Houston Matters: Recent Episodes
Houston Public Media
Houston Matters is a radio program airing weekdays at 9 am on Houston Public Media News 88.7 FM in Houston. During each hour, we’ll investigate the issues and ideas, people and places that make Houston…well…Houston! We’ll talk about current events, politics, education, health care, the environment, business, transportation, arts and culture, literature, sports and leisure. But we also hope that what we do each day on Houston Matters serves as the beginning of a conversation — one we hope you’ll continue here, at home, at work, with family, with friends and neighbors. We hope to introduce Houstonians to one another, to celebrate our diversity, and to engage one another through stories and conversations that demonstrate depth and context. Just the sort of thing you count on from public media.
On Friday's show: After last May’s derecho and then Hurricane Beryl in July, it seemed reasonable to expect some disaster aid from the federal government. So, why has the way the city spends these particular funds been controversial?
Also this hour: Saturday is Make Music Day here in Houston and in more 2,000 cities worldwide. In anticipation, we talk with some folks behind some performances around the city, including a free concert from Dacamera at the Menil Collection inspired by the works of artist Rene Magritte. Flutist Hunter O'Brien gives us a preview.
Then, from Fort Bend County Judge KP George announcing he's running for a third term — but this time as a Republican -- to a mongoose that escaped from a wildlife park being safety captured after he turned up at a local pub, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, we explore the cultural impact of the movie Jaws 50 years after its release and offer a glimpse at what life was like along the coast in Galveston at the time.
On Thursday's show: We celebrate Juneteenth with a number of stories, including how the chair of Juneteenth Houston first learned about the holiday — and how that discovery sparked a deeper mission: a multi-year archival project to preserve the rich history of Juneteenth celebrations in the city.
We also learn how the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum is honoring the role Buffalo Soldiers played in Juneteenth — and why this moment matters more than ever.
Then, we revisit a conversation about a documentary detailing the journey of a newly-emancipated man who sought out his family.
On Wednesday's show: From tensions in the Middle East to the ramifications of widescale protests across the U.S., we discuss the latest developments in the news in our weekly political roundup.
Also this hour: A glimpse into Houston's tattoo culture.
Then, we discuss the legacy of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.
On Tuesday's show: The Rice University Kinder Institute for Urban Research has released its State of Housing report for 2025, looking at how climate change and resilience impact local residents. We learn about the report and its implications.
Also this hour: Actor Alan Tudyk talks about his love of fans as he prepares to meet some at this weekend's Comicpalooza.
And we discuss the role megachurches play in a city like Houston.
On Monday's show: We learn about an influx of gas power plants that could arise in Texas to meet energy demands for AI.
Also this hour: While Patton Oswalt is known for his comedy and acting, he has always been a fan of comic books and creates his own, including a series called Minor Threats. Ahead of his appearance at Comicpalooza this weekend, we learn why he wanted to focus on the lesser villains of the superhero world for that series.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller talks about how to travel with your pets this summer.
And Jeff Balke joins us to discuss how athletes' conduct off the field can affect their reputation.
On Friday's show: There are numerous protests against President Donald Trump's policies planned across the country this weekend, including here in Greater Houston. A local Congressman offered more federal help to deal with potential riots in Houston, but local leaders expressed doubt about whether that would be needed here. But could scenes like we saw in Los Angeles of protestors clashing with police in riot gear against the backdrop of burned cars happen here? We consider Houston's history of protesting for some insight.
Also this hour: From law enforcement cracking down on people allegedly trying to sneak into the Astrodome, to delivery drones from Walmart headed Houston’s way, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
Then, restaurant owner Courtney Lindsay only learned the identity of his biological father a year ago. Now, a new documentary tells the story of finding his father and forming a relationship. Ahead of this Father’s Day weekend, we talk to them both. A screening of the documentary, Finding Ben: A Father & Son’s Discovery, takes place on Sunday, June 15, at 3 p.m. at the DeLuxe Theater.
And, ahead of a zydeco show this weekend as a part of the series Eldorado Ballroom Houston curated by Solange Knowles, we reflect on Houston’s role in the birth of that music genre.
On Thursday's show: We look at some the challenges facing immigrants and what rights they should be aware of amid increased scrutiny from the federal government.
Also this hour: A bill to create a strategic bitcoin reserve for Texas passed during the legislative session and awaits the governor's signature. Should it become law, what purpose will it serve? How would it differ from one created by President Donald Trump? And what are the economic and energy-related pros and cons?
Then, we discuss the rules that govern tow trucks on Houston roads and highways.
RESOURCES: Complaints against tow truck companies can be filed with the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation or with the Harris County Sheriff's Office at hcsotowing@sheriff.hctx.net or 713-274-7410.
And we visit the KimoKawaii Anime Experience & Convention that took place June 7-8 in Conroe to meet some anime enthusiasts and learn about the viability and challenges of running smaller conventions.
On Wednesday's show: From ongoing protests over immigration policy, to some area Congressional races taking shape, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We remember the Galveston Movement, when 10,000 Russian Jews set sail -- not for New York but bound for Texas. Rachel Cockerell talks about her great-grandfather's role in that movement and her book, Melting Point.
And former Houston poet laureate Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton and Houston Grand Opera composer-in-residence Joel Thompson have collaborated on a new song cycle being performed June 17. We preview the premiere performance of the work, A Voice Within.
On Tuesday's show: We look at the forecast for rain the rest of the week and discuss the probability of another early-season hurricane this year, like Hurricane Beryl last season, with Justin Ballard, meteorologist with the Houston Chronicle.
Also this hour: There seems to be an awful lot of misunderstanding and perhaps even misuse of the First Amendment these days. We discuss how the rights to speech, religion, press, and assembly are viewed legally when that is at odds with what is happening around the country -- and what it all means for us here in Houston.
Then, is advocating for equitable transportation in Houston getting harder to do? We ask Robin Holzer, the new head of LINK Houston.
And we explore the concept of developing more events and venues in Houston that help Houstonians get in touch with their feminine side.
On Monday's show: In recent days, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued rulings on cases involving employment discrimination against straight people, guns, and tax exemption for a Catholic Charity. We recap those rulings and talk about some other cases the court is expected to rule on soon.
Also this hour: We visit the headquarters for Memorial Hermann Life Flight to learn how the air ambulance service has evolved over nearly 50 years serving Greater Houston
Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners' gardening questions.
And the automatic ball strike system will indeed come to Major League Baseball next season. What might it mean for Houston Astros hitters, pitchers, and catchers? We discuss with Bleav in Astros podcast co-host Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Saharan dust is headed to Houston, as it typically does this time of year. And much of the country could see the Northern Lights this weekend because of a powerful geomagnetic storm. We learn about both from Eric Berger of Space City Weather.
Also this hour: From the head of FEMA saying he didn't know there was a hurricane season here, to the National Weather Service receiving permission to hire 125 meteorologists and specialists after losing more than 560 employees earlier this year due to Trump administration cuts and retirements, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
Then: Wolverine, Spider-Man, Batman, Black Panther -- a lot of popular superheroes are based on animals. But why? Maybe it's because a lot of animals kind of have superpowers. A new exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science called Extreme Animals Alive explores that.
And what makes certain Houston eateries and music venues unforgettable, even after they disappear? We reflect on some of the city's lost iconic spots.
On Thursday's show: After an 8-hour meeting and extended disruption by protesters on Wednesday, Houston City Council approved a $7 billion budget for the next fiscal year, which starts in July. We learn details from reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.
Also this hour: Today is World Environment Day. As we contemplate the impact climate change continues to have on the Gulf Coast and coastal communities around the world, should we just stop rebuilding in flood-prone communities? We listen back to a discussion about that with Pulitzer Prize-winner Gilbert Gaul, author of The Geography of Risk.
Then, we learn more about the Fade to Black Arts Festival, which celebrates Black creativity in poetry, theater, film and more and runs June 8-14.
An we preview the annual Texas Music Festival, which highlights rising stars of the classical music world and runs June 5-28.
On Wednesday's show: From the end of the Texas Legislature, to ongoing budget discussions at the City of Houston, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: With Texas Monthly releasing its list of the state’s top barbecue spots, local food writers hone in on Houston and name some of their favorite places here in this month’s installment of The Full Menu.
And we learn how history, gender, and faith intersect in Islamic art from the new executive director of Houston’s Islamic Arts Society and a local calligraphy artist.
On Tuesday's show: The 89th regular session of the Texas Legislature came to a close on Monday. We recap what passed, what didn’t, the status of legislation on the governor’s desk, and how it all might affect Texans.
Also this hour: We visit a recent conference and expo for the robotics and autonomy industries held at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Then, author Bryan Burrough talks about his new book, The Gunfighters, which details the history of legendary gunfighters from the Wild West and the role Texas played in their stories.
And we learn about an exhibit at Rice University's Moody Center for the Arts called Figurative Histories, in which several artists -- including three based in Houston -- explore the use of the human form in art, Black bodies in particular.
On Monday's show: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has openly speculated about eliminating FEMA. Whether that happens or not, how would Greater Houston handle another hurricane -- or any other disaster -- if FEMA no longer existed or its role were changed?
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.
And Jeff Balke updates us on the latest developments in sports.
On Friday's show: Houston Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher joins us to talk about issues in Congress affecting our region and to take listener questions.
Also this hour: From a recent study suggesting AI isn’t saving workers a ton of time on the job, to eight Houston-area barbecue restaurants making Texas Monthly's Top 50 list (after Yelp snubbed the city), we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Joshua Zinn chats with Bob Simpson, the retiring founder and artistic director of the Houston Chamber Choir.
On Thursday's show: Another one bites the dust in the decimated Astros pitching rotation. This time it’s Ronel Blanco who’s out for the season and in need of elbow surgery. Is it past time to ask what the Astros are doing to their pitchers’ arms? Jeff Balke of the Bleav in Astros podcast talks it over.
Also this hour: The National Endowment for the Arts recently terminated grants to nonprofits nationwide, many of which had already been awarded. Houston arts organizations are among those who have had to pivot after losing money they were counting on. We hear from a pair of them.
Then, we hear the story of a Houston woman trying to negotiate red tape to gain access to an apartment she can afford. It doesn't work. We discuss why and what can be done about it.
And, from Pint of Science to Nerd Nite to Brains in a Bar and Philosophically Drinking, there are many longstanding Houston-area events and programs based at local bars designed to engage Houstonians’ minds (and not just douse them in alcohol). We learn more about some of them.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest news from the waning days of the Texas Legislature and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Real estate in much of Greater Houston has been a seller’s market for a very long time. Not so in Galveston lately. We talk over some recent trends in Galveston real estate with Marissa Luck of the Houston Chronicle and Kimberly Gaido, real estate agent with Sand ‘N Sea Properties in Galveston.
And we talk with comedian and Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! panelist Hari Kondabolu ahead of his standup gigs Friday and Saturday at Houston’s Punch Line Comedy Club.
On Tuesday's show: The Texas Legislature was busy this weekend, passing bills in what is now the final week of the regular legislative session. Reporter Andrew Schneider walks us through developments in Austin over the last 72 hours.
Also this hour: The current session of the Texas Legislature is nearly finished. State lawmakers only meet for 140 days every two years. Is that really enough time to administer state law, and could that ever change?
Then, we revisit a question we asked you last year: does Houston need a new "big honkin’ thing" to help seal our identity? You know, a major landmark like so many other major cities have, and Houston had for so long with the Astrodome?
And we revisit a 2023 conversation with filmmaker and Houston native Nell Teare about her movie Bolivar, which will be screened and discussed May 30 at River Oaks Theatre. The film is based on memories of family trips to the beach on Bolivar Peninsula.
On Friday's show: This coming Sunday will mark five years since the murder of George Floyd sparked demonstrations, calls for a racial reckoning in the United States, and continued demands for police reform. We reflect on the life of the Houston native and what his death brought about -- and what activists believe still needs to be done.
Also this hour: The International Space Station is already facing a $1 billion budget shortfall, and the Trump administration plans to cut even more. We learn how NASA is handling the situation and how it could affect both astronauts and those working on the ground here in Houston with Andrea Leinfelder, who covers space for the Houston Chronicle.
Then, from a building in the Third Ward and the George Floyd/Black Lives Matter mural on it being demolished the week of the fifth anniversary of Floyd's murder, to a Houston man suing Whataburger because a store allegedly left onions on his hamburger, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we preview a concert tonight celebrating the 10th anniversary of the local the string orchestra Kinetic. The program includes a premiere work by a Sugar Land native.
On Thursday's show: Budget season continues here in Houston. The City Council is contemplating spending $7 billion next fiscal year -- $3 billion of it from coming from the city’s general fund. Council has about a month left to approve a budget, but a key part of it was just locked in, as council members approved a new contract agreement with the union representing Houston police officers. News 88.7’s Dominic Anthony Walsh joins us with details.
Also this hour: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo joins us to discuss how the county is handling its own budget concerns and other developments affecting the county.
Then, in this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we talk about our collective obsession with death and the macabre with the release of Final Destination: Bloodlines, the latest in that series of horror movies.
And Lyle Lovett is performing a free concert in Tomball later this month. We revisit our 2023 conversation with the Houston native, who follows that performance with a long summer tour across the country.
On Wednesday's show: It’s crunch time for lawmakers at the State Capitol, and Presidential politics reigns, as always, in Washington. And that’s just some of what we’ll walk through -- and seek context and clarity about -- in our weekly political roundup.
Also this hour: A mental health professional discusses how to help teens and children dealing with anxiety, depression, and other challenges.
And prices are high these day -- and so is the temperature. We get some suggestions on some low-cost or free indoor summer entertainment options around town.
On Tuesday's show: We learn about the progress of some bills regarding bail reform being considered in the waning days of the Texas Legislature.
Also this hour: We discuss the complicated, cloudy future of the Texas Lottery, which has been under fire over a scheme that essentially allowed gamblers to purchase every single lottery combination possible and guarantee a jackpot win.
Then, ahead of an event at Brazos Bookstore on May 27, author and poet Ocean Vuong shares lessons from working in fast food and considers what drives acts of kindness between strangers. Those themes are explored in his new novel, The Emperor of Gladness.
And some Houstonians might visit Galveston during the upcoming holiday weekend, and there are a number of intriguing historic sites to check out on the island, if you're so inclined. We learn more about some of them from Tristan Smith, the author of A History Lover’s Guide to Galveston.
On Monday's show: What do Houstonians think about life here -- the economy, their life experiences, beliefs, and attitudes? We discuss the findings of the annual Houston Area Survey with Rice University sociologists.
Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller talks about issues affecting pet health.
And Jeff Balke updates us on the latest developments in sports
On Friday's show: A year ago today, the Houston derecho moved through southeast Texas, spawning four tornadoes and creating intense winds that caused widespread damage in Houston, especially downtown where windows were blown out of many high-rise buildings. Ultimately, seven people in Greater Houston lost their lives. We reflect on what happened, why it affected downtown so greatly, and what scientists have learned from studying the event.
Also this hour: The nonprofit news organization Houston Landing has shut down. One of its journalists, Maggie Gordon, joins us to reflect on what the site achieved in its short run and to discuss the lessons learned from its demise.
Then, from record-breaking temperatures this week, to letting moms and soon-to-be-moms have unlimited access to HOV lanes in Texas, to a streaming service that just can’t stopping changing its name, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And The Ensemble Theatre serves up a slice of life after retirement in the regional premiere of the play, Coconut Cake.
On Thursday's show: We learn about a $150 million donation that will create the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center, a new initiative to fight childhood cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children's Hospital. The gift is one of the largest such donations in the history of the Texas Medical Center and one of the largest ever given to a pediatric hospital in the country.
Also this hour: Comedian Ramy Youssef performs Friday night at House of Blues, and he has a new animated series on Amazon Prime called #1 Happy Family USA! We revisit a 2019 conversation with him about how he got into comedy and about how much of his standup material and work on television has revolved around the experience of growing up Muslim in America.
Then, a Houston mother lost her parental rights to her children for life because of allegations her ex-husband made in court. We learn why the Texas Supreme Court unanimously overturned that ruling and what it means for how protective orders are issued here.
And Laura Walker visits a farm run by the Socialites Riding Network, a Black-owned nonprofit that teaches sustainable agriculture and an appreciation for animals.
On Wednesday’s show: Houston City Council members have begun budget hearings this week as the city faces economic uncertainty amid a budget shortfall. But some of that shortfall could be remedied if some proceeds from toll roads are shifted from Harris County to the city, as a bill in the legislature would do. But the county has its own budget concerns.
We get some insight on crafting a budget for both the city and the county in uncertain financial times -- all while navigating the intertwining relationship of those two government entities -- from two people who’ve been there: former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.
Also this hour: We break down the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
And we get some advice for paying back student loans (or maybe being forced to) in a changing landscape for student borrowers.
MORE: Resources mentioned today about federal student loans
- For more information on student loan repayment, visit studentaid.gov
- To contact the Default Resolution Group, call 800-621-3115
On Tuesday's show: We learn about a pair of bills some say might kill the renewable energy boom in the state and about this week’s heat, which may be the year’s first real test of the Texas electric grid.
Also this hour: We learn about the fate of the Texas Renaissance Festival after a judge ordered the event's owners to sell their property and assets after siding with a prospective buyer who sued after a $60 million deal fell through in 2023.
Then, on the anniversary of the famed Battle of the Sexes tennis match at the Astrodome, we revisit a 2023 conversation with Houston tennis star Zina Garrison about the legacy of that historic match, how women’s tennis has changed in the five decades since, and her longtime friendship with the match's victor, Billie Jean King.
And we learn about a play addressing the mental health of Black men, called The Black Man, with actor Andre Pitre and actress and writer Charnele Brown.
On Monday's show: Three Houston-area members of Congress are asking why the National Weather Service's office in the region has nearly a dozen vacancies ahead of hurricane season.
Also this hour: On this date in 1941, the Z3, the world’s first programmable and fully automatic computer, was first presented. With that anniversary in mind, we revisit the ethics of artificial intelligence at the same time Texas lawmakers are considering a bill to address AI-altered audio and video in political ads.
Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners’ gardening questions.
And Jeff Balke updates us on the latest developments in sports, including death threats again pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr. and his family after a rough outing.
On Friday's show: Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first mass of his papacy this morning. And while his election is being celebrated by Catholics worldwide, he also faces some criticism from earlier in his ministry. We learn what survivors of clergy sexual abuse here in Houston want to see and hear from the new pope.
Also this hour: So far, space tourism appears to be only for celebrities and the uber-rich. While its purported long-term goal is to make spaceflight more accessible, is it also making such travel seem less meaningful to the public? In the process, are we losing respect for what real space exploration can be and do?
Then, from the mayor unveiling his proposed budget, to Yelp snubbing Houston barbecue, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we preview the final concert of the season from the Apollo Chamber Players, which features world premieres by Houston composers.
On Thursday's show: We talk about Houston's growing problems with trash, including how the city is quickly running out of landfill space, with Elena Bruess of Houston Landing.
Also this hour: We learn about a new law creating a Texas version of DOGE.
Then, we welcome your questions about our varied and fascinating insect world for entomologist Erin Mills of the Houston Botanic Garden.
And issues of loneliness, hidden trauma, and breaking free of comfort zones all come to bear in Primary Trust, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play at The Alley Theatre through May 25.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s proposed city budget, the latest developments from the Texas Legislature, and President Donald Trump’s meeting with Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney, along with other developments in our political roundup.
Also this hour: In this month’s installment of The Full Menu, food writers discuss some of their favorite restaurants to get vegetarian and vegan food around the city.
And we learn about Bajo Terapia (In Therapy), a new play about three couples in therapy, which is on stage May 8-11 at the MATCH.
On Tuesday's show: Wet weather continues across Greater Houston the next couple of days. We find out what may be in store from Eric Berger of Space Center Weather walks us through the forecast.
And is the tide turning in local school board battles over library books and gender identity policies? We get an update on some changes to the makeup of the school boards at Katy ISD and Fort Bend ISD and what that might mean for those districts.
Also this hour: The Trump administration wants to incentivize Americans to have more children due to falling birth rates. So, how do rates in our region compare nationally, and what are the factors causing them to drop?
Then, we examine how tariffs are affecting local businesses and communities with ties to China.
And, with hurricane season about to start, we go shopping for an emergency kit.
On Monday's show: Houston Mayor John Whitmire says he’ll unveil his proposed budget, and even as it includes a new deal with the police union giving officers more money, it’ll be a balanced budget. We get reaction to that police officers union agreement.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.
And Jeff Balke recaps the Rockets' Game 7 loss to Golden State in the NBA Playoffs and reflects on the accomplishments of the season.
On Friday's show: Two bills related to abortion passed the Texas Senate this week. One seeks to clarify when doctors can perform abortions if medically necessary under the state’s near-total ban. The other would allow anyone who mails or delivers abortion pills to someone in Texas to be sued for $100,000. Both bills must now clear the Texas House. Eleanor Klibanoff of The Texas Tribune provides details on both measures.
Also this hour: A recent report ranked Houston as one of the unhappiest cities in America. Really? Whether you agree with that or not, we try to prove them wrong by having listeners and some guests share what they're happy about. Share yours now at talk@houstonmatters.org.
Then, from the USDA halting a new rule requiring poultry companies to keep levels of salmonella bacteria under a certain level, to a company using what's essentially an AI-powered mood ring to build emotional trust in relationships, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we talk with the outgoing Houston Poet Laureate, Aris Kian, and her successor, Reyes Ramirez.
On Thursday's show: Despite federal and state regulations, hospitals in Texas are failing to provide real transparency in pricing for medical services they provide. We discuss a new report from health economist Vivian Ho.
And we remember our colleague, longtime Texas radio newsman Matt Thomas, who died on Wednesday after a brief illness.
Also this hour: We talk about efforts to deal with what’s known as the “corridor of cruelty,” an area in Houston that has become a dumping ground for abandoned stray dogs and cats.
Then, with Cinco de Mayo coming up next week, we revisit a 2024 conversation about how many holidays get co-opted, and how we can turn cultural appropriation into appreciation. (But also drink. And sell mattresses).
And Kenny Wayne Shepherd became a star blues guitarist as a teenager, drawing comparisons to another three-named performer, the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughn. We learn why Shepherd's choice to go by three names had nothing to do with emulating Vaughn and discuss the lessons he's learned from touring with another blues legend, 91-year-old Bobby Rush ahead of their Sunday concert at House of Blues.
On Wednesday's show: This week marks President Donald Trump's 100th day in office. We reflect on everything that's happened so far and discuss the latest developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Corinna Lain, a legal scholar and former prosecutor, has done extensive research on how the use of lethal injection became widespread in this country. We examine what studies on the bodies of the executed can tell us about capital punishment and other revelations from her resulting book, Secrets of the Killing State.
And we reflect on the fall of Saigon, 50 years ago today through the eyes of Roy Vu, the child of Vietnamese immigrants to Houston.
On Tuesday's show: Last week, two economists spoke out about the impact of Trump economic policy on Houston. One said to expect a recession by the summer. But the other offered a much sunnier forecast. Could they both be right? Or both be wrong? Do economists really know what they're talking about? We talk it over.
Also this hour: Many industries face an uncertain future with the back-and-forth on tariffs. What about the energy industry in Houston? And how is the Texas Legislature playing a role in all of this? Houston Chronicle columnist Chris Tomlinson shares some of his thoughts on the subject.
Then, we learn about Free for All: The Public Library, a new documentary chronicling the evolution of the American public library, from the original “Free Library Movement” in the late 19th century to the present, when many libraries find themselves caught in the crosshairs of the culture wars and struggling to survive amid budget cuts and closures. Director Dawn Logsdon talks about her film, which airs tonight at 9 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.
And Texas poet Ebony Stewart discusses her newest collection called “WASH.”
On Monday's show: Depending on where you live in Greater Houston, you may be closing in on an election day. We provide a rundown on some of the municipal election decisions being made today in Fort Bend County. And we get an update on Texas public school funding from the Texas Legislature.
Also this hour: We discuss “tough on crime” policies that are so tough they’ve caught just about everyone off guard.
Then, do we really need all this smart technology? Just how connected should your fridge really be? We discuss what gadgetry may really go too far and other developments in consumer technology with columnist Dwight Silverman.
And Jeff Balke updates us on the Rockets playoff series against the Golden State Warriors and other news in Houston sports.
On Friday's show: We dig deeper on the Texas Education Agency's grades for Texas schools for the 2022-2023 school year, which were just released after a 19-month legal battle between the TEA and districts that sought to prevent their release. The agency gave HISD a C grade for that period.
Also this hour: A local union wants to see an increase in the minimum wage for Houston hotel and airport workers, arguing they’re not seeing the benefits of the area’s growing number of visitors. We learn more about what they want and how it could impact that industry.
Then, from bobblehead hoarding at a recent Astros game, to a driverless car that stopped driving, and (at least according to its passengers) wouldn’t let them out, we ask our non-expert panel to weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we talk with composer Missy Mazzoli about her opera adaptation of the Lars von Trier film Breaking the Waves, which explores heavy topics through a contemporary lens. The production is on stage at Houston Grand Opera thought May 4.
On Thursday's show: A group of Harris County Democratic Party officials are criticizing Houston Mayor John Whitmire over his participation in a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Republican. In a recent City Council meeting, the mayor also inflated the number of accused murderers on Houston streets as lawmakers consider bond reform. And Houston Public Works expects to raise water bills to fund a $4.2 billion overhaul of the East Water Purification Plant. Reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh updates us on those developments in city government.
Also this hour: Independent bookstores across the city are taking part in the second annual Houston Bookstore Crawl. (It’s like a pub crawl, but with far better results for your brain cells!) We learn why indie bookstores are thriving right now.
Then, this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture draws from the new film Sinners to explore the history of blues and dance halls in Houston.
And James Baker turns 95 on Monday. We revisit a 2015 conversation about the Houston native's career in politics.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. This week, Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina of Party Politics offer their insights on stories from the local, state, and national level.
Also this hour: Today is the 40th anniversary of New Coke, the change in flavor of Coca-Cola, which was one of the most infamous corporate marketing blunders of the 20th century. But hey, we all make mistakes. We revisit a 2024 conversation about some of Greater Houston's biggest mistakes.
Then, Aris Kian, 2023-2025 Houston Poet Laureate, talks about her work and reads her poem Angels Fly to My Place for Dinner.
And we talk with opera star Christine Goerke ahead of her performance Thursday at an event benefitting the University of Houston's Moores School of Music.
On Tuesday's show: A challenge on religious grounds to a requirement that health insurance providers cover HIV prevention medications was heard at the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday. Legal expert Seth Chandler explains the case, which stemmed from Texas.
Also this hour: Houston has higher rates of sexually transmitted infections compared to the rest of Texas, according to Harris County Public Health. We discuss how local public health professionals are fighting STIs and misinformation.
Then, on this Earth Day, we revisit a 2022 conversation with Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley about how one book sparked the great environmental awakening of the 1960s and 70s.
And we talk with musician and Houston native David Ramirez, who’s performing Wednesday at The Heights Theater.
On Monday's show: With the passing of Pope Francis, we talk about his time in the role and the legacy he leaves behind.
Then, we discuss SB3, a bill designed to ban THC in Texas, and what comes next after it passed the Texas Senate.
Also this hour: On this day in 1836, Texas forces won the Battle of San Jacinto, concluding the Texas Revolution. We revisit a conversation about the original Texans who sought independence from Mexico and sparked the revolution. And we revisit a conversation about the Turtle Bayou Resolutions and how they set the stage for the revolution in the first place.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers questions about pet health.
And we get an update on the Rockets loss in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs and other developments in sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: A bill to greatly expand efforts to lure film and TV production to Texas using incentives paid for by sales tax revenues has passed the Texas Senate and now heads to the House for consideration. We learn more about Senate Bill 22 and what it might do for film and TV production in the state.
Also this hour: From backlash over this week’s celebrity-studded, all-female, Blue Origin spaceflight, to prospects getting slimmer for a Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail line, to a human chain moving a bookstore down the street, a single book at a time, we hash out The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we discuss how to best declutter, downsize, and get rid of all the stuff in our lives.
On Thursday's show: In a vote early this morning that followed hours of debate, the Texas House gave initial approval to a billion-dollar private school voucher bill that stands to transform education in Texas in the years to come along with a $7.7 billion public school funding package.
Also this hour: We talk with Houstonians supporting women who run for office, regardless of party.
And we meet Dr. Jennifer Feltman, an expert on medieval art and architecture, who was one of only a handful of Americans who worked to help restore the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after it was damaged by fire in 2019. She recently spoke at an event with Archaeology Now Houston.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We chat with Houston Chef Michelle Wallace, owner of B'tween Sandwich Co. She was a competitor on Season 21 of Top Chef, where she was named fan favorite.
And Houston author Huda Fahmy tells us about her latest graphic novel, Huda F Wants to Know? It's the latest in her series about a young Muslim girl, loosely based on herself, growing up in America. The previous installment, Huda F Cares? was a finalist for the National Book Award.
On Tuesday's show: Texas lawmakers are looking to make changes in how cash bail is set, with an eye on Harris County. But opponents of Senate Bill 9 say it will further clog the county's courts. Neena Satija of the Houston Chronicle explains.
Also this hour: After she survived the Boston Marathon bombing, former Houstonian Rebekah Gregory fought to save her badly injured leg. We learn why she eventually chose to let go and have it amputated and about how she rebuilt her life to help others affected by trauma.
And we meet Al Cisneros, who is the first Hispanic pilot with the Navy's Blue Angels and is a veteran of more than 150 combat missions during the Vietnam War. He was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame last week.
On Monday's show: At least 115 students and recent graduates in Texas have had their legal status changed by the U.S Department of State over the last few weeks, according to data compiled by Inside Higher Ed and Texas Newsroom partners around the state. Those students are among more than 600 people nationwide caught in a recent wave of visa revocations.
Also this hour: Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners' gardening questions.
And Jeff Balke previews the return of the Houston Rockets to the NBA Playoffs and other developments in sports.
On Friday's show: A new poll sheds light on Houston-area voters’ attitudes on the issues facing the city. We learn what voters had to say about their views on where the city is headed, the biggest problems it faces, Mayor John Whitmire’s performance, and some initial polling on the candidates running for the 18th Congressional District, the seat left vacant when Congressman and former Mayor Sylvester Turner died.
Also this hour: From the National Weather Service stopping language translations of its products, to revelations about how many school nurses HISD employs, to some exciting news for Texas Roadhouse, our non-experts discuss the The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we visit the Car-Toon Festival, which celebrates custom cars and the city's car culture.
On Thursday's show: We get updates on recent developments at Houston City Hall, including concerns about the fate of the redesign of 11th Street in The Heights as Mayor John Whitmire's administration reviews it. And we learn about reactions to the direction the mayor has gone with street projects over the last 15 months.
Also this hour: Members of the group WindSync discuss their Onstage Offstage Chamber Music Festival, featuring contemporary solo works and a performance with the Houston Youth Symphony’s Coda music program.
And we learn how economic and cultural shifts are impacting Houston area coffee shops.
On Friday's show: The annual school rankings from Children at Risk are out. We learn what they have to tell us about Houston-area schools and school districts.
Also this hour: From Chevron planning layoffs of 15-20 percent of its workforce by the end of 2026, to a wildlife sanctuary helping spurned lovers get closure by feeding their exes’ names to wolves, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And, for Valentine’s Day, Houstonians share some of their favorite love songs in one of the volumes of our Houston Matters Mix Tape.
On Thursday's show: Government spending isn’t just under scrutiny in Washington. We find out what a new study suggests about how the City of Houston could be more efficient.
Also this hour: On Feb. 19, Houston's Chester Street Foundation is holding its third annual symposium to help those who work with kids spot and address childhood trauma. We talk with the organization's founder, a survivor of childhood trauma himself, about how a wide range of experiences can traumatize children and affect them in adulthood if not addressed.
Then, we’re in a fast-changing, amped-up political and social climate right now that has left some Houstonians’ stress levels at an all-time high. How can we better manage all that stress?
And we learn how research for a book about a 19th century distiller led Fawn Weaver to become the first African-American woman to own a major spirits brand, Uncle Nearest whiskey.
On Wednesday's show: We learn what a new report says about antisemitism in America.
Also this hour: Tariffs, school vouchers, and property taxes -- there’s a lot being debated at all levels of government these days. We seek context and clarity in our weekly political roundup.
Then, we talk with Grammy winning, Guatemalan born singer/songwriter Gaby Moreno, ahead of her performance at the Hobby Center Saturday night.
And Houston native singer/songwriter Kat Edmonson talks about how losing her mother inspired her new music, some of which she'll perform Sunday night at The Heights Theater.
On Tuesday's show: NOAA (and the National Weather Service within it) is among federal agencies under scrutiny right now by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. But Space City Weather meteorologist Eric Berger says “it would be a bad idea to take a hammer and start whacking NOAA and the National Weather Service.” He explains why and outlines how it might impact us here in southeast Texas.
Also this hour: We learn about artist Keith Wasserman's mental health journey, which included a period where he began a "creatively obsessive" correspondence with musician Ani DiFranco. A documentary called Dear Ani tells his story and about Wasserman's eventual friendship with DiFranco. The film is part of this year’s ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival.
Then, we learn about a new opera adaption of West Side Story from Houston Grand Opera.
And we meet the directors and members of Katy ISD’s Tompkins High School Honor Orchestra, which is performing at this week’s Texas Music Educators Association convention.
On Monday's show: The state’s energy demand is expected to grow a lot in the coming years, and grid improvements are needed to support it. But what’s driving all that demand, and who’s going to pay for it?
Also this hour: We learn how a Houston attorney unearthed a conspiracy to murder an American spy in 1993. We revisit our 2019 conversation with Michael Pullara about his book, The Spy Who Was Left Behind, about the murder of Freddie Woodruff.
Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners’ gardening questions.
And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: Criminal charges against a former staffer of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo will likely be dropped after Alex Triantaphyllis agreed to a pre-trial intervention deal. He is among three former staffers who were accused of steering an $11 million COVID-19 vaccine outreach contract to a preferred vendor.
And we learn about the findings from HISD's audit of its special education department, which found thousands of violations of district policy and hundreds of violations of students’ rights, according to reporting from Houston Landing.
Also this hour: We meet Jackson Sweeney, an aerospace engineer from Pearland whose work is on board the Blue Ghost Lunar Lander, which is set to land on the moon in the coming weeks.
Then, from HISD students staying home from school to protest Mike Miles, to the City of Houston’s budget deficit growing some more, to Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour coming to Houston for two shows this summer, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And ROCO, formerly the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, is in its 20th season, which includes a concert this weekend of world premieres about AI and last year’s solar eclipse.
On Thursday's show: Houston city officials are facing a looming budget crisis and will need to slash spending or dramatically raise revenue over the next year following a Texas Supreme Court decision on the city's infrastructure spending. The city is grappling with a $100 million price tag for required spending on streets and drainage and now faces a $330 million deficit in 2026. We learn how we got here, and City Controller Chris Hollins joins us to explain his proposed emergency task force to address the situation.
Also this hour: Late last month, Houston-based midstream energy giant Kinder Morgan announced plans to move ahead with a liquefied natural gas pipeline project extending more than 200 miles from Katy to Port Arthur. The company says the Trident Intrastate Pipeline could help power millions of homes and businesses. But not everyone is thrilled about it. We discuss the pipeline, projects like it, and the environmental and legal concerns they often raise.
Then, we visit the Eternal Gandhi Museum in southwest Houston. It's the first museum in the Americas dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of nonviolent conflict resolution.
And we visit a weekly Mexican wrestling event in East Houston.
On Wednesday's show: From Gov. Greg Abbott’s emergency items for the state legislature to address, to the debate over tariffs, to Elon Musk at the U.S. Treasury, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Just in time for the Super Bowl, local food writers offer their suggestions for the best sports bars and pub food in town in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And we visit the Lone Star Flight Museum.
On Tuesday's show: Tariffs threatened against Mexico and Canada are on hold for a month, while new tariffs imposed on China have taken effect. And those have led to tariffs imposed by Beijing on certain goods from the United States, including on crude oil and LNG. We consider the potential economic impact of tariffs on Houstonians, the Greater Houston economy, the state of Texas, and consumers in general.
Also this hour: One recent analysis found that fewer than one-fifth of HISD high school graduates from 2017 had earned enough to make a living wage six years later. And nearby districts saw numbers only slightly better. But is that the best way to evaluate the success of someone's education long term?
Then, we discuss how to set healthier boundaries at work and in our relationships.
And we revisit our trip to Moody Gardens in Galveston.
On Monday's show: Gov. Greg Abbott delivered his annual State of the State address on Sunday. We recap what he had to say.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.
And we get an update on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: We learn how immigration arrests and policy changes in the early days of the Trump administration are creating chaos and uncertainty in Houston. And we learn what a new survey suggests about Texans’ attitudes about immigration.
Also this hour: We learn about the latest trends here in the Houston area related to human trafficking and efforts to prevent it.
Then, from the latest test score results for Houston ISD, to an enormous mammoth skull unearthed in Central Texas, to another second ticking off the Doomsday Clock, this week’s non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we discuss the future of remote work after the Trump administration ended its telework policy for federal workers and the City of Houston recently did the same.
On Thursday's show: Prosecutors are dismissing charges against two of three former Harris County staffers over a COVID-era contract process gone wrong. We learn the latest in a nearly three-year-long saga.
Also this hour: Could the Texas Legislature tweak the state’s abortion ban this session in order to protect mothers at risk? Recent comments from Lt. Governor Dan Patrick hint at the possibility. But was that just talk?
Then, we learn about Camp Logan, a play on stage now at Houston’s Ensemble Theatre, based on racial tensions during a riot here in Houston more than a century ago.
And we revisit a conversation with NPR’s Sarah McCammon about why many Christian Americans like her are leaving the evangelical church, which is the subject of her book, The Exvangelicals.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: How much of our modern politics is about actually debating issues and how much is just good old fashioned theater? And if it's the latter, is that really anything new? We talk it over.
And how do you capture the smells of a city (at least the good ones)? We visit the Color Factory and its exhibit of scents that define Houston.
On Tuesday's show: An annual count of homeless people in the Houston area takes place this week. We learn about the purpose of the Point In Time count and what trends and public policy shifts tell us about homelessness today.
Also this hour: The annual Houston Autoboative Show runs Wednesday through Sunday at NRG Center. We get an update on the auto industry in Greater Houston.
Then, we revisit a conversation about the challenges of living in Houston without a car.
And a new season the series "Mo" arrives on Netflix Jan. 30. We revisit a 2018 conversation with Mo Amer, its star who grew up in Houston.
