service Organizations in the Southeast Texas, Coastal Bend Area montgomerycountynews.net...
The Woodlands Township slates $600K for sports facility study
During a budget workshop discussion on Aug. 20, The Woodlands Township board of directors discussed the potential for a partnership with Conroe ISD on a multi-use indoor sportsplex that could be located in Bear Branch Park or another one of the township’s large parks. The board a...
Conroe council members say they received threats after Flock Safety ballot vote
Two Conroe city council members say they have recently received threats and harassment following the council’s August 13 vote against putting a proposed Flock Safety camera measure on the November ballot. Should Flock cameras stay in Conroe? Voters could get the final say Council...
Flock cameras face growing backlash across Texas counties, but getting rid of them is complicated
Jon Shapley for The Texas Tribune Drivers pass Flock cameras mounted next to the Southwest Freeway in Houston, on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. HOUSTON — At a 9 a.m. Harris County Commissioners Court meeting Aug. 17, dozens of Houston residents filed into the courtroom. The commissioner...
The Woodlands Township votes on reduced tax rate for FY 2027; considers mounted patrol changes
After four days of budget discussion, The Woodlands Township on Aug. 20 voted 6-1 on a maintenance and operations tax rate of $0.1594 per 100 valuation for fiscal year 2027. Along with the interest and sinking rate of $0.01, the total proposed tax rate of $0.1694 is lower than th...
Montgomery ISD adopts lower property tax rate for FY 2026-27 at regular board meeting.
On Aug. 18, the Montgomery ISD board of trustees adopted the fiscal year 2026-27 tax rate, which is lower than the previous tax rate. The reason behind this decision was to pay back Montgomery residents for their recent support and investments, said MISD Board President Eddie Win...
Conroe names new community development, public works directors
Conroe City Council appointed two longtime city employees to leadership roles Aug. 13 , naming Brandy Taylor as community development director and Jason Miller as public works director. What you need to know City Administrator David Willard recommended both appointments, telling ...
Conroe ISD approves tax rate and budget for 2026-27 school year
After months of deliberation and planning, the Conroe ISD board of trustees officially approved a lower tax rate for the 2026-27 fiscal year at the Aug. 18 regular meeting. The cost As previously reported , CISD began drafting initial projections for the new tax rate in January. ...
Conroe approves data center regulations as officials cite interest in city
Conroe City Council approved new regulations Aug. 13 governing how data centers could be developed and operated in the city, as officials said there is already interest in bringing the industry to Conroe. The details The ordinance adds regulations covering permitting, constructio...
Preview: Montgomery County to discuss flood mitigation and road bond projects
On the heels of a week of budget workshops , Montgomery County commissioners are set to handle a range of regular business items during the Aug. 20 meeting such as approving vendors for several bond projects as well as advancing work on a flood mitigation project. What you need t...
Texas puts 4 players on preseason AP All-America team; 14 of the 27 first-team picks are from SEC
Texas leads all team s with four players named to the preseason Associated Press All-America team announced Tuesday and the Southeastern Conference has 14 of the 27 first-team selections on the eve of the college football season. The Big Ten has eight players on the first team, l...
Montgomery County FY 2026-27 budget grows to $552.7M after workshops
Montgomery County commissioners wrapped up several days of budget talks Aug. 13 with a roughly $552.7 million working budget for fiscal year 2026-27 , adding about $15.4 million in expenses to the preliminary spending plan while proposing a higher property tax rate. The prelimina...
Trump's border plans near Big Bend could hinge on Texas land commissioner
Trump's border plans near Big Bend could hinge on Texas land commissioner Houston Chronicle
Conroe City Council rejects proposal to let citizens decide on Flock camera use in the city
Conroe City Council rejects proposal to let citizens decide on Flock camera use in the city ABC13 Houston
Conroe City Council falls one vote short of putting Flock cameras on November ballot
Conroe City Council falls one vote short of putting Flock cameras on November ballot KHOU
Conroe City Council vote falls short of putting Flock camera question on November ballot
The Conroe City Council voted late Thursday night on whether to place a binding proposition about the city’s Flock Safety license plate reader cameras on the November ballot, but the motion did not get the three “yes” votes needed to advance. PREVIOUS: Should Flock cameras stay i...
