ATX-LLH: Impact 10/24/2025

Leander ISD officials announced Oct. 22 that Place 6 trustee Francesca Romans is resigning from her position on the board. 

Per the announcement, the board will formally accept Romans' resignation at a special-called meeting Oct. 28. 

The gist: Romans was first elected to the board in 2022, and throughout her tenure, represented the board with the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation, Districtwide Educational Improvement Council and as an Educational Access Ambassador.  Romans said in the announcement that she is having to step away from the role due to health reasons, but said she will continue her involvement in LISD as a parent and advocate.

What to expect: Per district officials, the board will either appoint a member to serve out the remainder of Romans' term through November 2026 or call a special election. The board will consider its options and take action at a future meeting in accordance with district policy. 

The background: Jamie Wallace-Griner’s journey of uniting pets and children to inspire healing began with one boy and one dog. Nearly 12 years ago, Wallace-Griner welcomed Angel, a great pyrenees dog, into her home as her son’s autism service dog. Angel changed their entire lives,  Wallace-Griner said, instantly showing her what could happen when animals and children connect with each other.

Who it’s for: Safe in Austin in Leander started with one Angel, and over the last decade since the organization became a nonprofit, it has amassed around 240 rescue animals across 19 species. Permanent residents include pigs, dogs, horses, rabbits, goats, birds, tortoises, chickens, a one-eyed hedgehog and a llama.

What they offer: Along with caring for animals full time, Safe in Austin hosts tours for families, individuals and schools to visit the ranch. The rescue offers summer camps, public events and programs for middle and high school aged students for free.

• 14601 Honeycomb Drive, Leander

As Thanksgiving approaches, families and running enthusiasts in Austin and the surrounding areas are gearing up for the holiday tradition of turkey trots.
This list highlights eight events, offering a variety of abilities and distances for those still seeking or yet to register for a trot.

San Marcos
Thankful Turkey 5K and Kids Run: Thankful Turkey’s 5k and kid run will hold its 22nd annual trot. All proceeds will go back into the San Marcos community to benefit local and Lions’ charities and youth programs.

• Nov. 22, 8 a.m.
• 325 W. McCarthy Ln., Hays

• Nov. 27, 7 a.m.
• 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin

• Nov. 27, 8 a.m.
• 18216 Weiss Ln., Pflugerville

Two constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot would impact the operation and oversight of Texas’ judicial system if approved by voters.

The details: State Proposition 3 seeks to require judges to deny bail for certain felony offenses, keeping more defendants in jail as they await trial. Proponents of the measure, which passed the Legislature with bipartisan support, said in June that it would improve public safety by keeping violent offenders behind bars.

Proposition 12 would rework the 13-member State Commission on Judicial Conduct, allowing the governor to appoint a majority of the commissioners and requiring most sanctions for judges accused of misconduct to be issued publicly. The bipartisan proposition faced pushback from some House Democrats who expressed concerns that allowing the governor to appoint a majority of commissioners would politicize the nonpartisan judicial conduct commission and give Abbott more power to remove from office judges whom he does not agree with.

Zooming out: The measures are among 17 state propositions being considered by Texas voters in the Nov. 4 election.