On Monday's show: We learn why Harris County taxpayers are on the hook for any upgrades at NRG Stadium and what that might cost.
Also this hour: Earlier this month, former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory outlining how alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing at least seven kinds of cancer and called for alcohol labels to include warnings about that. But drinking is a big part of American culture in so many ways. What do we do with this revelation?
Then, columnist Dwight Silverman talks about the debate over the TikTok ban and other developments surrounding consumer technology.
And we discuss the latest developments in sports, including the Astros trading reliever Ryan Pressly to the Cubs.
On Friday's show: We discuss how the new Trump administration and new policies on immigration enforcement might affect children and families, especially here in Houston.
Also this hour: After this week's snow, should we consider investing in other infrastructure to better handle future winter weather? Or is that the wisest approach for events that aren’t supposed to occur very often here?
Then, from a "once in a generation" snow storm, to a Trump Burger location coming to Houston, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we talk with Marty York, one of the actors who was in the 1993 movie The Sandlot as its anniversary tour comes to town Saturday night.
On Thursday's show: We learn about proposed state budgets being presented at the legislature.
Also this hour: Pres. Donald Trump signed an executive order this week to keep TikTok operating in the United States for 75 days. The debate over the platform has underscored a disconnect between the people who use it and the people who develop policy about it. Is it all about speech versus safety or is there something else at play here?
Then, the new film The Brutalist follows an architect who emigrates to the United States and faces both challenges and opportunities in a new country that’s not always very welcoming. On this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture, we talk about the film and then meet a local success story from Houston’s immigrant community.
And, ahead of a show tonight at Cullen Performance Hall, Drew Lynch talks about overcoming a stutter by taking up standup comedy.
On Wednesday's show: Roads remain icy, and extreme cold continues across Greater Houston. On the second day of the winter storm. We bring you the latest forecast, road conditions, and an update on Houston airports.
We also discuss how our elected leadership has handled this week’s storm and recap a busy first 48 hours for the new Trump White House in this week’s political roundup.
On Tuesday's show: Snow is falling and piling up around Greater Houston, and as long as the power stays on and you can stay inside it is indeed a winter wonderland in the Bayou City. We talk with a meteorologist to find out how much snow we may still get, how long it will be here, and what you should and should not do in the meantime.
We also check in on road conditions with TxDOT, find out when Houston’s airports hope to re-open, and discuss how to make sure your pets safely enjoy the snow.
On Friday's show: Wintry weather may be headed our way early next week. Just exactly what, how much, and when is still a bit up in the air. We learn the latest from meteorologist Eric Berger from Space City Weather.
And we learn about security measures planned for this weekend's Chevron Houston Marathon.
Also this hour: With a new session of the Texas Legislature underway, what might happen to improve the state's power grid?
Then, from the possibility of wintery weather next week, to potential renovations at NRG Center including an NHL regulation ice rink, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: As the legislature kicks off this week, we get a sense of what some of the City of Houston's priorities are to achieve with lawmakers from reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.
Also this hour: Gov. Greg Abbott recently appointed Justice Jimmy Blacklock to serve as the new chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court. We learn what we should know about the conservative ally of the governor from Charles “Rocky” Rhodes of South Texas College of Law Houston.
Then we learn how a local business is working to help people who’ve begun gender-affirming care to adjust to their physical changes and navigate the medical system.
And the classical world has long been dominated by male composers. We chat with conductor and pianist Mary Box, executive director of Montrose Project, which is dedicated to helping increase the visibility of orchestral music composed by women.
On Wednesday's show: We recap the start of the Texas Legislative session, discuss Trump cabinet confirmation hearings, and other developments in political in our regular Wednesday roundup.
Also this hour: The COVID 19 pandemic revealed the size of America's digital divide -- the gap between people who can access and use digital technology and those who can't. In the years since, have we managed to bridge that gap in Houston?
And we revisit a recent conversation about a new book examining whether a particular golf ball was ever on the moon with astronaut Alan Shepard, who famously hit a couple of golf balls on the lunar surface. But, more importantly, it tells the story of the friendship between Shepard and his barber, Carlos Villagomez, to whom he gave the golf ball after returning to earth. A discussion of the book and a screening of a related documentary will be held on Saturday at the Lone Star Flight Museum.
On Tuesday's show: As the Texas Legislature gavels back into session today, News 88.7's Natalie Weber tells us what legislation elected officials in Fort Bend County are hoping to get passed.
Also this hour: Singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco made a name for herself doing things her own way -- launching her own music label, producing and mixing her own music, and championing messages and causes that weren't always popular or conventional when she was making a name for herself in the 1990s. So, it's fitting that a new documentary screening in Houston tonight is called 1-800-ON-HER-OWN. DiFranco talks about the documentary, her musical journey, and about not doing everything on her own anymore ahead of a concert at House of Blues on Friday.
Then, we reflect on the life and career of one-time Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, the namesake of the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs. We talk with authors Don Carleton and Erin Purdy about their biography, Bill Hobby: A Life in Journalism and Public Service.
And here in Space City we know well that discovery comes not just from sending astronauts into space but by developing ever-more powerful telescopes. Case in point: images from the James Webb Space Telescope now offer us a look at some individual stars in a galaxy more than six billion light years from Earth. That’s billion with a B! We learn more and revisit a 2022 conversation with one of the folks behind the Webb Telescope at NASA.
On Monday's show: The 89th regular session of the Texas Legislature begins tomorrow. We preview some of the issues and bills that will take center stage.
Also this hour: The AOL/Time Warner merger 25 years ago was huge news then. And it didn’t work. We discuss mergers past and present in the Houston area and why some work and some don’t.
Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners' gardening questions.
And Jeff Balke recaps the Texans' playoff game against the Chargers.
On Friday's show: The Houston Chronicle reported this that Gov. Greg Abbott is exploring a plan to buy Houston’s excess water and send it to communities in West Texas that are facing dwindling aquifers after years of largely unrestricted drilling there. We discuss the idea and how it might affect the watersheds here.
Also this hour: Screenings of the new documentary My Mama Joe, Hope & Help will take place tonight and Saturday at The DeLuxe Theater. The film tells the story of a Houston community leader who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia and experienced disparities in the health care system. We talk with her son, who directed the film about his mother and her struggles.
Then, from President-elect Donald Trump saying he plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico, to Longhorns fans being concerned about the "Cruz Curse" affecting the outcome of the Cotton Bowl, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news.
And we get to know jazz singer Vanisha Gould ahead of her performances this weekend at Houston's Eldorado Ballroom.
On Wednesday's show: With Donald Trump's second inauguration less than two weeks away and another session of the Texas Legislature just days away, we preview the early days of the second Trump administration and the 89th Texas Legislature as we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Full Menu, Houston food writers discuss their favorite places to get crawfish and other Cajun and Creole dishes.
And we revisit the story of the time Russian leader Boris Yeltsin visited a Houston grocery store and the role it played in in ending communism.
On Tuesday's show: Inauguration Day is less than two weeks away, and with the incoming administration of Donald Trump come more questions about changes to immigration policy and possible deportations. We get some perspective on how Houstonians are preparing for an uncertain future.
Also this hour: We discuss how to make arts and culture venues more accessible for the disabled.
Then, our own Craig Cohen is the featured guest in the MFAH’s next installment of Movies Houstonians Love. He’s presenting a film he's probably seen a few too many times -- The Muppet Movie, which will screen this Saturday at 7 p.m.
And Houston is one of six cities that will have a team in a new women's indoor professional volleyball league that begins play this week.
On Monday's show: Houstonians woke up to freezing temperatures this morning but little to no precipitation. Eric Berger of Space City Weather tells us how the winter weather played out across the region.
Also this hour: We learn how poverty is affecting many in Greater Houston these days from Catholic Charities of the Houston-Galveston Archdiocese.
Then, we offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.
And we recap the Texans game against the Titans to wrap up the regular season and preview the first round of the playoffs.
On Friday's show: Some cold weather is headed to Greater Houston late Sunday night into early Monday. We get details from Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard.
Also this hour: We welcome your questions about sleep and sleep disorders for Houston sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula.
And we reflect on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of 2024.
On Thursday's show: A Houston Army veteran is the suspect in a bloody New Year's Day attack in New Orleans that killed at least 15 people and injured 30 more. We get the latest updates on this evolving story.
Also this hour: As 2025 begins, we take a look at the year ahead and how Houstonians could be affected by far-reaching proposed changes in economic and immigration policy of the incoming Trump administration.
And we learn about a new opera adaption of West Side Story from Houston Grand Opera.
On Friday's show: Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, Texas has led the nation in the number of executions carried out. But in recent years, those numbers have dwindled. We learn what a new report from the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty shows about trends surrounding capital punishment in Texas.
And News 88.7’s Patricia Ortiz shares the story of a family separated at the border and why at least two American citizens are, for the moment, on the other side.
Also this hour: We reflect on the 25th anniversary of the Y2K scare and what lessons we learned from an apocalyptic scare that wasn't.
Then, from news that heat-related illnesses are rising in Harris County, to Charlotte’s NBA team stepping into a proverbial “Hornets” nest with a PR gaffe involving a kid and a PlayStation 5, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Houstonians share some of the holiday songs that are meaningful to them as we revisit a 2020 edition of our Houston Matters Mixtape.
On Thursday's show: The death of a teen killed while crossing train tracks on his way to Milby High School has reignited calls for accountability and oversight of Union Pacific. The country’s largest rail company has now announced it will limit train operations near the school during traditional drop off and pickup hours.
Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we reflect on Christmas movies over the years and what they say about America at the time they came out.
And we ride The Polar Express train ride in Galveston.
On Wednesday's show: We reflect on the wild, intriguing year in politics that was 2024 in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: The holidays bring families across the country together, and loved ones who haven’t been able to spend time together can catch up and create new memories. But in those moments, that also means warning signs of neglect or changes in health in our elders can become more evident. So, how can you and your family watch out for signs of physical or cognitive decline while still respecting the people you care about?
And it’s the time of year when many Houstonians make, eat, and share tamales. We talk about the many different types of tamales and the role they play in many holiday traditions.
On Tuesday's show: Two teenagers were killed and four others were injured over the weekend when someone reportedly shot a pistol into a crowd at a pop-up party in northeast Houston. We discuss what are essentially unsanctioned clubs operating in abandoned or unused buildings with Houston City Council Member Mario Castillo, who represents District H where this incident occurred.
Also this hour: Living in a big, busy metropolitan area like Greater Houston is bound to test your patience. How can we all do better at being more patient with everything and everyone around us?
And we revisit a conversation with Peter Sagal, host of NPR's Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!
On Monday's show: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo fired back at Houston Mayor John Whitmire over comments about her mental health and political future. We recap what they’ve each said in recent days and why.
Also this hour: After the shooting of a health care company executive in New York, Americans have shared many examples over the last week of health insurance claim denials. We learn about what leads to those denials, how the claims process works, and what resources exist for Houstonians to navigate that world.
Then, we catch up with comedian and Houston native Sheng Wang ahead of a Dec. 28 performance at Bayou Music Center.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Houston is home to a lot of above-ground pipelines. So, you might be surprised by how limited regulations are surrounding their protection. Alison Young of Houston Landing discusses how September’s deadly Energy Transfer accident and fire in Deer Park was only the most high-profile of accidents involving vehicles crashing into pipelines.
Also this hour: With the holiday shopping season in full force, has consumerism become too rampant these days? We talk it over and explore how we can avoid letting consumerism get the better of us during the holidays.
Then, from Beyoncé's Grammy-nominated album Cowboy Carter inspiring a new history class at UH, to Cruise possibly getting out of the driverless car game in Houston, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And a new production at Stages Houston takes on the story of Pinocchio with a modern twist.
On Thursday's show: What will 2025 hold for Houston's economy? Patrick Jankowski of the Greater Houston Partnership shares his annual economic outlook.
Also this hour: We get the latest on efforts to address the problem of children having to cross railroad tracks to get to school after an HISD student was killed doing so this week.
Then, the Bayou City’s vibrant restaurant scene has built up over the years in no small part due to the rise of a generation of talented area chefs. Many of them have spent years in kitchens developing their craft and learning it at area schools, including the recently closed culinary school at The Art Institute of Houston. We revisit a conversation with one of the school’s alumni, Chef Ryan Lachaine, the co-owner and executive chef of Riel.
And with the news earlier this week that renowned poet Nikki Giovanni has died, we revisit a 2022 conversation with her when she was serving as a writer in residence at Prairie View A&M University.
On Wednesday's show: From the news that Tilman Fertitta could become the next ambassador to Italy, to a judge throwing out The Onion’s purchase of Infowars, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: The social media landscape has been changing lately as folks shift to and from X, BlueSky, Mastodon, Threads, and so on. Have we reached social media platform overload? How do the messages we receive vary in subject matter, tone, and intention, depending on the platform we use? And is any of this good for us? We talk it over.
And it’s a time of year when people are making and eating more pies than they might the rest of the year. Chef Carl Walker of Brennan's of Houston walks us through how to make a perfect pie crust and explains how serving in the Marine Corps turned him into a baking enthusiast.
On Tuesday's show: Houston City Council is considering potential regulations for short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo. News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh explains what they're discussing.
Also this hour: The Texans’ Aziz Al-Shaair has been suspended three games for his blow to the head of sliding quarterback Trevor Lawrence. It came the same week a new study was released finding longer ice hockey careers may increase the risks of developing CTE. Some point to the need for better athletic equipment (improvements in helmets, for instance) as a way to reduce those risks. Others believe the more equipment, the more likely athletes are to hit harder. We discuss that debate and whether better protective equipment, better rules, or changes in attitudes towards contact sports can really yield fewer injuries.
Then, the family of Austin Tice, a Houston journalist and U.S. Marine Corps veteran kidnapped in Syria more than a dozen years ago, is making a fresh push with the Biden administration to secure his freedom. The Tices planned to go to the White House on Friday to meet with the National Security Council. In light of developments in Syria and how they might affect this story, we revisit a 2014 conversation with Tice’s parents, Marc and Debra.
And Americana singer Robert Earl Keen brings his annual Christmas show to House of Blues on Dec. 19. We listen back to a 2014 conversation with him about his holiday shows and his foray into bluegrass.
On Monday's show: A year-long saga involving a former Superintendent at Fort Bend ISD appears headed to court. We learn why Dr. Christie Whitbeck is suing members of the district board.
Also this hour: We discuss the growing challenge -- and expense -- of getting homeowners insurance in Greater Houston.
Then Carol Burton from Urban Harvest answers questions about gardening.
And we discuss the Rockets' recent struggles on the road and get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke, how writes for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Friday's show: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he'll press for a statewide ban on sales of all consumable THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) products in the 2025 legislative session. We learn more about what Patrick has deemed one of his top priorities for the regular session.
Also this hour: How challenging is it to live in a big, noisy city when you're dealing with hearing loss?
Then, from the return of Enron (sort of), to more driverless cars hitting Houston streets, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Dickens on the Strand, Galveston Island’s annual Victorian-themed holiday street festival, returns this weekend. We revisit a conversation from last year about the festival’s history and chat with the great-great-great grandson of Charles Dickens.
On Thursday's show: We get updates on some stories related to Houston city government, including the city retaining the ability to invest public funds in Israeli bonds after the city council did not take up an amendment to change the city's investment policy.
Also this hour: TxDOT wants to continue to oversee its own compliance with environmental policy, and critics say this gives them unchecked authority to approve unpopular projects. We get some perspective on the matter.
Then, we visit an exhibit on the Karankawa tribe in Texas. At the request of the tribe, the artifacts in the exhibit are not actual historical items -- they are recreations. What are the pros and cons of developing exhibits using such recreated artifacts?
And we talk with artist Vincent Valdez, who's doing a takeover of the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston where his collection of paintings about American history will be on display.
On Wednesday's show: We get reaction to President Joe Biden pardoning his son, President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for the FBI, and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Full Menu, food writers discuss some of their favorite new restaurants that have opened in the past year.
And there are many different ways we all experience the holiday season, depending on what’s going on in our lives. A new play illustrates some of them. We learn about Twelve Ways of Christmas at the Ensemble Theatre.
On Tuesday's show: Everyone wants our money right now. Black Friday gives way to Small Business Saturday, which gives way to Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday. Barbara Stewart from the University of Houston joins us to examine how those major events in the retail calendar went this year and how Americans' shopping habits are changing of late.
Also this hour: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provided $1.9 trillion in stimulus for the nation as we tried to dig out from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those funds were billions of dollars that assisted municipal governments, colleges and universities, health systems, and other entities. Now that those funds are coming to an end, how will Greater Houston feel the effects? And how might other sources of funding fill in the gap?
Then, sex and intimacy are not always easy subjects to talk about. But Emily Jamea happened to grow up in a home where it wasn’t taboo and now works as a sex and relationship therapist here in Houston. She talks about that work and her book, Anatomy of Desire.
And, ahead of a performance in Houston next week, we revisit a conversation with musician Ben Folds about bringing piano to the Grunge era in the 90s and working with orchestras today.
On Monday's show: An investigative series from ProPublica called The Life of the Mother examines how abortion bans after the overturn of Roe v. Wade have led to preventable deaths.
Also this hour: We offer listeners their monthly chance to vent their pet peeves about life in Greater Houston. You can share yours now at talk@houstonmatters.org.
And the Texans held on to beat Jacksonville Sunday, but most people weren't talking about the win. Jeff Balke discusses the controversial hit by Texans defender Azeez Al-Shaair.
On Wednesday's show: President-elect Donald Trump is threatening Canada and Mexico with tariffs, and the State of Texas is identifying property to make available to the incoming Trump administration to use for potential mass deportations. We discuss those and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we examine the themes and questions about religion explored in the film Heretic.
And Archaeology Now Houston recently recreated how medieval Europeans many centuries ago would've celebrated the Feast of Saint Martin, or Martinmas, a holiday meal that would've been on par with Thanksgiving in America. We visit their feast, which was held in a historic barn outside Katy.
On Tuesday's show: Once a year, in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, the Houston Matters team gives thanks to you for listening and supporting this program and to each other for the work we’ve done this year.
Today, the tradition continues as we revisit interviews and segments from the past year that members of the team found especially enjoyable. That includes conversations with actors George Takei and Joe Pantoliano.
Plus, we get a history lesson about Pullman Porters, we learn about a short film that tries to encapsulate all that is Houston in about four minutes, and we head to Crumbville, TX Bakery, a business Project Row Houses helped get started.
On Monday's show: Some 80 million Americans are expected to travel this week. Whether you’re driving or flying in and out of Houston, we have all you need to know before you go as we check in with Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System.
Also this hour: On what’s traditionally the biggest travel week of the year, we welcome your questions and comments about the rules of the road for local law enforcement. Whatever you want to know about how we’re actually supposed to drive here in Houston and across Texas is welcome.
Then, we discuss tech gift options for the upcoming holiday season in our monthly conversation about consumer technology with columnist Dwight Silverman.
And the Texans go from one rivalry to another. On the heels of their shellacking of the Dallas Cowboys, we recap Sunday's game against the Titans with Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Mayor John Whitmire has announced a new push "to end homelessness." The plan calls for increased local funding and more collaboration between the city and county. Whitmire also wants to make it illegal to sleep in public spaces. We learn what all the plan entails.
Also this hour: From a lawsuit over off-duty officers carrying weapons in some area hospitals, to a new baby elephant at the Houston Zoo, our panel of non-experts contemplate The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Houston native Attica Locke, who's got an extensive resume writing novels and for television, talks about incorporating Houston and East Texas into her writing, including her latest novel, Guide Me Home, the final installment of her Highway 59 trilogy, which centers around a Black Texas Ranger named Darren Mathews. She also discusses what it was like working with her sister, Tembi Locke, in bringing her memoir, From Scratch, to the screen for the Netflix series of the same name.
On Thursday's show: The State Board of Education is poised to vote on optional Bible-infused curriculum for Texas public elementary schools on Friday. We discuss whether it will be approved and whether it's constitutional.
Also this hour: We find out how the cruise ship industry is faring along the Gulf Coast.
Then, new public artwork on display at Discovery Green is part of Art Lab, a new mentorship program helping Houston-area artists learn how to create and install public art.
And we learn about the open mic poetry events from Write About Now, which recently included Houston Matters producer Laura Walker performing some of her work.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup, including the latest on President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominations.
Also this hour: The Battleship Texas Foundation gives us an update on efforts to establish a new, permanent home for the famous ship and museum.
And comedian Lewis Black, America’s ranter-in-chief, is coming around for one final standup performance here on Friday night, part of his “Goodbye Yeller Brick Road” tour. We share some highlights from his previous appearances on our program.
On Tuesday's show: What will HISD do now that no new bond money is coming? The district’s state-appointed board of managers has been mulling over options to pivot after voters this month rejected a massive bond proposal for school upgrades. The board also heard an earful from parents last week about what motivated that rejection. We talk it over with with Houston Public Media’s Adam Zuvanich.
Also this hour: We learn how indigenous groups are resurrecting their people’s ancient names for geographic places, including one tribal group’s name for what is now Houston. We talk with two members of the Atakapa-Ishak Nation and learn what their people once called our city.
And we reflect on the history of Houston’s Arte Público Press, the oldest publisher dedicated to Latino literature in the United States, with its founder and incoming leader.
On Monday's show: With Republicans poised to take control of the White House and both houses of Congress in January, and President-elect Donald Trump promising mass deportations, it’s reasonable to assume immigration policy is about to change and could have a profound impact on a lot of Houstonians. We learn how Houston-area immigrant rights organizations are preparing.
Also this hour: The city of Houston grew for a long time without zoning. But as more people move outside the city limits to communities that have more formal land use regulations, has the city taken this no-zoning system as far as it can go? We talk it over.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers questions about pet health.
And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Remember how Sen. Ted Cruz was supposed to be in a tough re-election race? The Texas Tribune’s Jasper Scherer joins us to share why Cruz’s campaign believes the senator ultimately won so easily and what it may signal for Cruz’s future prospects in the Senate and possibly, someday, the White House.
Also this hour: We learn how Hurricane Beryl affected the Texas coast.
Then, from Michelin Guide restaurant honors, to a ride-sharing service featuring armed drivers, this week’s panel of non-experts considers The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And jazz icons Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie might be best remembered for their music. But a new book called The Jazzmen explains how they overcame racism and discrimination to open America's eyes to their music and in the process "wrote the soundtrack for the civil rights movement." We talk with author Larry Tye, who'll speak Saturday during the Jewish Book & Arts Festival at Houston's Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center.
On Thursday's show: The Astrodome Conservancy, a nonprofit that advocates for the preservation of the one-time "Eighth Wonder of the World," has unveiled a $1 billion redevelopment concept for the Dome. We find out what the plan calls for, who would pay for it, who needs to buy in, and what may set the idea apart from past proposals for the Astrodome.
Also this hour: We discuss how physical media, such as vinyl records, DVDs, and books may be in a state of decline and renaissance all at the same time.
And, on the anniversary of the U.S. Army overturning convictions of Black soldiers that stemmed from the 1917 Houston Riots, we visit the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum.
On Wednesday's show: A recent survey asked Houstonians about their quality of life here. The question came from us here at Houston Matters, and we learn what they had to say.
Also this hour: We discuss some of the names already made public as likely members of President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration along with other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, in the latest installment of The Full Menu, Houston food writers share some of their favorite area restaurants to visit for special occasions.
And University of Houston film scholar Karen Fang talks about her new book, Background Artist: The Life and Work of Tyrus Wong. Wong was a 20th century Asian-American artist who worked on many famous films, including as the lead production illustrator for Disney’s classic Bambi.
On Tuesday's show: It’s been five years since the state funded free, full-day pre-K programs. So, how’s it going? We learn what new reports say about enrollment in and the evaluation of Houston-area pre-K instruction.
Also this hour: We talk with Houston engineer William Taggart, who says he knows how to fix the country's problems, which he outlines in his new book, Fixing America: An Engineer’s Solution to our Social, Cultural, and Political Problems.
Then, earlier this month, we heard from HISD Superintendent Mike Miles about chronic absenteeism in the district. We learn more about chronic absences across the rest of Texas.
And we learn how an aspiring local filmmaker captures the story of Houston in just three minutes. Elisha Luckett’s conceptual documentary A Town Called Houston is one of a number of short films featured as part of the annual Houston Cinema Arts Festival.
On Monday's show: Last week’s election doesn’t just mean a GOP sweep of Congress and the White House. Hardline Republicans gained seats in an even more conservative Texas House. We learn what that further shift right means for the next Texas legislative session.
Also this hour: On this Veterans Day, we learn about services provided by the Houston VA.
Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners’ gardening questions.
And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: While we’ve all understandably been fixated on election news this week, there’s actual governing going on, too. Dominic Anthony Walsh joins us with the latest on some leadership changes at Houston City Hall.
Also this hour: From Elon Musk seemingly discovering Harris County exists on election day, to someone buying a dime for $500,000, our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And true crime podcasts are very popular. We meet the hosts of the Sistas Who Kill podcast who offer a unique take on the concept. Their live tour arrives in Houston on Sunday at House of Blues.
On Thursday's show: We’re keeping a close eye on the rapidly intensifying Hurricane Rafael in the Gulf of Mexico. Could it head here? We discuss the latest of what’s known about the storm’s track with Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard.
Also this hour: Former President Donald Trump reclaimed the White House. Ted Cruz will stay in the U.S. Senate. So, now what? Longtime activist Sam Daley-Harris offers his advice for what to do in the periods between elections as he encourages everyday citizens to get involved in government. Harris is the author of Reclaiming Our Democracy and we talk with him ahead of a visit to Houston.
Then, we revisit a 2018 conversation with Jon Meacham about his book, The Soul of America, which examines some particularly trying times in our nation’s history when presidents and ordinary citizens came together to overcome fear and hate.
And we revisit a 2018 conversation with writer Mitch Albom, who’s headed to Houston this weekend to discuss his latest book at the annual Jewish Book & Arts Festival.
Finally, we learn about the music agency Wonky Power, which produces live concerts in Houston and helps define Latino music and culture here.
On Wednesday's show: We devote the entire hour to election results and analysis and welcome your thoughts on the presidential election, the U.S. Senate election, a variety of other state and local results, the HISD bond, and other ballot initiatives.
Party Politics co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina offer their insights throughout the hour, and we hear from our listeners.
On Tuesday's show: We mark Election Day by visiting some polling places around Greater Houston.
Also this hour: Are there lessons professional athletes learn about nutrition that can benefit the rest of us? We ask Astros dietitian Geordan Stapleton. And HISD dietitian Nathan Reska shares some insights on childhood nutrition.
Then, we talk with Pete and Crystal Damore, the Houston-area singer/songwriter duo that makes up the folk Americana band Ordinary Elephant.
And Houston native Stephanie Wittels Wachs has co-founded the award-winning podcast network Lemonada, which to date has more than 60 podcasts, including many hosted by celebrities like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Duchovny, and even an upcoming one to be hosted by Meghan Markle. Wittels Wachs talks with us about Lemonada’s story and dramatic growth.
On Monday's show: Ahead of Election Day, for those who haven't voted early, we offer an election guide for procrastinators.
Also this hour: We offer listeners their monthly chance to vent their pet peeves about life in Greater Houston. You can share yours now at talk@houstonmatters.org.
And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: As voters contemplate a school bond and battles over public education focus on resources and curriculum, there’s a more fundamental challenge schools face -- too many students not showing up to class. Producer Celeste Diaz Schurman talks with HISD Superintendent Mike Miles about the impact of chronic absenteeism at Houston-area schools.
Also this hour: The Texans lost last night...to the Jets? We talk about it with Jeff Balke, who co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast and writes for Houston Press.
Then, from many HISD middle and high schools scrapping their Halloween celebrations after new guidance from the district, to Port Arthur being named one of the worst small cities in the country, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we preview the Houston Music Festival, featuring performances of chamber music, improv, and spoken word, including a concert of music with Houston ties, including covers of Beyoncé and Lizzo.
On Thursday's show: Dominic Anthony Walsh provides an update on why the City of Houston continues to pay dues to the Houston-Galveston Area Council after a proposition last year allowed Houston to leave the organization.
Also this hour: Amid recent foodborne illness outbreaks and kids hauling buckets of Halloween candy home, we consider how to ensure that our food is safe to eat.
Then, we hear from listeners and HPM staffers about some of their favorite Halloween songs.
And author and former Houstonian Shea Serrano talks about Werewolf Lawyer, his latest novella about a lawyer for werewolves.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in local, state, and national politics with Party Politics co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina.
Then, we consider whether adults have co-opted Halloween from kids.
And we look back on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which released 50 years ago this month.
On Tuesday's show: With a hot and dry October so far, we talk with meteorologist Justin Ballard about what we can expect for trick-or-treating weather.
Plus, we look at why Rice University has seen a drop in admissions for Black students over the past year.
Also this hour: We consider how minors are viewed in the legal system, amid efforts to fix foster care in Texas.
Then, we talk with the filmmaker of a new documentary about the film Chasing Amy.
And Meow Wolf Houston officially opens this week! We get a preview of the new immersive experience.
On Monday's show: We dive into the political battle happening over the delayed execution of Robert Roberson.
Also this hour: Last week we discussed why choosing an electricity provider in Texas can be complicated and intimidating. Today, we revisit how we got to this point after the state deregulated the retail electricity market and consider how that truly affected energy prices in the state.
Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses recent developments in consumer technology.
And Jeff Balke recaps the Texans' important divisional matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.
On Friday's show: While Houston ISD voters are contemplating whether to approve a record-setting bond for their school district, Fort Bend ISD is revising plans for an over-budget bond approved there last year. We discuss both with Houston Public Media’s Adam Zuvanich and Natalie Weber.
Also this hour: From a Missouri woman using an Apple AirTag to track a stolen campaign sign taken from her yard and shaming the thief on social media, to the Yankees' general manager saying his team's World Series drought should’ve ended in 2017, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
Then, we reflect on the life and career of Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon with reporter Mirin Fader, author of Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon.
And we visit the Wings Over Houston air show at Ellington Field where a local pilot explains what it's like re-enacting the attack on Pearl Harbor flying vintage World War II aircraft.
On Thursday's show: A dust-up between Houston’s mayor and controller seems to have escalated in recent days. We walk through what’s going on with News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.
Also this hour: We visit an event raising funds for cancer research while celebrating children who are combatting cancer.
Then, this month’s installment of The Bigger Picture examines the new film Saturday Night, about the behind-the-scenes chaos leading up to the first episode of Saturday Night Live back in 1975. Joshua Zinn discusses the film and the show's affect on live sketch and improv comedy in the Houston area.
And classical music meets hip hop tonight as the Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra teams up with Houston’s Fly Dance Company and Outspoken Bean.
On Wednesday's show: More polling results are in from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs. We learn what they have to tell us about the upcoming election and opinions on the integrity of those elections.
Also this hour: With early voting underway and a hyper-focus on the presidential election, we seek context and clarity about recent developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
And choosing an electric provider in Texas can be quite complicated. We talk to one of those electric providers to learn how they operate and with the founder of a company that helps Texas residential electricity customers find the best plan.
On Tuesday's show: As we enter the final weeks of campaigning before Election Day, we check in with reporter Andrew Schneider on how the candidates for U.S. Senate are making their last appeals to voters.
Also this hour: With early voting underway in the 2024 election, we revisit a conversation from 2022 about the television series, The West Wing, which inspired a whole generation to engage in the world of politics. But did it establish unrealistic expectations? We ask University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus, who uses clips from the show in his classes.
Then, we talk with content creator Felecia for the Win, who's the host of the PBS Digital series Roots of Resistance, which is produced by Houston Public Media and examines social movements that have changed life in America throughout our nation's history. The latest episode, which is out now on YouTube, delves into the age-old question: Is voting a privilege or a fundamental right?
And we visit an event called Coffee with the Composer, where Joel Thompson, composer-in-residence for Houston Grand Opera, meets with community members to share insight into his process and engages in dialogue about his music with attendees.
On Monday's show: A new report sheds light on how much lead is showing up in drinking water at Texas schools.
Also this hour: Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Powers, author of 14 novels including The Overstory and The Echo Maker, talks about his work and his latest book, Playground, ahead of an event with Inprint tonight at 7:30 at The Alley Theatre.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller talks about issues affecting pet health.
And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: We get the latest results from an election survey from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs. And two Houston elected officials traded barbs on Thursday in the latest round of a political fight that’s been escalating over the last few months.
Also this hour: Our non-experts consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And musician Big Mama Thornton will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this weekend. She recorded "Hound Dog" at Houston's Peacock Records, and it was a No. 1 hit three years before Elvis Presley put his mark on it. We reflect on her life and musical career.
On Thursday's show: We get updates on several stories happening in Fort Bend County, including the latest on the scandal involving County Judge KP George, and a wave of petitions by landowners wanted to de-annex from the city of Fulshear.
Also this hour: Local entomologist Erin Mills of the Houston Botanic Garden answers listener questions about bugs and insects.
And we learn about a play in Pasadena called Shelter in Place that sets some family drama against a background many Houstonians will find familiar -- an approaching hurricane.
On Wednesday's show: Senator Ted Cruz and his challenger, Rep. Colin Allred, took to the stage last night in their only debate of the campaign. We get reaction on each of their performances and discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We talk with Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter and author Mary Gauthier, who performs at The Heights Theater Oct. 18.
On Tuesday's show: Exactly three weeks from Election Day, a new poll finds former President Donald Trump holds a five point lead in Texas over Vice President Kamala Harris, and Senator Ted Cruz is up four points in his race against Congressman Colin Allred. We discuss that and other findings in the latest pre-election survey from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs.
Also this hour: How you feel about an issue may have a lot to do with how close you are to it -- not in terms of impact, just geography. Party Politics co-host Jeronimo Cortina discusses that concept in his new book, Proximity Politics.
And we meet pianist Adam J. Ivey and hear him perform. His story illustrates how minorities who grow up in the inner city often don't have opportunities to learn classical music. He talks about overcoming that and being born deaf to become a performer and composer.
On Monday's show: We discuss environmental concerns raised by chemical leaks, fires, and other accidents following last week’s deadly leak at the Pemex chemical plant in Deer Park.
Also this hour: Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners' gardening questions.
And we discuss Sunday's Texans game against the Patriots with Houston Chronicle reporter Jonathan Alexander.
On Friday's show: The U.S. Supreme Court’s latest term started this week. So far, highlights seem to be about what the High Court is not considering and speculation over what it might have to do if next month’s election results are disputed. We talk it over with a constitutional law expert.
Also this hour: From questions still swirling around that blue alert that woke up Texas to teachers in Spring ISD being accused of giving children sleeping aid patches, our panel of non-experts mull over The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news.
And we celebrate the joys of pinball machines and arcade games ahead of the Houston Arcade Expo this weekend.
On Thursday's show: We meet Bryan Brown, the new president of the Energy Corridor District.
Also this hour: We talk with Frank Lorenzo, the former CEO of Continental Airlines, which was based in Houston, about his new memoir. It's called Flying for Peanuts: Tough Deals, Steep Bargains, and Revolution in the Skies.
And we tour the latest renovations at Jones Hall.
On Wednesday's show: We talk to meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida.
And former Houston police officer Gerald Goines has been sentenced to 60 years in prison after being convicted on two counts of felony murder for his role in the Harding Street drug raid in 2019. Reporter Lucio Vasquez gives us the details.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, we meet Houstonian Marcus Bridgewater, the personality behind Garden Marcus on social media. He discusses his passion for plants and his new book, Seasons of Growth.
And, from the 1970s to the early 2000s, some radio stations were doing things a little bit differently -- including here in Houston. The documentary Runaway Radiotells the story of KLOL-FM, an iconic rock station and a different time in radio. Ahead of an Oct. 28 screening at the River Oaks Theatre, we revisit our conversation from March about the film.
On Tuesday's show: Have budget cuts affecting how kids get to and from school at Cy-Fair ISD contributed to recent accidents?
Also this hour: We talk with Dean Gladden, the managing director of The Alley Theatre, who has just announced he’s retiring in June.
Then, we talk with some people who participated in last week’s Week Without Driving challenge and learn what it says about mobility in the Houston area.
Plus, Chef Chris Shepherd tells us about his love for the animated film Ratatouille, which he’s selected for the next screening in the Movies Houstonians Love series at the MFAH.
And Brenda Valdivia reports on last weekend’s Southern Smoke Festival, proceeds from which benefit food and beverage workers nationwide.
On Monday's show: In the aftermath of Helene's destruction in the southeast, we get an update on efforts to improve Houston's flood resiliency from Dr. Tina Petersen, executive director of the Harris County Flood control District.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent about their pet peeves.
And we consider how next year's Astros team might look different after their early playoff exit and recap the Texans game against the Bills with the help of Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Former HPD officer Gerald Goines on Thursday had an apparent medical episode in his chair during closing remarks of the sentencing phase of his murder trial. As a result, the proceedings were delayed for the day. Lucio Vasquez updates us on the situation and the trial.
Also this hour: Actor George Takei of Star Trek fame talks about his career and the concert in Houston on Saturday he's involved in where he'll tell his family's story of forced internment during World War II.
Then, from the River Oaks Theatre reopening this week after a two-year hiatus, to the biggest ranch in Texas going up for sale, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we learn about a new six-part documentary series on PBS called Chasing the Tide, which chronicles a couple's 21-day trek along the Texas Gulf Coast. We talk with Jay Kleberg, who tells us more about his journey wife his wife, Chrissy, and the discoveries they made along the way. The six episodes air on Houston Public Media TV 8 each Saturday afternoon at 2:30 from Oct. 12 through Nov. 16.
On Thursday's show: A third of Harris County residents have faced a hate crime, but most of them don’t report it, according to a new study from Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research. We find out why and dive a little deeper into the study's findings.
Also this hour: A new book examines whether a particular golf ball was ever on the moon with astronaut Alan Shepard, who famously hit a couple of golf balls on the lunar surface. But, more importantly, it tells the story of the friendship between Shepard and his barber, Carlos Villagomez, to whom he gave the golf ball after returning to earth.
Then, with the world's largest steam locomotive, Big Boy No. 4014, on public display in Houston Oct. 6-7, we learn a little about Houston’s train history.
And we learn about the reopening of the River Oaks Theatre this week.
On Wednesday's show: We get reaction to the vice presidential debate and discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Full Menu, Houston food writers talk about their favorite food trucks, pop-ups, and farmers market vendors that have expanded to brick-and-mortar stores.
And, with the Astros back in the playoffs, we revisit the long-lost story behind their famous rainbow uniforms.
