Madison County Museum is coordinating an exhibit on local churches. Musings has shared histories of several so far, with more below and still more to come.

Madison County Historical Commission’s website is worth a look, for visitors as well as folks who enjoy local history. Located at www.madisonchc. com, it is now operational. It offers easy access to Madison County maps dating from 1858 through 1972 as well as to information about historical markers, local cemeteries, slave narratives, and more, plus current facts about local eateries, hotels, attractions, shopping, and yearly events! We plan to add much more.

A federal investigation into five state facilities concluded children in custody face excessive force, sexual abuse and a lack of vital services, The Dallas Morning News reported. At a news conference last week, Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general in the Justice Department’s civil rights division, said children held in those facilities are not receiving the treatment and rehabilitation they are supposed to get.

A huge pot of federal rail funding and chronic highway congestion are prompting some Texas officials to again consider expanding passenger rail in Texas, according to The Texas Standard. Congress set aside $66 billion three years ago in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for rail projects across the country, sparking some interest in increasing passenger rail service between the state’s major cities.

On August 1, Madison County Museum’s most recent exhibit focused on local families closes, to be replaced with items from local churches. Such can include photos, membership directories, certificates, hymnals, Bibles, Bible School or Sunday School items, attendance charts, bulletins, sheet music, or such.

As the dog days of August approach and electric bills soar, the Public Utility Commission is reminding consumers of rules in place to protect them from having their power disconnected due to financial difficulties, especially during extreme heat.

Madison County Historical Commission’s website, which can be found at www.madisonchc. com, may be new to you, but I hope you check it out. It offers links to resources that you may like, and it is evolving.

Belva Jean Baker was born August 16, 1941, in Madisonville’s Heath Clinic on North Madison. She grew up a few miles south of Madisonville, beside Highway 75, on property owned by her father’s family.

More than 2 million Texans lost power when Hurricane Beryl hit the Texas coast, and Gov. Greg Abbott wants to know why. The Austin American- Statesman reported Abbott has ordered the Public Utility Commission to conduct an immediate study into why the Houston area has again been hit by widespread power outages.

A year after a new state law ended mandatory water breaks in Texas, a proposed federal rule would protect millions of workers from the risks caused by extreme heat, The Texas Tribune reported. The rule would require employers to create plans to prevent heat injuries and illnesses and ensure workers get access to drinking water, rest breaks and control of indoor heat.