Montgomery County veterans services to benefit from part of $6.3 million in grants from the Texas Veterans Commission
Should Flock cameras stay in Conroe? Voters could get the final say
More than 50 automated license plate reader cameras are positioned around Conroe, quietly capturing information from vehicles traveling through the city. Some residents say the cameras make them feel safer. Others see them as an invasion of privacy. “I think if it involves everyb...
Paxton, Talarico tap contrary versions of God and Christianity in appeal to Texas voters
From left: Photo illustration with James Talarico and Ken Paxton, Democratic and Republican nominees for U.S. Senate, at their respective state conventions in June. Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico portray their U.S. Senate campaigns as a fight for the soul of Am...
Montgomery County commissioners hear from department heads on 2nd day of budget workshops
Montgomery County commissioners heard budget requests from several department heads Aug. 12 , while County Judge Mark Keough began the day’s budget workshop calling for an economic development director to help bring tax relief to the county. “The county is in desperate need of so...
Montgomery City Council advances $9.4M proposed FY 2026-27 budget
Montgomery City Council moved its fiscal year 2026-27 budget process forward Aug. 11, approving a proposed spending plan that increases general fund expenses while keeping the city’s proposed property tax rate at $0.40 per $100 valuation. The details The proposed general fund bud...
Montgomery County budget discussion includes tax rate, pay parity projections
Montgomery County budget workshop discussions for fiscal year 2026-27 began Aug. 11 at the Alan B. Sadler Commissioners Court Building in Conroe. The conversation started with commissioners’ review of tax rate options as well as the FY 2026-27 certified taxable value of about $10...
Two Houston-area cities could put Flock license plate cameras before voters
Two Houston-area communities could soon ask voters to weigh in on the future of Flock Safety automatic license plate reader cameras, putting a growing debate over public safety, privacy and government surveillance directly on the November ballot. League City and Conroe are consid...
Montgomery County holds off on November justice center bond after commissioners question $350M plan
Montgomery County holds off on November justice center bond after commissioners question $350M plan ABC13 Houston
Montgomery City Council to hold back-to-back budget meetings Aug. 10-11
Montgomery City Council is set to spend two consecutive evenings focused on the city’s next budget as officials continue working through spending priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Council will first meet for a budget workshop at 6 p.m. Aug. 10 , followed by its regular mee...
Montgomery County’s $537.3M preliminary budget sets stage for Aug. 11 workshops
Montgomery County commissioners got a look Aug. 6 at a roughly $537.3 million preliminary budget for fiscal year 2026-27, with several days of budget workshops set to begin Aug. 11. The preliminary budget, filed July 27 , totals $537,298,232, an increase of about $29.2 million fr...
Lone Star College System trustees OK balanced FY 2026-27 budget, 2% employee raises
On Aug. 6, Lone Star College System ’s board of trustees unanimously approved a balanced $577.5 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27, which features 2% raises for full- and part-time employees. The gist According to Aug. 7 meeting documents, the FY 2026-27 budget featured emplo...
Conroe Noon Lions: Lions close the book on Buddy Moorhead’s Pigskin Preview after 50 years
For half a century, the sign that football season had arrived in Montgomery County wasn’t a whistle or a scoreboard — it was a room full of Lions, a microphone, and a line of head coaches waiting their turn. On Wednesday, the Conroe Noon Lions Club hosted the 50th Buddy Moorhead’...
“I didn’t vote for that”: Trump voter says ICE detained his fiancée at Bush Airport
A Houston-area business owner who voted for President Donald Trump says he supported removing dangerous criminals from the United States. Now, he is fighting the administration he supported after immigration officers detained his fiancée at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. J...
Little Jules Children’s Boutique opening soon in Montgomery
Local children’s clothing boutique Little Jules Children’s Boutique will have a grand opening party Aug. 26. What they offer The business is locally owned and operated by Isabella Gorka and offers a selection of baby and children’s clothing, gifts, accessories and everyday essent...