On Tuesday's show: It may be weeks before we fully know how much damage Helene caused in the southeastern United States, but we have an idea, because Houston has had its own history with previously unprecedented storms. We discuss how Houstonians can help and ponder the lessons Houston can learn from this disaster with Angela Blanchard, chief recovery and resilience officer for the City of Houston, who’s been through her share of storms and disaster recovery efforts.
Also this hour: A new book from legal scholar, architect, and Houston native Sara C. Bronin examines what she considers a force for good: zoning. You know, something Houston doesn’t have. In Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World, she discusses how the process of developing fair and appropriate zoning can be used to properly plan development of a city.
Then, we remember two major figures in the sports world who died Monday: former Houston Rockets star Dikembe Mutombo and baseball great Pete Rose. We consider how their respective post playing career paths diverged.
And Houston native Sergio Lira talks about co-founding Luz Films, a production company with the goal of telling stories from a Latino perspective. And he tells us about one of the first projects the company spawned: a film called In the Summers, which won the Grandy Jury Prize for drama at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
On Monday's show: A decision will be made in the coming weeks over controversial proposed Bible-infused curricula for elementary students in Texas public schools. We learn why, ahead of the Jewish new year, a local Jewish organization is joining growing calls for the state board of education to reject the plan.
MORE: Submit public comments on the curricula
Also this hour: Storms aren't the only threat to the sustainability of the Texas power grid. We learn about the demand for energy from data farms mining cryptocurrency and what steps could be taken to deal with that.
Then, we welcome your dog and cat care questions for veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller.
And Jeff Balke previews the Astros playoff series against the Detroit Tigers.
On Friday's show: Hurricane Helene is causing dramatic storm surge, flooding, wind damage, and widespread power outages across the southeastern United State. We ask Houston’s own meteorologist Matt Lanza from Space City Weather and The Eyewall about the latest and what this storm could have done to us had it come to Houston.
And we learn about the indictment of Fort Bend County Judge KP George.
Also this hour: We still have the shell of the Astrodome, but does Houston need a new "big honkin' thing" -- some sort of significant landmark to help define us?
And, from some Houstonians appearing on a list of the nation's top philanthropic couples, to the Astros taking the hard way to a fourth-straight division title, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of this week's news.
On Thursday's show: Former Houston officer Gerald Goines has been found guilty of felony murder for his role in a botched drug raid on Harding Street in 2019. We check in with reporter Lucio Vasquez, who's been covering the trial.
Also this hour: We get an update on rumors of efforts to bring an NHL team to Houston.
Then, in this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we discuss a new film called My Old Ass and what it has to say about growing up and getting older.
And we visit an art exhibit by John Slaby called Adam and Eve and the iPhone, illustrating the impact smartphones have had on our lives.
On Wednesday's show: From allegations around Fort Bend County Judge KP George, to Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff's fundraising swing through Texas and the latest on the presidential race, we discuss recent developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Houston is a very noisy place. There's thumping bass from nightclubs, drag racers peeling down the highway, planes zooming overhead, honking horns, leaf blowers, and construction sites. Yeesh. So, how bad is noise pollution here -- and what can we do about it?
And we visit the Moon Festival at the Chinese Community Center to learn how the local organization celebrated the harvest festival and its significance in Chinese culture.
On Tuesday's show: A workers' strike is looming at the Port of Houston. We consider the ramifications it could have on shipping and elsewhere.
Also this hour: As we get closer to the election, we consider how to know what polls to trust.
Then, space writer Eric Berger discusses his new book, Reentry, which tells the story of how SpaceX developed its Falcon 9 rocket and how that changed space travel forever.
And we revisit a conversation about faith and science with Rice University English professor Timothy Morton, who explains why he thinks the two have more in common than some realize.
On Monday's show: We talk with reporter Natalie Weber about a developing story in Fort Bend County involving potential criminal activity among elected officials, including County Judge KP George.
Also this hour: We discuss how environmental regulations affect Houston neighborhoods and whether they are enough to protect us from harmful effects.
Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses recent developments in consumer technology.
And we talk about the weekend for the Houston Texans and Houston Astros with Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Houston City Council member Mario Castillo discusses the city’s budget and whether it will follow Harris County’s lead and approve a property tax increase.
Also this hour: A gun reform initiative is using AI to generate voicemails from people killed by gun violence. We discuss the ethical questions using such technology raises.
Then, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including a winning lottery ticket going unclaimed and a Houston woman pleading guilty to fraudulently obtaining more than $600,000 in disaster relief from FEMA.
And we talk with comedian and actor David Cross, who's known for his stand up comedy, television roles in Mr. Show and Arrested Development, and numerous films. He brings his The End of the Beginning of the End Tour to White Oak Music Hall on Sept. 24.
On Thursday's show: We get some updates on several stories happening in Fort Bend County, including Fort Bend ISD considering a formalized agreement with the nonprofit Friends of the Sugar Land 95 to access more funding for a memorial project, and a Sugar Land temple is increasing its security measures after backlash over a new religious statue.
Also this hour: Polls show Americans are still mostly opposed to the idea of financial reparations for the descendants of slaves. With that in mind, we hear two differing viewpoints on that subject. Former Houstonian Joel Edward Goza explains why he changed his thinking about reparations and now thinks they are necessary for the country to move forward. He outlines why in his new book, Rebirth of a Nation: Reparations and Remaking America. Then, Reginald Bell, a professor at Prairie View A&M University, explains why he thinks reparations are a bad idea, which he outlined in a 2020 academic paper.
Then, Texas Woman's University is the nation's largest university system focused primarily on women and touts an estimated 8,000 nursing alumni working in the Houston area today. We meet Dr. Monica Williams, the inaugural president of the TWU Houston campus, located in the Texas Medical Center.
And we remember Tito Jackson of the Jackson 5, who died Monday. We hear some of what he had to say during a 2022 interview on I See U. And then we talk with Houston Chronicle music writer Joey Guerra about the musician’s career and whether the Jackson 5’s place in music history has become muted in comparison to the solo careers of siblings Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss Mayor John Whitmire’s State of the City address. Then we learn about a lawsuit against a fertility clinic over in vitro fertilization.
Also this hour: From the mayor's State of the City address, to a growing field in the race for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, we discuss developments in local, state, and national politics, in our weekly roundup.
We discuss the SCOPE Act, a new law that went into effect this month aimed at preventing Texas children from accessing certain content on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. With that Meta’s announcement that its establishing a more restricted version of Instagram for younger users, we discuss how to best protect kids on social media.
And, ahead of an event with Performing Arts Houston on Thursday, we revisit a 2019 conversation with Jenna Bush Hager and her sister Barbara Pierce Bush. They’re the daughters of former President George W. Bush and the granddaughters of Houston’s own late former President George H.W. Bush.
On Tuesday's show: The Energy Transfer pipeline fire in La Porte near Deer Park has continued burning this morning, though it’s diminished. We get the very latest on the situation and discuss how it might be affecting air quality.
And Houston Chronicle reporters outline a stark decline in high-speed police chases over the last year since HPD changed its policy on them.
Also this hour: We learn about the University of Houston’s role in an effort to develop better, longer-lasting batteries, which is a crucial step towards a cleaner energy future.
Then, we visit Brays Bayou to discuss maintaining and restoring vulnerable native plants there.
And we learn about a new satire called The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote, from Houston native playwright Bernardo Cubría, which is making its world premiere at Stages through Oct. 6.
Houston Matters begins at 9 a.m. CT on 88.7FM or listen online. Join the discussion at 713-440-8870, talk@houstonmatters.org or @HoustonMatters.
On Monday's show: Fall is supposed to begin on Sunday, but it sure doesn’t feel like it here. We learn why from Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard.
Also this hour: Author Mary Ellen Curtin reflects on the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan, the Houston native who was the first Black woman from the South to serve in Congress. Jordan is the subject of Curtin's new biography, She Changed the Nation.
Then, we chat with Here & Now host Peter O’Dowd, who’s broadcasting from Houston Public Media next week.
Plus, we get an update on some projects to desalinate water in Texas.
And we recap Texans' win over the Bears in their home opener last night and get an update on the Astros from Bleav in Astros podcast co-host Jeff Balke.
Audio from today's show will be available after 11 a.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, Stitcher and other apps.
On Friday's show: Houston's suburbs continue to boom while the population of the city itself has remained flat in recent years, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. We take a closer look at what the numbers have to tell us about our region's growth.
Also this hour: An area drive-in theater rolls its final credits. Our panel of “non-experts” weighs in on that story and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
Then Houston-area film critic Joe Leydon remembers his favorite James Earl Jones films.
And Prairie View A&M alum J.O. Malone, who founded Houston's National Black Film Festival, is trying his hand at supporting Black entrepreneurs with his venture BLCK Market.
On Thursday's show: The City of Houston appears likely to hike its tax rate, as it faces a budget shortfall and unexpected costs from multiple disasters. We learn more and find out what the increase might cost the average homeowner. And the council has delayed its push to require developers to build sidewalks or pay a fee for new construction.
Also this hour: On the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s “moon shot” speech at Rice University, in which he challenged America’s scientific community to get to the moon and back, we ask you: what’s the next big “moon shot” that Greater Houston can achieve? What’s the one big challenge we should marshal our will, time, and resources to meeting? We welcome your suggestions at talk@houstonmatters.org.
Then we learn about an area nonprofit that helps fund medical and mental health care services for Houston’s restaurant and bar workers. It’s called I’ll Have What She’s Having, and it’s holding a Rock & Roll Picnic on Sunday at the Last Concert Amphitheatre featuring music and a lot of food from a number of area chefs and restaurants.
And Houston poet Ayokunle Falomo talks about his new collection, called Autobiomythography of, ahead of a book launch tonight at Kindred Stories.
On Tuesday's show: We get the latest on what has become Hurricane Francine as the storm approaches the Louisiana coast and find out how related conditions might affect Galveston and the Greater Houston area.
Also this hour: We recap the presidential debate and discuss other developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.
And we consider the future of physical retail space in Houston — where it works, where it doesn’t, and why.
Houston Matters begins at 9 a.m. CT on 88.7FM or listen online. Join the discussion at 713-440-8870, talk@houstonmatters.org or @HoustonMatters.
On Tuesday's show: As Tropical Storm Francine continues to travel up the Gulf Coast, we share the latest information on the storm, and what impact -- if any -- it might have on the Houston area.
And, as we keep an eye on the storm, cleanup still continues from the last one. We get an update on the second round of Beryl debris removal.
Also this hour: According to analysis of Census Bureau data, 21 percent of Houston’s population that's age 65 and older still works. That’s 192,000 Houstonians. Some choose to work longer, but others have no choice. We discuss how some seniors come to the conclusion about whether to retire and when.
Then we check in with Houston First CEO Michael Heckman about efforts to promote Houston’s tourism and convention business. And we seek out any developments surrounding the operation of the George R. Brown Convention Center, Jones Hall, and the Wortham Theater Center.
And we talk with acclaimed choreographer John Neumeier about his adaptation of The Little Mermaid. No, not the Disney story -- an adaptation of the original 1837 fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. It's on stage at the Houston Ballet through Sept. 15.
Audio from today's show will be available after 11 a.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, Stitcher and other apps.
On Monday's show: A disorganized system brewing in the Gulf of Mexico is on track to be named Tropical Storm Francine on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Potential Tropical Cyclone Six is traveling up the gulf coast with maximum sustained winds at 50 miles per hour. The system could track just south of Houston by Wednesday. Meteorologist Eric Berger with Space City Weather updates us on the latest forecast.
Then, we review how METRO’s priorities have changed in the months since a new board chair took over and what it means as the transit authority plans next year’s budget.
Also this hour: Local restaurateurs discuss the economic impact climate change has on restaurants and chefs, ahead of a roundtable discussion on that subject organized by the James Beard Foundation on Wednesday.
Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers questions about gardening.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: The Harris County Jail has finally passed a state safety inspection -- the jail’s first passing grade in nearly two years. However, state officials provided “technical assistance” during the inspection, leading some advocates to question whether the passing grade was warranted.
Also this hour: We remember longtime area college baseball coach Wayne Graham, who died this week. He won national championships at San Jacinto College and Rice. We mark his passing and then revisit our 2022 trip to the Rice baseball's pitching laboratory.
And this weekend, new episodes of Texas Country Reporter will begin airing with a new host who grew up in Greater Houston. We revisit our conversation with J.B. Sauceda from last December.
Then, from new grant money for the Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail line, to Simone Biles retiring one of her signature moves, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Kingwood hosts the fifth annual In a Pickle Festival this Saturday. We learn more and talk about why pickles and pickle-flavored foods are having a moment.
On Thursday's show: We get the latest on possible stormy weather in the region and learn about a new report on coastal flooding from NOAA and what it suggests for Galveston and other Texas Gulf Coast communities. Bob Stokes, President of the Galveston Bay Foundation, joins us to explain.
Also this hour: Plastic waste is piling up in a Houston facility awaiting the promise of new "advanced" or chemical forms of recycling. Some say those methods could solve the world's mounting plastic waste problem while others worry it could create another set of environmental problems. So, are we truly on the cusp of solving our plastic problem -- or is it all just a waste?
Then, how vulnerable is Greater Houston’s economy to risks stemming from climate change? The directors of Rice University’s just-established Center for Coastal Futures and Adaptive Resilience (CFAR) share their insights.
And we chat with Michael Moore, the president of Uptown Houston.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest in state, local, and national politics in our weekly political roundup.
Also: Local food writers discuss their favorite places for small plates and things to share in our latest installment of The Full Menu.
And we talk with actress Michelle Azar about her role playing the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in a new play called All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, on stage at the Hobby Center this week.
On Tuesday's show: We discuss the economic and electoral impact Hispanics have on our region on on the heels of a summit on that subject from the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent about their pet peeves.
And Texas country star Pat Green talks with Ernie Manouse about his career and music.
On Friday's show: A record number of Harris County residents applied for FEMA aid after Hurricane Beryl. We learn more about that revelation from the Houston Chronicle's Rebekah Ward.
Also this hour: From the Houston area now being home to the third-largest statue in the country (but not without a little controversy), to a draft brochure advertising an opening for the position of Dallas city manager that featured a photo of Houston on its cover, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we learn about this weekend's Houston Black Dance Festival, which celebrates traditions of African and diasporic dance.
On Thursday's show: We hear some varying points of view on Houston ISD's $4.4 billion bond proposal, which would address aging campuses with pressing needs, according to the district.
But about three weeks before they are set to decide whether to place a bond package on the Nov. 5 ballot, the state-appointed leaders of Texas' largest school district signaled support for the plan. They also expressed a sense of urgency for making schools across the city safer and more secure.
Also this hour: With multiple mosquito-borne illnesses in the news lately along with lingering questions about the latest COVID variant, infectious diseases expert Dr. Peter Hotez walks us through what we should know about those and other public health concerns of late.
And we visit the Gulfton Story Trail Mural Project, a series of 12 murals in the Gulfton neighborhood reflecting the experiences of people who live there.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in the presidential race and other news in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: As the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games kick off in Paris, we learn about a local running group called Eye Can Alliance, which supports blind and vision-impaired athletes.
On Tuesday's show: Two school boards on Greater Houston’s west side have passed new library book policies. We learn what was decided at Fort Bend ISD and Katy ISD.
Also this hour: We saw a familiar face among the folks doing state-by-state roll calls at last week’s DNC -- actor Sean Astin. He visited Houston back in 2018 to discuss mental health. We revisit our conversation with him.
Then: Houston-based Halliburton suffered an apparent cyberattack last week. We discuss what steps businesses can take to ensure cybersecurity -- and how it affects the rest of us when that doesn’t work.
And we revisit the story of an all-Latino Houston homicide squad from the 1970s, which is the subject of a two-part docuseries called The Chicano Squad, airing Sept. 2-3 on A&E. We talk with comedian and actor Cristela Alonzo, who hosted Chicano Squad, a podcast that told that same story and was released in 2021.
On Monday's show: August and September have always been considered the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. And right now there’s no sort of real threat out in the Atlantic for the Houston area. So, when you consider how early in the season Beryl came along and the derecho before it, it seems to the untrained eye as if this hurricane season is not going at all the way past years have. We ask an expert is that's true -- and find out why.
Also this hour: We learn about a recent investigation into efforts to contend with so-called zombie oil wells in West Texas -- old wells that are suddenly bursting with fluids after years of dormancy.
Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses recent developments in consumer technology.
And we preview the upcoming Texans season with Jonathan Alexander, who covers the team for the Houston Chronicle.
On Friday's show: A new poll finds the gap closing in the race for President here in Texas. We get details on the UH/TSU survey from one of its authors.
Also this hour: We preview the 10th anniversary of the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands, which showcases the marching bands of historically Black colleges and universities. We talk with the directors of our local HBCU’s -- Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M -- before they battle it out this Sunday at NRG Stadium.
Then, from Beryl-related price-gouging prosecutions, to a local restaurant chain cutting servers' wages and warning them not to talk about, to a potential never-before-seen oddity for Major League Baseball, we ask our “non-expert” panel to weigh in on intrigues in the news on our Friday conversation The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
And, next weekend, Asia Society Texas will present a performance called Transcending Borders: The Ramayana Project, featuring music and dance from various cultures across South Asia, telling the story of the Ramayana, an epic in Hindu mythology.
On Thursday's show: Half a year after the Houston Police Department was rocked by a scandal involving 264,000 suspended cases, Mayor John Whitmire's Independent Review Committee released its findings on the matter. We learn what it had to say. And, we remember a Houston icon, Dr. Tatcho Mindiola, Jr, who passed this week.
Also this hour: These hottest days of the summer are rough on Texas prisoners who, with rare exception, don’t have access to air conditioning. Is that cruel or unusual punishment? A court case may resolve that soon.
Then, from sold out screenings of 80’s films, to new sequels of the Alien, Ghostbusters, and Beetlejuice movies, it appears nostalgia for the decade on film is not slowing down. We explore why on this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture.
And we bid farewell to one of our producers who's departing: Troy Schulze.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss highlights from the first couple nights of the Democratic National Convention and other developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Longtime Houstonians have strong opinions about things you should and should not do in the Bayou City. A trio of longtime residents share their Houston Do's and Don'ts and we hear listener suggestions, which you can submit now to at talk@houstonmatters.org
And we learn about the growing practice of music therapy in Houston hospitals and health care.
On Tuesday's show: The Houston Chronicle reported last week that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing immigrant rights organization FIEL Houston, seeking to shut it down for violating a ban on nonprofits participating or intervening in political campaigns. His reported basis? Social media posts from the group that speak negatively about Gov. Greg Abbott and former President Donald Trump. We learn more what happened and about the legal challenge.
Also this hour: With a new school year under way, how can Houstonians with school-aged children protect themselves and their kids from a wide array of viruses that tend to spread each fall? On the one hand, vaccination exemptions have been rising for years. On the other, school enrollment is down, so maybe that means fewer sick kids at school, anyway. We discuss and consider whether Texas lawmakers may revisit vaccine exemptions next legislative session.
Then, Houston-area emergency room doctor Cedric Dark is proposing a public health approach to gun violence in his new book, Under the Gun: An ER Doctor's Cure for America's Gun Epidemic.
And our summer series visiting area museums and attractions continues with a visit to Children’s Museum Houston.
On Monday's show: It was a busy first week of school at Houston ISD filled with some good news, some frustration, and a tragic student death. We learn the latest from reporter Adam Zuvanich.
Also this hour: Ernie Manouse talks with singer and actor Melissa Manchester about her career and her role in Funny Girl at the Hobby Center.
Then, we welcome your dog and cat care questions for veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller.
And we learn what's behind the Astros' recent hot streak and talk about a potential rule change for starting pitchers in MLB with Jesus Ortiz of Our Esquina.
On Friday's show: CenterPoint Energy executives spent much of the latest Public Utility Commission meeting defending their leases of mobile generators, costing more than $800 million, that went unused during and after Hurricane Beryl. And Harris County Commissioners approved a new version of the county's income assistance program. We learn more about both developments.
Also this hour: NASA has a decision to make before the end of the month about when and how to bring two astronauts home who have been aboard the ISS for two months on a journey originally intended to last just a week. We discuss the circumstances surrounding Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams’ mission, the problems detected with the Starliner vehicle that took them up there, and the safety culture at NASA today.
Then, we talk with astronomer Dr. David Levy, who co-discovered Shoemaker-Levy 9, a comet that hit Jupiter in 1994. He’s in town to meet with a local astronomy club.
And from Disney wanting a wrongful death lawsuit thrown out because the plaintiff had Disney+ to a NFL player unveiling a mayonnaise-scented cologne, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: After a two-week delay, Houston City Council again postponed an ordinance prohibiting protests within 200 feet of a “targeted dwelling.” The proposal comes in response to months of pro-Palestinian protests, including several that targeted Mayor John Whitmire’s home.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Whitmire added more details to his assertion that the groups consist of "paid protestors" and that "they are being paid by Iran." Reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh explains that story and some other recent developments in city government.
Also this hour: We explore the fentanyl crisis in Houston and learn about steps being taken to train first responders and law enforcement to treat overdoses.
Then, technically, recreational marijuana is illegal in Texas. Yet, THC products continue to sell, and often tested samples are found to contain THC well over the legal limit. State regulators are short on staff and authority. So, is marijuana essentially legal here? Russell Gold wrote an article on this subject for Texas Monthly and explains what he found.
And Houstonian Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour talks aboAll Eventsut directing episodes of TV shows like the FX series Shogun and the Paramount Plus series Star Trek Discovery.
On Wednesday's show: Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will be the Democratic nominee seeking to replace the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in the Texas 18th Congressional district. We discuss that story and the latest developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Since it's back-to-school week for a lot of area districts, we thought you might see or experience some changing sleep habits in your household as kids and parents get back into the school year routine. So, we welcome your questions about sleep and sleep disorders for sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula.
On Tuesday's show: It’s Houston Theater Week. All this week, area performing arts venues are offering discounts on performances as they promote their seasons. We learn more from Dean Gladden from The Alley Theatre and Hillary Hart from Theatre Under the Stars.
Also this hour: A month after Hurricane Beryl rolled through, Patrick Jankowski of The Greater Houston Partnership returns with a clearer sense of the economic impact the storm had.
Then, we revisit a conversation with Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale from the OCD Institute of Texas. She’s co-hosting a new podcast about the rise of anxiety in America, called Anxiety Society.
And we continue our series visiting area museums with a trip to the Lone Star Flight Museum.
On Monday's show: As the new school year begins at HISD and some other Houston-area districts, we check in with Dr. Robert Sanborn, the president and CEO of Children at Risk, to discuss the year ahead for Houston schools along with reports out this week from the child advocacy nonprofit.
Also this hour: A conversation about excessive heat and climate change.
Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers questions about gardening.
And we get an update on Houston sports Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: The state-appointed board overseeing Houston ISD has approved placing a record $4.4 billion bond proposal on the November ballot. We learn what the money would do. And a new school year begins for the district on Monday. We learn about high employee turnover there.
Also this hour: Health economist Vivian Ho discusses a pair of recent studies she co-authored looking at how high hospital prices are driving up insurance premiums and how increased salaries for nonprofit hospital CEOs may be driving consolidation for health care systems.
Then, from a revised hurricane season storm prediction, to Simone Biles headlining a concert-style athletic performance at Toyota Center this fall, our “non-expert panel” weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of it all,
And a new Native American-owned restaurant opens in Kemah. We visit Th_Prsrv and talk with Chef David Skinner.
On Thursday's show: Andrew Schneider discusses questions about housing affordability addressed in the latest Texas Trends Survey from the University of Houston and Texas Southern University.
Also this hour: We consider how non-English speakers get the right information during emergencies like hurricanes.
Then, we examine the correlation between rising temperatures and domestic violence incidents.
And we talk with the filmmaker behind the documentary 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted the Culture, about how Biblical translations changed culture.
On Wednesday's show: From Vice President Kamala Harris picking a running mate, to the race taking shape to replace the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in Congress, we discuss the latest in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We find out what NPR political reporter Elena Moore was doing in Houston last week.
And food writers preview Houston Restaurant Weeks in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
On Tuesday's show: We discuss this week’s intense heat and what it means, in particular, for kids taking part in summer activities, such as high school football training camps.
Also this hour: In his new book, humorist and TV host Mo Rocca highlights individuals achieving big things later in life -- including one late-blooming Houstonian. The frequent Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me! panelist and CBS Sunday Morning correspondent shares some of the stories from Roctogenarians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks, and Triumphs.
Then, we revisit our 2023 conversation about patient portals in health care and why the people who often need to navigate them most are also the ones who often struggle with them the most.
And our summertime series exploring area museums and attractions takes us to see Mission Control and other exhibits on space exploration history at Space Center Houston.
On Monday's show: We learn more about who's vying to replace the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to represent the 18th Congressional District. And Mayor John Whitmire selects a new HPD chief.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent their pet peeves.
And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Friday's show: A new report from Air Alliance Houston shows the 12 biggest contributors to air pollution in Harris County.
Also this hour: From high principal turnover numbers at HISD, to the definition of a boneless chicken wing, we contemplate The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
Plus, the Tony Award-winning musical The Lion King is back in town, on stage through the weekend at The Hobby Center. This summer marks the 30th anniversary of the classic Disney animated film that inspired it. We talk with Darian Sanders, who plays Simba in the production.
And this summer’s Houston Shakespeare Festival is under way, with performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet. We learn more from the festival’s artistic director, Jack Young, and actor Michael Sifuentes.
On Thursday's show: We learn about the findings from a new report on HPD's suspended cases controversy. Acting Police Chief Larry Satterwhite presented the report before Houston City Council on Wednesday.
Also this hour: Rohit Chopra, the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, explains how consumers can protect themselves in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
Then, we continue to share examples of some of the summer Olympic sports played in Houston, continuing with a conversation with a pair of Houston sisters about competing together in fencing at several Olympic games. And we learn how Houston became a mecca for competitive air hockey.
And we recently got so much feedback from listeners when we discussed how some people might be considering leaving Houston after Hurricane Beryl, that we share some more of those comments.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We continue to share examples of some of the summer Olympic sports played in Houston, continuing with a conversation about skateboarding here.
And we bring you a Skyline Sessions concert featuring the artist LØLØ.
On Tuesday's show: CenterPoint Energy faced another hearing on Monday related to its response to power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl. We find out what was said before a Texas State Senate special committee and the potential implications.
Also this hour: For more than a decade, Joe Holley has written a column called Native Texan for the Houston Chronicle, which tells the stories of some of the known and unknown legends of Texas. The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer has a new collection of some of those columns called Native Texan: Stories from Deep in the Heart. Holley joins us ahead of an event at Brazos Bookstore tonight.
Then, with the Olympics underway, we continue to share examples of some of the summer Olympic sports played in Houston, continuing with a visit to West Houston Archery.
And we continue our series on museums and other attractions to visit around the area with a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
On Monday's show: The Houston Fire Department is under new leadership as union members past and present expect to see checks in the mail for back pay this week. We discuss Mayor John Whitmire’s decision to replace Houston’s fire chief with Marty Lancton from the Houston Professional Fire Fighter’s Association.
And we get an update on the status of debris removal efforts and other cleanup three weeks after Hurricane Beryl.
Also this hour: Houston has made some mistakes over the years. We talked about that on the show last week. But what do you think some of Houston’s greatest successes are? Share your thoughts at talk@houstonmatters.org.
Then, with the Olympics underway, we share examples of some of the summer Olympic sports played in Houston, starting with a visit to the Houston International Table Tennis Academy in Katy.
And we learn about the many Houstonian athletes who are taking part in the summer games.
On Friday's show: CenterPoint Energy appeared Thursday before the Public Utility Commission and faces a Texas Senate special committee on Monday to answer questions about its response to Hurricane Beryl. Reporter Andrew Schneider explains what the hearings entail.
Also this hour: From exploding soda cans on Southwest Airlines flights, to the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile getting in a bit of a pickle, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news with our panel of non-experts.
Then, the Paris Olympics get underway today. A number of Houston-area athletes will be taking part, including gymnast Simone Biles, who will be back in the spotlight after stepping back from some events in the Tokyo games in 2021. But don't call it a "comeback." A new book called The Price She Pays explains why and explores the mental health challenges many female athletes face.
And we meet Houstonian Jeffrey Louis, aka "Bboy Jeffro" who's competing in the Olympics in breakdancing.
On Thursday's show: Former HPD Chief Troy Finner is speaking out about a police department scandal ahead of a forthcoming final report about it.
Also this hour: July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and we discuss the particular issues facing people of color when it comes to mental health and resources available.
Then, this month’s installment of The Bigger Picture dives into conspiracy theories and theorists and the new film Fly Me To The Moon.
And we check in with singer and guitarist Ray Benson of the band Asleep at the Wheel. He has a new single out this week, part of an album out next month that fuses Western swing and reggae.
On Wednesday's show: Has anything interesting happened in politics lately? We can't recall. So, we enlist the help of some local political analysts to discuss the latest developments in the news in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: While much of the fun things we have to do here in Houston take place indoors in air-conditioning, we have outdoor attractions, too. So, how do they keep things cool during Houston’s hot summer months?
And we visit a sound sculpture from artist Steve Parker called “Invisible Music.”
On Tuesday's show: We’re expecting rain the rest of the week, with some potentially significant downpours and flash flooding possible. But Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard is characterizing the forecast as “tricky.” He joins us to explain.
Also this hour: Layoffs, restructuring, and the state takeover of HISD may all be leading to a brain drain of experienced educators. Will Houston’s schools face a big teacher shortage come fall?
Then, writer Jennifer Mathieu talks about her latest novel, Faculty Lounge. The story shows a "different side of school life" through a chain of events that begins when an elderly substitute teacher is found dead in the faculty lounge of a high school. Mathieu, who's a Houston-area teacher, wrote the 2017 novel, Moxie, which was turned into a Netflix movie in 2021.
And we continue our summer series visiting area museums and attractions with a visit to the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum.
On Monday's show: Before President Biden's announcement over the weekend, the last time a sitting U.S. president dropped his re-election bid, he was a Texan. And when Lyndon B. Johnson did so in 1968, it was amid a period of somewhat similar turmoil. We discuss those parallels with Rice University political science professor Bob Stein, who was at the contentious 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Then, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and our own Andrew Schneider reflect on the life and career of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who died Friday.
Also this hour: What are some of the biggest mistakes Houston has made over the years? What in your view is the single biggest whopper of a screwup we’ve made as a city?
Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses recent developments in consumer technology, including last week's Crowdstrike glitch that messed with Houston airports, banks, hospitals, and media.
And we get an update on the Astros from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: We check in with Houston Public Media’s Dominic Anthony Walsh about a pair of transportation developments: highlights from Thursday’s METRO board meeting, and the latest on the controversial TxDOT I-45 expansion project.
Also this hour: We talk with some Houston-area restaurant owners about the impact Beryl and the derecho before it have had on their businesses and the restaurant industry overall.
Then, from Astros mascot Orbit’s inspired reversal against booing Rangers fans at baseball’s All-Star Game, to Elon Musk’s announcement he’s relocating two more company headquarters to Texas, this week’s “non-expert” panel weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we visit a rehearsal for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston’s production of Ruddigore.
On Thursday's show: For some, that was it. Beryl was the last straw. They're considering leaving Houston (there’s even a “Leaving Texas Support Meet-Up” planned Thursday night for those considering leaving town).
For others, there’s a growing sense of unease about how long to stay in a community continuously threatened by extreme weather. Last fall, a Houston Matters exclusive survey question posed by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston found a majority of residents say they’ve thought about leaving the area in recent years, with more than half of those folks citing extreme weather as the reason why.
Meanwhile others are defiant and prepared to ride out any future storm.
We discuss whether extreme weather, power outages, and other factors in recent memory have Houstonians thinking about leaving our city.
Also this hour: New analysis places the economic impact of Beryl in the billions of dollars. But who pays for what? We talk it over with some experts.
Then, the abstract expressionist paintings of Janet Sobel influenced Jackson Pollock. So, why isn't she a household name like he is? An exhibit at the Menil Collection aims to remedy that with the help of her grandson, who lives here.
And the George R. Brown Convention Center will host DJ Screw Day on Saturday. We listen back to a 2022 conversation about DJ Screw, the Houston music pioneer who continues to influence H-town and hip-hop culture.
On Wednesday's show: From the Republican National Convention and the response to the attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life, to the ongoing response in Houston to the slow recovery from Hurricane Beryl, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: In light of Saturday’s assassination attempt, we revisit our 2016 conversation with retired U.S. Secret Service agent Clint Hill, who served five U.S. Presidents and was in Dallas when JFK was killed in 1963. (He’s the agent who famously leapt onto the back of the presidential limousine and shielded First Lady Jackie Kennedy as the car raced to Parkland Hospital).
And we learn about The Ensemble Theater’s production of Pullman Porter Blues, which is on stage through July 28.Cheryl L. West’s play tells the story of three generations of Pullman train porters from the same family, struggling to come to terms with one another, racial tension, and an uncertain future. (For a century, Pullman porters worked in sleeping cars on U.S. railroads, serving passengers by carrying baggage, shining shoes, and maintaining sleeping cars. They were named for George Pullman who, starting in the late 1860s, hired formerly enslaved people to work on his sleeper cars. At one time, the company was the single largest employer of Black Americans).
On Tuesday's show: We’re still recovering from Hurricane Beryl with a couple hundred thousand Houstonians still in the dark. How soon can Houston become 100 percent energized? And could there be some light for those facing economic hardships? Also, what actions are city council members taking in response to the storm?
Also this hour: It's been a rough week for many Houstonians: Beryl, extended power outages, death and violence in the news. We explore how to take better care of ourselves mentally after these latest shocks to the system.
Then, we discuss the history, challenges, and future of Houston’s Freedmen’s Town and efforts to preserve its legacy.
We visit Project Row Houses as part of our ongoing summer series heading to Houston-area museums and attractions.
On Monday's show: More than two million customers who lost power during Beryl last week now have their electricity and air conditioning back. But a few hundred thousand still don’t. We have the very latest on recovery efforts after Hurricane Beryl, from CenterPoint Energy’s efforts to restore power, to how the storm has created challenges for area hospitals and exacerbated health issues over the last week, to how the storm might affect the local economy.
Also this hour: Houston environmental researcher and attorney Jim Blackburn shares some of lessons we need to learn from Hurricane Beryl.
And we remember longtime Houston columnist Ken Hoffman, who died Sunday.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller joins us to discuss how pets navigated the storm and days since and to field listener questions.
And Bleav in Astros podcast co-host Jeff Balke talks with us about the Astros at the All-Star break, how this season could, for some, have reverberations from post-Harvey 2017.
On Friday's show: We get updates on power restoration efforts and other goings-on in the region after Hurricane Beryl with Houston Public Media reporters.
Also this hour: A medical expert discusses the effects of extreme heat on both our physical and mental health.
Then, Texas native and author Jessica Goudeau talks about her new book, We Were Illegal, where she dives into some surprising family history.
And we learn about the upcoming Texas New Music Festival.
On Thursday's show: Houston Public Media reporters share updates on how residents are doing in the aftermath of Beryl.
Also this hour: We talk with the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast, Houston Food Bank, and Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston about their efforts to support Houstonians.
Then, we discuss the effects of Beryl on local agriculture and the outlook for the future of farming in Texas with Froberg's Farm and Plant it Forward.
And on the 10th anniversary of his film Boyhood, we revisit our 2014 conversation with director Richard Linklater.
On Wednesday's show: As Houstonians await power and assess the damage to their property, there are probably many unanswered questions that remain in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl--we try to cover some of them on our program with local experts.
And we discuss developments in local, state, and national politics, including any related to the storm.
On Tuesday's show: We catch up with HPM reporters about what they're seeing around the region as the recovery from Hurricane Beryl begins.
Also this hour: We talk with Fort Bend County Judge KP George about efforts in his county, which was hit hard by the storm.
Then, we get updates from CenterPoint Energy and the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management.
And Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston offers advice on how to help your plants recover from the weather.
On Friday's show: A legal challenge is under way in Louisiana over that state’s new law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in school classrooms there. That a suit was brought on behalf of Louisiana families came as no surprise to that state’s governor, Jeff Landry, who said before signing the bill: “I can’t wait to be sued.” But challenging the limits of Constitutional protections -- isn’t that what Texas usually does before anyone else? Lawmakers here certainly tried. We discuss that, the Louisiana law, and what the Texas Legislature might try again to do next session, with Houston Public Media’s politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider.
Also this hour: We invite listeners to offer suggestions for how they might redesign a Houston road or freeway in some way. Maybe there are speed bumps you want (or don’t want), or there's a one-way street you wish wasn't, or there's a median you wish wasn’t there. Whatever it is, wherever it is, we want to know about it. You can share your suggestions now at talk@houstonmatters.org.
Then, from uncertainty over the future of bike sharing in the city after BCycle shut down, to METRO trains losing their stripes, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And, with the explosion of streaming services -- and new films being available on them -- we discuss the state of traditional cinema and movie theaters.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity and the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We’ve been turning to area foodies for restaurant suggestions on our monthly conversation The Full Menu for ten years now. This month, they dish on restaurants past and present they’ve most enjoyed over the last decade.
And we learn how a local pyrotechnic company puts on elaborate fireworks displays.
On Tuesday's show: Hurricane Beryl made landfall over the Grenadine island of Carriacou with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour – the strongest Category 4 storm ever seen in that area. The good news for us (as of late Monday morning) is that most models suggest the storm is not headed here. However, there is another tropical disturbance a few days behind it, and its ultimate track is anyone’s guess at this point.
We discuss the arrival of serious storms just a month into the Atlantic hurricane season and what impacts, if any, they could have for us with Space City Weather meteorologist Eric Berger.
Also this hour: Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees were resettled in the United States after the fall of Saigon in 1975, including right here in Houston. Historian Erica Allen-Kim talks about her new book, Building Little Saigon, which examines the creation of “Little Saigons” across the country and how the community took root in midtown in the 70s and 80s.
Then, 60 years ago today, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law. We consider how Houston changed after that landmark legislation.
And we continue our summer series visiting area museums and attractions with a trip to the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.
On Monday's show: Today is the final day the U.S. Supreme Court will hand down opinions before its summer recess. We review opinions handed down Friday as we await news of those final cases, including the one addressing former President Trump’s criminal immunity claim.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent about their pet peeves.
On Friday's show: We get updates on METRO's recent decision not to move forward with the University Corridor line and on the latest death of a Harris County jail inmate.
Also this hour: We learn how a bankruptcy case in Houston may signal the future of live TV sports. And we remember Kinky Friedman, the entertainer, rancher, gubernatorial candidate, and dog lover died Thursday at age 79.
