Texas produces a lot of gasoline, but the state doesn't have the lowest gas prices in the country. We asked an expert why.

Why it matters: We're all feeling the effects of soaring gas prices, which contributed to the biggest monthly inflation spike in four years in March.

By the numbers: The national average for gas is $4.12 per gallon, while Texas' is $3.79, with Austin at $3.87, per AAA as of yesterday.

• Despite Texas having the most refineries, Southern and Midwest states have the cheapest gas, with Oklahoma at $3.44.

What they're saying: "That's because of logistics," Kenneth Medlock, energy and resource economist at Rice's Baker Institute, tells Axios. There are many different factors at play, including the type of gasoline that certain regions require.

Zoom in: Parts of Texas, including Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth, require lower-emission gasoline blends — and that extra processing raises costs. "The more stuff I have to do to it, the more expensive it gets," Medlock says.

• Gas moves from refineries to storage hubs (called "racks") and then by truck to stations. "The farther away from the rack you are, the higher the price," Medlock says. And Texas is ... unfolds map ... big.
• Texas is the largest gasoline consumer in the country, which keeps prices from dropping too low.

Zoom out: States like Nebraska and Oklahoma often have cheaper gas because they don't require special cleaner blends and they're closer to cheaper ethanol used in gasoline.

• Compare that to places like California ($5.88 a gallon yesterday), where stricter environmental rules raise costs even more.

Fun fact: Big-name gas stations can cost more because they pay for guaranteed supply and additives. Smaller unbranded stations are usually cheaper — but can run out first during disruptions.

What we're watching: Oil prices are expected to stay high as tensions with Iran remain unresolved, which could keep pressure on gas prices as we transition to more expensive summer-blend gasoline.

The 1983 University of Texas baseball team, a storied squad that included Roger Clemens and other future big leaguers, is the focus of a new documentary about the College World Series that year.

Driving the news: "Summer of '83: Texas vs. Tide" premieres tonight on the SEC Network.

We caught up with Johnny Sutton, a reserve outfielder whom Coach Cliff Gustafson inserted in the lineup late that season after injuries took down teammates — and sparked the Longhorns to playoff victories.

• Sutton is a partner at the Ashcroft law firm.
• Spoiler alert: The Longhorns won the championship.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

How would you characterize your coach?

"If someone ever said 'You can't win 'em all' — he'd say, 'That's not true.' His feeling was: 'You're supposed to be the best players in the country, you practice longer and prepare better, and we're going to win.'"

Tell me more about the team.

"Anything less than a national championship was going to be an unsuccessful season for us. There was a level of aggression, competitiveness that I had never seen before. Six players from that team went to the big leagues."

Do you still dream about that season?

"I really don't think about it much, to be honest. I didn't want my life to be defined by something when I was 22 or 23 years old. But watching the film — it's a good movie, it's suspenseful, even though you know what's going to happen. My only problem is it cuts back to us now, and we all look like crypt keepers."

🚔 The Austin Police Department says Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into its policies on when and how officers cooperate with ICE. (KUT)

💍 A shoplifter stole more than $5,000 worth of items from three East Austin businesses. (Fox 7 Austin)

⚽️ Austin FC lost last evening to Louisville City FC of the second-tier United Soccer League, eliminating them from the U.S. Open Cup competition. (The Sporting News)

Tax refunds are up this year but still falling short of expectations for many Americans.

State of play: The average refund check is about $3,462, up 11% from $3,116 last year, according to IRS filing season data through April 3.

• The number of refunds issued is up 3.1% year over year, with the final picture still taking shape.

Yes, but: Early forecasts — and new tax changes — had pointed to even bigger gains.

Why it matters: Refunds are one of the biggest cash windfalls many households see all year — and when they fall short, so do plans to pay down debt, save or spend.

The bottom line: The deadline to file federal taxes — or request an extension — is today for most Americans.

Time to catch up on the ol' reader mailbag, which has grown heavy with emails. Here are some highlights.

In relation to a story about Burger King and Mickey D's, we asked for your favorite fast-food burgers.

• "Ya gotta start with the true Texas burger….Whataburger!" writes Richard B. "It's got the grilled flavor and with all the trimmings plus jalapeños — ya can't go wrong."

Gwendolyn R. endorses P. Terry's: "I usually eat two in one sitting... one regular cheese burger and one veggie burger with bacon."

• We also got votes for Mighty Fine, Dan's, Top Notch, and (from Court T.) the veggie burger at Mr. Natural.

Responding to a callout for favorite pastries, Rainbow D. recommended the Everything Biscuit at Epoch Coffee.

• "There's something about the mix of savory and sweet with the crunch on top that is obsession-worthy," Rainbow writes.

After Nicole wrote last week about migratory birds passing through Central Texas, Rolinda C. chimed in: "I wish the grackles were migrating!"

Finally, we happily received some nice images of springtime yards.

The bottom line: Y'all know how to plant a seed or two.