When Texas makes headlines, folks in other parts of the country are sometimes left scratching their heads. Why is a "Railroad Commission" deciding rules to prevent future statewide power emergencies during bad weather? One might also reasonably wonder why Texas insists on not being part of a national power grid, or why it has taken 18 months since Texas' devastating and deadly winter blackouts to come up with new rules for energy providers.

Some answers are easier than others (the Railroad Commission moniker is an artifact of the Progressive Era – it was one of the few Texas agencies with resources to deal with an oil price crisis in the early 20th century, and it took on oil and gas regulation in the aftermath), but now we know how regulators plan to prevent future shortages. On Tuesday, the commission voted to force Texas gas companies to properly prepare for extreme weather or face fines up to $1 million.  

Better late than never? Critics are skeptical the new rules will do what they're intended to, but Texas has something of a reputation for going light when it comes to regulation. This can prove to be a matter of life and death: According to the state's official numbers, 246 people died in the winter storm and blackouts of 2021 – though that is considered by many researchers to be a severe undercount.

When it comes to the regulation of firearms, a federal judge has struck down a ban on Texans under 21 carrying handguns – this coming just a little over two months after an 18-year-old shooter attacked a school in Uvalde, killing 19 children and two teachers. There's more on that story in this week's newsletter, as well as a closer look at how Texans may be affected by President Joe Biden's plans for student loan forgiveness.

On the lighter side, make sure to check out Michael Marks' conversation with comedian Mo Amer about his new Netflix series, which has been described as one of the sharpest and most accurate depictions of modern Houston to hit the small screen in some while.  

And as always, we invite you to keep up with the next 24/7 at TexasStandard.org, and let us hear what's happening in your neck of Texas. 'Til next week, we'll see you on the radio.

• Texas laws protecting gun and oil industries are costing Texans hundreds of millions of dollars (Texas Public Radio)
• Person with monkeypox dies in Harris County; health officials investigating cause of death (Texas Newsroom)
• Austin Mayor Steve Adler celebrates mobility, equity and housing wins in final State of the City (KUT Austin)
• Those who have paid off student loans could get refund under federal forgiveness plan (Houston Public Media)