Then, a college coach moves from one rival to another, while a hot dog eating champion banned from one July 4th competition heads to another – and it’s all happening in Texas, of course. We discuss on this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
And, after more than three decades in TV weather, KPRC Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley is retiring. His friend Ernie Manouse checks in with him ahead of his final newscast.
On Thursday's show: We preview this afternoon’s memorial service for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. Then, we discuss the politicization of crimes like her murder, which has been talked about by candidates on both sides of the aisle.
Also this hour: A number of recent stories surrounding behavior of doctors at Houston-area hospitals have raised some interesting medical ethics questions. A medical ethicist talks over the issues at the heart of those stories.
Then, the new Pixar film Inside Out 2 introduces new emotions in the mind of its adolescent protagonist, including Anxiety and Embarrassment. In this month's installment of our film segment, The Bigger Picture, the parents on our team discuss navigating such emotions with their kids.
And trans artist Jamie Diaz spent nearly 30 years incarcerated in a men’s prison. A pen pal exchange led to an 11-year friendship and a show in a New York art gallery. Her story is the subject of a new American Masters documentary short, called Love, Jamie.
On Wednesday's show: We preview this week’s presidential debate and discuss other developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Kevin Costner’s new film Horizon: An American Saga opens in theaters Friday. It’s the first of four films, including another out later this summer. Film critic Joe Leydon, who recently interviewed Costner for Cowboys & Indians magazine, talks about the movie and where the Western genre is going.
And we visit the recent launch party for The Black Man Project, a local organization exploring the complexity of Black masculinity for men and boys.
On Tuesday's show: The Texas Medical Board has adopted new guidance for doctors regarding what qualifies as a "life-threatening" circumstance when it comes to abortions in the state, which are only legal in order to preserve a pregnant person's life or a major bodily function. We learn what the guidance says and discuss the legal implications of it.
Also this hour: We learn what it's like to experience a hurricane from the air as we meet NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters.
Then, Houston writer Katherine Center talks about what makes a good romantic comedy, something she knows very well -- and is the subject of her latest novel, The Rom-Commers.
And we continue our summer series visiting area museums and attractions with a visit to the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.
Houston Matters begins at 9 a.m. CT on 88.7FM or listen online. Join the discussion at 713-440-8870, talk@houstonmatters.org or @HoustonMatters.
On Monday's show: In another case out of Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a federal gun law designed to protect domestic violence victims. We learn why the High Court upheld it a week after striking down another gun law.
Also this hour: We dive into a new report on housing in Greater Houston, which reinforces what a lot of us have known for a while now -- homeownership is increasingly out of reach for many of us.
Then, we discuss battery banks and other power supplies you may consider stocking up on for hurricane season along with other consumer technology stories with columnist Dwight Silverman.
And we get an update on sports with Jeff Balke.
Audio from today's show will be available after 11 a.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, Stitcher and other apps.
On Friday's show: Ana Rausch from the Coalition for the Homeless joins us to talk about the organization’s latest count and survey of the area’s homeless population.
Also this hour: We learn why there are two dueling Pride parades in Houston this month.
Then, we discuss a call for warning labels on social media platforms and why you may want to take a gander at Friday night’s strawberry moon on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
And, to mark Make Music Day Houston, musician Alli Villines performs for us in studio.
On Thursday's show: Houston City Council members met with HISD Superintendent Miles to discuss leadership, employee firings, and to question what is next for the district. Houston Chronicle reporter Megan Menchaca gives us more detail on the meeting.
Also this hour: We discuss concerns about how much the tech industry -- cryptocurrency mining, in particular -- might strain our electric grid as our power needs grow.
Then, we learn about barriers that prevent Houstonians from accessing good, nutritious food.
And an exhibit at the Rosenberg Railroad Museum details the role railroads played in shaping American sports.
On Wednesday's show: We get an update on heavy rainfall that was expected today in Greater Houston but hasn't really developed. And a new report coinciding with Juneteenth details the state of Black Texas these days.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
And a big part of Juneteenth celebrations for some rural Texas communities over the years is an annual rodeo. A new book about just that, called Juneteenth Rodeo, celebrates that tradition with photos and essays, including writing from Demetrius Pearson from the University of Houston. We listen back to a 2021 conversation with him about his book, Black Rodeo in the Texas Gulf Coast Region: Charcoal in the Ashes.
On Tuesday's show: Heavy rain is expected in Greater Houston this evening through Wednesday resulting from a disturbance near Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula that could become the first named system of the hurricane season. While any storm that comes from it is unlikely to make landfall near us, Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard explains how it could bring some heavy rain and possible flooding to our area.
Also this hour: With so much attention paid lately to issues at HISD, we take some time to learn about what's going on at other school districts around Greater Houston.
Then, Ciera Rogers grew up in Houston where she and her family struggled with money, sometimes living in her mother's car. In her new book, The Outsider Advantage, she explains how she leveraged experiences like that to launch Babes, a body type inclusive women's clothing line. She'll discuss the book in an event at Kindred Stories on June 20.
And we begin a summer series of visits to local museums and other attractions with a trip to Moody Gardens in Galveston.
On Monday's show: The Supreme Court struck down a rule that banned bump stocks and rejected a bid to restrict access to an abortion pill. We examine the latest decisions coming out of the High Court with Charles “Rocky” Rhodes from South Texas College of Law Houston.
Also this hour: If you map all sorts of things within Houston's city limits, a shape has a tendency to form. It looks like an arrow. We learn what the "Houston Arrow" represents and why.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke and reflect on the Rockets' first NBA Championship, which occurred 30 years ago this week.
On Friday's show: Meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather tells us about some potential rain in the region next week and what might become of a tropical disturbance that is likely to develop in the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days.
Also this hour: Sony Pictures is buying Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas. And competitive eater Joey Chestnut is out of the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest this July 4th. We discuss those and other stories in the news on this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Then, we revisit our tour of some of the items from The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection that are on display at Holocaust Museum Houston through June 23.
And, ahead of Father’s Day Sunday, we revisit Joshua Zinn’s 2023 conversation with Isobella Jade, Houston-based author of a book about connecting to her late father through the few objects he left behind in his car after his death.
On Thursday's show: With Houston City Council finally approving the city's budget, we talk with Sallie Alcorn, At-Large Council Member Position 5 and the chair of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee.
Also this hour: We examine how commercial real estate is doing in Houston.
Then, we consider ways that downtown Houston could be changed and revitalized, inviting input from listeners.
And we learn about the Houston Show Choir, one of the oldest performing arts groups in the city.
On Wednesday's show: Houston City Council is taking on the city's next budget, and Hunter Biden was convicted on felony gun charges. We discuss those and other developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of late President and longtime Houstonian George H.W. Bush. We listen back to Craig Cohen’s 2015 conversation with biographer Jon Meacham about Bush, based on Meacham’s book Destiny and Power. Meacham has a new book out about Bush to mark the centennial. It’s titled The Call to Serve and features some never-before-published photos celebrating the 41st President.
And we talk with Varsha Bajaj, the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade novel Thirst and numerous children's books. She’s back with her latest book, A Garland of Henna, and she’ll be in Houston for an event at Blue Willow Bookshop on Saturday.
On Tuesday's show: The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual Kids Count report is out, and it doesn’t have very flattering things to say about child wellbeing in Texas. We discuss whether the report jibes with what Bob Sanborn of Children at Risk sees locally and statewide.
Also this hour: Just in time for summer, dermatologist Dr. Oyetewa Oyerinde answers questions about skin care. She's the director of the Skin of Color Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine.
And film critic Joe Leydon reflects on the classic Hitchcock film Dial M for Murder, and we talk with an actor from an adaptation of the story on stage now at The Alley Theatre.
On Monday's show: HISD Superintendent Mike Miles is set to meet with Houston City Council for the first time. We learn more from Houston Public Media reporter Colleen DeGuzman.
Plus, ERCOT says Texas could face rolling blackouts in August as energy demand peaks throughout the state.
And we learn how recent storms and flooding have damaged the oyster business in Galveston Bay.
Also this hour: We find out why home insurance rates in Texas have gotten so high over the past five years and how a disaster-prone area like Houston contributes to those increases.
Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers questions about gardening.
And we discuss how drug policies in sports may need to evolve as the law and the medical world’s views on some drugs change with Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: From budget talks, to delays on the firefighters' contract, to the Montrose TIRZ project, we discuss the latest from the City of Houston with HPM's Tom Perumean.
Also this hour: Former Houston Comets star and basketball hall of famer Sheryl Swoopes talks about her memories of winning the WNBA's first four championships, what it was like beginning her professional career just weeks after giving birth to her son, and about her hopes of bringing a WNBA team back to Houston -- whether it's called the Comets or not.
Then, our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we learn about EarShot Readings, a program offering young and upcoming composers the opportunity to get their pieces performed and recorded under the mentorship of established composers. That has been happening this week in Houston, and ROCO will host a showcase of some of their work today at 11 a.m. at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
On Thursday's show: Union Pacific began soil testing near the company’s contaminated railyard in Houston’s Fifth Ward this week under the oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. News 88.7's Lucio Vasquez explains what that could mean for residents, who blame the company for contaminating the area with cancer-causing chemicals.
Also this hour: On the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasions of Europe during World War II, Houstonian Jim Trippon shares the story of his father, John, who helped capture Nazi field headquarters in France.
Then, we learn how a religious reawakening has led Rice University ecologist Timothy Morton to re-examine how he (and the rest of us) talk about both faith and science. That's the subject of his new book, Hell: In Search of a Christian Ecology.
And a new HBO documentary series called Ren Faire takes a closer look at the culture and behind-the-scenes drama of the Texas Renaissance Festival north of Houston.
On Wednesday's show: From President Biden’s border plans, to implications following Mexico’s elections, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's pancreatic cancer diagnosis, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: With the summer weather heating up, food writers talk about some of their favorite places to go for frozen treats in the city in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And we learn how Saint Arnold Brewing Company is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
On Tuesday's show: HPD uses plenty of technology in its work, including plate-scanning cameras, body cams, and gunfire-detection application ShotSpotter, the latter being one piece of crime-fighting technology Mayor John Whitmire says he wants to scrap. We discuss the pros and cons of the technology HPD employs with Dr. Everette Penn, a local criminology professor.
Also this hour: Sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula answers your questions about sleep and sleep disorders, which you can send to talk@houstonmatters.org.
And Houston-based singer/songwriter Catterina performs a Skyline Sessions concert.
On Monday's show: HISD plans to ask voters to consider a $4.4 billion bond, which would be the largest in state history. We learn more about it from HPM's Erica Smith.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent about their pet peeves.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: After another round of storms rolled through the area, we briefly talk weather with Space City Weather's Eric Berger.
Next, Mayor Whitmire wants to end the city's ShotSpotter contract. We discuss why with Houston Chronicle reporter Yilun Cheng.
Also this hour: Our non-experts break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week
Then, we preview an upcoming Houston Chamber Choir concert featuring music by Dave Brubeck.
And we learn about Taurean "Tory" Bush's efforts to release a graphic novel while serving time in prison
Houston Matters begins at 9 a.m. CT on 88.7FM or listen online. Join the discussion at 713-440-8870, talk@houstonmatters.org or @HoustonMatters.
On Thursday's show: News broke yesterday that ConocoPhillips plans to buy Marathon Oil in an all-stock deal valued around $17.1 billion. We learn more about the deal and what it could mean for Houston and for energy prices.
Also this hour: Atlantic hurricane season officially begins Saturday. Matt Rosencrans, lead hurricane season forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, walks us through what to expect in terms of major storms over the next several months.
Then: We discuss how the latest Planet of the Apes film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, explores legacy and how history is remembered, which is the subject of this month’s installment of our film segment, The Bigger Picture.
And we reflect on the life of Sam Houston, namely the final few years of it, which he spent in self-imposed exile in the pines of East Texas. It's the subject of Ron Rozelle’s book Exiled: The Last Days of Sam Houston.
Audio from today's show will be available after 11 a.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, Stitcher and other apps.
On Wednesday's show: Storms on Tuesday brought wind, rain, and hail, and left some streets flooded and power out -- again. So, naturally, there’s more rain coming. Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard tells us what to expect the rest of this week.
Also this hour: We discuss results from the primary election runoffs and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, there are some things Houstonians deal with today that will probably always be a challenge -- public safety, mobility, flood risk, and more. But how will they change long term? We contemplate what challenges our city will face in 2044.
And we meet the new artistic director for Stages Houston.
On Tuesday's show: We learn about the recent storm’s impact on tree cover from Barry Ward of Trees for Houston.
Also this hour: We preview a busy month ahead for the U.S. Supreme Court with Charles “Rocky” Rhodes of South Texas College of Law Houston.
Then, Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians and a native Houstonian, talks about his latest book, Lies and Weddings.
And we visit Camp for All near Brenham, where kids with disabilities, health conditions, and other challenges can have a traditional summer camp experience.
On Friday's show: An official with CenterPoint Energy talks about the past eight days’ worth of repairs and electricity restoration, how mobile generation was used through the storm and recovery, and what’s left to do where.
Also this hour: A live music program launches at an area hospital. We learn what Musicians on Call seeks to do for patients, families, and caregivers.
Then, our non-experts break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And, with Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd scheduled to speak this weekend at Comicpalooza (in a session moderated by Houston Public Media's Ernie Manouse), we revisit a 2015 conversation marking the film's 30th anniversary where we invited listeners to speculate on what Houston would be like 30 years in the future.
On Thursday's show: One week after deadly storms struck parts of Greater Houston and knocked out power for thousands, we take stock of the recovery effort so far.
Also this hour: Former Houston Chronicle reporter Mike Hixenbaugh talks about increased political battles in public education, which is the subject of his new book: They Came for the Schools.
Then, ahead of this weekend’s Comicpalooza, we hear from a star of the comic book world who’s appearing there: writer and illustrator Chip Zdarsky. He’s written for popular DC and Marvel comics, including Batman, Spider-Man, and Daredevil.
And, ahead of a concert next week celebrating the music of Joe Sample, we revisit a 2013 conversation with the late Houston jazz musician.
On Wednesday's show: We get an update on cleanup efforts across Greater Houston from last Thursday's severe storms.
Also this hour: Is Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton auditioning to be the U.S. Attorney General, should former President Trump win in November? We discuss that, the latest in the former’ President’s hush money trial in New York, and other developments in our regular Wednesday’s political roundup.
Then, with Compicpalooza this weekend featuring some stars of various iterations of Star Trek, we revisit our 2019 conversation with Ben Harrison and Adam Pranica, the hosts of the Maximum Fun comedy podcast The Greatest Generation.
And we talk with author and historian Tristan Smith about his latest book, A History Lover’s Guide to Galveston.
On Tuesday's show: We discuss this week’s heat and what it means for Houstonians still without power following Thursday’s severe storms. Space City Weather meteorologist Eric Berger brings us the latest. And we get some advice from the Texas Department of Insurance on what to do if your home was damaged during last week’s storm.
Also this hour: We find out what the annual Houston Area Survey from Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research has to tell us about Houstonians' opinions on a wide range of subjects.
Then, we learn why two Houston-based artists are showcasing the shared experiences of Asian American and Black communities.
And we talk with Houstonians Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb, co-directors of Butterfly in the Sky, a documentary about the PBS series Reading Rainbow.
On Monday's show: Some 200,000+ CenterPoint customers are still without power following Thursday’s dramatic storm. We discuss the restoration efforts and other looming energy grid threats this week.
Also, we preview a town hall discussion tonight between HISD Superintendent Mike Miles and four graduating seniors from high schools impacted by his new policies. Asher Lehrer-Small, who covers K-12 education for Houston Landing, will be moderating the discussion, and he joins us to preview it.
Event Info: Doors open at 6 p.m. with the town hall beginning at 7 p.m. The conversation is a general admission, pay-what-you-can, ticketed event, with a suggested cost of $5. Tickets are available at thehobbycenter.org.
We also talk with University of Houston Energy Fellow Ed Hirs about the process of restoring power after Thursday night's severe weather left many Houstonians without.
Also this hour: Adam Higginbotham, the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight in Chernobyl, discusses, his book, Challenger, which offers a dramatic, minute-by-minute story of the space shuttle Challenger disaster. Higginbotham will be in town for a Brazos Bookstore event on Monday night.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: A major storm system tore through the region last night, causing significant damage and leading to at least four fatalities from powerful winds and possible tornadic activity. We get the latest from our reporters in the field and Space City Weather's Eric Berger.
Then: A judge ordered a new election for a seat decided in 2022. The Fifth Circuit heard Galveston County's defense of its redistricting plan. And House Speaker Dade Phelan has 11 days to convince GOP voters in a primary runoff to let him run again. We discuss recent election-related developments with News 88.7's politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider.
Also this hour: Ernie Manouse chats with Martha Davis, the longtime lead singer for the American new wave band The Motels, whose ‘80’s hits, including Suddenly Last Summer and Only the Lonely were part of the soundtrack of many a Gen Xers’ youth. Davis and The Motels perform in Katy on Saturday night.
And we talk about Houston's Salvadoran community and its food ahead of events in town next week celebrating a new cookbook all about it.
On Thursday's show: We learn what revelations are coming from an independent panel that’s reviewing the scandal involving Houston Police Department officers suspending thousands of criminal investigations because of a lack of personnel and resources. The committee shared its preliminary report with Houston City Council members on Wednesday.
Also this hour: NPR reporter Sarah McCammon discusses her new book, The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church.
Then, we discuss the role music can play in maintaining good mental health.
And Cy-Fair ISD theater arts teacher and actor Kedrick Brown joins us. Brown was recently seen on the ABC series The Rookie and has also appeared on Black Lightning, New Amsterdam, Greenleaf and other shows. He talks about how he balances being a teacher and a professional actor.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We learn about Texas Letters, an anthology of letters written by people in solitary confinement in Texas prisons. Its creator, Damascus James, joins us ahead of a Brazos Bookstore event on May 19.
And we listen back to a conversation with Rev. William Lawson, the founder of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston's Third Ward. He died Tuesday at the age of 95.
On Tuesday's show: We get an update on severe weather around the region over night. And, with the weather already warm and humid, there are plenty of mosquitoes pestering Houstonians outside. Has the mosquito season started earlier than previous years? And how can you minimize them around your home?
Also this hour: U.S. immigration policy hasn't changed in decades, but could it after the 2024 election? We preview a symposium on that topic happening today at Rice University.
Then, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Thornton Wilder has been dead for nearly 50 years. But, he has a new play making its world premiere now at The Alley Theatre. We learn the story of unearthing and completing The Emporium, which runs through June 2.
And Houstonians are getting a second chance to experience what it’s like to be aboard the International Space Station. We revisit an immersive, virtual reality experience called The Infinite, which has returned to Space City this summer and runs through June.
On Monday's show: We discuss some recent developments at area school districts, including layoffs at HISD and Cy-Fair ISD voting to omit chapters about topics such as climate change and vaccines from textbooks.
Also this hour: Will there ever be a point when we’ve had enough with flooding and simply leave Gulf Coast communities behind? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gilbert Gaul discusses his book, The Geography of Risk.
Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers questions about gardening.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday’s show: Houston Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher discusses issues affecting Greater Houston and answers listener questions.
Also this hour: Jean Becker, the longtime chief of staff for George H.W. Bush reflects on her career and what can be learned from the former president, particularly in an era of major political division.
And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer weighs in on the sudden retirement of HPD Chief Troy Finner.
Also this hour: We talk with actor Joe Pantoliano, aka "Joey Pants." The longtime actor, who's known for roles in The Sopranos, The Matrix, and The Fugitive, is in Houston to speak at an event with The Menninger Clinic. We talk with him about his life, career, and mental health journey.
And, ahead of another Houston Symphony performance of Harry Potter music, we discuss the enduring impact of John Williams’ film scores and why symphonies have taken to performing concerts of his music in sync with the movies he’s written it all for.
On Wednesday's show: Late last night, Mayor John Whitmire announced in an e-mail to city employees that Houston Police Chief Troy Finner has retired, and that Larry Satterwhite has been appointed acting Chief of Police. This follows, of course, the revelation and ensuing investigations into many thousands of cases and incidents in which HPD officers for years used a code – “SL” – to indicate in police reports that they weren’t pursuing them any further due to lack of personnel.
The final nail in the coffin for Chief Finner may have been an e-mail reported by ABC13 and other news outlets, which Finner apparently wrote in 2018, three years before he became the police chief, referencing the suspended cases problem. That timeline contradicts his previous statements about when he became aware of it. Finner said he didn’t recall the e-mail.
We discuss this and other developments in local, state, and national politics, in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We preview this weekend's Big As Texas festival this weekend in Montgomery.
And, ahead of a concert on Sunday of traditional klezmer music featuring renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman, we revisit a 2021 conversation with the frequent Houston Symphony collaborator.
On Tuesday's show: Ever since the Whitmire administration struck a deal with the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, questions have swirled around how the City of Houston, already facing upcoming budget deficits, could pay for a $650 million settlement. On Monday, Houston Controller Chris Hollins, the elected chief financial officer for the city, expressed his view that, while it’s not up to him to decide how to pay it off, it would likely require tax hikes and budget cuts. Hollins joins us to explain why.
Also this hour: University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus talks about his new book, Rick Perry: A Political Life.
Then, local artist Abuela M’api Rainflowa explains how learning the truth about her ancestry led her on new journey of creative expression and activism for indigenous people. Her story is told in the latest episode of the PBS series The Express Way with Dulé Hill, which airs tonight at 8 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.
And dancer and artist Li Cunxin talks about his life and career. He left his native China to dance with the Houston Ballet and eventually became a principal dancer with the company. When he decided to stay in the United States, he was detained in the Chinese consulate, setting off an international incident. His story is told in the 2009 film, Mao's Last Dancer, which was based on his autobiography. He was recently in Houston for a screening and conversation.
On Monday's show: While protests against the war in Gaza have been raging at some college campuses across the country in recent weeks, Houston has been relatively quiet. Why? Is Houston just not much of a protest city? Or are other reasons behind why demonstrations here often look a bit different? Maggie Gordon of Houston Landing discusses her recent article on the subject.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent about their pet peeves.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather recaps a busy week in weather, provides the latest on storms and flooding from Thursday and outlines what we can expect the rest of Friday and through the weekend.
Also this hour: Patrick Jankowski of the The Greater Houston Partnership joins us to discuss the state of Houston’s global economy.
Then, from the University of Houston using “Houston blue” uniforms, despite threats from the NFL, to rapper Kendrick Lamar confusing Joel Osteen and Haley Joel Osment, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we talk with the stars of The Alley Theatre’s production of Jane Eyre.
On Thursday's show: There have now been a few different city transportation and mobility projects halted – or even reversed – since Mayor John Whitmire took office in January. Are they just isolated projects in need of review, or are Houston’s years-long efforts to become more walkable and bikeable…over? We talk it over.
Also this hour: We consider ways to minimize or eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.
Then, with Cinco de Mayo approaching, we discuss how holidays like it come to popularity and become about something completely different.
On Wednesday's show: Legal action continues in connection with the kidney and liver transplant programs at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. In April, the hospital halted those transplants due to a “pattern of irregularities with donor acceptance criteria.” We get an update on the story and learn about a woman whose husband died while waiting for a liver transplant.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, in this month's edition of The Full Menu, food writers discuss their favorite underrated restaurants and hidden gems around the city.
And Stages Houston is presenting a fresh take on a Shakespearean classic. Othello: The Remixblends hip-hop and a rotating stage to bring new life to the themes found in the Bard’s classic work.
On Tuesday's show: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Biden administration over revised Title IX rules that would expand discrimination protections to transgender students.
Also this hour: On the heels of protests at college campuses over the war in Gaza, including some protests here in Texas, we discuss what a Supreme Court non-decision signals about the future of protests in Texas and other states.
Then: The latest about changing guidance surrounding cancer screening.
And this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture examines some of the social and political issues at play in the movie Civil War.
On Monday's show: We get an update on severe weather and flooding overnight around the region. And we explore how Southwest Airlines leaving Bush Airport will affect travelers.
Also this hour: The city of Corpus Christi is pursuing development of the state’s first ocean desalination project. Turning ocean salt water into healthy drinking water would have some obvious benefits, but could it have a negative impact on the environment? And we learn about a desalination project here in Houston.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And, on the heels of the NFL Draft, Jeff Balke reflects on how Houston sports teams have fared in drafts over the years -- who were some of the biggest successes and the biggest busts?
On Friday's show: The Harris County Jail continues to face challenges with overcrowding. And it’s not just the jail here. We learn how jails across the state are dealing with the same issue.
Also this hour: For students going to college, picking where to go can be a complicated decision. And visiting all the campuses on your wish list might not be feasible. But what if they came to you? That’s what happened recently when Houston’s NRG Center hosted the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s National College Fair, where dozens of institutions from across the country got a chance for some face time with busloads of local high school students and others there with their parents.
Then, from the Texans unveiling new uniforms, to a former college football star getting back a trophy he had to forfeit years ago, our panel of non-experts discusses The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And the local ensemble WindSync is celebrating its 15th anniversary at their annual Onstage Offstage Chamber Music Festival, which runs through the weekend. We reflect on the group's history and how it has changed over years.
On Wednesday's show: The Supreme Court of Texas has blocked implementation of Uplift Harris, the county’s guaranteed income pilot program for low-income households. And opening statements and testimony began in the first criminal trial of a former president. We discuss those and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We learn about the annual Frida Festival this weekend, a celebration of creative expression and of a legend of visual art, Frida Kahlo.
And more than 40 years ago, a film hit theaters showcasing a slice of life in Houston in the 1980s. Urban Cowboy starred John Travolta and Debra Winger – along with Gilley’s dance hall in Pasadena and one very popular mechanical bull. We listen back to a 2020 interview with the late Mickey Gilley on his memories from the film and what it did for his career and his business.
On Tuesday's show: From the ongoing court challenge to the county’s income assistance program, to calls for more transparency in how the county hands out contracts for infrastructure projects, we discuss issues facing Harris County with its chief executive, Judge Lina Hidalgo.
Also this hour: Term-limited Galveston City Council Member John Paul Listowski looks back on the island’s successes and challenges over the past six years.
On Monday's show: A new PBS documentary called Poisoned Ground tells the story of the Love Canal environmental disaster near Niagara Falls that led to the creation of the EPA's Superfund program. Much of the fight against that site was led by women, and we hear from one of them. And we learn how one of them inspired and mentored Houston activist Jackie Medcalf, who’s working to clean up superfund sites around this area.
Also this hour: We discuss recent developments in the world of consumer technology with columnist Dwight Silverman.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: The Anti-Defamation League recently conducted an audit of antisemitic incidents that showed a 45 percent increase in the region that encompasses Houston. We learn more about the audit and what kinds of incidents have been reported.
Also this hour: From the Dallas-to-Houston high-speed rail project gaining new momentum, to retired NFL player Jason Kelce losing his Super Bowl ring in a pool of Skyline Chili, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And a new book follows women who moved to Houston from Iraq, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan as refugees and are trying to move forward with new lives. We meet two of the women and talk with Kim Meyer, author of Accidental Sisters.
On Thursday's show: While a cool front and some thunderstorms are expected to come through the region over the weekend, Houston has been experiencing plenty of warm, humid weather already this spring. We talk over some of the recent weather and climate trends with Space City Weather meteorologist Eric Berger and Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon.
Also this hour: We discuss the challenges many Houston businesses face with parking and how that can affect them economically.
And Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! host Peter Sagal talks about what he's learned after 25 years of making fun of everything. Sagal is coming to town for an event with Performing Arts Houston on May 3.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Writer Anne Lamott, who recently turned 70, shares the revelations she's had over the years about love and how her idea of love and the forms it takes has changed since she was younger. She'll discuss her latest book, Somehow: Thoughts on Love, at a sold out Brazos Bookstore event tonight at Christ Church Cathedral.
And acclaimed fashion designer and costumier Bob Mackie talks with Houston Public Media's Ernie Manouse about his career. Mackie designed attire for many celebrities, including Cher. The musical based on her career is on stage at The Hobby Center through April 28.
On Tuesday's show: A new poll from the Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation examines the presidential horse race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in Texas and considers how those numbers might look whether independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is on the ballot or not.
Also this hour: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston continues its series Movies Houstonians Love with a screening of the 1986 film Caravaggio. Artist David McGee, who's presenting the film, talks about what it means to him.
And we hear a Skyline Sessions performance and interview from musician Mackenzie Ruth Scott, who performs as Torres.
On Monday's show: We reflect on the last 18 months at HISD and preview a new Houston Public Media podcast called The Takeover, which examines power and public education with a focus on the largest school district in Texas as it grapples with sweeping reforms from state-installed leaders.
Also this hour: Texas Southern University professor Thomas Meloncon talks about his new play, Stagolee and the Funeral of a Dangerous Word, which is on stage now through April 21 at Main Street Theater, making its world premiere. The story takes place in an office in a small town in East Texas where the local NAACP chapter is planning a funeral for the “N word.”
And we discuss what's behind the rough start to the Astros season with Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Fort Bend ISD trustees have responded to a complaint filed with the Texas Education Agency over the early retirement of then-superintendent Christie Whitbeck. News 88.7 reporter Natalie Weber explains what the complaint alleges and what the trustees have to say about it. And she discusses other developments in Fort Bend County, including Sugar Land banning new smoke shops, vape stores, and hookah bars.
Also this hour: Our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including plans to demolish a house featured in the movie Reality Bites.
And we learn about the Houston Symphony's performances of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. While many people will recognize its opening and closing numbers, the entire piece has influenced composers for TV, film, and video games.
On Thursday's show: Memorial Hermann Health Systems has halted a kidney transplant program days after abruptly announcing they also stopped liver transplants. A public health expert helps us understand why and considers the impact the news might have on patients.
Also this hour: A new book called Space Shuttle Stories from veteran astronaut Tom Jones chronicles the history of the space shuttle program -- its successes and failures -- along with details, oral histories, and photographs from all 135 missions.
And Eddie Robinson talks with musician, composer, and filmmaker Samora Pinderhughes, who brought his work, The Healing Project, to Houston last month. The multi-media project uses a variety of creative works to examine policing, violence, and the U.S. prison system. We hear an excerpt of their hourlong conversation from this week's edition of I See U.
On Wednesday's show: The Biden administration is trying again to provide student debt relief. We discuss how that proposal is being received and other developments in Washington and back here in Texas in our weekly political roundup.
Also this hour: We preview a discussion tonight at the University of Houston examining the threats rising sea levels pose to coastal communities.
And we listen to an expanded conversation News 88.7's Andrew Schneider had with Texas Republican Congressman Randy Weber on topics including the future of liquefied natural gas.
On Tuesday's show: A Harris County inmate has died after being transferred to a private prison in Louisiana. News 88.7 reporter Lucio Vasquez brings us the latest on the second reported in-custody death this year.
Also this hour: Highway expansion was once deemed essential to Houston’s future. Today, it’s criticized for displacing homes and businesses and dividing cities. Texas-based journalist Megan Kimble discusses how highways affect Texans in her book, City Limits: Infrastructure, Inequality, and the Future of America's Highways.
Then: Ahead of his appearance tomorrow at Blue Willow Bookshop, we talk with Keith O’Brien, author of the new book Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball. We discuss Rose, the re-emergence of gambling in professional sports, and the recent scandal involving the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani.
And we visit the cat circus. Yes, the cat circus. The Amazing Acro-Cats are in Houston for shows this week at The MATCH.
On Monday's show: As much of Texas watches today's eclipse, we learn about some experiments some University of Houston researchers will be doing with a balloon during it.
Also this hour: We discuss the tradeoffs we as citizens often make, exchanging freedoms for convenience or safety.
Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers questions about gardening.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Dominic Anthony Walsh joins us to discuss Thursday’s sick out by some HISD teachers protesting reforms put in place by the state-appointed superintendent and board.
Also this hour: Deryl Tumlinson of CenterPoint Energy explains how electric poles, power lines, and other elements of Houston’s electric delivery system are maintained.
Then, our panel of non-experts breaks down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And, with the annual Mecum Auction taking place this weekend at NRG Center, we revisit a conversation with the company's CEO, who says most people bidding to buy a classic car at the event are doing so for reasons far deeper than just collecting.
On Thursday's show: We examine ITC's recent settlement deal stemming from the 2019 Deer Park fire and discuss the larger ramifications it could have on environmental regulation.
Also this hour: We learn why some universities are reinstating policies requiring standardized test scores for admission.
Then, we find out why it takes so long to remove harmful -- even toxic -- materials like asbestos from public exposure.
And we preview this year’s Art Car Parade with the executive director of The Orange Show and this year’s Grand Marshal, Brock Wagner of Saint Arnold Brewing Company.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Full Menu, local foodies discuss their favorite places for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food in Greater Houston.
And we visit an exhibit at POST Houston promoting UNICEF, called Heart Strings: Creating Connection to the World’s Children.
On Tuesday's show: Houston City Council is considering extending the hours for paid parking downtown. And TxDOT is ending its agreement with a private company to run the toll lanes on State Highway 288. We discuss both stories.
Also this hour: Houston-area author Leah Lax talks about her new book, Not From Here: The Song of America, which features stories about her Jewish roots interwoven with local immigrant accounts of coming to the United States. We speak to her ahead of an event at Brazos Bookstore on April 4.
Then, on the heels of the Houston Open, we explore Houston’s golf culture.
And we revisit a 2014 conversation with Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr., who died last week at the age of 87.
On Monday's show: Rapper Travis Scott wants to be removed from a lawsuit against numerous parties connected to the deaths at the 2021 Astroworld Music Festival. We learn why and discuss what legal standing he might have.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent about their pet peeves.
And we get an update on a busy stretch for Houston sports with Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: With the bridge collapse in Baltimore after a container ship struck it, we talk with Roger Guenther of the Port of Houston, about whether something like that could happen in the Houston Ship Channel and about what measures are being taken to make our port safer.
Also this hour: We discuss the future of in vitro fertilization in Texas in light of a recent Alabama Supreme Court decision.
Then, from record visitors to Houston, to Buc-ee’s partnering with the Houston Museum of Natural Science to prepare students for the upcoming eclipse, to an actor from the TV series Yellowstone getting booted off a flight here in Houston, this week’s non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And more light is being shed on HISD's controversial performance evaluation system for teachers from an unexpected source: the Texas Education Agency itself.
On Thursday's show: It’s Opening Day. The Astros begin their 2024 regular season at home this afternoon against the New York Yankees. Are the 'Stros World Series contenders again? We preview the season with Jeff Balke, who co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
Also this hour: The Houston Buffaloes adopting a kid. A Houston outfielder throwing in a ball from the ocean. Astros minor leaguers turning a triple play without ever touching the ball. Those are just some of the Houston stories featured in Tales from the Dugout, a collection of odd stories and anecdotes from the history of Minor League Baseball. We talk with its author, baseball broadcaster Tim Hagerty.
Then, in this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we look at how two recent films tackle tropes about Black characters and culture.
And we learn about Drunk Shakespeare, which is just what it sounds like – actors performing Shakespeare’s works while inebriated. (Don’t try this at home, kids).
On Wednesday's show: From the deal struck by Attorney General Ken Paxton to avoid a trial and possible conviction for securities fraud, to the latest on former Pres. Trump's legal battles, we discuss recent developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We learn about the concept of greenwashing -- companies misleading the public about what they're doing to protect the environment -- and how to know when companies are doing it.
And we hear another conversation from I See U with Eddie Robinson about Black artists in the world of country music as we meet Reyna Roberts.
On Tuesday's show: The energy transition is complicated and will require more than one solution to reduce carbon emissions. The Texas Tribune has published the first article in a series examining the role hydrogen might play in moving that transition forward.
Also this hour: Space City is heavily involved in the Artemis missions, getting us back to the moon and then on to Mars. For some, it’s all about preparing for the day we put colonies on one or the other. But Kelly and Zach Weinersmith, the authors of the book A City on Mars, pump the brakes on that idea a bit.
MORE: Kelly Weinersmith speaks at Rice Univ. April 2
Then, we meet the founders of a Houston record label aiming to elevate the voices of Black country artists. Their conversation is an excerpt from this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.
And, we learn where and how to get a good view of the total solar eclipse on April 8.
On Monday's show: The Texas Medical Board on Friday published what it sees as guidance for doctors about how to define what constitutes a medical exception under the state’s strict abortion ban. We learn what that guidance entails and some of the legal questions it raises.
Also this hour: A recent report from Rice University examines cost and quality at Houston hospitals and found, among other things, there’s a wide range of costs for customers with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas depending on which hospital they go to for care.
Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses some recent developments in consumer technology.
And we discuss the University of Houston's overtime win against Texas A&M in the NCAA tournament. And dramatic off-field developments involving Shohei Ohtani and his now former translator once again raise the specter of how sports and gambling are more intertwined than ever. And will MLB investigate it as aggressively as it did the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal? We talk it over with Jeff Balke, who writes for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Friday's show: In a stunning reversal, mid-year proficiency screenings of Houston ISD principals will not be used to evaluate them this school year. That decision came after protests Thursday the annual State of the District event, hours of public comment from angry parents at last night’s HISD management board meeting, and hours more still of a closed session involving that state-appointed board and Superintendent Mike Miles, who then announced the change just after 2 a.m. Friday. News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh tells us what took place.
Also this hour: We hear highlights from this week’s I See U interview with Tiffany Jewell, author of Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School.
And, from a Katy woman illegally smuggling spider monkeys, to Blue Bell's new flavor inspired by St. Louis (what??), we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: A new investigation from the Houston Chronicle called Unchecked Forces examines the growing number and power of Harris County constables. We learn what their reporting found and why it matters.
Also this hour: We meet Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, the new board chair for Houston METRO, the agency that oversees public transit in Harris County. She's the first Hispanic woman to serve in that role. We discuss what she's focusing on in that position as METRO aims to increase ridership and improve the customer experience on buses and rail lines.
Then, Ernie Manouse chats with Broadway legend Patti LuPone. The three-time Tony Award winner performs tonight at the Hobby Center.
And writer Michael Arceneaux talks about writing and working through upheaval and grief -- along with his discontent with the trolls on social media. The Houston native has a new book of essays called I Finally Bought Some Jordans.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Entomologist Erin Mills of the Houston Botanic Garden joins us to talk about insects and bugs.
And, as interest in pickleball grows, so do dedicated courts around Greater Houston.
On Tuesday's show: Harris County is paying millions to outsource many of its inmates, sending hundreds of people to privately owned, out-of-state prisons — one of which is accredited by an organization with an “irreconcilable conflict of interest,” according to a congressional investigation. News 88.7's Lucio Vasquez explains how the county is "surrendering control" of its inmates to private prisons with questionable oversight.
