Houston City Bulletin: Early Voting Extensions and Winter Service Updates

Official Notice: Extended Early Voting for Congressional District 18

Following a ruling by District Judge Latosha Lewis Payne, Harris County has officially extended the early voting period for the Congressional District 18 special runoff election. The extension was granted to compensate for polling station closures caused by recent severe winter weather. For Wednesday, January 28, 2026, all designated early voting locations will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Voters are encouraged to utilize these additional hours to cast ballots in the runoff between candidates Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards.

Public Health Advisory: West Nile Virus and Infant Formula Recall

The Houston Health Department and Harris County Public Health (HCPH) have issued several active advisories regarding community wellness and safety:

• Mosquito Activity: Health officials have confirmed the first positive mosquito samples of 2026 for West Nile virus. The affected samples were identified in the 77041 and 77032 ZIP codes. Residents in North and Northwest Houston are urged to eliminate standing water around their homes and use insect repellent.
• Product Recall: A critical health alert remains in effect for ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula. The recall is linked to a potential infant botulism outbreak. Parents and caregivers are instructed to immediately cease use of all lot numbers and sizes of this product.

City Council Update: Infrastructure and Public Safety

The Houston City Council met in a notable session on Tuesday, January 27, to address ongoing concerns regarding municipal funding and law enforcement. Key developments include:

• Storm Water Fund: The administration continues to move forward with a $30 million allocation from the Storm Water Fund to demolish abandoned and blighted buildings. While controversial, officials argue the measure is necessary to prevent illegal dumping that clogs city drainage systems.
• Metro Security: Following recent incidents on public transit, Houston METRO has announced plans to increase law enforcement presence at high-traffic hotspots to ensure passenger safety.
• Public Comment: Recent sessions have seen significant public testimony regarding HPD’s collaboration with federal agencies, with local leaders evaluating new limits on certain law enforcement referrals.

Solid Waste Management: Adjusted Collection Schedule

The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department has modified its residential collection schedule due to the arctic front that impacted the region earlier this week. Because services were suspended on Monday, all residential collections for the remainder of the week are pushed back by one day. Residents who typically have their trash or recycling collected on Tuesdays should expect service on Wednesday, January 28. Neighborhood depositories and recycling centers have resumed normal operating hours as of this morning.