Katy is sinking, and it could affect your home's foundation

Plus: 2nd Baptist pastor wades into politics again. Fort Bend consultants under fire. 

View in browser October Sale: 6 Months for 99¢! Access fall events, football and more local news. Subscribe Today. Katy Insider   Katy is sinking. The good news: Katy is one of the fastest growing suburbs in the Houston area. The bad news: it's causing the city to sink into the ground. Fast-growing suburbs in the Houston area are sinking at "significant rates," primarily because of groundwater and oil and gas withdrawal pumping, a recent study conducted by a University of Houston geology professor has found. And we're not talking a couple inches of drop. At this rate, we'll be 4 feet underground pretty quickly, which means that if the ground pumping continues, homes are at risk for damaged foundation and major flooding issues. I'll be following this story closely, because I'd prefer my house to stay above ground.  What are your thoughts on Katy sinking? Is there an easy fix, or are we facing a major problem? Let me know your thoughts at claire.goodman@chron.com.   Claire Goodman Katy reporter claire.goodman@chron.com Top stories   Photo: Tracy Maness / Staff Photo Democrat consultants hired by Fort Bend County under are scrutiny over a $345K contract. A political consulting firm with Democratic ties hired for a COVID outreach contract in Fort Bend County is under scrutiny, after an audit found it submitted questionable expenses and did not comply with terms of the $345,000 deal.   Paetow parents are furious over the handling of a coach's investigation. By not addressing the allegations against Lonnie Teagle, parents said, the district is making children feel unsafe.   Pastor Ed Young, known for pulpit politicking, calls Sen. Tim Scott an 'ideal' president. U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R- South Carolina) was the guest speaker at Second Baptist Church Sunday, with Rev. Ed Young hailing Scott as the best candidate for president.   Need to know   If you're feeling nostalgic, check out Katy Vibes' Van Halen tribute night on Wednesday, Oct. 19. The event is hosted by the Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. There's no cover charge, and the festivities start at 8 p.m.   Shout out   Eleven of the 15 pieces of artwork recently auctioned at the Fort Bend County Fair were created by Katy ISD students and earned a grand total of $17,700. Jerry Sun, a senior at Seven Lakes High School, won the "Grand Champion" award for his artwork titled "Warrior on the Horizon." Jordan High School junior, Valeria Dumitrascu, was awarded the recognition of Reserve Champion for her piece "Saddle of Flames."   Ashwin Subramanian, a senior from Tompkins High School, and Natalie Reese, a junior from Seven Lakes High School, also received "Best in Class" awards for their pieces.   One last thing ...   Is it to early to start selling Christmas decorations?  According to these businesses, no.  You all know how I feel about retailers pushing holiday/seasonal decor absurdly far in advance, but I'm lowering my sword this time. Some retailers are foisting Christmas decor upon us for a good cause, my colleague Ryan Nickerson reports, and my love for a good cause supercedes my frustration over premature holiday consumerism. What are your thoughts on Christmas in October? Let me know at claire.goodman@chron.com.       October Sale: 6 Months for 99¢! Unlimited Digital Access Act Now No Commitment | Cancel Anytime Unsubscribe  |  Manage Preferences  |  Privacy Notice Houston Chronicle 4747 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027 © 2022 Hearst Communications