A woman in her 60s was found dead inside a dumpster behind a strip mall on Aldine Mail Route Road; Harris County investigators are reviewing surveillance and seeking tips.

Texas DPS approved a $4.49M purchase to outfit four Tahoes with Cognyte’s FalcoNet surveillance suite, raising questions about warrants and oversight.

Lakento Brian Smith, whose life sentence was commuted by President Biden on Jan. 17, 2025, has been indicted on federal drug and money‑laundering charges after raids in Muskegon County. The indictment alleges cash handoffs, funneling of proceeds and shipments tied to Michigan and Texas.

Rescue crews pulled eight cats from under the McKay Bridge in Huffman and are still searching for a collared German Shepherd as neighbors say pets may have been snatched and dumped. Volunteers and animal-control officers are on the scene.

A Galleria‑area shoplifting call led to a police chase on US‑59 Thursday night. Two women were struck and killed while crossing the freeway; two others were detained.

Deputies say a driver who fled a traffic stop crashed into a house on the 10700 block of Fallbrook Road in northeast Harris County and was booked on a fleeing charge.

A contractor died when the ground collapsed at the Minglewood Wastewater Project in Liberty. City officials say an investigation is underway and the worker's name is being withheld.

A Tomball Parkway traffic stop ended with deputies seizing a loaded handgun and suspected narcotics, the Precinct 4 constable says.

At least one person was killed Thursday on Highway 288 at Elgin, and police say the crash came after a police engagement. Lanes were restricted and delays followed.

Stafford-based Matrix Metals agreed to pay $1.18M to settle allegations it improperly obtained a Second Draw PPP loan. The deal follows a qui tam complaint and an SDTX investigation with the SBA.

Mostly cloudy and muggy Friday with highs near 93°F; heat builds into the mid‑90s this weekend and could near 100°F early next week. Plan outdoor tasks for mornings and check cooling centers.

Gov. Abbott announced that Texas will receive more than $114M in housing tax credits to support roughly 4,400 affordable rental units statewide.

State higher‑ed officials pitched a 60/40 performance funding model that prioritizes degree completion and credit‑hour milestones; campuses could gain or lose millions.