ATX-CPF: Impact 11/4/2025

Aspiring podcasters now have a place to make their shows a reality as the Vox & Vistas Podcast Studios and Editing Space is now open in Cedar Park.

The details: The turnkey studio has three fully functional studios that can be rented by the hour or by the day. The studios feature recording equipment for both audio and video podcasts. Vox & Vistas also offers some editing and production support and four post-production work spaces.

What’s next? The studio will be adding classes and workshops to help hosts network and learn the basics of podcast production.

• Opened early October
• 3109 Kenai Drive, Ste. 104, Cedar Park

Whether you’re looking to get in shape or pick up a healthy snack, far Northwest Austin has new locations now open or coming soon to cater to your every need. Here are nine of the latest updates from the region.

Now open
Everbowl
The menu features an array of acai bowls, signature smoothies, avocado toast and cookie sandwiches. Patrons can build their own bowls or order off of the set menu. The classic Everbowl features acai, granola, banana, strawberries and blueberries. The Austin location marks Everbowl’s ninth Texas location, joining North Texas stores in Dallas, Flower Mound and Plano.

• Opening Nov. 7
• 13429 N. US 183, Ste. 110, Austin

Austin and Travis County leaders are promoting area resources and urging community assistance as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits are potentially expiring for November due to the federal government shutdown.

Over 87,000 people in Travis County could be impacted by SNAP losses. Local leaders estimate those benefits now total more than $16 million every month. 

Sari Vitske, CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank, said the nonprofit has already been contending with a "food crisis" and now anticipates greater need if SNAP recipients are affected. Austin also reported "record" food distributions and long pantry wait times for the nonprofit this year, as well as a 75% funding cut to its home delivery program.

SNAP funding was expected to halt in November. However, a federal judge on Oct. 31 granted a temporary restraining order to maintain the supplemental food program's funding. If benefits end up being affected, Vitske said total community-wide impacts are still uncertain.

About 10% of Williamson County’s 451,219 registered voters cast their ballots during early voting Oct. 20-31, according to the county’s unofficial voting totals.

The breakdown: The 43,961 voters who cast their ballots at early voting locations and by mail make up 9.74% of the county’s registered voters. The majority of residents voted on the last day of early voting, with 9,943 voters casting their ballots Oct. 31.

At the polls: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Registered Williamson County voters can cast their ballot at any polling place in the county from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Election Day is Nov. 4. Polling places across Texas will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., according to the secretary of state’s office.

The overview: Voters in the following counties can vote at any polling place within their county of residence through the countywide voting program: Bastrop, Bexar, Brazoria, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Fort Bend, Galveston, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson. Registered voters in other counties are required to visit a polling place specific to their voting precinct.

On the ballot: Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution during the Nov. 4 election. Each proposition was approved by at least two-thirds of state lawmakers this spring before being placed on the ballot.

Voters in various communities across the state may also see local propositions and races on their ballots, including a 20% tax rate increase in Austin, a congressional race in Harris County and a state Senate race in Tarrant County.

Learn more: To get to know the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.