Good morning. Here's a preview of today's show. We hope you can listen to an important conversation about accountability in Uvalde today. Below, host David Brown has more.

Before the pandemic, the Pew Research Center conducted a survey on “news fatigue.” It’s not a new idea, per se, but in an era dominated by 24/7 news, we've all felt (at one point or another) almost exhausted with nonstop coverage of political upheaval, climate change and issues like the scourge of gun violence.

In 2019, Pew found that 66% of the 12,000 people surveyed admitted to feeling "worn out” by the news. But the implications are more serious than many might think: News fatigue can mean news avoidance. And after months of back-and-forth, slippery narratives and finger-pointing in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary, there's a concern that news fatigue may be tearing apart the very community so deeply traumatized by that shooting on May 24.

In the span of less than a week, Uvalde's school police force effectively has been suspended and superintendent Hal Harrell announced his resignation – and an investigation published today by The New York Times challenges the assertion made by the head of Texas DPS singling out the head of Uvalde's school police force, suggesting the issue of law enforcement's ineffective response was and is much bigger than we've been led to believe.

Today we spoke with Kimberly Rubio, mother of 10-year-old Lexi Rubio, who was killed in the Robb Elementary shooting. Rubio told us Uvalde has become a town divided between those demanding greater accountability and solutions to gun violence, and others who want to move on. Kimberly has co-founded a group called "Lives Robbed" to demand changes in gun laws. But she fears that many in Texas – like some in Uvalde – just want to move on, exhausted by the constant coverage.

For Kimberly, moving on is not an option. Nor is it one for us. We are committed to this story, as we also continue to track what comes next in El Paso, site of a deadly shooting at a Walmart in 2019.

We encourage you to check out our most recent coverage of these stories in today's newsletter, as well as the implications for Texas of President Joe Biden's big announcement on federal marijuana convictions, and a growing controversy over access to a lake beloved by generations of Texans. There's much more to explore at TexasStandard.org, too. Until next time, we'll see you on the radio.

Reach out through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or send an email here.

- David Brown

What is happening inside the El Paso District Attorney’s office?

Dismissed cases, a recall effort and clashes with a judge and victims’ families are raising questions about El Paso DA Yvonne Rosales’ ability to prosecute the alleged killer behind the 2019 mass shooting at a local Walmart – one of the deadliest in Texas history.

TxDOT tells landowner to remove fence blocking access to beloved East Texas lake

The Cutoff is a long lake about 75 miles southeast of Dallas that was once part of the Trinity River. It’s a public body of water that generations of Texans used for recreation – until a new landowner fenced off access.

Biden actions on marijuana reflect preferences in Texas, if not policy

"Public opinion polls on this issue in Texas show pretty consistently that a majority of Texans, including Republicans, do support either reducing or removing penalties for the use and possession of marijuana."

New book highlights stories of unknown professional baseball players

“Grinders: Baseball’s Intrepid Infantry” tells dozens of stories of professional ball players who often faced forces such as discrimination, injury and disappointment throughout their professional careers.

After the Uvalde shooting, one Dallas doctor sees an ongoing mental health need (KERA)
The price of your jack-o'-lantern may be another victim of the Texas drought (KUT)
Republican Harris County commissioners extend their boycott, blocking action on taxes for a third meeting (Houston Public Media)
Mexican government vows to continue legal fight against U.S. gun manufacturers (Texas Public Radio)

A faded postcard of the Burleson County courthouse with a Texas Standard sticker, It reads: Tour the 254! A trek through Texas' 254 counties.

The Talk of Texas is running down the state’s entire 254 counties – Anderson to Zavala – with points of interest pulled from the Texas Standard archives.

Is there a can't-miss attraction in your area? Drop us a line and let us know.

Burnet County

Founded: 1854

County seat: Burnet

Population: 49,130

It's Burnet, durn it! Need a day trip? The Central Texas county of Burnet is home to many natural wonders. Take a gander here and see what interests you!

A rocky development: It's not all unspoiled beauty out there though. In 2019 we brought you the story of how rock quarries are popping up in Burnet County communities like Double Horn and Marble Falls, spurred by demand and the ease with which companies can open new sites. Some cities like the above-mentioned towns are fighting back by passing new laws governing mining.

One last thing: Bluebonnet beef? The City of Burnet apparently has it, as the county seat and nearby Llano, Texas both bill themselves as "the bluebonnet capital of the world."