Curry & Grill now crafting spiced curries, biryanis with fourth location
Now turning up the heat in The Woodlands area, Curry & Grill: Indian Cuisine and Bar invites locals to taste its selection of handcrafted curries, tandoori, pulao, biryanis and more at its newly opened location along Research Forest Drive, owner Magesh Ganesan confirmed. The trad...
Harris County considers ballot measure for early childhood funding through proposed tax increase
Harris County commissioners discussed a proposal Thursday that could ask voters to decide whether to increase property taxes to fund early childhood programs, but no vote was taken. The proposal is for commissioners to consider the county’s proposed 2026 tax rate, including a rat...
Conroe ISD reviews preliminary budget, compensation plan at special meeting
At its Aug. 4 special meeting, the Conroe ISD board of trustees reviewed a presentation from John Robuck, managing director at BOK Financial Advisors, and CISD Chief Financial Officer Karen Garza focusing on the district’s budget, compensation plan and tax rate for fiscal year 20...
Prosper ISD implements cost-saving measures to address budget shortfall
Prosper ISD officials are looking for ways to save money in the 2026-27 budget, Chief Financial Officer Keri Croy said at a July 20 board meeting . The 2026-27 budget, which was approved at a June 16 meeting, projects a $42.2 million shortfall for the upcoming school year, includ...
PREVIEW: Montgomery County to consider November bond election, jail funding Aug. 6
Montgomery County commissioners could take the next steps toward a potential November bond election while continuing discussions over a new jail facility for the sheriff’s office during an Aug. 6 meeting. What you need to know Per meeting documents, commissioners will consider ca...
Beat the back-to-school heat: Harris County Precinct 4 serving up free snow cones on Monday
Families looking for a last splash of summer before classes begin can stop by a free snow cone event Monday hosted by Harris County Precinct 4. Constable Mark Herman and Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey, partnering with Sunny Daze, plan to hand out snow cones from 10 a.m. to...
Conroe City Council approves new animal shelter programs
Conroe residents will soon have more ways to give shelter dogs a break from their kennels following a pair of City Council approvals. During its July 23 meeting, council unanimously approved the Texas Dog Days Out and Texas Paws Away Weekend programs along with a longer-term fost...
Conroe City Council Tables Two Flock Camera Proposals Indefinitely; Program Remains in Place
Conroe’s automated license plate reader program will keep running as-is after City Council members voted unanimously on July 23, 2026 to indefinitely table two proposals that had aimed to inject additional public scrutiny into the city’s Flock Safety agreement. Neither vote ended...
Conroe City Council indefinitely tables 2 Flock camera proposals
Conroe City Council indefinitely tables 2 Flock camera proposals ABC13 Houston
Montgomery County commissioners debate courthouse bond approval timeline
Montgomery County commissioners remained conflicted on how much funding to go for in a potential bond for the construction of a new justice center as the Aug. 6 deadline to call the election approaches. What happened Talk of a new justice center started when commissioners assesse...
New 8,000-square-foot senior center planned on Montgomery County Precinct 3 land
Seniors in Montgomery County will soon have a new, dedicated facility for activities and communal dining at a location off Pruitt Road near I-45, Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler announced July 23. The center will provide room for senior activities and dining, which is curre...
Get Fictional offers handmade soy candles with a bookish twist in Conroe
A lifelong love of books and crafting came full circle for local entrepreneur Keely Mahaffey with her new shop, Get Fictional , founded in Downtown Conroe on June 13, 2025. The boutique combines handcrafted soy-based candles with a curated selection of books from local authors as...
Sekula-Gibbs, Lamb, Heiser Lead in Unofficial Woodlands Township Election Results
Unofficial election results show Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, Adam Lamb, and Cindy Heiser leading in the Woodlands Township Board of Directors races. The results remain unofficial until canvassing at the Nov. 14 board meeting....
Veteran Nick Tran Announces Congressional Run
On September 18, 2025, Nick Tran, a combat veteran and America First conservative, announced his candidacy for Texas's 8th Congressional District. A Vietnam War refugee and former U.S. Army officer, Tran brings military and energy industry experience to the race....
Taxed But Voiceless: Conroe’s ETJ Residents in the Recent Mayoral Election
ETJ residents in Conroe are taxed but lack voting rights in municipal elections, highlighting a significant issue of taxation without representation.
