I've been filling in for David Brown over the past couple of weeks and I've noticed there's a name I've been saying quite a bit: Greg Abbott. The Texas Governor has been making headlines on multiple fronts. He's just announced he'll call lawmakers back to Austin for a special session beginning July 8. This will be in addition to the session already planned for drawing new voting maps (see below for a way you can get involved in that process). Abbott hasn't yet announced what will be on the agenda next month but it's likely to include voting legislation House Democrats prevented from passing in May. Political watchers see Abbott's interest in staying in the headlines related not only to his reelection bid for 2022 but also that he may be looking ahead to the 2024 presidential race. Texas politics and policies play a role in several of the stories we're highlighting in this week's newsletter but you won't want to miss out on the Typewriter Rodeo. The poem from Friday inspired Texas Standard staffers to send in photos of their own pets. That cover dog is technical director Casey Cheek's very own good boy Vince. Click through to the full story for a slideshow of all the cuteness – and add your own pics here!

- Laura Rice
@LauraRiceKUT

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

Pandemic-Related Delays Can Be Fatal For Texas Prisoners Approved For Parole

At least 42 people in prison died waiting to be released on parole, a new report finds.

You (Yes, You!) Can Help Texas Legislators Draw New District Maps

When Texas lawmakers draw the state’s new electoral maps, they will be using the latest census numbers to create new districts. Our guest says you could do a better job.

New Gun Law Part Of Texas Strategy To Chip Away At Feds' Gun Authority

Texans could soon buy gun silencers made in Texas without a federal permit.

Typewriter Rodeo: Pandemic Pets

What will our furry friends do when we're no longer home 24/7? It's the subject of this Typewriter Rodeo poem. Plus, check out a photo gallery of Standard staffers' pet pals!

Collin County Grand Jury Declines To Indict Officers Involved In Marvin Scott’s Death (KERA News)
Physicist Takes A Serious Look At Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (TPR News)
Home Prices In Austin Rose $100,000 In Less Than Six Months. When Will The Surge End? (KUT)
Conditions For Houston Renters Were Tough In 2019. The Pandemic Only Made It Worse (Houston Public Media)

What up, y’all! I’m Joey Palacios and I’m the local government reporter for Texas Public Radio in San Antonio where I was born, raised and have worked my entire journalistic career. Although every city and county in Texas is different, your local leaders and their staff run your police and fire departments, public hospitals, street maintenance, animal control, and often your utilities. The decisions made by your mayor, city council, county judge, and county commissioners court are more likely to impact your day-to-day life than state and federal lawmakers. It’s been a long 15 months. Cities began enacting their own public health responses during the pandemic (at least before the state instituted it’s superseding mandates) and continue to monitor every step of the still present coronavirus. San Antonio is navigating police reform amid public demands and state arm binding and the winter storm required cities to respond and institute plans on how to prevent another disaster in the face of climate change, and manage large bills to power generators. This week, Michael Marks and I aired a story on the Texas Standard about the war for a soccer team that left Austin with a team it never originally applied for and left San Antonio and Bexar County as a frustrated lady-in-waiting. Give it a listen for an inside look into how local government politics and sporting politics mix. Got an idea for me? I’m at [email protected] at tweet using @Joeycules. Let’s talk.

- Joey Palacios

@Joeycules

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