Convenience Big Store: Fort Bend ISD bond projects still $73.8M over budget after cuts

Memorial Day Flash Sale: 6 MONTHS FOR 99¢
Don't miss our best offer on exclusive access.
Act Now

Flooding, hot weather will create a mosquito population explosion

Avoiding mosquito bites is next to impossible right now. I myself have around six near my ankles.

Houston made us proud this week by being named one of the top 10 mosquito-prone cities in the U.S. by Orkin.

The pest control company gave the top spot to Los Angeles, gleefully stating --"aspiring stars aren't the only ones flocking to LA,"

Mosquitoes aren't just a nuisance, they're also dangerous. They cause more than 600,000 malaria-related deaths around the world each year, the CDC reports.

They can also spread diseases like Zika, dengue and West Nile virus, the latter of which is the biggest threat out of the others, says our colleague Chevall Pryce. Two of the 38 cases of West Nile virus reported in 2023 came from the Houston area.

Find out more about mosquito spraying here.

Do you have a story idea? Write and let us know.

Juhi Varma, Fort Bend reporter

juhi.varma@houstonchronicle.com

Need to Know

A restoration crew work in a home while cleaning up storm damage on Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Cypress. The suburban Houston area of Bridgeland suffered major damage last week after a line of powerful storms, that included a confirmed tornado, swept through the area.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Texas home insurance becoming pricier, more limited

With extreme weather events increasing along with construction costs, insurance premiums in Texas continue to rise at a fast pace.

Growing Fort Bend

A house is shown under construction in the Jordan Ranch area Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Fulshear.

Photo by: Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

This Fort Bend city is the second-fastest growing in the country. Here's why.

Fort Bend County is home to the second fastest-growing city in the country, according to Census Bureau data released Thursday.

Education

Scenes from Fort Bend ISD high school graduations.

Photo by: Courtesy Photo, Fort Bend ISD

Column: Fort Bend ISD's valedictorian switch makes a common problem worse

"It's a shakeup that could break students' hearts and dash scholarship dreams," writes columnist Joy Sewing.

A policy change in Fort Bend ISD ranks students based on the high school they are zoned to according to their home address, rather than the specific campus they attend.

Photo by: Juhi Varma

Fort Bend ISD bond projects still $73.8M over budget after cuts

Six of Fort Bend ISD's 2023 bond projects remain over budget by as much as 22%, even as the district has slashed a $163 million shortfall for the $1.26 million bond, closing the gap completely for two school renovations.

Openings and Closings

New sushi bowl restaurant Poke Poki is set to open its doors in Missouri City at the end of May. The eatery is located at 5936 Hwy. 6, Missouri City.

Shout Out

Congratulations to all the Fort Bend ISD seniors graduating this week! Wishing you the very best of luck in your future endeavors.

One last thing ...

Memorial Day is around the corner, as is summer. Looking for some quick, mini-vacation ideas? Here are six easy road-trip getaways from Houston, according to our travel editor Jody Schmal.