Also this hour: As the annual CERAWeek conference continues this week in Houston, S&P Global’s Daniel Yergin discusses the role mining may need to play in the global energy transition.
Then, we learn how Houston researchers help patients with the rarest diseases find elusive medical answers.
Plus: Some signs suggest our region is more consistently embracing renovation over demolition.
And the latest installment of the Movies Houstonians Love series at the MFAH takes moviegoers back to the 1904 World’s Fair with Meet Me in St. Louis.
On Monday's show: CERAWeek starts today. We preview the annual energy conference and listen back to a conversation with Stephanie Hertzog, CEO of Houston-based Sodexo Energy & Resources North America, about the role women play in the oil and gas industry’s “great crew change.”
Also this hour: It’s Women’s History Month. We revisit our 2022 conversation with NASA's Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, author of the book Making Space for Women.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we learn how the bracket shapes up for the UH Cougars as we preview the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments with the help of Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: How often do court-appointed defense attorneys in Harris County visit their clients who are facing the death penalty? We learn more about a new report and what it says about the criminal justice system.
And we get the latest on some off-and-on stormy weather expected Friday and through the weekend in and around the Houston area.
Also this hour: Amid rising prices over the past few years, how are Houston's renters doing?
And, from artists dropping out of SXSW in protest of certain event sponsors, to universities once again requiring students to submit SAT and ACT scores for admission, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Friday's show: Houston is set to receive $43 million from the Department of Transportation for flood and heat mitigation, pedestrian safety, and green space. We'll learn what those improvements will look like from Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, and discuss the value of new tree canopies with Barry Ward from Trees for Houston.
Also this hour: Ahead of St. Patrick's Day, we revisit a conversation about Irish-Americans in Houston.
Then, following a PBS Frontline win at the Academy Awards for 20 Days in Mariupol, we'll listen back to conversations about previous Frontline documentaries with Houston connections.
And we meet the founder of Hopera, a company of singers that performs opera at local craft breweries.
On Wednesday's show: Nancy Sims joins us to discuss local, state, and national politics.
Also this hour: It's been four years since the COVID pandemic started--we talk with Dr. Peter Hotez about where we are today and what's in store for the future.
Then, Troy Schulze talks with some of the folks behind this year's FotoFest Biennial festival.
On Tuesday's show: We talk with Jennifer Hadayia from Air Alliance Houston about a number of developments in environmental news, from highway projects and emissions to new federal standards and lawsuits from the state.
Also this hour: Reporter Roxanna Asgarian shares what her book We Were Once a Family reveals about inequities in the child welfare system.
Then, allergist Dr. Dat Tran joins us to answer questions about getting allergy relief.
And we go behind the scenes of a new concert series at the University of Houston-Downtown.
On Monday's show: NPR's Franco Ordoñez joins us to discuss the Republican National Convention's spring meeting in Houston that took place on Friday.
Also this hour: After losing an hour of sleep from Daylight Saving Time, we talk about how to get back on proper rest with sleep expert Kristin Eckel-Mahan.
Then, we answer your gardening questions with Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston.
And the NFL free agency period starts today. We'll talk with Jeff Balke about what moves the Houston Texans might consider.
On Friday's show: We discuss President Biden's State of the Union address and any implications for Texas with Texas Southern University professor Michael O. Adams.
Also this hour: We revisit a conversation with death row exoneree Anthony Charles Graves from I SEE U.
Then, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the week's news, including an investigation into the Houston Police Department, and a Texas land swap with SpaceX.
And Ernie Manouse talks with the local author of a book about Academy Award winner Hattie McDaniel.
On Thursday's show: HISD announced it will increase teachers' hourly pay as part of 2024-2025 compensation plan, which would take effect July 1 if approved by the board. However, reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh explains why the plan might not actually be the raise it seems.
Also this hour: We discuss how civic engagement has changed over the years – how much harder it is to actually get people from opposite sides of the political spectrum to engage with one another, how social media and cable news bubbles have created entirely separate worlds for the most partisan, and whether there’s a way to put that genie back in the bottle.
Then, we discuss how researchers and scientists are contemplating the use of AI, particularly as it starts to fall in the hands of consumers.
And, from the 1970s to the early 2000s, some radio stations were doing things a little bit differently – including here in Houston. The new documentary Runaway Radio tells the story of KLOL-FM, an iconic rock station – and a different time in radio.
On Wednesday's show: We learn the results of primary election day in Texas, and our political analysts discuss what it all means -- along with all the other developments in politics -- in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Food writers talk about their favorite places to eat in Montrose and Midtown in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And what if Harpo Marx and Salvador Dalí made a screenplay? Well, they did. The movie never got made, but we learn how a graphic novel by a Houston native brings it to life in a colorful way.
On Tuesday's show: Today is primary election day in Texas. We check in with the Harris County Clerk and learn how redistricting is causing back-and-forth shifts in political power in Houston's suburbs.
Also this hour: Slightly fewer folks have attended the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo so far this year. Is it a temporary hiccup, or is a post-pandemic attendance bump over? We discuss with rodeo president and CEO Chris Boleman.
Then: It’s tax season! We find out what’s new this year and welcome your tax questions for CPA Jason Sharp, tax partner with Crowe, LLP. Send your questions now to talk@houstonmatters.org.
And we visit Rec Room Arts to learn how what is billed as Houston’s smallest theater brings shows to life in a such a cozy venue.
On Monday's show: A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Texas law that would have allowed local police to arrest people suspected of being in the state illegally and created a state deportation force. We learn the latest in the battle over Senate Bill 4.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent about their pet peeves.
And we talk about the new seasons for the Dash and the Dynamo and some major soccer tournaments with matches in Houston recently.
On Friday's show: As the Houston-built Odysseus lunar lander goes dark, we reflect on what went right during the mission, what went wrong, and what it means for future space missions with Eric Berger of Ars Technica.
Also this hour: From a big day for renewable energy in Texas, to Houston now being home to the oldest person in America, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
Then, with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo underway, we learn about the history of Black rodeos and Black cowboys in Texas.
And we talk about the phenomenon of translating popular movies into musicals as Beetlejuice the Musical comes to The Hobby Center March 5-10.
On Thursday's show: Harris County Jail has failed a safety inspection for the fifth time. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards has deemed the facility noncompliant with the state's safety standards. News 88.7 reporter Lucio Vasquez explains why.
Also this hour: Over the years, Texas and other states have passed laws requiring kids to get more physical education at school. We learn why those laws really didn't work.
Then, we hear from British actor Eric Kofi Abrefa of the Starz series BMF in an excerpt from this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.
And what started as a Juneteenth mural in Galveston has expanded to other American cities. We meet Reginald Adams, the artist behind it all.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: With HISD in the early stages of a state takeover, we learn about a Texas school district preparing to transition out of it. The superintendent of Marlin ISD near Waco shares lessons from that district's seven years under state control.
And we preview the Moody Center’s Spring Fling concert at Rice this weekend. It features a country singer and an R&B duo and is being billed as an "alternative to the crush and expense of the Houston Rodeo."
On Tuesday's show: We learn about a conference on crime and public safety in Houston tomorrow.
Also this hour: Duncan Klussmann, the former superintendent of Spring Branch ISD, explains the problems he has with how that school district is handling its current financial issues, which is a subject he outlined in a recent opinion piece in the Houston Chronicle.
Then, we revisit the case of Texas death row inmate Ivan Cantu, who is scheduled to be executed this week. A true crime podcast investigation into his story, new evidence, witnesses recanting, and former jurors coming forward with concerns about his conviction have led some high-profile activists to take up his cause.
And we visit the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, where a new installation called Haha Real fuses animation and video game graphics with traditional art and an immersive soundscape by a Houston-born musician. And the whole thing is inspired by the classic children’s story The Velveteen Rabbit.
On Monday's show: We get an update on the Houston Avenue street project saga.
Also this hour: With the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo getting under way, we talk about the history of the trail rides that lead up to each year’s event with the head of the committee who organizes them and with photographer Ray Viator, who has a new book documenting them called All Trails Lead to Houston: Riding to the Rodeo.
Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses some recent developments in consumer technology.
And we get an update on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: An unmanned spacecraft built by a Houston company has landed on the moon, making it the first commercial landing on the lunar surface and the first American spacecraft to make a soft landing there since the Apollo program ended in the 1970s. We learn about the landing and what the Odysseus lander will do during its mission.
Also this hour: Saturday is Hockey Day in Houston. An event at Saint Arnold Brewery is designed to promote hockey at all levels in the Houston area. We reflect on some of Houston's hockey history with a former player from the Houston Aeros, we discuss where and how hockey is being played in Greater Houston, and we get the latest on more serious talks about bringing an NHL team here.
Then, we meet some of the local artists creating installations for the Houston location of Meow Wolf.
And, from the Houston-filmed movie Reality Bites turning 30 years old, to John Oliver making Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas a unique offer, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: Spring Branch ISD will no longer employee librarians, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, a district spokesperson confirmed to Houston Landing. We learn about the budget constraints behind this move and how the district plans to keep libraries running at its campuses.
Also this hour: The new film The Taste of Things explores love between a chef and his personal cook. We discuss the movie and meet one of Houston's own restaurateur couples on this month’s installment of The Bigger Picture.
Then, we hear an excerpt of a conversation with author and anti-racism activist Ibram X. Kendi from this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.
And we talk with filmmaker and Houston native Alex Stapleton, who’s directed an episode of God Save Texas, a series of three documentaries that just premiered at Sundance and that's based on a book of the same name by Lawrence Wright. Stapleton’s contribution is called “The Price of Oil,” and it explores how the oil industry has been a defining economic force in Houston, and specifically on Black people, including multiple generations of Stapleton’s family.
On Wednesday's show: New polling is out as early voting has begun in primary elections. We discuss that and all the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Actor Alan Cumming is bringing his Not Acting His Age tour to The Hobby Center on March 6 and 7. Ahead of that, the Scottish-born, Tony Award-winning star of stage and screen talks with Houston Public Media's Ernie Manouse.
And we learn how traditional school book fairs have evolved with the ever-changing landscape of literacy.
On Tuesday's show: Early voting begins today in the March primary election and continues through March 1. We preview what's on the ballot.
Also this hour: We discover what sociologist Michael Sierra-Arévalo learned from spending more than a thousand hours riding with police officers around the country, which he details in his book, The Danger Imperative. He explains how the perception of a "war on cops" has affected law enforcement -- and the public's encounters with police.
Then, the issue of racism is deeply complex, and, historically, it’s not been as simple as white discrimination against people of color. Sometimes a member of a group that’s often discriminated against can discriminate themselves. That’s a subject Fordham University law professor and race relations expert Tanya Hernández explores in her book Racial Innocence. We hear an excerpt of her recent hourlong conversation on I See U with Eddie Robinson.
And the film Reality Bites premiered in movie theaters 30 years ago this week. The movie is remembered today by some as the quintessential Gen X movie. Whether it is or not, film critic Joe Leydon reminds us it may be the quintessential Houston movie.
On Monday's show: Today is Presidents' Day. Who were the best presidents in our nation's history? Who were the worst? We talk with University of Houston professor Brandon Rottinghaus about the Presidential Greatness Project and its latest survey and ranking of those who've held our nation's highest office.
Also this hour: We learn how a group of Black soldiers known as "the Blue Helmets" made history in World War II and moved forward the cause of African Americans in the military. An exhibit about them is on display now at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum through June 30.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers pet care questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: We learn about some recent developments in education, including some concerns about the way the written portion of some STAAR tests will be graded in the future and news about declining student enrollment at HISD since the pandemic.
Also this hour: Three years after a deadly winter storm knocked out power across Texas, what has changed -- and what hasn't?
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including Drake, 50 Cent, and several others musicians all being registered to vote at the same house in Katy.
And writer and former Houstonian Suzette Mullen discusses her new memoir, The Only Way Through Is Out, which explores her decision to come out later in life. She’s holding a book signing at Brazos Bookstore on Feb. 22.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the budget battle in Congress, Ken Paxton's ongoing impeachment trial, and all the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Writer and satirist Andy Borowitz talks about how Americans went from ridiculing ignorance in our politicians to accepting it and then celebrating it in some instances. His book, Profiles in Ignorance: How America's Politicians Got Dumb and Dumber takes on that subject, which he'll discuss at an event with The Progressive Forum on Sept. 21.
And Robert Edsel, founder and chair of the Monuments Men and Women Foundation, explains how to detect stolen antiquities.
On Tuesday's show: Federal funding for the Ike Dike project is among the casualties of the latest budget battle in Congress. We ask Jim Blackburn of Rice University's SSPEED Center what this all means for coastal flood mitigation projects.
Also this hour: This won’t be the last oppressive summer in Houston. We'll have to either deal with it – or leave. We discuss how to adapt to the Bayou City’s changing climate in the coming years.
Then, dermatologist Dr. Oyetawa Oyerinde of Baylor College of Medicine answers questions about skin issues.
And we listen back to two interviews with pioneering female astronauts Mae Jemison and Peggy Whitson.
On Monday's show: The second week of is getting underway of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. We recap what happened in the first week and look ahead to what to expect in the coming days.
Also this hour: We remember CB radio. The citizens band radio service first established in 1958 is still in use 65 years later. Of course, its true heyday was in the 1970s. We discuss what a Texas Monthly article from back then called “the great American addiction" with Robert Johnson from Houston’s Cool Wave CB Shop.
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And we recap the Texans' season opener against the Ravens and get the latest on the Astros from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: After a crucial vote, there may be some major changes coming to Houston ISD, including a longer school year.
And we learn how a recent anti-gang initiative resulted in 36 arrests.
Also this hour: History is rife with technological advancements -- and the unintended consequences they create. We consider recent examples of how technology may help but also hinder us as we learn about efforts to teach the next generation of engineers here in Houston the importance of ethical development of technology.
Then, Neil Armstrong’s former home is for sale, and The Great Wall of China becomes the latest historic structure to be defaced. This week’s group of “non-experts” discusses those stories on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
And singer/songwriter Joshua Radin talks about his post-high school gap year backpacking trip through Europe that came about 18 years late and inspired music on his new album. He performs at The Heights Theater this weekend.
On Thursday's show: The Texas Department of Criminal Justice issued an immediate lockdown at all Texas prisons this week to address a rise in violence and drugs amongst inmates. Just this year, the TDCJ says there have been 16 inmate-on-inmate homicides. We learn more about the situation.
Also this hour: We revisit the story of the 1900 Galveston hurricane as this week marks the anniversary of the devastating storm.
And we learn about the different kinds of bats that live in Greater Houston as the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center prepares to host a pair of bat-related events Sept. 22 and 23.
Then, we reflect on the 80th anniversary of the deadliest single fire in Houston history, which took place on this date in 1943 at the Gulf Hotel downtown. The fire claimed 55 lives and injured many more. Tom McDonald, a former fire fighter and president of the Houston Fire Museum, tells us what happened.
And News 88.7’s Katie Watkins and Sara Willa Ernst bring us the first installment of their new series Hot Stops, which examines how bus stops get dangerously hot.
On Wednesday's show: We recap the first day of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial and discuss other local, state, and national political developments in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Houston food writers give recommendations for solid pizza joints around town on this month’s edition of The Full Menu.
And we learn how Houston Oilers great Warren Moon and other Black quarterbacks revolutionized professional football, which is the subject of John Eisenberg’s new book, Rocket Men.
On Tuesday's show: We discuss the start of the impeachment trial for suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton with News 88.7’s Andrew Schneider.
Also this hour: Why Dr. Heath Morrison recently left his job as the superintendent of Montgomery ISD to tackle one of the biggest problems facing education: the teacher shortage.
Then, Arturo Lopez, Houston franchise owner of TruBlue Total House Care, answers your home maintenance questions.
And we talk with author and journalist Sim Kern, whose new novel, The Free People's Village, imagines an alternate history where Al Gore won the 2000 presidential election, and initiatives against climate change produce new kinds of inequality here in Houston.
On Friday's show: A civil court judge in Harris County has granted a temporary restraining order filed by the Houston Federation of Teachers, which, for the moment, puts on hold HISD’s new teacher evaluation system. Jackie Anderson, president of the union, explains what her organization alleges and wants.
Also this hour: A few hundred particle physicists are descending on Houston next week for Quark Matter, an international gathering of researchers who study the matter that formed the universe. We learn about some of the recent breakthroughs in that field and discuss how pop culture has made this kind of science more mainstream.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And, on the heels of her eighth win at the U.S. Gymnastics championships, Simone Biles talks about returning to competition and how she approaches her sport -- and the spotlight -- after stepping away following the Tokyo Olympics.
On Thursday's show: What is now Tropical Storm Idalia continues to roll through the southeast’s Atlantic coast, Houstonians are poised to help folks in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Then, a Travis County judge rules a controversial new state law is unconstitutional, but it’s still taking effect. We learn more about the court fight over the so-called “Death Star” law.
Plus: A local teachers' union is suing Houston ISD’s appointed board of managers and superintendent over changes in teacher evaluations.
Also this hour: We learn about a simultaneous heart and kidney transplant last month at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston -- the first of its kind for that institution. We also learn more about other organ transplants and how the process works for veterans in need.
Then, when Jose Altuve notched his 2,000th hit this month, Astros fans cheered while other fans – again – labeled him a cheater over the 2017 sign-stealing scandal he reportedly didn’t take part in. We discuss the challenge of shedding labels with Evan Drellich, senior writer for The Athletic, who, along with Ken Rosenthal, broke the story of Astros cheating scandal.
And the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo recently took home the award for Fair/Rodeo of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Honors.
On Wednesday's show: With new laws taking effect this week, campaigns heating up, and even an impeachment trial scheduled to begin next week, it has been an uncharacteristically busy stretch in local, state, and national politics. We discuss all the latest developments in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: How are prisoners in Texas without air conditioning faring during the recent extreme heat?
And the Houston Music Advisory Board, which was established last year by the mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, will hold a panel discussion on "bridging the musical gap" in Houston. We find out what that means.
On Tuesday's show: We discuss the slight drop this week in Houston's absurdly hot temperatures.
And Katy ISD voting on its “gender fluidity” transgender policy is just one example of laws and policies that impact the health and safety of children in Texas. Such laws and policies are the subject of an event Wednesday at Rice University. We talk over some of the issues that will be addressed.
Also this hour: Houstonian Gene Kranz spent decades at NASA. The longtime flight director during the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs led mission control during the moon landing and the “successful failure” of Apollo 13. Michael Hagerty has an extended conversation with Kranz, who lives in Dickinson, and has a new book out called Tough and Competent.
And the University of Houston’s LGBTQ Resource Center closes this week. We discuss why, the center’s legacy, and what resources will be available for LGBTQ students at UH going forward.
On Monday's show: Today is the first day of classes at Houston ISD under state control. We discuss a new school year of change.
Also this hour: We learn about some controversial videos approved for use in Florida public schools that, for a moment this week, seemed like they might be coming to Texas schools too. We explain why they’re not – at least for now.
Then, from streaming service news, to an improved wireless car play adapter, we discuss developments in consumer technology with columnist Dwight Silverman.
And will the Astros be able to catch the Texas Rangers and win their division -- as their fans have gotten so used to them doing? Or is there a chance they could miss the playoffs altogether, given how close the Wild Card race has gotten of late?
On Friday's show: There's no denying it's been absurdly hot this summer, but Houstonians are used to a decent amount of rain coming with that heat each summer -- the one silver lining to all the humidity we experience. However, the Bayou City is looking a little parched these days. So much so that the City of Houston has entered stage two of it's drought contingency plan. We learn what that means, take stock of the severity of the drought, and discuss the ways it's affecting our environment.
Also this hour: As school starts across the region, a retired Houston kindergarten teacher and a school mental health expert offer advice on helping kids who are starting kindergarten for the first time (and their parents) adjust to the experience.
Then, we discuss why a central Texas high school football team is not playing under Friday night lights this week and other intrigues in the news as we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And a new project called Not For Sale Real Estate from artist Jody Wood uses artwork based on Houstonians who are facing eviction to raise awareness of housing insecurity -- and to raise funds to keep those people in their homes.
On Thursday's show: We discuss a recent rise in COVID cases locally and whether there’s any cause for concern.
And the team from Needville won an extra-inning thriller to advance to the U.S. championship game in the Little League World Series. Their head coach, Andy McRae, tells us about the game and about how the kids are navigating the experience of playing on such a stage.
Also this hour: Does Houston have a role to play in future debate over nuclear power and disarmament? We talk with a local history professor and with the producer of In Search of Resolution, a documentary examining the continuing dangers posed by the existence of nuclear weapons, which airs Aug. 30 at 10 p.m. on Houston Public Media, TV 8.
Then, at first, the new film Jules may seem like a breezy comedy about an alien visiting a senior citizen. But it raises some compelling questions about aging parents, independence, and dignity. The movie and those issues are the subject of this month's edition of The Bigger Picture.
And we hear the muisc of the Magnolia City Brass Band ahead of a concert on Saturday featuring works by Houston composer William R. Brusick.
On Wednesday's show: From Tony Buzbee’s last-minute entry into a Houston City Council race, to why the Texas Young Republicans is distancing itself from the Republican Party of Texas, we mull over the latest developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We take stock of the influence and economic impact of the Hispanic community across the region with the help of Dr. Laura Murillo, the president and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which is presenting a State of Hispanics Data Summit and Business Expo today.
And Houston writer Jamie Jo Hoang comes to terms with the toll the Vietnam War took on her father and, by extension, its lasting effect on her in her new young adult novel, My Father the Panda Killer.
On Tuesday's show: While the bulk of rain in today’s forecast may land south of us, there are several other storm systems developing in the Atlantic. Could any of them bring some much-needed rain here?
Also this hour: We learn more about an unofficial "one mile rule" that seems to keep some residents from even getting a hearing to challenge a company polluting in the neighborhood. Dylan Baddour of Inside Climate News joins us to explain.
Then, is "revenge spending" grinding to a halt? That's the phenomenon of people spending more on recreation in the past couple of years doing things they were unable to during the pandemic.
And we discuss the popularity of vintage toy collecting with Juan Salazar, owner of Super Happy Incredible Toys, a vintage toy store in The Heights.
On Monday's show: We get an update on some recent developments at HISD.
And Texas A&M University has announced it’s establishing a space institute next door to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake. We learn what that entails.
Also this hour: A Texas company is recruiting social media influencers to promote political agendas, but how much sway do they actually have?
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: The suspect in the shooting of a Harris County sheriff’s deputy is in custody this morning following a standoff with authorities Thursday, during which three more officers were wounded – none seriously. The suspect has multiple felony convictions, was out on bond while facing other charges, and skipped his trial date. We ask former Harris County Sheriff and current County Commissioner Adrian Garcia if cases like this leave him contemplating whether further changes are necessary in county bail procedures.
Also this hour: Houston native Lyle Lovett talks about his music ahead of his concert Saturday at the Hobby Center.
Then, we hear some additional highlights from Eddie Robinson’s conversation with Rice University Pres. Reginald DesRoches from this weekend’s edition of I See U.
And our non-experts break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: After two mistrials, a jury has found AJ Armstrong guilty of killing his parents. Separately, Armstrong is suing HPD, alleging police planted evidence to force a false conviction. Houston Public Media’s Rebecca Noel and Lucio Vasquez bring us the latest on the Armstrong saga.
Also this hour: Houston Chronicle columnist Chris Tomlinson examines allegations that natural gas pipeline operators and traders triggered the February 2021 blackouts while trying to manipulate prices.
Then, we learn how the drought is affecting trees from Barry Ward of the nonprofit Trees for Houston.
And we hear some highlights from Eddie Robinson's conversation with Rice University Pres. Reginald DesRoches from this weekend's edition of I See U.
On Wednesday's show: Could the racketeering charges against former Pres. Donald Trump not just affect next year’s presidential race but also this year’s local Houston elections? We contemplate that and discuss other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: News 88.7’s politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider joins us with a mid-year update on stories he’s been working on in 2023.
And we learn about the history and significance of Tejano corridos, ballads of the Texas-Mexico border. They're the subject of an episode of a new series called Ritual from PBS Digital Studios.
On Tuesday's show: We’re in another week of excessive heat, but we might finally, truly have some relief in sight...maybe. Eric Berger of Space City Weather discusses this potential meteorological light at the end of the tunnel and whether we might get some rain anytime soon.
Also this hour: A new study from the University of Houston finds older people use online patient portals more than younger ones but often have a harder time navigating them. Just how effective are they for patients and doctors?
Then, we reflect on the lessons learned from what some see as Houston's "forgotten disaster," Hurricane Alicia, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico 40 years ago today. We revisit an episode about the storm from Houston Public Media's 2018 podcast series Hurricane Season.
And dancer and choreographer Keeley Dunham talks about her project Telephone 2.0, where she has musicians and visual artists respond to dance in their own respective media. She also has an event Aug. 16 where she asks members of the public to create their own works.
On Monday's show: With two weeks before the start of the school year, News 88.7's Dominic Anthony Walsh updates us on the latest out of HISD.
Also this hour: Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration on Friday due to a number of wildfires burning in Texas. With continued hot and dry conditions and burn bans taking effect, we consider how much of a concern are they here in Greater Houston.
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: We learn how Amtrak is exploring a partnership with Texas Central to advance a proposed high-speed railway between Houston and Dallas, a decade-long vision to operate a bullet train between the state's two largest cities, which appeared to have stalled and is potentially moving forward again.
Also this hour: Amid Artemis, the Webb telescope, and the recently announced NASA+ streaming service, has the space agency – and by extension, Space City – gotten its mojo back? We discuss with space industry analyst Laura Forczyk.
Then, from Travis Scott's planned concert in Houston, to a baseball announcer removed from the booth for stating mere facts, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Dr. Sayed Tabatabai, a San Antonio kidney specialist whose writing went viral on Twitter during the pandemic, tells us about the experience and his book about it, These Vital Signs. He has a book signing event on Saturday at Brazos Bookstore.
On Thursday's show: We learn about the mixed reactions to the news that Travis Scott plans to perform in Houston this fall for the first time since the fatal disaster at his Astroworld music festival.
Also this hour: While we could sure use more storm clouds these days, clear nights do offer a good chance to check out astronomical events like the Perseid Meteor Shower this weekend. We discuss that and other cool things about space with local astronomer Dr. Carolyn Sumners from the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Then, we learn why Houstonian Amy Weinland Daughters decided to pen hand-written letters to all 580 of her Facebook friends -- and how they reacted. She's written a book about the experience called Dear Dana.
And Spider-Man first debuted on this date in 1962. More than 60 years later, comic book adaptations on film and TV are huge business. We revisit a 2018 conversation with Richard Evans of Bedrock City Comic Co. and film critic Joe Leydon about comics' interactions with mainstream culture and whether we've hit a so-called "superhero fatigue" in our entertainment yet.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the politics surrounding Harris County Judge Hidalgo’s leave of absence and other developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We talk with guitarist Andy Summers of The Police. He’s not just a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he’s also a well-respected photographer and a fascinating guy. He performs at The Heights Theater on Friday night.
And Spanish Harlem Orchestra, a three-time Grammy Award-winning Salsa and Latin jazz band, performs Aug. 17 as part of the Houston SUMMERJAZZ 2023 series.
On Tuesday's show: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the top elected official for one of the largest counties in the United States, announced Monday she is taking a leave of absence to receive treatment for clinical depression. We learn more.
Also this hour: Will this extreme heat ever let up? Can we take some solace in knowing it’s helping to hold back major storms? We talk it over with Justin Ballard, the new newsroom meteorologist at the Houston Chronicle.
Then, a new study finds some of the most prestigious private colleges in the country – maybe unwittingly in some cases – are giving significant preferential advantages to rich kids even when they have the same SAT scores and academic qualifications as less-affluent students. We explore what Houston-area college admissions officials do to protect against such unfair advantages.
Plus we talk with a neuroscience expert at Rice University who argues we need a media code of conduct and new regulations to protect people from misinformation in the age of A.I.
And we chat with composer and musician Justin Sherburn about his performance next month at The MATCH of his own live music score for a 1928 silent documentary film called Man with A Movie Camera.
On Monday's show: A trial begins in federal court in Galveston today. Judge Jeffrey Brown will hear from local officials and advocacy groups who allege Galveston County Commissioners Court approved district maps that intentionally discriminate against Black and Hispanic voters.
Also this hour: We offer listeners their monthly opportunity to share their pet peeves about life in Greater Houston.
And we separate narrative from reality when it comes to the Houston Astros as we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: News 88.7's politics reporter Andrew Schneider joins us to share the latest in Ken Paxton’s criminal trial, and News 88.7 education reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh reviews developments at Thursday night's Houston ISD board of managers meeting.
Also this hour: We discuss why some are so protective of certain mythologies and moments from Texas history – whether they’re accurate or not.
Then, we ask this week’s “non-expert” panel to weigh in on this weekend’s Air Hockey World Championships here in Houston and ask them what to make of what looks like a question mark in space as we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Houstonians share their experiences working in extreme heat.
On Thursday's show: Katy ISD voters will decide in November whether to approve a record $840.6 million in bond proposals, which the fast-growing school district west of Houston wants to use for new campuses and building renovations, security and technology upgrades, and improvements to its athletic facilities.
Also this hour: We talk with a City of Houston transportation official about how her family’s been impacted by inequalities in transportation planning. Veronica O. Davis writes about that in her new book, Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities.
Then, we revisit the city’s contract with ShotSpotter. The company detects shots fired and informs police so they can investigate. What do we make of Houston police saying it’s contributing to slowed response times for other emergencies?
And we learn about a performance this weekend combining music and dance from multiple south and southeast Asian cultures.
On Wednesday's show: As Mayor Sylvester Turner and HISD Superintendent Mike Miles lock horns over plans to convert some school libraries to “team centers,” we discuss what the mayor and his successor can and can not do about what’s happening in Houston’s public schools. And we talk over other developments in politics in our weekly roundup, including the latest indictment of former Pres. Donald Trump.
Also this hour: A conversation about the use of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of PTSD. We talk with Dr. Lynette Averill from the Debakey VA Medical Center and Dr. Amy McGuire from Baylor College of Medicine.
And we learn how a haunting image from the childhood of Houston writer Saborna Roychowdhury became her latest novel, Everything Here Belongs to You, which challenges ideas about class, religion, and child labor in her native India. Roychowdhury has a book signing and reading on Aug. 4 at Basket Books.
On Tuesday's show: Political analyst Mark Jones of Rice University walks us through the findings of a survey about issues facing the city of Houston.
Also this hour: News 88.7's Dominic Anthony Walsh joins us for a mid-year check-in on the major developments so far in 2023 in the world of education.
Then, it’s time again for Houston Restaurant Weeks, the annual effort by many local restaurants to encourage you to dine out and raise money for the Houston Food Bank. In this month's installment of The Full Menu, local food writers share the details and their recommendations for some menus to check out.
And we learn about the challenges of speaking in iambic pentameter while at least slightly buzzed as we go behind the scenes of Drunk Shakespeare.
On Monday's show: The Houston Police Department has released its report on the Astroworld concert tragedy in 2021 that left ten people dead. News 88.7's Lucio Vasquez walks us through what's in the 1,266-page report.
Also this hour: We dig further into the troubles facing Texas A&M amid the revelation reported this week in the Texas Tribune that a professor was suspended for two weeks this spring under apparent political pressure after making an unspecified comment in a guest lecture that may have been about the Lt. Governor. The Texas A&M Faculty Senate wants the school’s chancellor to answer questions about the move. What does this and another recent academic scandal do to the reputation of A&M?
Then, News 88.7’s Sara Willa Ernst and Katie Watkins join us to catch us up on developments so far this year in health care and the environment in the Houston area and to tell us about a project they’re collaborating on.
And, on the eve of the Major League Baseball trade deadline, we discuss what moves the Astros have made or might make as they try to overtake the Texas Rangers in the American League West.
On Friday's show: A jury this week ruled in favor of SLB, the Houston-based company formerly known as Schlumberger, in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former employee. Houston Chronicle energy reporter Amanda Drane has been following this lawsuit and joins us to explain the case and the ruling.
Also this hour: Houston ISD is preparing for a lot of changes under its new state-appointed superintendent. Among them: at least a third of campuses will use a new curriculum built on what’s being billed as the "science of reading." They’ll follow a developing trend in public education toward more phonics-based instruction. We learn more about the curriculum, which was already piloted and ready for expansion before the state took over.
Then, Pasadena ISD resumes free meals for students next school year while the folks behind what some thought was a cracked rollercoaster in Galveston say, "It’s fixed, trust us!" Our panel of non-experts discusses those stories in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And a new season is officially underway at Stages Houston, following Thursday’s opening night performance of Always…Patsy Cline. The musical tells the true story of the famed singer’s friendship with Houstonian Louise Seger. It’s a production that first premiered at Stages 35 years ago, and it kicks off Kenn McLaughlin's final season as artistic director. It’s his 25th season on the job. McLaughlin joins us to talk about the production and about his quarter century serving as artistic director.
On Thursday's show: Two bookstores in Texas are suing over a new Texas law that requires them to rate books on their appropriateness and prohibits "sexually explicit" material from libraries. One of those booksellers is Houston's Blue Willow Bookshop. Its owner, Valerie Koehler, joins us to explain her concerns about the law.
Also this hour: App permissions, cameras and microphones, scanned payments – there’s so much of day-to-day life in Houston that’s built on digital information about us. We ask a pair of local social media and cybersecurity experts just how much info about us is out there, how much privacy we’ve given away, and whether there’s any way to take some privacy back.
Then, Barbie dominated the box office last weekend. What that film’s trying to say about us is the topic of this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture.
And we discuss the cultural significance of Jewish delis in conjuction with an exhibit at Holocaust Museum Houston that runs through Aug. 13.
On Wednesday's show: We examine a new poll of voter attitudes and opinions as we draw closer to the November election.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, a new report from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research says a majority of Houstonians are cost-burdened by their rent. What does that mean, and how can renters deal with that?
And we revisit the long-lost story behind the Astros’ famous rainbow uniforms.
On Tuesday's show: Lots of extreme summer heat and little rain -- it's led to drought conditions in some parts of Greater Houston, such as Galveston County. Conditions there have led the county's Office of Emergency Management to put a burn ban into effect in unincorporated areas in hopes of preventing wildfires.
Also this hour: Gov. Greg Abbott is refusing to remove buoys from the Rio Grande that the Justice Department says are illegal. Abbott says Texas has the right to defend its borders from “invasion.” We discuss the latest on this recent border standoff.
Then, what should we make of a rise in incidents of syphilis in the Houston area, and what should we do about it?
And we revisit a conversation from last year about where the Houston area ends and, well, "outside Houston" area begins. One of our guests offers an elegant suggestion: if you’ve passed a Buc-ee’s, you’re officially out of town!
On Monday's show: Saharan dust rolling in, smoke and haze arriving from Canadian wildlires, and the extreme heat and humidity -- is breathing the air in Houston generally worse for you these days? And is all of this a harbinger of what future summers will be like here with climate change?
Also this hour: Bob Sanborn of Children at Risk says he’d give state lawmakers a grade of D+ or maybe a D- for what they did for kids and families this year during the legislative session. He explains why.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: There’s plenty of info out there about gun deaths but far less about gun-related injuries. Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin wants to change that. She thinks a "comprehensive gun violence injury dashboard" is needed and could help to reduce such incidents. She tells us more.
Also this hour: Testifying has been emotional this week in Austin in hearings over a lawsuit filed on behalf of women in Texas who were denied abortions despite serious health complications during pregnancy. The lead plaintiff, Amanda Zuwarski, shares her story with us. And an expert walks us through the exceptions under which women are still supposed to be able to get an abortion in Texas and whether that’s clear to health care workers.
Then, HISD plans to tie teacher pay to test scores. And the In-N-Out burger chain is establishing a new non-masking policy here in Texas. Our non-experts weigh in on those and other stories in The Good the Bad and the Ugly of the week.
And we talk with some folks behind this year’s Houston Shakespeare Festival productions of Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing.
On Thursday's show: A vote has been delayed twice now at Houston City Council over a Heights daycare center’s call for the creation of an alcohol-free zone within 300 feet of its facility in order to prevent future bars or liquor stores from opening nearby. We learn more about the story and why the vote continues to be delayed from News 88.7's Ashley Brown.
Also this hour: It's been a year since the new 988 crisis hotline number was introduced. How effective has it been?
Then, we talk with Houston-based artist JooYoung Choi, whose work is on display this summer at Rice University’s Moody Center for the Arts.
And the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston performs the famous comic opera The Pirates of Penzance this weekend and next.
On Wednesday's show: Under a confidential new plan, the new state-managed leadership at Houston ISD plans to base teacher pay on test scores by the 2025-26 school year. We talk with News 88.7 education reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh about how the plan would operate and how he learned this information.
Also this hour: Razor wire, a wall of buoys, accounts of migrants being mistreated -- reports from the border are prompting calls for federal intervention into the Abbott administration’s efforts in Texas. We discuss the politics of border security and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, we talk about the city beneath the city -- downtown Houston's tunnel system.
And we visit Explore Asia, a new permanent, interactive exhibit at Asia Society Texas dedicated to exposing visitors to five different Asian countries and the life and culture there.
On Tuesday's show: We discuss efforts from two Texas Congressmen to urge the EPA to not let the state regulate its own carbon capture efforts.
Also this hour: We talk with two Houston-area state representatives, Armando Walle and Lacey Hull, who landed on Texas Monthly's list of Best Legislators.
Then, entomologist Erin Mills, of the Houston Botanic Garden, joins us to talk about insects and bugs.
And we discuss the state of animal welfare in the region with the Gulf Coast Animal Welfare Alliance and partners from the City of Rosenberg Animal Control & Shelter and Houston Pets Alive!
On Monday's show: We get an update from TxDOT on the years-long I-69/610 project that is nearing completion.
Also this hour: We discuss a recent Houston Chronicle investigation that found police response times were the slowest in decades.
Then, Houston Chronicle Tech Columnist Dwight Silverman returns to talk about the latest developments in consumer technology.
And we discuss Houston sports with Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: We talk with Lynly Egyes, the legal director at the Transgender Law Center, about a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth.
Also this hour: Texas beaches offer sun, sand…and polluted water. More of that than any other beaches across the country, according to a recent report. We learn more.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we visit the Brick Rodeo LEGO Fan Exhibition, held last weekend in Sugar Land.
On Thursday's show: Concerns are being raised about some nearby development encroaching on unmarked graves at historic Olivewood Cemetery.
Also this hour: Odds are pretty good just about anything you buy in Houston got here thanks to a truck driver. So, why are truckers so often underappreciated? We learn about some new fforts to support them.
