Early Voting Passes 630,000 Across Four Houston-Area Counties Amid Local Weather, Energy and Dining Updates

More than 630,000 votes were reported across 4 Houston-area counties in the first week of early voting, according to a report from KHOU. Alongside the voting update, local outlets covered public safety and weekend weather conditions across the city. Click2Houston reported that a man was killed and another was wounded in a shooting at a Houston house party. For residents planning weekend activities, the Houston Chronicle reported that Houston is set to stay warm and dry this weekend, while raising the question of whether rain could return in the next week.

While Houston remains dry for the weekend, Texas and Houston-based outlets tracked flood recovery and severe weather elsewhere. Within Texas, KEYE reported that FEMA denied individual aid following July floods in Texas' Uvalde and Kerr counties, and WOAI reported that Kerrville flood survivors face an uncertain recovery after FEMA denied federal aid. Outside the state, Houston Public Media, Click2Houston and CW39 Houston reported that severe flooding soaked the Four Corners region, triggering evacuation orders and rooftop rescues with more flooding expected through the weekend. The Houston Chronicle also reported that Colorado and Utah communities flooded as additional moisture saturated the US Southwest.

In Houston business and energy news, Dealroom reported that a Houston oil firm's $40M London IPO makes a case for smaller-cap listings abroad. Energy Focus Report covered Houston's message to Africa, noting that innovation must deliver more barrels, lower costs and better returns. Across the broader sector, EnergyNow.com reported that oil and gas dealmaking is heating up with $20 billion of assets in play, while Hart Energy reported that Mitsui E&P revealed IPs on two more Western Haynesville wildcats. Additionally, the San Antonio Express-News reported that Valero's profit surged over 500% and set records for Venezuelan oil and ethanol.

In local restaurant and hospitality news, CultureMap Houston reported that global dim sum powerhouse Din Tai Fung may finally be coming to Houston.