Around Harris County From celebrating cultural traditions and creating brighter futures for autistic adults to supporting immigrant survivors and recognizing a decade of community impact, our team spent the week alongside organizations working to make Harris County more inclusive, connected, and supportive. Here’s a look at a few moments from around the county.

Alief Proud Day is coming! Join Judge Lina Hidalgo and the Alief community for a free, family-friendly celebration featuring live performances, carnival rides, games, food trucks, and activities for the whole family! Harris County Pets will also be on site, sharing valuable information and resources on pet wellness, responsible pet ownership, and accessible spay-and-neuter services. Come be a part of the celebration!

Early voting is underway in Harris County, and voters are making their voices heard! Today, Judge Lina Hidalgo cast her vote in the 2026 General Election. Early voting runs through October 30. Harris County voters can vote at any early voting location in the county, so make a plan, check your voter information, and find a location that works for you. Make your voice heard, Harris County. Get out and vote! HarrisVotes.com

MYTH BUSTER #4! Myth: Indoor pets don’t need to be spayed or neutered. Fact: Even indoor pets can slip outside or encounter other animals. Spaying and neutering can help prevent unplanned litters. Through Happy Pets, Healthy Communities, we’re sharing the facts that can help Harris County pet owners make responsible choices for their pets and our community.

Early Voting has started! Are you voter ready? Before heading to the polls, make sure you have what you need. Texas voters voting in person should bring one of seven approved forms of photo ID, such as a Texas driver license, Texas personal ID card, U.S. passport, or one of the other accepted forms. Your voter registration card is not required, although the Texas Secretary of State recommends bringing it if you have it. Don’t have an approved photo ID and can’t reasonably obtain one? You may still be able to vote by completing a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and presenting an approved supporting document. Early Voting: October 19–30 Election Day: November 3 You can also bring written or printed notes with you, but remember that cell phones, cameras, and other recording devices should not be used inside the polling place. Check your registration, polling locations and official voting information before you go at VoteTexas.gov.

Early voting for the November 3 General Election begins today in Texas and continues through Friday, October 30. Harris County voters can find official voting information, locations, hours, and other election resources at HarrisVotes.com

Judge Hidalgo toured the French National Assembly, gaining insight into France’s legislative process and approach to addressing challenges shared by both regions. Judge Lina Hidalgo viewed the following while touring the National Assembly: •Library at the French National Assembly •Quai d Orsay building  •Bronze Sculpture Mirabeau respondant a Dreux Breze by French Sculpture Jules Dalou •Salon du Roi at the French National Assembly  •The Main hemicycle chamber of the legislative chamber of the French Parliament

Economic success and social progress are impossible without first ensuring a healthy community. Judge Hidalgo met with Martin Hirsch, French State Councillor and President of the Institut de L’Engagement, (which provides opportunities to young high school graduates), who operated France’s hospital system during the COVID pandemic. They exchanged policy best practices, as well as lessons learned during COVID and how to apply those to policymaking and future emergencies. Judge Hidalgo also explored the historic Palais-Royal, a landmark palace and garden complex that reflects France’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.

The Harris County Commissioners Court discussed the County’s use of Flock/automated license plate reader technology and privacy safeguards; support for residents experiencing mental health challenges and homelessness, and more Check out the highlights from Thursday’s Commissioners Court meeting and what these items mean for Harris County residents.

In Harris County, investing in arts and culture has helped strengthen our economy and build community. During her visit to the Louvre, Judge Hidalgo visited with Cyrille Gouyette, Charge de mission at the Louvre Museum, and spoke with Patricia Quevedo Henry, the Associate Director of the American Friends of the Louvre, while touring the Louvre's most iconic pieces, to discuss how public investment and philanthropy can work together to expand cultural institutions, inform public policy and strengthen communities. 1. Architectural scale model of a historic French royal estate/palace 2. A marble sculpture created by Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti between 1513 and 1516 3. Oil Painting, Liberty Leading the People 4. The Mona Lisa

Harris County is already an aerospace hub, thanks to our very own Johnson Space Center leading groundbreaking missions like Artemis II. Judge Hidalgo met with leading French aerospace companies Alliance NewSpace France, Cailabs, Exotrails and ASTech, to pitch Harris County as a premier destination for investment and forge economic partnership. She also met with Marie-Christine Oghly, President of AsTech Paris President, which is the birthplace of the French aerospace industry. Her meetings with the aerospace sector covered the companies’ work related to space exploration, low earth orbit commercial space stations, emergency preparedness, and the oil & gas industries.

Effective international collaboration starts with knowing how partner governments operate. Judge Hidalgo met with Hugo Bruel (Advisor for the Americas, Economic Diplomacy, and Development to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs) and Tristan Aureau (the Director for the Center for Analysis, Planning and Strategy, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to learn more about France’s government structure, the country’s role within the European Union, and France’s policy goals on an international stage and pave the way for easier collaboration in the future.

10/15 Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo Commissioners Court Media Availability xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1kKzDPXVn…

Ahead of the meeting of the Harris County Commissioners Court tomorrow, the Office of County Administration last night and this afternoon produced the following report and presentation on the use of ALPRs in Harris County. facebook.com/share/19TbaVJJt…

Please see the press release from the Office of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo

As head of emergency management for Harris County, Judge Hidalgo is always looking for new strategies to improve how our region responds to disasters. Colonel Alexandre Jouassard, the head of the Interministerial Crisis Management Operational Center in France, has led France through major disasters including the fire at Notre Dame in 2019. Judge Hidalgo and Colonel Jouassard met to compare France and Harris County’s emergency response systems, share best practices, and strategies for how to best engage the community during disasters.