House Bill 1927. Senate Bill 4. For those who live and breathe Texas politics, such seemingly arcane code carries the seeds of change in Texas – for better and for worse. In the parlance of the state capitol, HB 1927 is the legislation that as of today allows Texans ages 21 and older to carry handguns without training or a license so long as they are not otherwise prohibited. Similarly, SB 4 requires professional sports teams that receive state funding to play the national anthem before games . This, too, takes effect today. In all, more than 650 new laws are set to take effect as this new month gets underway. For the past several weeks, our statewide public media reporting partners have been digging through these laws and highlighting some of the more prominent – and in many cases, profound –changes coming to Texas law. But what is, perhaps, most striking is the flurry of activity surrounding one exceptionally striking provision related to abortions in Texas. Not only would it effectively ban abortions as early as five to six weeks , it includes a mechanism that effectively deputizes ordinary citizens to enforce violations with civil lawsuits. That means they can sue suspected violators including anyone involved in the process, from doctors and nurses to someone driving a patient to a clinic. On Tuesday, abortion rights groups argued in a filing to the U.S. Supreme Court that Texas' Senate Bill 8 "will cause clear harm beginning at midnight tonight, with abortions after six weeks banned throughout Texas – something that has never been allowed to occur in any other state of the nation in the decades since Roe." The justices were unmoved, and the last minute filings were met with silence as the clock struck 12:01 this morning. But make no mistake: the bell has not fully tolled. This fall, the Supreme Court is set to hear a case from Mississippi that bans abortions after 15 weeks, and many legal scholars read this as a serious threat to Roe vs. Wade, especially given the current composition of the high court. But Texas' more restrictive law, combined with the enforcement provision, may allow the court to technically uphold Roe while effectively permitting states to remove access to abortion services. You can read more of our coverage on this issue and learn more about some of the big changes just incorporated into Texas law in the links below and at our website, TexasStandard.org. Until next Wednesday, we'll see you online and on the radio.

- David Brown

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

How A Refugee Organization Navigates The Complexities Of Resettling Afghans

The admission of war refugees into the U.S. is a rigid process – one most people know little about. This is how it works.

Greg Abbott’s $2 Billion Plan For Border Security Gets ‘First Class Treatment’ From Texas Republicans

Immigration is still a "primal" issue with Texas Republicans. And a tough stance seems to resonate with them.

13th Check For Retired Teachers Just A ‘Band-Aid’ Without Bigger Changes, Says Union President

A one-time check – up to $2,400 – is a welcome gesture for retired teachers whose annuities have stagnated. But is it ultimately just a drop in the bucket?

Tesla Could Reshape Texans’ Relationship With The Electric Grid

The company has filed to sell electricity on the Texas market, which would be a first step in “breaking away” from the 20th century retail model, says a Texas Monthly reporter.

Texans No Longer Need A Permit To Carry A Handgun. How We Got Here – And What Worries Law Enforcement (KUT Austin)
Here’s How The Houston Area Is Helping Louisianans In The Wake Of Hurricane Ida (Houston Public Media)
Republican Bill Tightening Texas Election Laws Is Headed To Gov. Greg Abbott's Desk (Texas Tribune)
‘It’s Become Blatant Racism’: Colleyville Students Pledge To Support Principal Placed On Leave (KERA North Texas)

Hi there! My name is Dani Matias and I work as a Morning Edition producer/fill-in host for KUT Austin. I’m on air by 5 a.m. every day. After an hour of hosting, I shift to producing local newscast items and writing web posts. Other days I host all of Morning Edition and anchor newscasts too. Mornings move really fast. That’s part of why I enjoy being an early bird, because our shift dwindles down before the regular business day gets started. I began working for the station in January 2020, so I only had a couple months of normal day-to-day duties before the coronavirus pandemic cut my training short. While the majority of the newsroom was working from home, I continued to come into the station to run the boards. This role is a lot to juggle and requires you to be a good multitasker, but it’s helped me grow so much and given me the flexibility to explore different areas within radio. I’ve filed spots for NPR, anchored newscasts for our music station KUTX, hosted through a winter storm, pitched during our membership drive and worked as a mentor for NPR’s Next Generation Radio Project. I also love the fact that my family in Fort Worth and Mexico can tune in from anywhere and hear me live. So, if you’re ever up at an ungodly hour, turn on KUT 90.5 and you might catch me!

- Dani Matias
@matias7dani

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