The Williamson County Republican Party will require voters to use a polling location in their specified precinct on election day for March primaries, a county official said.

This change will also require the Democratic Party to move to precinct-based voting in response, according to Williamson County Elections Administrator Bridgette Escobedo.

What you need to know: Historically, Williamson County voters have been able to cast their ballot at any county-run polling location. This will still be the case during early voting, which runs from Feb. 17-27, the official said.

However, on election day, March 3, voters must use a polling location in their specified precinct. An up-to-date voting precinct map can be found here. Residents can also check their voter registration card to determine which precinct they reside in.

Specific polling locations haven’t been released yet.

In related news: Voters in Williamson County will use hand-marked ballots, rather than a machine, following a commissioner court vote in June to switch to a ballot-on-demand system.

Lisa Duran-Buckley moved from Florida to Texas four years ago in search of a support system. After moving, Duran-Buckley met her husband Richard Buckley and the pair carried out Buckley’s dream of owning a business. 

What they offer: The husband-and-wife duo opened Beaux on the Rocks in May 2024. They relocated the business to downtown Georgetown in March 2025, renaming it Beaux on the Square. 

The store sells a range of men’s clothing, gifts, art, cologne, candles, cocktail ingredients and more. Popular items include Guy Fox cologne, Pig & Hen jewelry, Devil-Dog Dungarees denim and 7Diamonds clothing.

Taking a step back: Duran-Buckley’s husband and co-owner died in December leaving her to manage the store on her own.

“Right now it's just a big transition in my personal life and business life,” Duran-Buckley said. “I'm leaning on my friends here [in] downtown to help navigate me through this. But my goal is to stay open and make [Ricky] proud of me.”

• 714 S. Austin Ave., Ste. 201, Georgetown

Another Hotworx studio is planned for Georgetown off of Williams Drive, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The details: Hotworx is a membership-based fitness studio, offering infrared sauna workouts with virtual instructors, as well as some equipment for training exercises and routines. Members can access classes like hot pilates, hot yoga and high intensity interval training.

When the Williams Drive studio opens, members will have unlimited 24-hour access. Hotworx has memberships available for presale with discounted rates, according to its website.

What else?: There are two other locations in Georgetown, including an existing studio on West University Avenue and a Parmer Ranch location, which is expected to open this month.

• 4402 Williams Drive, Ste. 100, Georgetown

Lone Star Circle of Care is partnering with the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Round Rock to expand local specialty care and launch a new endocrinology program. 

In a nutshell: The health care provider announced its new program Jan. 12, expanding its services beyond primary care. Services in the new specialty will be led by Dr. Avinash Ravipati, a board‑certified physician in internal medicine and endocrinology, per the announcement.

The details: Endocrinology services will be available to patients 18 and older, per the release. These include:

• Diabetes management
• Care for thyroid disorders
• Adrenal and pituitary disorders
• Metabolic disorders
• Bone health
• Reproductive endocrinology

Texas health officials are proposing sweeping new regulations on the state’s hemp industry, including raising the fees required to sell and manufacture consumable hemp products by roughly 10,000%.

The overview: In late December, the Texas Department of State Health Services published a slate of proposed rules regulating consumable hemp products. The proposals include:

• A prohibition on sales to customers under 21 years old
• Stricter testing and labeling requirements
• Guidelines for product recalls
• Tens of thousands of dollars in annual fees