Then, many Houstonians who work in the energy sector know the search for underground oil and gas is a high-tech endeavor. But it wasn’t always that way. Back around the turn of the 20th century, wildcatters sometimes employed methods that were, let’s say, less than scientific. We hear the story of Laura Lee Weinzierl, a pioneering geologist and paleontologist whose work was at the heart of transforming those practices and, in turn, reshaping the Texas economy and making Houston the energy capital of the world.
And the theft of catalytic converters from cars is still a problem around the region. We discuss what can be done to protect against it.
On Wednesday's show: A property tax cut deal, a new candidate for U.S. Senate, and an acting state Attorney General resigning -- we discuss those and other developments in our weekly political roundup.
Also this hour: Bradley Sullivan, a local Episcopal priest, talks about what led him to challenge the notion held in some corners of Christianity that he describes as "Believe in Jesus or go to hell." He discusses his own journey of rethinking that idea and his book, For the Hurt, the Blessed, and the Damned.
And, amid baseball’s All-Star break, we remember a former Astros All-Star whose life took a couple of unexpected turns – the late J.R. Richard.
On Tuesday's show: Texas GOP lawmakers have reached a deal to cut property taxes. We learn what it took to achieve the compromise and what it might mean for property owners.
Also this hour: Map all sorts of things within Houston’s city limits, and a shape has a tendency to form. It looks like an arrow. We learn what the “Houston Arrow” represents and why.
Then, when hard jobs need doing, how do we balance the well-being of workers with meeting project deadlines? We discuss with a Texas company’s safety manager and a representative of a state labor union.
And, we discuss more than five decades of free Theatre Under the Stars at Miller Outdoor Theatre with Mitchell Greco, director of TUTS: A Celebration of Houston Stories and Songs, on stage Tuesday through Thursday this week.
On Monday's show: An investigation from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board says the fire that burned for three days at the ITC chemical storage facility in Deer Park in 2019 could have been prevented if proper measures were in place and if "gaps in relevant regulations" did not exist.
Also this hour: When the pandemic began three years ago, more than a third of child care centers in Texas closed temporarily. Within two years, the equivalent of a third of those had closed permanently. For the rest, how have they fared since and how is that affecting families in need of affordable child care?
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And we reflect on the first half of the Astros' season and look forward to the second half with Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Houston public school principals have until noon Monday to confirm whether their schools will opt into Superintendent Mike Miles' "new education system" program. News 88.7’s Rebecca Noel explains what was learned from Miles’ meeting with dozens of district principals on Thursday and what to make of some recent errors surrounding termination notices and paycheck delays.
Also this hour: We discuss the disappearance of the Astroworld theme park and why so little of its kind has come along to replace it since.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we meet Houston musician Micah Edwards. Self-described as "Mr. Texas Soul," Edwards is one of several artists performing Saturday with a group of artists from NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts.
On Thursday's show: The Biden administration has announced it's devoting $1 billion to develop clean hydrogen energy. What could that mean for the Houston area, which is expected to be home to a future hydrogen hub?
Also this hour: We learn about the extraordinary measures structural engineers had to develop so that skyscrapers could be built on Houston's mushy soil. Joe Colaco, one of the engineers responsible for that -- a man who has worked on some of the world's most recognizable buildings -- explains how it works.
Then, it’s quickly become an annual symphony tradition – performing a major film score live, in sync with a screening of the movie. The Houston Symphony is doing it with Harry Potter July 14-15 and Star Wars July 28-29.
And the Houston Museum of African American Culture and Emancipation Park Conservancy are screening a couple of classic hip-hop films -- Wild Style, Beat Street, and House Party. We talk about those films, the history of hip-hop culture, and Houston’s unique place in that culture.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics.
Also this hour: Houston food writers talk about their favorite places to get Mexican and Tex-Mex food in the city right now, in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And a new graphic novel called Last on His Feet tells the story of boxer and Galveston native Jack Johnson, the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion. His victory over the white former champion Jim Jeffries on July 4, 1910, was called "the fight of the century" and spawned race riots across the country.
On Monday's show: Heading into the Fourth of July holiday, we learn how abolitionists used Independence Day to make their case in pre-Civil War America. That story is the subject of Symbols of Freedom: Slavery and Resistance Before the Civil War by University of Houston history professor Matt Clavin.
Also this hour: The Houston Chronicle's Lisa Gray and the Scurfield Group's Craig Hlavaty discuss some Houstonians' holiday-related gripes and pet peeves, gathered over the last month.
And, on July 4, 1939, New York Yankees great Lou Gehrig delivered his iconic "luckiest man" speech. Gehrig was dubbed "The Iron Horse" for playing 2,130 consecutive games, a record that stood for 56 years. But he isn't the only iron man of sports. We remember some Houston athletes who've achieved some astonishing feats in their sports.
On Friday's show: We discuss the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling striking down affirmative action in college admissions and where it leaves local institutions in their efforts to sustain diverse campuses.
Also this hour: Alexandra Kanik of the Houston Chronicle discusses how Houston-area neighborhood demographics have changed from 2010 to 2020 – something she did a deep dive on earlier this month.
Then, from Katy’s public schools back in the news over library books, to our extreme heat buckling Houston-area roads, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of it all with this week’s “non-expert” panel.
And we learn about a project highlighting the history and culture of Marsh Arabs, a cultural group with origins in the Mesopotamian marshes in present-day Iraq. Part of the initiative involves the construction of a Mudhif, a traditional house made of reeds, using authentic materials shipped in from Iraq to Houston.
On Thursday's show: Thanks in part to Independence Day falling on Tuesday next week, a lot of Houstonians will have an extra-long holiday weekend and plan to hit the road or take to the air over the next several days. AAA Texas is expecting record-breaking travel numbers. We talk with AAA's Joshua Zuber about what to expect and what other factors might be driving such high holiday travel in and out of the Houston area.
Also this hour: On June 29, 2007, Apple released the first iPhone. Our world was never the same. Smartphones are ubiquitous now. We talk about how they have affected our lives and whether we’re getting any better at handling such technology at our fingertips.
Then, the University of Houston has been doing research on swarms of intelligent drones with some potential applications for disaster scenarios like forest fires. Is that something that could be used here for some of our unique disasters, like floods or chemical leaks and fires?
And this summer The Catastrophic Theatre celebrates its 30th anniversary. We reflect on the company's history and how it evolved from a nomadic, scrappy, anti-establishment theater group to being on the cover of American Theater Magazine.
On Wednesday's show: The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected the “independent state legislature” theory. We discuss what the High Court’s 6-3 decision indicates and the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: This month’s edition of The Bigger Picture focuses on Houstonian Wes Anderson’s new film Asteroid City and engaging young people in space.
And, on the anniversary of the start of the Stonewall uprising, we reflect on the Anita Bryant protests, which were called "Houston's Stonewall."
On Tuesday's show: We check in with News 88.7 education reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh about the start of a series of “family events” Houston ISD has planned for Superintendent Mike Miles to share his vision for the district and to meet families district-wide.
Also this hour: We learn more about a just-published Rice study, which finds a key factor in whether people move out of flood-prone neighborhoods or not has nothing to do with flood risk. It’s the racial makeup of their community.
Then, Houston native Micah Fields discusses his new book. It’s part history and part memoir. He writes about rescuing his mother during Hurricane Harvey and about the Houston area’s long history with storms. It’s called We Hold Our Breath: A Journey to Texas Between Storms.
And we revisit a conversation from 2022 about scientists at the Johnson Space Center opening a container of moon rocks sealed up since the Apollo era.
On Monday's show: We discuss a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling where 8 of the 9 justices rejected a challenge from Texas and Louisiana over the Biden administration’s guidelines for who immigration officials can target for arrest and deportation.
Also this hour: Attorney Mitchell Katine reflects on his involvement in Lawrence v. Texas, a huge step forward for gay rights in 2003.
Then, Houston Chronicle Tech Columnist Dwight Silverman returns to talk about the latest developments in consumer technology.
And Jeff Balke considers the future of the Rockets after the NBA Draft.
On Friday's show: News 88.7's Rebecca Noel joins us to talk about last night's HISD Board of Managers meeting, where they approved a budget for the coming school year.
Also this hour: We check back in on the CLEAATS (College Level Aging Athlete Study), which aims to understand how participation in college sports and resulting concussions can impact brain wellness later in life.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we'll feature part of Eddie Robinson's conversation with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, ahead of this weekend's episode of I SEE U.
On Thursday's show: We talk with Houston Chronicle reporter Eric Dexheimer about the 'dead suspect loophole' in Texas law and how the Legislature recently changed it.
Also this hour: Author/essayist David Gessner shares his adventures around the U.S. that inspired him to write about the future of our climate.
Then, we consider what bits of information or common wisdom some Houstonians may have been slow to pick up on about our sprawling region. What unexpected info did you learn when you were "today-years-old?"
And we learn about cephalopods from a local expert at Moody Gardens!
On Wednesday's show: We dive into the latest developments in local, state, and national politics with University of Houston political analysts Nancy Sims and Brandon Rottinghaus.
Also this hour: Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia joins us to talk about the latest in the county and Precinct 2.
And we celebrate the annual Make Music Day with a live performance in the studio, featuring singer-songwriter Ed Amash!
On Tuesday's show: Houston Police Chief Troy Finner joins us to talk about the latest going on with the department and tackling crime in the city.
Also this hour: We revisit a Texas case that tested what happens when the public's right to know bumps up against an individual's right to privacy.
Then, a conversation with Muhammad Ali biographer Jonathan Eig.
On Friday's show: We look ahead to what's going to be a very hot Juneteenth weekend with Eric Berger of Space City Weather.
Also this hour: Ten years ago this week, the Supreme Court gutted a provision in the federal Voting Rights Act that required Texas and other southern states to get permission to make changes related to voting. We discuss what's happened since with law professor Charles "Rocky" Rhodes.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Houston writer Isobella Jade shares some memories of her departed father in talking about her new memoir Running Rebel & Mad Dog, A Memoir of Heirlooms Left Behind.
On Thursday's show: As temperatures rise this week we talk with HPM reporters about efforts to help the city's homeless population and what ERCOT is monitoring for our electric grid.
Also this hour: We consider Houston's reputation as a humid, muggy, and perhaps somewhat inhospitable place with Dylan Baddour from Inside Climate News
Then, we learn about a group of conservative, Christian mothers fighting to protect their LGBTQ+ children as featured in a new documentary by Independent Lens.
And we visit The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park and learn about an important figure in Houston's African-American history.
On Wednesday's show: Former Pres. Donald Trump's appearance in a Miami courthouse following his indictment last week was historic. But it wasn't the only story worth discussing in the world of politics this week. We discuss that and other developments in politics in an extended edition of our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Immersive experiences are all the rage in entertainment in recent memory. Whether it's walking through a three-dimensional recreation of a Vincent Van Gogh painting, or taking a virtual reality trip to the International Space Station, we take a closer look at the draw and success of such attractions in Houston.
And the podcast Notes from America with Kai Wright will broadcast a Juneteenth special from Houston Public Media on Sunday night (which will also air in place of Monday's Houston Matters). We talk with Wright about the special and his podcast.
On Tuesday's show: The saga over the fate of Fairfield Lake State Park took a dramatic turn this weekend. Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners voted unanimously to condemn the park and pursue eminent domain in order to take over the 5,000-acre plot of land southeast of Dallas, so it can remain open for public use. We get an update on that story and on some rules state regulators are considering over where concrete batch plants are built.
Also this hour: Trains stopped on tracks has made traffic a nightmare at times in Houston’s East End. A plan to build underpasses aims to help. We discuss why such transportation improvements often take so long and are so complicated.
Then, on the heels of a a mayoral candidate forum on arts and culture, we talk with a couple of the folks behind it about what they heard from the candidates and what their priorities are for arts and culture in Houston in the years to come.
And we listen back on a 2019 conversation with Poppy Northcutt, the first woman in Mission Control at Johnson Space Center during the Apollo missions.
On Monday's show: The first days of Houston’s public schools under new management have been dramatic. A new superintendent has been installed. A new board of managers has been sworn in. New policies are going into place. And there's the same old protests about all of it.
We assess the opening days of a new era for Houston ISD with the help of News 88.7 reporters Dominic Anthony Walsh and Rebecca Noel.
Also this hour: Tonight at 9, Houston Public Media, TV 8 will air Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts. The documentary chronicles the story of the African-American troops who served our nation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in a time of great racial discrimination and segregation.
We hear an excerpt of a visit to the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston from an upcoming edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson, which debuts June 17.
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: The Supreme Court issued a surprise decision striking down Alabama’s Congressional maps for minimizing Black voters’ influence to one district. Could there be implications for Texas? We talk it over with Charles “Rocky” Rhodes, a law professor at South Texas College of Law Houston.
Also this hour: Celebrated classical pianist Amy Yang performs June 20 at the Texas Music Festival on the University of Houston campus. It’s a homecoming, of sorts, for her. We find out why and what it has to do with the music she’ll play.
Then, from recent security breaches at Bush Airport, to Houston being home to another James Beard Award-winning chef, we ask this week’s “non-expert panel” to contemplate The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Texas blues singer Ruthie Foster talks about her life and career in an excerpt from this week’s encore edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.
On Thursday's show: It got a bit heated at Harris County Commissioners Court this week. County Judge Lina Hidalgo dropped an F-bomb while criticizing commissioners about their loyalty to the county’s district attorney. News 88.7 reporter Andrew Schneider explains what it was all about and updates us on other recent developments from the county.
Also this hour: We meet astronaut Christina Hammock Koch, who will be the first woman to embark on a mission to the moon.
Then, the news that the PGA Tour will merge with its rival, the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, we discuss the concept of "sportswashing," a tactic countries sometimes use to deflect attention from their track records on human rights.
And the Bryan Museum in Galveston has an exhibit about Black high school football in Texas on display through July 2. It's based on the book, Thursday Night Lights, and we revisit our 2017 conversation with its author, Michael Hurd.
Houston
On Wednesday's show: The presidential campaign field for 2024 is growing, while efforts to pass property taxes in Texas are stalled. We discuss those and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Full Menu, Houston food writers discuss some of their favorite new restaurants of 2023 so far.
And Houston musician DJ Sun talks about adapting his most recent album, Loveletter, for a performance onstage Saturday at Miller Outdoor Theatre with the orchestra Aperio, Music of the Americas.
On Tuesday's show: We talk about Saudi Arabia’s decision to cut oil production and what that may mean for the oil and gas industry here in Houston and gas prices for consumers, especially during the busy summer travel months.
And we learn about Houston chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter of Street to Kitchen, who won a James Beard Award for Best Chef in Texas.
Also this hour: A new book from Texas Monthly called Lone Stars Rising profiles 50 influential Texans who have impacted our state. A number of them, of course, are (or were) Houstonians.
Then, the Houston Chronicle’s Jhair Romero explains some concerns about how non-English speakers in Houston learn about emergencies.
And we discuss how the criminal justice system handles people accused of violent crimes who are indefinitely determined to be mentally incompetent to stand trial.
On Monday's show: Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, the CEO of Harris Health, makes his case for a $2.5 billion bond measure that would raise funds for a new LBJ Hospital and other public health services.
Also this hour: We offer listeners their monthly opportunity to vent about their pet peeves about life in Greater Houston.
And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Now that we know who is going to lead Houston ISD under the state takeover, how is it sitting with area educators? We get reaction from the Houston Federation of Teachers to a new superintendent and new board of managers running the district.
Also this hour: Andrew Schneider tells us about the legal limbo some Houston-area Afghan refugees find themselves in and how a bill in Congress could address it.
Then, from ERCOT’s new power grid dashboard, to a Galveston sinkhole swallowing an SUV, to an annual race down a hill chasing after cheese, we discuss intriguing developments in the news on this week’s The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
And the Houston School of Irish Music leads a gathering and performance this weekend of Irish musicians at the University of St. Thomas.
On Thursday's show: The Texas Education Agency has unveiled the new Houston ISD Superintendent and the nine members of the TEA appointed Board of Managers who will oversee the state’s largest public school district. We check in with News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh for details.
Also today: Hurricane season is here. NOAA’s lead hurricane forecaster joins us to discuss what to expect this year, and we get a refresher on what you need to know and prepare for ahead of a tropical storm or hurricane.
Then, we learn what it takes for immigrant students to become Americans. That's the subject of Making Americans, a book by teacher Jessica Lander. We talk with her and with Dr. Marie Moreno, former director of Las Americas Newcomer School here in Houston, which is featured in the book.
And we check out the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s new shark exhibit.
On Wednesday's show: The Texas Legislature has gone into overtime. We discuss what lies ahead in special sessions in the coming months and what to expect from the Texas Senate’s impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton in our weekly political roundup.
Also this hour: Anheuser-Busch has had a rough go of it lately, watching sales of Bud Light and some other products tumble after backlash to a marketing effort to appeal to a broader customer base by providing a transgender influencer with a customized can of beer to tout on social media. Corporations have had a hard time determining when and in what ways to engage in public discourse and in what ways not to. We seek advice for Houston-area companies large and small for how to navigate an increasingly strident and intense social media world that gives and takes away sales depending on what you do or don’t say.
And we learn about preparations being made for Houston to host World Cup matches in 2026.
On Tuesday's show: A new Frontline documentary, “After Uvalde: Guns, Grief & Texas Politics,” examines the aftermath of the deadliest school shooting in Texas history. The documentary tells the story of how some grieving families have been pushing to raise the minimum age to purchase assault-style weapons in Texas. We talk with host María Hinojosa about the film, which airs tonight at 9 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.
Also this hour: Houstonian Wes Anderson's new film Asteroid City hits theaters next month. We revisit a conversation with Anderson about how Houston has influenced his films. And we revisit a conversation with Jeff Goldblum, who has been a part of the ensemble of actors frequently in Anderson's films over the years.
Then, we discuss the long history and fight over disaster recovery funding for Houston after Hurricane Harvey. It’s been four years since Congress passed a bill authorizing $4.3 billion in aid to communities affected by the storm for flood mitigation projects. Houston and Harris County experienced half the damage from Harvey, but, to date, the city has been given none of that funding.
And we reflect on the last days of Sam Houston.
On Friday's show: Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee announced the county is suing the state of Texas over bills passed during the Texas Legislature specifically targeting Harris County elections. Menefee joins us to explain.
Also this hour: Summer is practically here, and many Houstonians will travel to beaches or more temperate places to escape the heat. And many will opt to rent a vacation property through Airbnb or VRBO instead of booking a hotel room. But what are the advantages and drawbacks of going that route?
Then, we mull over The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we talk with actor Chad Coleman, who's visiting Houston this weekend for Comicpalooza.
On Thursday's show: We discuss what has and hasn't changed since the murder of George Floyd three years ago today and whether the activism that rose up after it backfired, at least here in Texas.
Also this hour: If the United States defaults on its debt, what does it mean for Houstonians and our local economy?
Then, the new film BlackBerrycaptures the rise and fall of the once-ubiquitous device. For a time, heads were buried in BlackBerry devices at NASA, the Medical Center, downtown – all over Houston. We revisit BlackBerry culture in the Bayou City on The Bigger Picture.
And Houston’s Kinetic Ensemble closes out its season with a concert featuring a world premiere by Bayou City-based composer Theo Chandler.
On Wednesday's show: Drama dominates the final days of the regular Texas Legislative session. Why a House committee is investigating Attorney General Ken Paxton, and why he’s calling for House Speaker Dade Phelan to resign. Plus, a late night move by the Texas Senate would make voting illegally a felony. We discuss those stories and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Houston has had a reputation for tearing things down to build something new. However, that's changing. We learn how developers are using state and federal tax credits to save and repurpose buildings with character and history.
And choreographer Justin Peck of the New York City Ballet explains how the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace sculpture at Rice University inspired a new work called Under the Folding Sky that’s making its world premiere as a part of a Houston Ballet performance the next two weeks. Peck also discusses his work choreographing the dance scenes in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake of West Side Story.
On Tuesday's show: The Texas House has passed two bills aimed squarely at Harris County elections. One abolishes the office of Harris County elections administrator, and the other allows the Texas Secretary of State to impose "administrative oversight" during an election. News 88.7's Andrew Schneider explains what the laws would do.
Also this hour: Texas Children’s Hospital was recently cited by OSHA for 15 incidents of workplace violence in 2022, in which patients attacked health care and security personnel. On the heels of that news, we discuss efforts to prevent workplace violence in hospitals.
Then, we learn about some new projects aimed at protecting and conserving the Texas coastline.
And, nearly 30 years after it was first staged, we reflect on the social and artistic themes in the musical Rent with the director of the production at TUTS, which runs through May 28.
On Monday's show: University of Houston energy fellow Ed Hirs recently shared his vision in Forbes of the future for the Texas energy grid. It's something lawmakers are contemplating, too. Hirs joins discusses with us what he'd like to see, what may actually happen, and how wide the divide is between that vision and the reality.
Also this hour: There have been some examples this session of amendments to bills getting added at the last minute and voted on without any real serious review. We discuss some recent examples during this and past sessions and the issues they raise.
Then, we discuss the latest news in comsumer technology with the help of columnist Dwight Silverman.
And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: We learn more details about the state takeover of HISD that were outlined at the board's final meeting before a state-appointed superintendent and managers take over.
Also this hour: While G7 leaders meet in Japan to discuss concerns over nuclear threats, we focus our attention on the future of nuclear power. Can Texas make more of possible nuclear resources and learn from other countries?
Then, from outrage over a student’s suspension, to even more outrage over self-service kiosks asking for tips, our panel of non-experts weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Houston musician Robert Ellis joins us for a conversation about his new album, Yesterday's News, and to perform.
On Thursday's show: This week, the Harris County Jail had its sixth inmate death of the year. We consider how this compares to the trends of recent years and what the county is doing to mitigate it.
Also this hour: Local sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula of UTHealth and TIRR Memorial Hermann answers your questions about sleep and sleep disorders.
And we learn about the delicate art of raising dart frogs ahead of the National Amphibian Keepers Convention this weekend.
On Wednesday's show: School vouchers, online sports betting, and efforts to pass a budget -- we talk through what is and what is not happening in the Texas Legislature in this week’s political roundup. We also catch up on debt ceiling negotiations, the impact of the expiration of Title 42, and other developments in Washington.
Also this hour: The process for passing Houston's next budget has begun. Mayor Sylvester Turner presented his $6.2 billion proposed budget Tuesday, the final one of his tenure. It includes pay raises for city workers, nearly doubling the amount of spending on the city’s drainage and street repair program, and putting more than $400 million in savings, the largest reserves for the city in recent memory. And, while that all sounds fairly rosy, there’s still some reason for concern about the city’s financial situation in the coming years, according to City Controller Chris Brown. He joins us to talk it over.
And we revisit our 2022 conversation with Richard Linklater about his movie Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood, which was all about growing up in Houston during the moon landing.
On Tuesday's show: You’d think gun rights and abortion would be two wedge issues that divide Houstonians. However, the latest Houston Area Survey from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University suggests there’s a meeting of most minds on some aspects of both. We dig into the latest findings of this long-running survey of attitudes and beliefs in our region.
Also this hour: We discuss where Texas stands on marijuana laws.
And we find out what it's like digging through the secret archives of one of your literary heroes as we revisit a 2019 conversation with Houston native Ben Moser, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his biography of Susan Sontag.
On Monday's show: A Texas House committee is scheduled to take up a school vouchers bill today. We learn more about it from News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.
Also this hour: Last week, the TCEQ heard comments from residents over a permit renewal for the ITC plant where a days-long fire took place in 2019. Just a few hours later and just a mile down the road from ITC, a fire broke out at a Shell plant in Deer Park. While that timing is coincidental, it punctuated concerns some residents near those plants have about safety. We learn more about the permitting process for such plants and what influence -- if any -- public input has on that.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: We discuss the Greater Houston Partnership's annual report about our region's connections to the global economy, from exports, to imports, to foreign investment here.
Also this hour: Former Houston Rocket Kenny Smith discusses his new memoir, Talk of Champions: Stories of the People Who Made Me.
Then, from a driverless ride-hailing service coming to Houston, to a large load of illegally dumped pasta, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And DaCamera hosts jazz drummer and Houston native Kendrick Scott in a performance tonight of his production Unearthed, about the Sugar Land 95, the Black men used in convict leasing whose unmarked graves were discovered in 2018.
On Thursday's show: Daniel Perry was sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing Garret Foster during a protest against police violence and racial injustice in Austin in 2020. We discuss the politically charged case with the Texas Tribune's Jolie McCullough.
Also this hour: As the Title 42 immigration policy comes to an end, we consider whether Houston is prepared for a possible influx of migrants with FIEL Houston, Catholic Charities, and immigration lawyer Gordon Quan.
Then, we talk with The Marshall Project journalist Maurice Chammah, the reporter and host behind the investigative podcast series called Smoke Screen: Just Say You’re Sorry. The series examines the tactics a famed Texas Ranger used to get a man to confess to a murder he now says he didn't commit.
And we learn about the final concert of the 15th anniversary season of Apollo Chamber Players.
On Wednesday's show: From debt ceiling negotiations, to Title 42 ending, to bills under consideration in the Texas Legislature, we discuss the latest developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: After the school shooting in Santa Fe, a state law requires schools to utilize threat assessment protocols that include mental health interventions for troubled students. But a Texas Observer investigation finds most districts aren’t complying with it.
And lots of Texas-related movies and TV are coming your way thanks to Texas Monthly. We learn why.
On Tuesday's show: We get an update on efforts to clean up after the Shell plant fire in Deer Park last week.
And are some Houston public schools still suspending more students than they need to? Hannah Dellinger of the Houston Chronicle walks us through the paper’s investigative report.
Also this hour: We find out what a hurricane is like from the inside from NOAA's Hurricane Hunters, who recently brought some of their aircaft to Ellington Field.
Then, an expert discusses the good and bad aspects of the host of new mental health apps available to the general public in recent years.
And we discuss the effect book banning has on minority youth ahead of this weekend's BIPOC Book Festival.
On Monday's show: We learn about the death of a worker at Tesla's factory near Austin and why the company didn't report it as required.
Also this hour: We talk with author and professor Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. He’s the keynote speaker at a conference May 18-19 Harris County officials are organizing on racial and ethnic disparities and fairness in the county’s criminal justice system.
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.
On Thursday's show: We learn about the findings of the latest homeless count.
Also this hour: Dr. Richard Ludwick, the president of the University of Saint Thomas, discusses the state of his institution and the challenges facing small, liberal arts colleges these days.
Then, NPR recently reported on why ice melting in Antarctica is affecting Texas -- and Galveston specifically -- more than other places. Reporter Rebecca Hersher explains why.
And a new exhibit focuses on The Jewish Deli, exploring how Jewish immigrants, mostly from Central and Eastern Europe, brought recipes and traditions with them to create an American restaurant staple of the 20th century.
On Wednesday's show: Activity is really heating up now in the Texas Legislature. We walk through the latest with in this week’s political roundup.
Also this hour: Food writers share their favorite places for brunch in the latest installment of The Full Menu.
And Third Coast Percussion, a Grammy Award-winning ensemble of classically trained percussionists, explores the "duality of human nature" in a performance Friday night.
On Tuesday's show: We check in with News 88.7 reporter Lucio Vasquez about the latest efforts to find the man suspected of shooting and killing five people in a home in Cleveland, Texas early Saturday. Police say 38-year-old Francisco Oropesa fled the area. Investigators continue to search for him, and authorities are offering $80,000 for information about his whereabouts.
Also this hour: A bill passed by the Texas Senate would require the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms. Another would let school boards adopt prayer or religious study periods. We discuss what’s motivating these bills and how courts might interpret them.
And Sam Houston State University professor Sinem Akay-Sullivan trains professionals in her native Turkey to help children traumatized by earthquakes there earlier this year.
On Monday's show: Recenty, some Houston-area school groups canceled field trips to see a Main Street Theater production of "James and the Giant Peach" over concerns about cross-gender casting. Is this connected to the gender-related politics of the moment or a fundamental misunderstanding of theater? We talk it over.
Also this hour: It’s time for another round of pet peeves where listeners share any nitpicky frustrations about life in Greater Houston.
And we recap the moves the Texans made during the NFL Draft.
On Friday's show: We talk with Erin Douglas of the Texas Tribune about an investigation into the aftermath of the 2019 ITC chemical fire in Deer Park.
Also this hour: From a massive blob of seaweed that could be coming to Galveston beaches soon, to the ingredients of a Houston Matters-themed pizza at Saint Arnold, our panel of "non-experts" weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
Then, five years ago, three police officers were implicated in an illegal gambling ring in Chinatown. Now, a native of that same neighborhood has made a movie about it using grant money from the city. And it stars an HPD officer. We talk with director Quoc Tan Ly Huynh, who goes by Q.T. Ly.
And, this weekend, Houston will participate in the City Nature Challenge, which involves residents using a mobile app to document and identify plants and animals in their neighborhoods.
On Thursday's show: The Houston Rockets have hired Ime Udoka as the team's new head coach. But is he worth the baggage? Udoka was suspended by his former team, the Boston Celtics, during the 2022-2023 season because of a relationship with a female subordinate. We discuss with Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
Also this hour: A five-month investigation by Houston Public Media found there were problems with Harris County’s elections that stretched over multiple years under the leadership of both parties, including the role staff layoffs and poor training played. But little evidence has been found that those problems were intentional or that they affected election outcomes. News 88.7 politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider brings us an in-depth report.
Then, this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, takes a look at how attitudes towards marketing and athletics have transformed from the days of Michael Jordan’s endorsement deal with Nike, which is the subject of the new film Air.
And we learn about a new video installation and concert this weekend exploring Houstonians’ post-Harvey relationship to water.
Our program premiered on April 26, 2013, as the essential daily guide to the people, places, issues, and ideas that define Greater Houston. And, while those issues and ideas have changed (along with our timeslot and the makeup of the team of producers behind the show), that basic mission has remained in place.
Across ten years, we’ve covered triumphs and tragedies, successes and scandals, floods, and a pandemic. If it’s happened in Houston, we’ve probably discussed it – a lot – here on Houston Matters.
In this two-hour edition, we share some highlights from our first ten years, including some of the team’s favorite reports and conversations over the years, some famous voices you’ve heard, and some great musical moments on the show.
CELEBRATE WITH US:
Join us tonight from 6-8 to celebrate in the beer garden at Saint Arnold brewery. There will be some food, drink, swag, and a chat to meet the team.
On Tuesday's show: Recent efforts at the state legislature to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion programs on college campuses could end up costing the state billions of dollars, according to Chris Tomlinson of the Houston Chronicle in a recent column. He explains why.
Also this hour: Privacy and convenience are often at loggerheads in the digital world. The apps we use require certain permissions to operate, which could put some personal data at risk. From online banking, to medical privacy, to recent concerns about “juice jacking” – how can we best protect our data at home, work, and everywhere in-between while still enjoying all of the conveniences the digital world offers?
Then, as Houston Matters prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary this week, we talk about how the food and restaurant scene has changed here in the past decade with our panel of food writers from The Full Menu.
And longtime acting coach Michelle Danner talks about her new movie, Miranda's Victim, which tells the story of the victim in the case that established Miranda rights. The film is being screened Saturday nigth at the WorldFest-Houston film festival.
On Monday's show: Air Alliance Houston has released findings of a new effort to sample the air in Houston, which found "significant presence" of a toxic gas linked to respiratory problems and fine particulate matter that can cause serious health conditions.
Also this hour: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and we discuss efforts to prevent child abuse since the pandemic with DePelchin Children’s Center.
Then, as Houston Matters prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, we continue our series of conversations about how things in the city have and have not changed in the past decade. Today, we consider how the technology landscape has changed with the help of columnist Dwight Silverman.
And we get an update on local sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: We discuss what was learned from the launch and explosion of SpaceX's unmanned Starship rocket.
Also this hour: As Houston Matters prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, we continue our series of conversations about how things in the city have and have not changed in the past decade. Today, we talk about how the arts and culture scene has changed here.
And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: We learn about some new local efforts to address the fentanyl crisis. And we get an update on a proposed school bond Fort Bend County voters will take up in a local election next month.
Also this hour: As Houston Matters prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, we continue our series of conversations about how things in the city have and have not changed in the past decade. Today, we talk with experts about how the energy industry and concerns about the environment have changed in that time.
And, on April 26, Texas is scheduled to execute death row inmate Ivan Cantu. He was convicted in 2000 for the murder of his cousin and the man’s fiancée in the Dallas area. A podcast series about his case has raised questions about his trial. Michael Hagerty explores whether such questions are commonly raised as a death row inmate’s execution date looms, especially in Texas, which executes more people than any other state.
On Wednesday's show: Houston has the highest rate of vacant office space of any metro area in the country, but, at the same time, it has one of the highest rates of workers returning to the office. What gives? We discuss with Yahoo! Finance reporter Dani Romero.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics. And, as Houston Matters prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, we continue our series of conversations about how things in the city have and have not changed in the past decade. Today, we reflect on how the political landscape of Greater Houston has changed in that time.
On Tuesday's show: Guns are, once again, in the news. Following more mass shootings over the weekend, and area police warning Houstonians about a rise in gun thefts from cars, a Texas House committee today is scheduled to debate some bills filed in response to last year’s school shooting in Uvalde. We discuss those developments and efforts to minimize crimes connected to guns.
Also this hour: As Houston Matters prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, we continue our series of conversations about how things in the city have and have not changed in the past decade. Today, we talk with experts about past storms and efforts to minimize the effects from future floods.
And we talk with Houston storyteller Greg Audel. He has a new one-man show at The MATCH in which he shares stories of the many unique encounters and conservations he's had with celebrities over the years.
On Monday's show: This past weekend, the Astros joined a growing number of Major League Baseball teams that began extending alcohol sales to the end of ballgames. We discuss why they're doing it and whether it's a good thing or a bad thing.
Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your questions.
And, as Houston Matters prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, we continue our series of conversations about how the area has changed (or hasn’t) over the last decade. In our next conversation, Jeff Balke discusses how Houston's sports landscape has changed.
On Friday's show: A Texas federal judge's ruling barring use of a 20-year-old abortion pill takes effect today, while the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has set some limits on its use while preparing to hear the case. Where does this leave Texans who may need the drug now? What will the Fifth Circuit do? And will the U.S. Supreme Court take this up?
Also this hour: As Houston Matters prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, we continue our series of conversations about how the area has changed (or hasn't) over the last decade. In our second conversation, we discuss how Houston’s population and its attitudes have changed.
And, from a bill to permanently keep Texas on daylight saving time, to a study finding global warming means more home runs in baseball, this week’s “non-expert panel” breaks down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: As Houston Matters prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, we begin a series of conversations about how the area has changed (or hasn’t) over the last decade. We start with a conversation about mobility and transportation.
And the One O’Clock Lab Band from the University of North Texas, one the nation's premeire jazz ensembles, performs with the Houston Symphony tonight. We meet its director, Alan Baylock, who has composed a piece for the concert.
On Wednesday's show: Pres. Joe Biden officially ended the COVID-19 national emergency declaration this week after three years. The declaration enabled the government to make large-scale, decisive moves in the realms of public health and the economy to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. We discuss what its end means for Houston and reflect on its impact.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
And recent kidnappings in Mexico brought the topic of medical tourism to the forefront, but it’s not just Mexico. We learn why Houston artist Maria Chavez traveled to Japan for brain surgery and why many others are leaving the country for medical care as well.
On Tuesday's show: There’s a plan in the Texas Legislature to use public money to fund the construction of some new natural gas-fueled power plants. And it already has its fair share of critics for various reasons. Well, you can probably add another complaint to the list: overall cost. We find out what the plan could really cost and what that means for its prospects.
Also this hour: The series The Last of Us takes place in a world brought down by a rampant fungal pandemic. While that’s science fiction, we learn about the science fact behind it that’s gotten on the CDC’s radar from Dr. Luis Ostrosky of UTHealth.
Plus: It stretches 19 miles across Houston’s sprawl, and it’s not exactly the kind of thing you take tourists or out-of-town visitors to see. But driving the expansive length of Westheimer Road can tell you a lot about Houston. Arman Badrei, the author of a recent piece in Texas Monthly explains his love letter to Westheimer.And we revisit our trip to the Houston Yacht Club to learn about the oldest yacht club in Texas and some of the competitive sailing events it hosts.
On Monday's show: Former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins has dropped out of the Houston mayor's race and is running for city controller instead. Also, attorney and former mayoral candidate Tony Buzbee said he's considering another run. We discuss those and other developments in the ever-evolving race for Houston mayor.
Also this hour: Dr. Stephen C. Head, the chancellor of Lone Star College joins us to talk about the school's 50th anniversary and what’s in store for its future.
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke, who writes for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Friday's show: Many homeowners in Greater Houston have been getting their annual property appraisal notices in recent weeks, and, in many cases, they're going up. And that means a hike in taxes. We learn why those values are rising even though the housing market is slowing down.
Also this hour: With an ongoing computer ship shortage, we learn about recent efforts to bring investments in the semiconductor industry to Texas and what the CHIPS and Science Act could do for the industry in our state and Houston.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we talk with writer Pamela Ribon. Her story of growing up near Katy and navigating her sexual maturity in the 1990s is told in the Academy Award-nominated animated short, My Year of Dicks.
On Thursday's show: Saudi Arabia and a number of other oil-producing countries in the Middle East have announced a significant cut in oil production beginning in May. What will that mean for the Houston economy?
Also this hour: To address the problem of childhood obesity, Texas and many other states have passed laws requiring kids get a certain number of hours of physical activity in school. So, why isn’t it working? We talk with a researcher behind a recent study on the subject. And educators discuss ways to improve PE and other forms of physical activity at school.
And the First Fridays Reading Series, Houston's longest-running poetry reading series and open mic, returns this week for the first time since the pandemic began. Poet Chris Wise talks about the role the event plays in the literary community and in his own development as a writer.
On Wednesday's show: The arrest and arraignment of Former Pres. Donald Trump makes for an historic week in American politics. We discuss that and plenty of other matters closer to home in an extended edition of our weekly political roundup.
Also this hour: Inflation, economic concerns, a big income tax bill coming due – plenty of us have reasons to try and cut expenses lately. But you still need to eat. So, food writers on The Full Menu discuss some of their favorite spots in Houston to dine on a budget.
And our producer William Menjivar goes fishing on Buffalo Bayou with Alex Sosa of Buffalo Bayou Fishing Champs.
