ATX-LLH: Impact 11/4/2025

Ma Bailey’s, a Leander-based women’s clinic and short-term housing facility, is planning to expand into a full family practice medical clinic starting Jan. 1.

The details: The clinic will expand its services and begin offering both office appointments and home visits for new mothers and their families.

Founded by practicing doula Ruth Bailey in 2007, the organization provides postpartum care to new mothers who need support during a crucial period. The clinic helps families access perinatal care, aids in recovery, and provides counseling and loss support in the aftermath of a trauma. In addition to medical care, the facility allows patients to book short-term stays to help with their recovery.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has officially joined the dining lineup at Hero Way Crossing, a new strip mall in Leander.

The details: The chain cafe opened in early November and is known for its variety of smoothies made with fruit, supergreens and more, with the option to add supplements such as collagen, probiotics, protein or multivitamins. Also on the menu are smoothie bowls, breakfast and lunch wraps, and salads.

Also of note: Other retailers that have opened or are expected to open at Hero Way Crossing include Layne's Chicken Fingers, Jersey Mike's Subs, Sherwin Williams and Sport Clips, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

• 11312 Hero Way West, Ste. 120, Leander

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.