Delivering health care in rural communities is a perennial challenge. This episode includes excerpts from a recent panel discussion on rural health care hosted by The Texas Tribune and cosponsored by the Texas Association of Counties. The episode also includes an interview with Bell County Pct. 3 Commissioner Bill Schumann.

The new issue of County magazine is here, and we're talking about it. Because it's got stuff you'll want to read. For free. Plus: Hudspeth County Judge Tom Neely is 94. That's right, 94. Yeah, he has a few stories to tell.

Burnet County Justice of the Peace Roxanne Nelson and Waller County Justice of the Peace J.R. Woolley talk about the judiciary's role when interacting with people with mental health issues, intellectual and developmental disabilities or substance use disorders.

Robert Ruiz, associate director of TAC's Risk Management Services, and San Patricio County IT Director Steven González guide Texas County Voice through the cybersecurity landscape in this report from this year's County Management & Risk Conference.

The Legislature made big changes to the bail bond system in Texas in 2021. TAC Legislative Consultant Kelsey Bernstein and Bronson Tucker, director of curriculum at the Texas Justice Court Training Center, join Texas County Voice to discuss key bail reporting rules now taking effect.

It was year ago on March 11, 2021, that President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act into law. The act set aside $5.7 billion in direct aid for Texas counties. In this episode, we look at the key points and questions associated with the American Rescue Plan.

County jails have become de facto mental health facilities for many Texans suffering a mental health crisis. In this episode, we look at one of the state's most pressing problems.

More than 1,000 Texas laws are based on a county's population. We explore an interactive tool TAC created to help counties find which population-bracketed laws apply to them. And we visit Chambers County, one of many Texas counties experiencing rapid growth.

Confused about Texas' new election law? Cameron County Elections Administrator Remi Garza walks listeners through the new rules and what they mean for Texas voters and counties.