On Tuesday's show: Last week’s shooting at a private elementary school in Nashville brought about the usual calls to action and “thoughts and prayers” that follow mass shootings in America. Yet the disagreement over what to do and the ensuing policy stalemate continues. A new report from Rice University suggests two specific actions to address the problem by – among other things – honing in on a trait most of the shooters have in common. We learn what those are.
Also this hour: A state lawmaker from Houston filed a bill last month calling for a study into a certain type of chemical used in fracking that’s long been linked to a range of health problems. We learn what polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are and how concerned we should be about their use in Texas drilling from Amal Ahmed, who's written about the subject for the news collaborative Floodlight.
Then, News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh helps us dissect the rhetoric surrounding school vouchers and the debate about them at the Texas Legislature.
And Holly Lyn Walrath talks about creating works of art that are both visual creations and written poems created by blacking out words on the pages of existing books. Her exhibit, Poetry Between the Lines, is on display through May 13 at
Sabine Street Studios.
On Monday's show: We learn about a pair of bills in the legislature that could change who's in charge of elections in Harris County. News 88.7 reporter Andrew Schneider explains.
Also this hour: It's time for another round of pet peeves where listeners share any nitpicky frustrations about life in Greater Houston.
And we review the Astros’ season-opening series and preview the men's college basketball national championship game with the Final Four here in Houston.
On Friday's show: University of Houston Chancellor Renu Khator joins us to discuss developments at UH and answer listener questions.
Also this hour: From Houston Public Works taking control of some wastewater treatment plants in Kingwood, to a kerfuffle over Renaissance art being taught in a Florida school, to fishermen from Port Aransas catching a REALLY big one, we ask this week’s panel of “non-experts” to weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: We learn why a vote was postponed over the City of Houston's plan to add a new Conservation District to its preservation ordinance to protect neighborhoods whose history has been wiped out by years of redevelopment.
Also this hour: Jim Nantz is calling his last Final Four on CBS this weekend and doing it right here in Houston where he attended the University of Houston and worked at KUHF. We talk with the longtime broadcaster about his Houston connections and memories of college basketball tournaments past.
Then, we talk with Peggy Whitson, America’s most experienced astronaut. She’s logged 665 cumulative days in space and will add to that number soon as the commander of an Axiom Space mission slated for early May.
And a new exhibit celebrates the life and impact of Houstonian Walter Hopps, the founding director of the Menil Collection.
On Wednesday's show: What are the biggest challenges children face growing up in Houston? A new report from Children at Risk sheds some light on the situation.
Also this hour: A new poll finds a majority of Americans say the criminal investigations into former Pres. Donald Trump’s conduct are fair. We discuss that, the Houston mayor’s race, and more in our weekly political roundup.
Then, former Harris County GOP chair Jared Woodfill is in hot water after admitting under oath that he knew for years about child sex abuse claims against Paul Pressler, his law partner and a Southern Baptist leader. We learn the latest from Texas Tribune democracy reporter Robert Downen.
And Troy Schulze talks with Gerry Cottle, the founder of Uptown Houston’s Rooftop Cinema Club.
On Tuesday's show: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is running for mayor of Houston. We discuss what the announcement means for the other declared candidates – and for her.
Also this hour: The battle over restaurants in Houston’s major airports.
Then, we talk about what Texas and other states are contemplating about kids, mental health, and social media.
And we talk tacos, because it’s Taco Tuesday. (But also, we don’t need a reason, right?)
On Monday's show: At the end March, people on Medicaid will have to start signing up for the program again to renew their coverage, instead of the “continuous enrollment” method, which rolled enrollment over from year to year and was part of the federal government’s COVID-19 health emergency policy.
As a consequence, the federal Department of Health and Human Services expects 6.8 million people to lose their coverage even though they are still eligible. We discuss what this could mean for Texas, a state with so many uninsured and relying on Medicaid.
Also this hour: We learn about the Biden administration’s immigration policies and their potential impact on Houston and Texas.
Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses some of the latest developments in consumer technology
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke, who writes for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Friday's show: The UH Cougars face the University of Miami in the Sweet 16 tonight. We preview the matchup.
Also this hour: It can be a frustrating situation when someone pressures you to be up and cheerful even when there’s good reason not to be. We discuss what to do at home, school, or work when toxic positivity goes too far.
Then we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we get an in-studio performance from accordion player Alex Meixner.
On Thursday's show: Houston-area restaurants want to keep expanded outdoor seating established early during the COVID-19 pandemic. Houston City Council is considering it. We talk it over with the Greater Houston Restaurant Association and discuss the state of area restaurants.
Also this hour: We learn more about the wrongful death lawsuit filed in Galveston County against three Texas women over allegedly helping a friend obtain an abortion. The friend’s ex-husband is the plaintiff.
Then, reacclimating to society after time spent in prison is challenging, to say the least. It’s also one of the subplots depicted in the new film Creed III. That film and that challenge are the subject of this month’s The Bigger Picture.
And we visit Fly Girls of WWII, an exhibit at the 1940 Air Terminal Museum on the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of the 1940s and learn about some who worked through Houston Municipal Airport in the 40s and 50s.
On Wednesday's show: Informational meetings are being held the rest of this month about the state’s takeover of HISD. The first was Tuesday night at Westbury High School. We learn what information was shared at the meeting and what attendees took away from it.
Also this hour: From presidential politics, to the state legislature and beyond, there is plenty to discuss in our weekly political roundup.
And we visit a new permanent exhibit space at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston featuring Art of the Islamic Worlds.
On Tuesday's show: How are state lawmakers addressing affordable housing this legislative session? We discuss with Joshua Fechter of the Texas Tribune.
Also this hour: A proposed bill in the legislature would give the state control of the Harris County Flood Control District. That, if it passes, along with the TEA takeover of HISD would be just two recent examples of growing state influence on local municipalities. We talk through it with Texas Monthly senior editor Michael Hardy and Rice University political fellow Mark Jones.
Then, local storm chaser and photographer Adam Kyle Jackson talks about the challenges of his job.
And Republican state lawmakers have filed a raft of bills aimed at combating alleged election fraud and making the officials who conduct elections more accountable to the voters. News 88.7 politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider takes a closer look at some of the major proposals, which could make it even tougher to vote in Texas than it already is.
On Monday's show: With recent news of regional bank failures, we discuss what the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is and does -- and what else you should know about any financial institution in which you deposit money.
Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller and answers your questions.
And, as the UH Cougars move on to the Sweet 16, we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke and discuss why March is one of the best months of the year for sports.
On Friday's show: We’ve shared the perspectives of local, state, and federal officials to the state’s takeover of Houston’s public schools. We’ve heard teachers’ perspectives, and from the HISD Board that’s about to be replaced. This morning, we seek insight from district parents on the situation.
Also this hour: With recent news of Barnes & Noble making a comeback, we talk with two Houston independent bookstores, Blue Willow Bookshop and Kindred Stories, about the state of their industry and the role they play in the community.
Then: More reaction to the state takeover of Houston public schools, and a growing St. Patrick’s Day trend -- bars promoting non-alcoholic drinks during the holiday festivities. Our panel weighs in on both stories on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
And Joshua Zinn visits a local park that’s getting some upgrades, including interactive musical instruments for kids to play on. It's the first of many planned improvements to certain Harris County neighborhoods.
On Thursday's show: For the HISD Board of Trustees, the next few months could be awkward. The state will take control of Houston’s public schools in June and will replace the board. What should they do until then? We ask the board's president, Dani Hernandez.
Also this hour: We discuss a wide range of education-related topics and welcome listener questions for Rice University President Reginald DesRoches.
And we hear from ‘80s rock ‘n roller Rick Springfield, the man behind hit songs like Jessie’s Girl, Don’t Talk to Strangers, and Human Touch. He performs on Saturday at Space Center Houston’s Moon 2 Mars Festival.
The Texas Education Agency informed the Houston Independent School District on Wednesday of its plans to install state-appointed managers in place of HISD’s elected school board.
In effect, the state of Texas will take control of Houston schools.
This move has been nearly four years in the making. The TEA first sought to take control of the district in 2019 under authority established by state law, which says if any one school in a district fails to meet accountability standards for five consecutive years, the state has the authority -- and the mandate -- to take control of the entire district.
This was something HISD had been challenging in court. But the district announced last week it was ending that court challenge when it became clear TEA Commissioner Mike Morath was preparing to make this move.
In this bonus material from Houston Matters, host Craig Cohen discusses how the takeover will happen, when it will occur, and what other steps TEA is prepared to make with News 88.7 education and families reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.
We also hear portions of Dominic's interview with Commissioner Morath and Craig talks with Houston Federation of Teachers President Jackie Anderson.
MORE: Considering race, class and power in TEA takeover of HISD
On Wednesday's show: U.S. tourists in Mexico are getting some prescriptions that are laced with fentanyl and methamphetamines. We discuss with healthcare expert Ken Janda.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, we consider how Houstonians use social media amid new developments for some of the major platforms.
And we visit a school where students are preparing early for their careers: the Dr. Kirk Lewis Career and Technical High School in Pasadena.
On Tuesday's show: Texas is reopening the application portal for its rent relief program, which the state says has prevented around 21,000 evictions and has paid out more than $2 billion since its inception in 2021. The portal opens today at 8 a.m. and continues until March 28 at 11:59 p.m. CT, to help eligible households with rent and utility payments.
Also this hour: As we head into warmer months, we talk about preparing for severe weather in the Houston area.
Then, Dr. Ricardo Nuila, a Houston native an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine, talks about his new book telling the deeply personal stories of five families struggling to access the most basic healthcare. In The People’s Hospital: Hope and Peril in American Medicine, Dr. Nuila presents Ben Taub (and Houston’s health care overall) as a model for the nation. We learn why.
And former NFL receiver Earl Bennett talks about getting his Ph.D. at the University of Houston and how he plans to use what he learned to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in college athletic departments.
On Monday's show: The deadline for Texas lawmakers to file bills for consideration in the legislature has passed. We discuss the priorities in Austin going forward.
Also this hour: John Tefft has served as the U.S. ambassador to both Russia and Ukraine. He offers insight on the war between those two countries and its effect on the world. Tefft was in Houston last week for speeches at the University of Saint Thomas and Rice University.
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And we preview what’s ahead for the Houston Cougars and other area college basketball teams who made the cut for the NCAA college basketball tournament. The UH men enter March Madness as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Regional portion of the bracket.
On Friday's show: As the much-rumored potential state takeover of HISD looms over the educational landscape of Greater Houston, Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, talks about the wait for a decision and what a takeover could mean for the district's teachers.
Also this hour: We discuss what the Supreme Court heard recently about the Biden administration’s partial student debt cancellation plan and what it might mean for Houstonians paying off student loans.
Then: Could the Tennessee Titans really wear throwback Houston Oilers jerseys next season when they play the Texans? It’s possible – but is it good, bad, or ugly? This week’s “non-expert” panel weighs in.
And sound artist Maria Chavez, a former Houstonian and UH alum, returns to live performance after brain surgery. She performs tonight at The Orange Show.
On Thursday's show: Two bills filed this week seek to return management of elections to elected officials but only in counties with populations greater than a million. We learn more about these and other election-related bills under consideration in the legislature from News 88.7 reporter Andrew Schneider.
Also this hour: We learn how researchers at the University of Houston plan to help small-scale farmers increase crop output while decreasing their carbon footprint.
Then, the STAAR test is going online this year. We discuss the pros and cons and learn what concerns educators have about that development.
And Pink Floyd’s seminal album Dark Side of the Moon was released 50 years ago. In the decades since, it’s been used as the backdrop for planetarium light shows, and synced up with The Wizard of Oz for a fairly shockingly well-timed “Dark Side of the Rainbow” experience. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the organizations that’s embraced the Dark Side/planetarium shows. We visit their planetarium and discuss why the music meshes so well with planetarium shows.
On Wednesday's show: A new agreement is in place that will allow the rebuild and expansion of I-45 to move forward, nearly two years after the plan was paused following concerns from numerous stakeholders. We learn what the agreement entails and what concerns remain.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then: How blunt should doctors and patients be with one another when it comes to nutrition and obesity? And what can be done to improve the communication between doctors and patients on these health matters?
And the Oscars are Sunday night, but we reflect on a movie that never got made. It was called Giraffes on Horseback Salad, and the screenplay was the product of an unusual collaboration between comedian Harpo Marx and surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. While it never made it to the big screen, Houston native Josh Frank made it into a graphic novel by the same name. We revisit our 2019 conversation with Frank.
On Tuesday's show: Eli Lilly will be capping the out-of-pocket cost of its insulin at $35 a month. We discuss why the drug maker made this move, how it could prompt other insulin makers (as well as other drug manufacturers) to lower prices, how prices for medications are set, and what other options people have at their disposal for reducing the prices of drugs they buy.
Also this hour: A study says the Gulf of Mexico is warming twice as fast as the world’s other oceans. We learn why and discuss the impact on Greater Houston.
Then, we talk about the state of veterinary medicine and some of the challenges and struggles veterinarians and vet techs are dealing with these days.
And area writer and former Houston poet laureate Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton talks about her new memoir, Black Chameleon, which bends the memoir genre by adding elements of the fantastical, to create a new mythology for Black women growing up in America. She also asked local writers and artists to create their own personal mythologies for an art display at Houston City Hall beginning today.
On Monday's show: CERAWeek, the annual weeklong energy conference, kicks off today at the George R. Brown Convention Center. With that happening in the background, we get an update on the state of the energy industry.
Also this hour: Listeners share their pet peeves about life in Houston.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke, who writes for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Friday's show: We take a closer look at the county's efforts to prevent street racing and parking lot takeovers.
Also this hour: Are traditional assumptions about the affordably of life in Houston really true? News 88.7’s Andrew Schneider reports, and we talk it over.
Then: Whataburger is the least worst on a dubious list. Our panel of non-experts weighs in on this week’s edition of the The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
And we chat with members of KINETIC Ensemble about a new work they’re premiering this weekend, called Her Story. It's inspired by the stories of three women who graduated from the program at the Women’s Home, a local center dedicated to rehabilitation and support for women struggling with addiction.
On Thursday's show: Rumors continue to circulate that the Texas Education Agency will take over the Houston Independent School District in a matter of days. While those rumors remain unconfirmed, News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh joins us to discuss what we do and do not know.
Also this hour: What happened to Houston’s land trust? Back in 2018, the city set aside $60 million to help the nonprofit Houston Community Land Trust establish 1,100 affordable homes in five years. Now, five years later, the trust has created just 136. We discuss why it didn’t work – at least not as intended.
Then, the weather keeps getting warmer. Pollen is showing up on stationary objects. That means sneezing and itchy eyes can't be far behind. Allergist Dr. Dat Tran of Innovative Allergy answers listener questions.
And Texas blues singer Ruthie Foster talks about her life and career in an excerpt from this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.
On Wednesday's show: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo joins us to discuss issues facing the county and to take listener questions.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
And food writers discuss the growing options for chicken around town in this month's edition of The Full Menu.
On Tuesday's show: Crosby ISD is adopting a four-day school week after a narrow vote Monday night. With a number of Texas school districts considering or choosing to implement similar plans, we learn how they work and consider the pros and cons.
Also this hour: We remember the deadly raid and standoff that began 30 years ago at a compound just outside Waco, pitting federal officials against the Branch Davidians religious sect.
Then, it’s tax season, and there are some changes this year involving the standard deduction, tax brackets, capital gains, gifts, and more. We welcome your questions for CPA Jason Sharp of Crowe, LLP.
And a new exhibit at the Menil Collection showcases the art of Cameroon. We learn more about the works on display and about Houstonians with ties to the west central African nation.
On Monday's show: Harris County taxpayers are spent more than $60 million last year for court-appointed private attorneys to represent low-income defendants. And some of those lawyers are taking on far too many cases. We learn more from Harris County Chief Public Defender Alex Bunin and Houston Chronicle investigative reporter Neena Satija, who’s been looking into this.
Also this hour: U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón talks about the role nature plays in her work and her love of Houston's grackles. She's coming to Houston for an event with Inprint on March 6.
Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses some of the latest developments in consumer technology
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke, who writes for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Friday's show: We preview the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which gets underway next week.
Also this hour: We talk with a representative of H-E-B about the state of grocery stores in the Houston area.
Then, from another Starbucks store’s employees organizing, to United Airlines' new policy for parents flying with kids under 12, we mull over The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we preview an upcoming concert from Houston Ebony Opera Guild.
Audio from today's show will be available after 11 a.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, Stitcher and other apps.
On Thursday's show: The Houston Chronicle reports that the online furniture retailer Wayfair plans to drop plans to open a distribution center in Houston, a project that would have created 400 jobs. We discuss that news and what it and stories like it mean about retail and the economy these days.
Also this hour: We get an update on the proposed rail merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern and its potential impact on the Houston area.
Then, how far would you go to sacrifice for the greater good? It’s a question raised in M. Night Shyamalan’s new film Knock at the Cabin. Producer Joshua Zinn explores that question in this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture.
And, after emancipation, a freed slave in Galveston named Hawkins Wilson wanted to reconnect with family members in Virginia he'd been separated from as child. While that never happened when he was alive, a recent documentary shows how it did happen from some of his desendants, including some here in Houston.
On Wednesday's show: In an interview with the Texas Tribune, Gov. Greg Abbott said he intends to be "heavily involved" in the effort to establish education savings accounts (aka school vouchers) this legislative session and backs criminalization of some health care treatments for transgender kids. Texas Tribune political reporter Patrick Svitek joins us with details.
Also this hour: From Pres. Biden’s trip to Kiev, to former Pres. Jimmy Carter’s legacy, we discuss the latest developements in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, we talk with Dr. Matthew Delmont, author of Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad. He’s speaking at this weekend’s Challenging Racism conference at Holocaust Museum Houston.
And we hear some music from the wind quintet WindSync ahead of a concert at Live Oak Friends Meeting House.
On Tuesday's show: We talk about the dramatic twists and turns the Astros have taken over the last decade -- from tanking, to rebuilding, to a championship, to a cheating scandal, to the pandemic, to another World Series win. All of that is covered in a new book from The Athletic’s Evan Drellich called, Winning Fixes Everything: How Baseball's Brightest Minds Created Sports' Biggest Mess.
Also this hour: A Washington, D.C.-based immigration advocacy nonprofit suggests immigrants can help address doctor and nursing shortfalls in Texas, but there are roadblocks in the way.
And we reflect on how railroads have influenced American music. An exhibit about that is on display now at the Rosenberg Railroad Museum.
On Monday's show: The Houston Police Department searched a wastewater plant in Kingwood Friday as part of an investigation into recent complaints about fumes and odors from nearby residents. The investigation turned up what HPD has called "irregularities" from the company operating the Kingwood Central Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Also this hour: We discuss the use of slippery slope arguments. For nearly any potentially divisive issue, someone will argue that if this one step is allowed, it will lead to other steps we almost universally don’t want. We consider those and other logical fallacies and how they find their way into our discourse.
Then veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller and answers your questions.
And we talk with Jeff Balke about the start of Spring Training for the Astros and the many interesting rule changes coming for the 2023 MLB season.
On Friday's show: We reflect on Gov. Greg Abbott's State of the State address with Rice University political scientist Mark Jones.
Also this hour: Monday night at 8 on Houston Public Media, TV 8, the PBS series American Experience presents Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History, which tells the lesser-known origins of the popular board game. In conjunction, members of the Houston Matters team play the 1996 Houston edition of the game and share their memories of playing Monopoly growing up.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we learn about a play at Stages called Cullud Wattah, recounting a family of Black women living through the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
On Thursday's show: This week, Houston City Council discussed a number of proposed low-income housing projects identified by the city's housing department. Some would establish lower rents in portions of properties in higher-income neighborhoods. Residents in some of those neighborhoods have expressed concerns. We discuss the proposed projects with Keith Bynam, director of the Housing and Community Development Department and learn more about what council members had to say about it all from News 88.7's Ashley Brown.
Also this hour: What would it actually mean if the state ends up taking over HISD?
Then, federal funding is headed to UH-Downtown and UH-Clear Lake to help students experiencing food, housing, and health care insecurities.
And we learn how Gulf Coast storms spurred Lake Charles, Louisiana mother Roishetta Ozane to become a climate activist in an excerpt from this weekend’s edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.
On Wednesday's show: Candidates announcing, election lawsuits, and legislative priorities -- there's a lot going on in politics. We discuss the latest developments in politics in an extended edition of our weekly roundup.
Then, a Rice University study finds people become more critical of government when they or someone they know are affected by a natural disaster.
And we go behind the scenes of Drunk Shakespeare.
On Tuesday's show: In its latest annual rankings, the education nonprofit Children at Risk has revealed the top-performing Texas public schools, and some of them are right here in the Houston area.
Also this hour: We check in with Janis Burke, CEO of the Harris County Houston Sports Authority about efforts to prepare for the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four at the end of next month. We also talk about longer-term planning for World Cup soccer matches Houston will host in 2026.
Then, HCC English Professor Robert Lunday discusses his new memoir about his stepfather’s 1982 disappearance and its long aftermath. He also reflects on how missing persons are depicted in culture. The book is called Disequilibria: Meditations on Missingness.
And Houstonians share their favorite love songs for Valentine’s Day.
On Monday's show: A Houston organization is concerned plans to build the so-called Ike Dike to protect Galveston and Houston from storm surge could end up preventing certain large ships from accessing the ship channel. We learn why.
Also this hour: We visit an exhibit the City of Houston has assembled about Black history here.
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And, now that the Super Bowl is over, we talk with Houston Chronicle columnist Brian T. Smith about the Texans’ plans for the draft and rebuild as the NFL offseason gets underway.
On Friday's show: This weekend, Memorial Park is celebrating the grand opening of its new land bridge and 100 acres of redesigned prairie space with a picnic on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We learn about the new features and how they fit into a ten-year master plan.
Also this hour: We explore the role Houston youth hope to play in reducing gun violence through an initiative called Project Unloaded.
Then, from the governor’s office weighing in on diversity in hiring, to the AMC Theatre chain’s plans to counter lost revenue by charging moviegoers more for center seats,this week’s “non-expert” panel weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And former NFL player and Houston native Delvin Williams reflects on his career and the challenge of reshaping his life after football in his new memoir, Fifth Ward to Fourth Quarter: Football's Impact on an NFL Player's Body and Soul.
On Thursday's show: The University of Houston Institute for Research on Women, Gender, and Sexuality has issued a report based on interviews with leaders of a number of organizations that provide services for victims of domestic violence. It calls for significant community investment in those efforts. We talk with Emilee Whitehurst of Houston Area Women’s Center about what her organization is seeing in terms of domestic violence trends in Greater Houston today.
Also this hour: Washington Post health and science reporter Carolyn Johnson tells us about her experience navigating what she calls “the sludge” – the administrative burden the health insurance industry’s hoops place on people trying to navigate coverage denials and appeals, like she went through seeking desperately needed medication for her young son. We also talk with Ken Janda from the UH College of Medicine about why health insurance companies engage in a practice called step therapy, which intentionally puts obstacles in the way of accessing higher-priced drugs, even when they’re proven to work.
Plus: About one in five construction-related jobs in Texas are held by women. We learn how apprenticeship programs and other efforts may encourage more women to join the construction workforce here.
And it was just a little less than a year ago that Milton Hopkins died. The longtime Greater Houston-area blues musician was one of the last connections to a classic era of celebrated performers, including his cousin, Lightnin’ Hopkins, but also Big Mama Thornton, Johnny Ace, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, and Marvin Gaye. He performed with them all. We spoke about him in the days after he died with Sandra Scott, president of the Houston Blues Society. We listen back to some highlights from that conversation.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss last night's State of the Union address and what it means for us here in Houston and across Texas. And we talk over the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We talk with one of the world’s foremost experimental theater directors, Robert Wilson, who's in town for a public lecture tonight at the University of Houston.
And we discuss the ethics and impact of A.I.-generated art.
On Tuesday's show: Houston-area officials have announced a third gun buyback event scheduled for later this month. It's among eight total events planned with the goal of reducing violent crime.
Also this hour: Fairfield Lake State Park between Houston and Dallas is under threat of being closed down. We find out why and what's being done about it.
Then, we learn about the history of Black rodeo in Texas from Demetrius Pearson of the University of Houston and author of Black Rodeo in the Texas Gulf Coast Region: Charcoal in the Ashes. And we visit a rodeo event at the George Ranch honoring the legacy of the Black cowboy.
And Houston Matters producer William Menjivar heads out on tour with his band, Narrow Head. We meet them and hear some music.
On Monday's show: A Chinese official says the United States has damaged efforts to stabilize relations between the two countries by shooting down that alleged surveillance balloon. We talk about the political implications of this continuing saga and discuss how it might be overshadowing other important news, including why the Texas Board of Education is backing off of its opposition to school vouchers.
Also this hour: We offer you another chance to vent about your pet peeves about life in Houston.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke, who writes for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Friday's show: We get an update on the situation at the Jones Road Superfund Site, where chemicals from a former dry cleaning business have contaminated the groundwater and soil.
Also this hour: Houston Chronicle columnist Chris Tomlinson says the debt ceiling battle in Congress could lead to worse health care outcomes for Texans. He helps us connect those dots.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And the Grammy Awards are Sunday night. We talk with Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley, who's nominated for two Grammys this year for his work co-producing two projects.
On Thursday's show: Harris County Commissioners have approved close to $10 million in additional funding for law enforcement, namely the sherriff’s and district attorney’s offices -- though not without some drama. News 88.7's Andrew Schneider tells us what happened.
Also this hour: A regulatory feud is threatening to end thoroughbred horse racing in Texas -- or at least make it more difficult to bet on the horses. This comes as Texas House Speaker Dade Phalen has said he’s open to bringing destination-style casinos to Texas. So why has it been so hard to make gambling a normal feature for Texas? And why are Republicans the unlikely ones opening the door?
Then, we learn about some of Houston's most architecturally creative homes.
And Houston author Peter Turchi discusses his new book (Don't) Stop Me if You've Heard This Before and Other Essays on Writing Fiction.
On Monday's show: We reflect on the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew 20 years ago and discuss how the disaster changed NASA.
Also this hour: A new report offers insights into Texans’ attitudes towards some cultural topics under consideration in Austin, including gender-affirming care for children, ethnic studies, and the definition of marriage. It’s the latest in a series of reports gleaned from the results of an online survey from the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs.
Then, just in time for the Super Bowl, food writers discuss their favorite pub fare around town in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And, in an excerpt from this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson, we hear from Lindsay Gary, author of The New Red Book: A Guide to 50 of Houston’s Black Historical and Cultural Sites.
On Tuesday's show: A sixth officer from the Memphis Police Department has been relieved of duty as the investigation into the death of Tyre Nichols continues. We take a closer look at how police officers are trained in Houston and how that has changed in recent years with the help of Douglas Griffith, president of the Houston Police Officers Union.
Also this hour: We discuss how matters before the Texas Legislature might affect the environment across the state and here in Greater Houston.
Then, we revisit the background story of Houston's downtown tunnel system and hear from a man responsible for how much of the city's skyline looks: the late Gerald D. Hines.
MORE: The Man Who Built Houston’s Skyline: Gerald D. Hines
And Cambodian Rock Band, a play at The Alley Theatre, tells the story of a Khmer Rouge survivor returning to Cambodia for the first time in thirty years as his daughter prepares to prosecute one of Cambodia's most infamous war criminals. It features a live band playing contemporary hits from the band Dengue Fever and classic Cambodian oldies. We meet two of its cast members.
On Monday's show: A new report from the Environmental Integrity Project claims the EPA and state environmental agencies are failing to regulate 81 U.S. refineries, allowing them to dump toxic chemicals and metals into waterways. The top four worst offenders are based in Texas, including Greater Houston.
Also this hour: City officials are considering the implementation of “conservation districts” to preserve some elements of historic neighborhoods. We learn how the concept would work and discuss what it would mean for the city and its neighborhoods as a whole.
Then, this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture delves into issues raised in the film The Whale starring Oscar nominee Brendan Fraser.
And we learn more about the Astros’ new general manager, Dana Brown, and we recap the NFL conference championship games and preview the Super Bowl.
On Friday's show: As cleanup continues after Tuesday’s tornadoes, should we expect more of them in the Houston area in the future? We talk it over with Matt Lanza of Space City Weather.
And we get an update on the FDA’s likely plans for future COVID vaccines. And we learn about Dana Brown, the new general manager of the Astros.
Also this hour: Chefs, food advocates, and other leaders are coming together in Houston Jan. 29-31 for the Chef Action Summit where they'll consider policy recommendations aimed at improving the nation's food system and making it more equitable and sustainable.
Then, from job numbers, to a dubious ranking for Houston, to controversy over cartoon M&M's, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And the duo Say Girl Say performs Saturday at The Heights Theater. We revisit their 2020 performance at Houston Public Media for our series Skyline Sessions.
On Thursday's show: A new report examines the potential for the development of geothermal energy in Texas.
Also this hour: Why some older Houstonians keep working long past traditional retirement age.
Then: We reflect on the lessons learned 30 years after the deadly siege on the Branch Davidian compound near Waco with writer Jeff Guinn. His new book, Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage contains new information about attempts by government officials to cover up what took place during the deadly raid and 51-day standoff and draws a direct link between those events and some of the extremism we see in America today. Guinn will be at an event at Houston's Murder by the Book on Jan. 31.
And this week’s I See U with Eddie Robinson delves into the state of prisons across the southern United States with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bill Keller. He's a former executive editor of The New York Times and the founding editor of The Marshall Project. His book on the subject is called What's Prison For?
On Wednesday's show: Thousands remain without power and public schools have cancelled classes in Pasadena and Deer Park after a tornado touched down Tuesday afternoon, tearing roofs off homes, damaging buildings, flipping vehicles, and downing power lines. We learn more about what happened and assess the damages.
Also this hour: From a new White House Chief of Staff, to an NPR/Ipsos poll on abortion, to more classified documents found in Pres. Biden’s home, it’s another intriguing week in the world of politics. We discuss those stories and more in our weekly political roundup.
Then, we learn more about a lawsuit over the state's troubled foster care system.
And medical students bring their passion for science, technology, engineering, and math into Galveston-area schools..
On Tuesday's show: Houston BCycle, the city's decade-old bike-sharing program, is in financial trouble. Could METRO join forces with it to save the service?
And we learn about opposition to Senate Bill 147, which would prevent companies and citizens from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing land in Texas. Protestors demonstrated against it Monday at Houston City Hall.
Also this hour: We discuss issues of interest to Houston’s LGBTQ community and consider what the Texas Legislature might do related to those issues this session.
Then, buying a car in our dealer-model world is challenging for a lot of Houstonians. It may also be a different experience today than it was even a year ago. Ahead of this week’s Houston Auto Show, we find out why.
And actress Lili Taylor and Houston native Suzanne Bocanegra talk about their collaboration on Friday’s one-night-only performance at Rice’s Moody Center.
On Monday's show: Major universities across Texas have reacted quickly to Gov. Abbott’s order banning the use of TikTok on government-issued devices. We discuss what sort of threat the social media app may pose and why with cybersecurity expert Chris Bronk from the University of Houston.
Also this hour: Rice University professor Timothy Morton’s take on how to bring more people together on addressing climate change.
MORE: The End of the World Has Already Happened (BBC)
Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses some of the latest developments in consumer technology, including the rise of Chat GPT and other generative artificial intelligence applications.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: State lawmakers have plans to reduce property taxes. How much will it save typical homeowners on their annual property tax bills? And how will the state account for less money going to public schools?
Also this hour: Amid news about layoffs at the company, Microsoft announced last week that it’s switching to an unlimited paid time off model, in which employees theoretically can take as much vacation time as they want and don’t need to track it (provided they get their work done). That’s the theory. But does it work in practice?
Then, from a Houstonian crowned Miss Universe, to a 3D-printed house under construction in the Bayou City, to a rejected Texas vanity plate touting tofu, we consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we talk with folks from Asia Society Texas about the Lunar New Year.
On Thursday's show: The Harris County Jail has been facing overcrowding issues and a record number of in-custody deaths lately. We dig into what's going on and how the county is addressing these challenges with Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Also this hour: We meet Juraj Valčuha, the new music director and conductor for the Houston Symphony.
And we learn why Katy ISD canceled events with author Emma Straub last week.
On Wednesday's show: Residents have several opportunities this week to weigh in on proposed plans to expand a section of I-45 -- but not the stretch you're thinking of. While there's been plenty of opposition to a plan to expand a section closer to downtown, we learn about some opposition to potential changes to a stretch of I-45 between Beltway 8 and Loop 336 in Conroe.
Also this hour: From fundraising in the mayor’s race, to Congress and the debt ceiling, to Inauguration Day in Austin, this is an especially busy time in politics. We walk through a number of recent developments in this week’s political roundup.
Then, rivalries can be pervasive in some Houstonians’ lives -- in sports, in business, at home among family. Do they help or hurt…or is it a little bit of both? We ask an area psychologist and a local sociologist to weigh in (and hope they won’t be too competitive about it).
And CreatiVets is an area organization using art education to help veterans with PTSD to heal through art. It’s been running a ceramics workshop at The Glassell School of Art at MFAH, which ends with a final exhibition Wednesday.
On Tuesday's show: A ruling from the Texas Supreme Court allows for the state takeover of the HISD board to move forward. And HISD has ended plans to move special needs students out of TH Rogers School. We get an update on both stories from News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh. And we preview the week ahead at Houston City Council with reporter Ashley Brown.
Also this hour: We discuss how the new legislative session might affect Texas children with Bob Sanborn of Children at Risk.
Then, we visit a section of the East End to learn how some developers want to create a neighborhood where residents can function without cars.
And we learn about the changing face of the food scene in Chinatown and what that might mean for the long-established institutions that have built up the neighborhood over the decades.
On Friday's show: We learn about the recently passed Respect for Child Survivors Act, which aims to change the way child victims are treated during FBI investigations into human trafficking or child abuse claims.
Also this hour: We discuss how we Houstonians can think more about others and lead less selfish lives.
Then, from Carlos Correa's contract odyssey, to an FAA snafu shutting down flights across the nation, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And today is Friday the 13th. Why is that a thing? We talk with Shelby El Otmani, author of The Book of Superstitions, who explains the origins of some well-known superstitions throughout history and across cultures.
On Thursday's show: Violent crime is on the decline, according to recent data Houston Police Chief Troy Finner cited Wednesday. Is that true, and, if so, how much of this is due to actual reform measures?
Also this hour: A musician sued the city of Houston over its busking regulations and won. Now, the city is retooling its rules on street performers.
Then, the city of Houston has launched a new group buying program to reduce the cost of installing solar panels on homes. We learn how it works.
And former Houstonian Matthew Salesses talks about his latest novel, The Sense of Wonder. It's based loosely on "Linsanity," the rise of basketball star Jeremy Lin. The story explores what Lin's success meant for Asian Americans and the importance of holding on to the fleeting wonder of a positive moment. Salesses has an event with Inprint on Jan. 23.
On Wednesday's show: The Federal Aviation Administration says normal air traffic operations are resuming gradually across the country after it halted all domestic air traffic when its real-time “Notice to Air Missions” reporting system went down. We learn more.
And Houston continues to rank among the cities with the highest traffic congestion. We discuss the reasons why.
Also this hour: From the start of the Texas Legislature to Pres. Biden’s border visit, to a dozen or so losing Republican candidates contesting Harris County election results, we discuss developments in politics in our weekly political roundup.
Then we get an update on some Houston-area highway projects.
And, in this month's edition of The Full Menu, food writers talk about their favorite new restaurants from the past year and what's on the horizon for 2023.
On Tuesday's show: What you need to know about the newest COVID-19 subvariant and how it's affecting Houston.
And we learn what life in the communities along the Interstate 10 corridor have to tell us about the future issues the rest of the nation will face. That's the subject of a conference called Ten Across, happening here this week.
Also this hour: We discuss an issue some patients are having with insurance paying for their HIV pre-exposure (PrEP) medications.
Then we learn about the important role barbershops play in African American culture. In an excerpt from the latest edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson, we visit Ken's Kutting Shoppe and hear from patrons and barber Ken Hicks.
And original artwork from Mickey Mouse, Family Circus, and Blondie are all part of a growing collection of comic strip art at Rice University.
On Monday's show: We preview the 88th regular session of the Texas Legislature, which begins Tuesday.
Also this hour: A new University of Houston study suggests bitterness over COVID-related layoffs early in the pandemic is keeping hospitality workers from returning to the industry. We learn more and hear from one such worker.
Then veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller and answers your questions.
And the Texans fired their coach after another dismal season. We get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Former Republican candidate for Harris County Judge, Alexandra del Moral Mealer, announced she will formally contest the results of the November election. We learn why she's made this announcement now, two months after she conceded the election to incumbent Judge Lina Hidalgo.
And we learn more about Pres. Biden’s upcoming visit to the border.
Also this hour: We close out our series on the year ahead in Houston life with News 88.7’s Andrew Schneider discussing what the year may have in store in state and local government.
Then, two years after the Capitol insurrection, we discuss what’s happened to Houston-area participants since and contemplate how we can avoid a repeat of the violence there after the next presidential election.
And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: Texas teens will now need parents’ permission to get birth control at federally funded clinics after a court ruling late last month. And the FDA is expanding access to the abortion pill, allowing retail pharmacies to sell the drug.
And we look back on the life of Apollo 7 astronaut Walt Cunningham, whose mission to space paved the way to landing on the moon.
Also this hour: We continue our series looking ahead to some of the stories expected to make news in different realms of Houston life – from politics, to education, to health care. Today, we continue with a look ahead at the stories related to the environment that might make news with the help of News 88.7 reporter Katie Watkins.
Then: How can you tell if that plant in your yard survived the recent freeze? And, if so, how can you bring it back from the brink? Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston gives us some answers.
And what role is a Houston company playing in developing the next space suits for the International Space Station?
On Wednesday's show: Some recent numbers suggest Greater Houston's GDP grew at a significantly lower rate than the rest of the nation. Some suggest this slow economic growth is due to the region’s reliance on the oil and gas industry, which performed poorly in 2021. Does this information fly in the face of the notion that Houston's economy is better diversified than years past? A local economic researcher puts the data in context.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, we continue our series looking ahead to some of the stories expected to make news in different realms of Houston life – from politics, to the environment, to health care. Today, we continue with a look ahead at the education stories likely to make news with the help of News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.
And artist Eileen Maxson sorts through the items in her parents' flooded basement -- both to file an insurance claim and to make art. Her new exhibit, The Word Is Not Lucky, is on display at the Galveston Arts Center through Feb. 5.
On Tuesday's show: We reflect on Southwest Airline's massive flight cancellation over the holidays, the fallout from which is still ongoing for some travelers. What went wrong, and how might it hurt the airline?
Also this hour: We begin a week-long series looking ahead to some of the stories expected to make news in different realms of Houston life – from politics, to education, to the environment. Today, we start off with a look ahead to the year in health care in Houston with the help of News 88.7 reporter Sara Willa Ernst.
Then, a new documentary from the PBS series American Experience examines the history of the polygraph test and how it’s used in criminal cases. We learn more about the so-called lie detector test, its flaws, and how it’s used in Texas.
And we visit the annual FIRST Championship, an international robotics competition for students, which was held in Houston in April and returns here this coming spring.
On Monday's show: The U.S. Supreme Court this week will consider whether to take up a Texas case regarding whether footage from a comedy special taped inside a jail should have been shown to jurors who subsequently gave a convicted murderer the death penalty. We discuss the legal issues at play.
Also this hour: Listeners share their pet peeves about life in Houston and their hopes for the new year.
And we look ahead to some of the likely major Houston sports stories of 2023 with Jeff Balke, who writes for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Tuesday's show: With chilly weather headed to Greater Houston later this week, are we confident the power grid will hold up?
And Houston Congressman Al Green discusses issues affecting the region and answers listener questions.
Also this hour: Texas-based singer-songwriter Cody Jinks was announced as a performer at the upcoming Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March. We listen back to his 2016 Skyline Sessions performance at Houston Public Media.
On Monday's show: We learn the latest on a program for special needs students at T.H. Rogers School. HISD announced last week it was pausing plans to relocate students who utilized the program. News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh gives us an update, and some parents of students at the school share some of their thoughts on the issue.
Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller helps us prepare our pets for the holiday season and answers your questions.
And we recap the year in Houston sports with Jeff Balke, who writes for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Friday's show: We learn how inflation is making it hard for rural hospitals in Texas to stay open.
Also this hour: With the recent return of NASA's Artemis 1 mission to the moon, Houstonians share their memories of the first moon landing in 1969.
Then, we revisit a conversation with scientists at Johnson Space Center about the process of carefully opening a vacuum sealed tube filled with rocks and soil that was collected on the moon 50 years ago.
And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: We discuss what economic indicators and trends signal not just about the economy nationwide but what we’re seeing here in Houston when we shop, get gas, and live our lives.
Also this hour: On this date in 1791, the Bill of Rights (the first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution) was ratified. We get a primer on the lesser-known of those amendments and learn what else was initially considered as part of them.
Plus: Houston writer Reyes Ramirez talks about his collection of short stories, The Book of Wanderers, which was recently featured on NPR's Books We Love list.
MORE: Poem "Selena's Last Concert in Houston" by Reyes Ramirez
And we talk with Broadway and Opera star N'Kenge, who performs with the Houston Symphony in their A Very Merry Pops! concerts Dec. 15-18.
On Wednesday's show: We look back at the year in politics and then look ahead to what will be a fascinating and active 2023 in the political world.
And we hear some of your fellow Houstonians’ favorite holiday songs in our Houston Matters Holiday Mixtape. You can find the full list here.
On Tuesday's show: The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that scientists have for the first time ever produced a fusion reaction that creates a net gain in energy. We learn what it means for the planet and for the energy capital of the world.
And we discuss what a bail reform lawsuit filed late last week could mean for some incarcerated people in Harris County.
Also this hour: We welcome your questions for City Council Member Abbie Kamin.
And researchers from UTMB are expanding their long-term study about the mental health effects of COVID-19 on a generation of youth.
On Monday's show: NASA's Artemis I mission returned to Earth Sunday. We discuss how the mission went and what was learned from it.
And the Center for Houston’s Future has just released a report on health care in Greater Houston. We take a closer look.
Also this hour: We examine how a lack of proper staffing and security contributed to a Texas prison escape that became one of the deadliest in U.S. history. We learn more from Keri Blakinger of The Marshall Project about her reporting on the incident and collaborative reporting from the Houston Chronicle examining the causes and repsonse.
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke, who writes for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Friday's show: The Greater Houston Partnership outlines Houston’s economic forecast for 2023.
Also this hour: We discuss the challenges people face getting jobs once they’re released from prison.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And What-A-Christmas, a new one-woman show at The Alley Theatre, is a take on A Christmas Carol set in a fast food restaurant similar to a certain orange-themed Texas chain.
On Thursday's show: Houston native Brittney Griner is free as part of a one-for-one prison exchange between the United States and Russia. We discuss what we know about Griner’s release and whether the prisoner the United States released is a steep price to pay.
And we discuss what might come from this week's White House roundtable discussion on antisemitism in America.
Also this hour: For the last ten years, The League of Women Voters of Houston has operated through volunteers. So, why has it now hired Katie Campbell Shumway to be its paid executive director and why is the organization adding other staff?
Then, Kris Larson, the president of Central Houston, talks about the future of the Downtown District.
And actor DeQuina Moore talks about Houston for the Holidays, a revue of holiday music, pop songs, and songs from musical theater, which runs through Dec. 24 at Stages Houston.
On Wednesday's show: The Episcopal Health Foundation has issued a new report recommending non-medical programs should be supported by Medicaid in Texas, as a way to improve health outcomes for Medicaid enrollees. The foundation's president, Dr. Ann Barnes, explains how this could result in better health for Texans – and save money along the way, too.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, food writers chat about their favorite soups in Houston in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And a new series on Netflix examines The Texas Killing Fields, a string of unsolved murders along a stretch of I-45. We talk with investigative reporter Lise Olsen, who's covered the story extensively and is featured in the series.
On Tuesday's show: The American League’s reigning Cy Young award winner is leaving the Astros for the Mets. We discuss why Justin Verlander’s signed with New York, and what, if anything, the Astros should do about it.
And the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Monday in a case involving a clash between LGBTQ and business owners’ rights. On the one hand, some laws guarantee equal access to same-sex couples; on the other, some business owners claim they’re artists forced to express a message they don’t believe in. We discuss why the High Court’s hearing the case and examples of Texas-based cases that address similar concerns.
Then, Alison Napjus, an editor and tasting director with Wine Spectator magazine, was in Houston last month. She shares tips for holiday wine purchases.
And we hear News 88.7 politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider’s expanded conversation with Harris County commissioner-elect Lesley Briones.
On Monday's show: We recap the return of quarterback Deshaun Watson to NRG Stadium – in a Cleveland Browns uniform. It’s also his first game after a half-season suspension in connection with the more than two dozen (now mostly settled) lawsuits brought against him by Houston area masseuses, making various claims of sexual misconduct and assault against him.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves.
On Friday's show: Researchers the University of Houston have developed a vaccine targeting the dangerous synthetic opioid fentanyl that could block its ability to enter the brain. We learn more about the breakthrough discovery and what it could mean for the opioid epidemic.
Also this hour: We discuss how climate change could create a new refugee crisis and the role Houston could play in that, since it’s already a hub for resettling refugees.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Cat Daddies, a documentary about men and their cats, opens in Houston today. We talk with director Mye Hoang.
On Thursday's show: A secondary containment facility for the Houston-based company Martin Energy Services leaked out approximately 3,500 gallons of used lubricant oil into an industrial canal near Lake Charles, Louisiana Monday . Some oil-soaked pelicans were reportedly rescued. We learn more about what happened, and contemplate potential economic and environmental consequences any time there is a leak or spill.
Also this hour: We recall how Houston was desegregated as we replay our 2021 conversation with Thomas Cole, author of No Color Is My Kind: Eldrewey Stearns and the Desegregation of Houston.
Then: The storied gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama was founded in 1939, and has featured a changing roster of musicians over its history, the majority of whom are or were vision impaired. The group brings its Christmas tour to Jones Hall on Sunday night, and one of its members, Ricky McKinnie, joins us to talk about the history of the group and we hear some of their music.
And, for nearly 50 years, Steven Spielberg has directed, produced, and influenced many of the movies we love. With his latest, The Fabelmans, now in theaters, we recall Spielberg’s first feature film, shot in the Houston area: the 1974 crime drama The Sugarland Express.
On Wednesday's show: Harris County officials approved the safety agreement drafted by the special events taskforce in response to the Astroworld tragedy. But does it go far enough?
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, with the recent collapse of cryptocurrency firms like FTX and BlockFi, that has us wondering are cryptocurrencies all they’re cracked up to be?
And the Austin-based choral group Conspirare is coming to Houston to perform a Christmas concert on Friday at St. Luke’s Methodist.
On Tuesday's show: With news of the city-wide boil water notice being lifted, we bring you the latest on what caused it and the coming review of how it happened.
And the next session of the Texas Legislature doesn't begin until January, but plenty of bills for the session have been filed. While plenty of them are very serious, there are some that are filed simply for political theater in order to score points with constituents. We talk about both kinds with Rice University's Mark Jones.
Also this hour: A startup called Greentown Labs wants to train the next generation of entrepreneurs to address the threat of climate change – while making a lot of money along the way -- through its new TEX-E program.
Then, we learn how a researcher Luis Medina is using a new telenovela to help Latinos dealing with Alzheimer's disease.
And stories of grief and healing inspire (w)Hole, a new exhibit combining audio storytelling and visual art at The Jung Center through Dec. 20.
On Monday's show: We learn the latest about the boil water notice affecting millions of Houston water customers.
Also this hour: Getting a good night’s sleep makes everything easier to handle – especially during the stressful holiday season. Local sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula of UTHealth and TIRR Memorial Hermann answers your questions about sleep and sleep disorders.
And we talk about the University of Houston men's basketball team, which is ranked No. 2 in the nation in the latest Associated Press poll, with Jeff Balke, who writes about sports for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Tuesday's show: With Republicans taking back the U.S. House of Representatives next year, what will the next Congress look like in a divided government? Houston Democrat Rep. Lizzie Fletcher talks it over and answers listener questions.
Also this hour: With the release of The Fabelmans, loosely based on the formative years of director Steven Spielberg, we reflect on the career of the storied filmmaker and what those films have contributed to American culture in this month's edition of The Bigger Picture.
And we visit an exhibit all about Lionel model trains at the Rosenberg Railroad Museum on display through Feb. 1.
On Monday's show: In a News 88.7 exclusive, the Harris County District Attorney's Office outlines how the recently announced investigation into how Election Day was handled in the county will be conducted. Some had criticized the office saying District Attorney Kim Ogg was trying to score political points.
However, Nathan Beedle tells Andrew Schneider the DA's office was required by state law to open the investigation after a referral from the Texas Secretary of State's Office and that the Texas Rangers will be conducting the investigation.
Also this hour: We learn about new work the University of Houston’s Graduate School of Social Work is doing toward racial justice.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller helps us prepare our pets for the holiday season and answers your questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: Hospitals in Texas and Greater Houston are facing a shortage of pediatric ICU beds. We learn why and discuss how family gatherings next week for Thanksgiving might exacerbate that.
Also this hour: Columnist Dwight Silverman talks about recent developments in consumer technology.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we talk with local chef and restauranteur Victoria Elizondo about her new taco cookbook, Taco-Tastic: Over 60 Recipes to Make Taco Tuesday Last All Week Long.
On Thursday's show: After Gov. Greg Abbott and others have called for investigations into alleged irregularities at Harris County polling places, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced she is launching a criminal investigation. We learn the latest and discuss what it all means.
Also this hour: While there has been plenty of backlash to recent antisemitic remarks from celebrities, what steps are being taken to address such remarks
and incidents here in the Houston area? And what can be done to counter them?
Then, after former astronaut and incumbent U.S. Senator Mark Kelly survived a tough re-election challenge, his twin brother, Scott Kelly, talks about spending nearly a full year in space, which he documented in his book, Infinite Wonder. We revisit our 2018 conversation with him.
And we hear how a Houstonian’s chance encounter in Italy turned into a love story that’s now streaming on Netflix. Tembi Locke talks about the story – and the food – that inspired From Scratch, from a 2019 conversation she had with us upon the release of her memoir by the same name.
On Wednesday's show: The number of children killed by gun violence is on the rise in Houston. Anna Bauman from the Houston Chronicle joins us to discuss why this is part of a national trend.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, the Houston Chamber Choir performs selections from audience members' desert island playlists in a concert Saturday.
And we visit the Houston Toy Museum.
On Tuesday's show: Gov. Greg Abbott wants to investigate Harris County over what he calls "allegations of improprieties" during last week's midterm elections. We learn the latest from News 88.7's Andrew Schneider.
Also this hour: A national assessment of 4th and 8th grade students shows dips in average scores for reading and math. So, how does HISD compare?
Then, we talk with Rue Mapp, the founder of Outdoor Afro, an organization aimed at helping African Americans reconnect with and experience nature. She has a new book called Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors.
And we revisit our conversation with actor Jason Lee from earlier this year about his work documenting Galveston with photos.
On Monday's show: A court struck down President Biden’s student debt relief program, and an appeals court will hear the case next. This latest ruling complicates the fate of the program and the financial circumstances of millions of borrowers, including thousands here in the Houston area. We discuss what the ruling means and whether the matter is ultimately headed for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Also this hour: Newly proposed EPA rules would require oil and gas companies to respond to any reports of excessive methane leaks caused during drilling. We discuss how the rules might work and what they might mean for methane emissions in and around the Houston area.
Then, we talk with Joy Harjo, the first Native American to hold the position of U.S. Poet Laureate. She has an event tonight with Inprint and has a new poetry collection out called Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light: 50 Poems for 50 Years.
And, now that the excitement of the Astros championship begins to fade, we get an update on the rebuilding processes of other Houston sports teams from Jeff Balke, who writes for Houston Press and co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast.
On Friday's show: The prices of many consumer goods and services in the Houston area are trending downwards, but is it an indication that inflation is slowing down?
And we get an update on the state of the Port of Houston.
Also this hour: On this Veterans Day, a Houstonian explains how serving on a Navy submarine helped prepare him to launch his own business and why he thinks veterans are particularly well suited for such ventures.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we visit the Houston area’s major training facility for table tennis.
On Thursday's show: Many Harris County voters cast provisional ballots on Election Day because some polling places had delays in opening, and a court ordered them to stay open an extra hour. But then the Texas Supreme Court blocked that ruling, saying those provisional ballots should be set aside. Should those votes be counted? And should Texas voting laws be changed? We talk it over with a legal expert.
Also this hour: You've probably heard stories about the recent rash of catalytic converter thefts. What exactly is a catalytic converter, and why are so many people stealing them?
Then, an analysis of CDC data stuggests HIV positive Latinos experience high levels of discrimination. We discuss why and what can be done to address this issue.
And Houston Matters producer Joshua Zinn talks about his work as a composer. Several of his works are being performed by the Texas New Music Ensemble tonight at Archway Gallery.
On Wednesday's show: We review what we know about Tuesday's election. And we talk through it all with Rice University political science fellow Mark Jones and University of Houston researcher and lecturer Renee Cross.
Also this hour: Acclaimed ballet dancer Lauren Anderson talks about her life with poet Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, who wrote the new play about it at Stages Houston, called Plumshuga: The Rise of Lauren Anderson.
On Tuesday's show: Election Day has arrived across the nation as voters head to the polls to cast their ballots in local, statewide, and Congressional races, and to make some decisions on local referenda. We visit some different polling places in the Houston area.
Also this hour: Every election, pollsters try to predict how people will vote. But can anyone really do that? And what factors have made polls less reliable recently?
Then, we learn about efforts to reduce homelessness among young people.
And now that the baseball season is done (Congrats Astros!), some Houston sports fans might shift their attention to the Rockets, who are still rebuilding. We revisit our 2018 conversation with Rockets beat writer Jonathan Feigen about his book 100 Things Rockets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die.
On Monday's show: We reflect on the Astros' second World Series victory and prepare for today's championship parade, coverage of which you can hear live on News 88.7 beginning at noon.
And, while most of Houston is celebrating today, there is an election tomorrow. A new survey illuminates what Texas voters think about election fraud.
On Friday's show: Statistics show that immigrant voters now represent 11 percent of the electorate in Texas, and the state has 1.7 million more eligible voters because of that. We learn more and discuss how the electorate has changed in Texas over the last decade.
Also this hour: What gave birth to the environmental movement as we know it? Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley explains and pays tribute to some of the people who turned the nation's attention to protecting nature in the 1960s and 1970s in his latest book, Silent Spring Revolution.
MORE: Douglas Brinkley Event with The Progressive Forum
Then, from the Astros being refused service in some Philadelphia restaurants to a new HISD program to teach students self-esteem, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And, inspired in part by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a concert called Invincible from Casaluna Women's Choir of Houston celebrates the strength of women through song.
On Thursday's show: It's down to a best-of-three in the World Series after Astros pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter in a Game 4 victory against the Phillies.
Also, Mayor Sylvester Turner delivers his state of the city address. And we learn why residents who live near chemical plants are often blocked from challenging those plants' permits by the very agency that's supposed to investigate environmental concerns.
Also this hour: UT Southwestern’s Brain Institute recently launched a study to advance understanding of how participating in college sports and resulting concussions can affect brain wellness later in life.
Then, we reflect on 20 years of events at NRG Park with Ryan Walsh, CEO and executive director of the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation.
And we learn why Houston is one of the best places in the country to learn to be an entrepreneur.
On Wednesday's show: It could be a testy morning at Harris County Commissioners Court, where the five members will meet for the first time in weeks to officially sign off on a "no new revenue" budget. News 88.7's Andrew Schneider lets us know what to expect.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, in this month's installment of The Full Menu, local food writers discuss the best restaurants in Houston for large groups to dine out.
And an event on Saturday called Urban Nights celebrates local visual, performing, and culinary arts.
On Tuesday's show: The Supreme Court is hearing arguments on affirmative action as part of college admissions--we'll discuss what the possible outcomes could be with Charles 'Rocky' Rhodes from South Texas College of Law Houston.
Also this hour: We continue our series of interviews with candidates in some of the key races around Texas and Greater Houston that are on the ballot on Election Day. Today we talk with Lina Hidalgo, the incumbent candidate for Harris County Judge.
Then, the President of the University of Houston-Downtown, Loren Blanchard, joins us to talk about his efforts to improve student retention rates.
And we learn about music in just intonation from composer and pianist Michael Harrison, who will perform at the Menil Collection this weekend.
On Monday's show: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants to investigate a Memorial Hermann policy about teenagers' medical records--we discuss why.
We'll also learn about a City of Houston program intended to clean up used pumpkins after Halloween.
Also this hour: We continue our series of interviews with candidates in some of the key races around Texas and Greater Houston that are on the ballot on Election Day. Today we talk with Adrian Garcia, the incumbent candidate for Precinct 2 on Harris County Commissioners Court.
Then, Houston Matters producers will discuss various aspects of the Halloween season and how they've changed over the years.
And the Astros are tied against the Phillies in the World Series. We'll talk about the games that remain with Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Nobel Laureate Thomas Sargent tells us what we can learn about the past of inflation.
We'll also look ahead to Game 1 of the World Series with Jesus Ortiz from Our Esquina.
Also this hour: The director of the Missile Defense Agency, Navy Vice Admiral Jon Hill, talks about his day job protecting the nation from a missile attack and about how service in the Navy has changed over the years. He was in town for Navy Week, a series of events showcasing some of that military branch's contributions to our nation's defense, culminating with the Wings Over Houston air show this weekend.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we catch up with David Brancaccio, host of the Marketplace Morning Report. He hosted the show from Houston this week.
On Thursday's show: Former Vice President Al Gore discusses how Houston is in many ways leading the country in both contributing to and addressing climate change and how to strike the right balance between environmental and economic realities. Gore is in Houston this week to launch efforts by his Climate Reality Project to train climate activists across the Gulf Coast.
Also this hour: We continue our series of interviews with candidates in some of the key races around Texas and Greater Houston that are on the ballot on Election Day. Today, we talk with Fort Bend County Judge KP George.
And the new film Tár depicts the life of a fictional orchestra conductor, and, on this month's edition of The Bigger Picture, we explore the reality of that job.
On Wednesday's show: Despite rising costs, Harris County is now forced to keep tax rates flat for the coming fiscal year. That's because Commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey boycotted the final opportunity to vote on the tax rate. How will this affect the county's budget? We talk it over with News 88.7's Andrew Schneider.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, we talk with Kiese Laymon. The Rice University English professor and acclaimed author has been awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, the prestigious honor popularly known as the “genius grant.”
Plus, civic boosters are ready for the economic benefits of the Astros playing in another World Series.
Also, a new political action committee has helped reshape some of the largest school districts in the state and now is targeting the State Board of Education.
And we learn how a local man's time as a fertility pharmacist inspired him to make a film, called Conception, about a couple's struggle to get pregnant.
On Tuesday's show: Harris County and Houston officials have sent a letter to the Department of Justice requesting federal election monitors observe the election monitors whom the Texas Secretary of State and Texas Attorney General offices are sending to the county. We discuss what this means for this year's midterm elections now that early voting is underway.
Also this hour: We continue our series of interviews with candidates in some of the key races around Texas and Greater Houston that are on the ballot on Election Day. Today, we talk with Lesley Briones, candidate for Harris County Commissioner running to represent Precinct 4.
Then, with the news that the University of Houston is adding a music therapy degree, we talk about how music is used in medical care.
And we learn the history of Old Quarter Acoustic Café, the longstanding music venue in Galveston.
On Monday's show: Today marks the start of early voting in Harris County. We discuss what you should know before hitting the ballot box with a representative from the Harris County Elections Administrator's Office.
Also this hour: Last weekend (Oct. 21-22), Houston was home to the National Black Book Festival, which bills itself as the largest African American book event in the south. Among those taking part was Jennifer Farmer, author of First and Only: A Black Woman’s Guide To Thriving at Work and In Life. We talk with her about the challenges Black women face in the workplace.
Then, we learn about Houston’s Gateway Academy, which serves students with social and learning differences.
And we preview the World Series as the Astros host the Philadelphia Phillies beginning Friday.
On Friday's show: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the World Health Organization are partnering to fight women's cancer worldwide. MD Anderson's Dr. Welela Tereffe joins us to discuss what the collaboration could mean.
Also this hour: From plans to replicate the surfaces of the moon and Mars at Space Center Houston, to the Astros forcing the cancellation of Elton John's final concert in Houston, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And a chamber opera from renowned composer Philip Glass at the University of Houston combines a fully staged performance featuring instruments and singers with a screening of a 1946 French film version of Beauty and the Beast.
On Thursday's show: We discuss the news that the Texas Secretary of State and Texas Attorney General’s offices plan to send inspectors and elections security trainers to help oversee and administer Harris County’s midterm election.
Also this hour: We talk about the significance of Diwali to a number of Houstonians.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your questions.
And we talk with Houston writer and educator Elizabeth Farfán-Santos about her book, Undocumented Motherhood, which chronicles the story of a mother who came to the United States in search of better health care for her daughter.
On Wednesday's show: We preview the Astros' sixth-straight appearance in the American League Championship Series, once again against the New York Yankees with a trip to the World Series at stake. The two teams also faced off in the ALCS in 2017 and 2019. The first game of the best-of-seven-game series is tonight at Minute Maid Park.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
And too often political discourse in America is fixated on the coasts and maybe gives short shrift to the rest of us. That's where a series of public radio election specials called The Middle comes in. We talk with the host, Jeremy Hobson.
On Tuesday's show: With early voting in Harris County beginning Oct. 24, we preview what's on the ballot with the help of the League of Women Voters of Houston.
Then, we reflect on the lost art of apologizing.
And we visit Department of Wonder, a new immersive theater experience.
On Monday's show: Last week, a federal judge ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, could continue temporarily as the case moves through the courts. We learn more about the ruling and its implications.
Also this hour: We talk with Bill McKeon, president of the Texas Medical Center, about plans for a TMC BioPort, to support the production and distribution of medicine and to develop medical technologies to shore up a weakened supply chain.
And Wednesday is a big night for Houston sports. The Astros begin play in their sixth-straight American League Championship Series, and the Rockets start their new season. We preview them both.
On Friday's show: Pockets of the Houston region, particularly in the city’s northern suburbs, are sinking at a substantial rate according to a University of Houston analysis on subsidence conducted over a four-year period.
MORE: Surface Deformation Study
Also this hour: From the Texans allowing fans to trade in their Deshaun Watson jerseys (and those of other former players) for discounts on new team merchandise, to Astros manager Dusty Baker making a huge deli purchase for his players right before his team mounted a huge comeback victory, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And acclaimed travel host Rick Steves tells us about his new six-part series, Rick Steves Art of Europe, debuting Oct. 24 at 9 p.m. on Houston Public Media, TV 8.
On Thursday's show: A new report from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy compared prices at three of Houston’s biggest hospital systems.
Also this hour: We learn more about the area’s high pollen counts recently and how people can get relief from their allergies. Dr. Dat Tran from Innovative Allergy answers your questions.
And, with recent news that The Orange Show will be getting a facelift in the near future, we visit the unique monument to one man's love of oranges.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: This month, Rice Cinema is hosting a series of screenings of wuxia films, a genre of martial arts films many Americans best know from 2000's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. We learn more about the genre, what makes it unique, and what contributions it makes to the world of film.
And, with the recent protests in Iran, we revisit a conversation with writer and poet Roya Hakakian. She talks about her experience coming to America from Iran as a teenager and discusses her book, A Beginner’s Guide to America.
On Tuesday's show: Oil and gas prices are back on the rise after OPEC announced it would cut back on production last week. But that's not the only thing driving up fuel prices. We discuss with University of Houston energy fellow Ed Hirs.
Also this hour: We continue our series of interviews with candidates in some of the key races around Texas and Greater Houston that are on the ballot on Election Day. Today, we talk with Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle.
Then, her television shows have made Nigella Lawson a household name to many around the world, and she’s sold more than 12 million books. Her latest is called Cook, Eat, Repeat. We talk with her ahead of an event in Houston Nov. 27.
And we meet Lawrence Edelson, the new artistic director for the University of Houston's Moores Opera Center.
On Monday's show: Last week, President Biden issued pardons for thousands of people convicted under federal law for marijuana possession. The move will clear the records of those convicted since simple possession of the drug since became illegal in the 1970s. We learn more about who the pardons apply to and discuss changing attitudes about marijuana laws in Houston and the rest of the state.
Also this hour: Between 2017 and September of this year, more than 100 cyclists have been killed on Harris County roads, including 11 this year. That's according to the Houston Chronicle's recent analysis of TxDOT data. And the numbers have trended upward since 2018. What can be done to improve safety for people riding their bikes around the region?
Then, we learn what's taking place during Fotofest, the biennial celebration of photography and visual art.
And we preview the Astros' playoff series against the Seattle Mariners, which begins Tuesday.
On Friday's show: HISD's challenge to the TEA's attempted takeover of its board went before the Texas Supreme Court on Thursday. News 88.7’s Dominic Anthony Walsh tells us the outcome could determine who controls the largest school district in Texas.
Also this hour: Houston is holding another gun buyback program this weekend after a mostly successful first effort. The event will be Saturday (Oct. 8) from 8 a.m. to noon at the METRO Park and Ride at 11050 Harwin Drive in Alief. We learn what will be different at this event and discuss the effectiveness of such programs at preventing gun violence.
Then, we consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And the Bayou City Art Festival celebrates its 50th year this weekend.
On Thursday's show: Over the weekend, two people died while being held at the Harris County Jail. That brought the total death count at the jail up to 21 for the year – the most deaths there in more than a decade. We learn more about those deaths and what role – if any – overcrowding at the facility played.
Also this hour: Derrick Johnson, the national president of the NAACP, talks about the issues his organization is working on in the realm of racial justice. Johnson got his law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston.
Then, we tour the new UH Law Center building.
And a Kinetic Ensemble concert on Sunday called The Winter Anthology draws attention to climate issues and includes a piece inspired by 2021's Winter Storm Uri.
On Wednesday's show: One of Harris County's Republican commissionerss is offering a way out of the county's deadlock over its tax rate. We learn more about what Jack Cagle is proposing.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, in this month's installment of The Full Menu, local food writers discuss restaurants in Houston where you don't want to skip dessert.
And the Houston Chronicle recently followed one of Gov. Greg Abbott's migrant buses from Texas to Chicago. We talk next with reporter Sam Gonzalez Kelly about what he learned.
On Tuesday's show: Nearly 50,000 more Texas students dropped out of school during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020-2021 school year compared to the year before, according to new analysis of state data from the Houston Chronicle. Reporter Hannah Dellinger gives us the details.
Also this hour: We continue our series of interviews with candidates in some of the key races around Texas and Greater Houston that are on the ballot on Election Day. Today, we talk with Rochelle Garza, candidate for Texas Attorney General.
Then, the NPR culture program It's Been a Minute recently announced Brittany Luse as its new host. We talk with her about the show and her new role, which she begins this weekend.
And comedian Sheng Wang talks about his career, his latest Netflix special, and about growing up in Houston.
On Monday's show: We review some of the bond measures going before voters on the November ballot for both Harris County and Spring ISD and discuss what you should know about them ahead of Election Day.
Also this hour: We offer you your monthly chance to vent your pet peeves.
And we discuss the pros and cons of the Astros having time off between the regular season and their first playoff series. Can they stay sharp during the down time?
On Friday's show: We preview tonight's debate between Gov. Greg Abbott and his challenger, Beto O'Rourke, and discuss whether such events influence the outcome on Election Day. The debate will air at 7 p.m. on Houston's CW Ch. 39 and here on News 88.7.
Also this hour: We discuss the controversial merger of Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Railway and how it might affect rail traffic here. Hearings on the matter have been taking place this week in Washington, D.C. Residents can submit public comments on the merger through Oct. 14.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And writer Javier Zamora discusses his memoir, Solito, which chronicles his journey from El Salvador to the United States at the age of nine. Zamora will speak Monday night at an event from Inprint at the Ballroom at Bayou Place.
On Thursday's show: We learn how Houstonians are gearing up to help those in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian.
Also this hour: We explore how long COVID is affecting children and members of the local workforce from News 88.7 reporter Sara Willa Ernst, who's been following those stories.
Then, in this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we examine Olivia Wilde’s new film Don’t Worry Darling, the off-screen drama surrounding it, and why we seem to care about the details of celebrities’ lives so much.
And we learn about the Houston Museum of Natural Science's new HoloTheater, a multimedia holographic cinema experience.
On Wednesday's show: Katy ISD officials changed several school library policies this week, including how the school district responds to complaints about books and who is allowed in its book review process. We discuss the continuing battle over books in school libraries with Dominic Anthony Walsh, News 88.7's education and families reporter.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, we learn about the art of creating infinity rooms, such as the one obtained by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston created by artist Yayoi Kusama called Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity.
And we visit the Rice University baseball program’s new high-tech pitching lab.
On Tuesday's show: The Houston area is seeing a rise in cases earlier than anticipated for the flu season. Dr. Wesley Long of Houston Methodist outlines what we should know.
Also this hour: The television series The West Wing inspired a whole generation to engage in the world of politics, but did it establish unrealistic expectations? We ask University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus, who uses clips from the show in his classes.
Then we meet Jennifer Hamburg, the Houston-based creator and executive producer of Rosie's Rules, a new show debuting on PBS Kids and Houston Public Media (weekdays at 12:30 p.m.) beginning Oct. 3. The show features a blended family living in suburban San Antonio and aims to teach young kids about social studies and civic engagement.
And we revisit our conversation with director Ti West from earlier this year. He talks about how he got into making horror films. At the time, he'd just released the movie X, which takes place in and around Houston. A prequel to that film, Pearl, is in theaters now, and a third film in the series has just been announced.
On Monday's show: A tropical depression developing in the Caribbean Sea could become a serious hurricane threat for that region. But how likely is it to hit the continental United States? And could this storm derail the next Artemis launch attempt? We talk it over with Space City Weather meteorologist Eric Berger.
Also this hour: Whe learn why Texas continues to investigate transgender kids and their families for potential child abuse despite a court ruling temporarily halting the practice.
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And we talk with sports writer and podcaster Jeff Balke about some of the pros and cons of more and more sports being on streaming services, sometimes exclusively.
On Friday's show: A new survey from the University of Houston and Texas Southern University suggests most Texans agree on certain restrictions on guns. We learn what those are.
Also this hour: Composer Michael Abels, who's best known for composing the scores for Jordan Peele's movies Get Out, Us, and Nope, joins us in studio to talk about his work and the new guitar concerto he created for ROCO, which will be performed in two shows tonight and Saturday at Miller Outdoor Theatre by Grammy-nominated guitarist Mak Grgic, who also joins us to talk about the piece and perform.
Then, a new piece by Rice professor and composer Shih-Hui Chen explores her struggles with her immigrant identity. The multimedia chamber opera, titled or/and, premieres with performances tonight and Saturday at Asia Society.
And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: We discuss the current state of Houston’s housing market as interest rates continue to rise.
Also this hour: Violinist Joshua Bell talks about his performances this weekend with the Houston Symphony.
Then, does Hispanic Heritage Month offer economic benefits to Houston's Hispanic-owned businesses? Dr. Laura Murillo from the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce talks it over.
And we learn about a recent bus tour that visited Houston aimed at empowering young Black women in the South in an excerpt from this weekend's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.
On Wednesday's show: In a ruling this week, a Texas federal judge said Second Amendment rights extend to people under felony indictment, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling striking down New York’s concealed carry law. Charles "Rocky" Rhodes of South Texas School of Law Houston breaks down the ruling.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, after the Houston Oilers left town, the Harris County Houston Sports Authority began -- 25 years ago this month, in fact -- with the mission to make sure that would never happen to Houston fans again. We learn how the organization accomplished that goal, how it has changed in the years since, and the role it plays in attracting major events like the NCAA Final Four this spring and FIFA World Cup matches in 2026.
And the new film A Jazzman's Blues, written and directed by Tyler Perry, debuts on Netflix Sept. 23. The film features choreography by Houston native Debbie Allen. We revisit our 2021 conversation with her about her career and how Houston fostered her artistic sensibilities.
On Tuesday's show: Hurricane Fiona has brought destructive flooding to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Space City Weather meteorologist Matt Lanza tells us more about the storm and explains why it's been a relatively quiet -- and hot -- hurricane season for us so far.
And a federal court ruling is allowing a new Texas social media law to take effect. The law prevents social media companies from blocking posts on the basis of their political views. News 88.7's Andrew Schneider joins us to explain the law, the ruling, and the potential challenge before the U.S. Supreme Court that's likely to come.
Also this hour: This is Banned Books Week, and, for the last year and a half, school boards across the country -- and especially in Texas -- have been bombarded with challenges to library books. High on the list are books that address racial history and LGBTQ topics. We revisit a conversation about whether this current period of politically charged debate over individual books is something different from the past. And we hear the perspective of a librarian.
Then, 49 years ago today, the Battle of the Sexes tennis match took place at the Astrodome where Billie Jean King soundly defeated Bobby Riggs in three straight sets. It was a huge moment for women’s equality, women in sport, and for tennis in general. Retired sports reporter Dan Lovett was in attendance that day and shares his memories of the match.
Plus Houston tennis great Zina Garrison reflects on her career.
And poet Julia Guez talks about her new collection, The Certain Body, much of which was inspired by her experience with COVID during the worst of the pandemic in New York City.
On Monday’s show: Houston joins with much of the world as we observe Great Britain's funeral for its late Queen. Also: Katy ISD is no longer blocking websites serving LGBTQ+ youth after complaints from students and activists.
Also this hour: We learned Friday that a second 14 year old has died from injuries sustained in a car crash in Galveston on September 2. The other driver had just been released from serving part of his sentence for a third DWI conviction. We discuss whether drunk driving laws in Texas are too lenient and whether there are better ways to deal with repeat offenders.
Then Patrick Jankowski of The Greater Houston Partnership helps us examine how the nationwide labor shortage is affecting our region.
And we talk with sports writer and podcaster Jeff Balke about some recent high-profile athletes announcing their retirement and how they know when it’s time to do so.
On Friday's show: Texas health officials won't publish new data on deaths related to pregnancy until after the next legislative session. We'll discuss why with the Houston Chronicle's Julian Gill.
Also this hour: A Constitutional law scholar discusses why the Second Amendment right to bear arms may or may not apply to 18- to 20-year-olds, why some states can have more restrictions on gun purchases than the federal government, and whether any limits on assault-style gun purchases would pass Constitutional muster.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Ken Ludwig, America's preeminent comic playwright, had his first commercial success with the play Lend Me a Tenor. We learn why, more than 30 years later, he revisited it and rewrote it with women in the lead roles as Lend Me a Soprano, which debuts tonight at The Alley Theatre and runs through Oct. 9.
On Thursday's show: Rail companies avoided a strike over pay and working conditions. We consider what this could have meant for the economy with Margaret Kidd from the University of Houston.
Also this hour: We begin our series of interviews with candidates in some of the key races around Texas and Greater Houston that are on the ballot on Election Day. Today, we talk with Jack Morman, a Republican who's running for Precinct 2 on the Harris County Commissioners Court.
Then, on Saturday, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is holding Bat Fest, an event celebrating the many species of bats who live in Greater Houston. With that in mind, we talk with conservationist and bat researcher Cullen Geiselman about what kinds of bats live in our region, what they do for our natural environment, and how they interact with the urban landscape.
And the NPR Politics Podcast will be live on stage at Zilkha Hall tonight. Among the panelists is NPR's senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montenaro, who talks with us about the Houston show, about the podcast, and about covering politics in the current climate.
On Wednesday's show: We learn why two GOP members of Harris County Commissioners Court boycotted a vote on the county budget and what it means for the process going forward.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, new research examines whether Harris County's bail reform measures are succeeding at cutting down on the time people spend behind bars before trial and at reducing recidivism.
And we learn about Mapping & Glaciers, a dance performance that explores how landscapes and territory change through time.
On Tuesday's show: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined city officials on Monday to highlight the millions of dollars being invested in Houston’s airports. We learn what those investments entail and discuss the future of Houston Airports with Jim Szczesniak, the airport system's chief operating officer.
Also this hour: Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn answers your questions about issues facing the city.
Then, longtime city planner and researcher Bill Fulton reflects on what he's learned in his career about how cities take shape and grow and discusses how that's changing, particularly in Houston. The former director of Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research has a new collection of essays on the matter called Place and Prosperity: How Cities Help Us to Connect and Innovate.
And we revisit a conversation and performance from Houston native singer/songwriter Thomas Csorba.
On Monday's show: We visit Venture Houston, a daylong conference at The Ion in Midtown bringing together venture capitalists and Houston startups
Also this hour: "We choose to go to the moon." Today marks the 60th anniversary of Pres. John F. Kennedy's speech at Rice University where he spoke those words and declared the nation's intention of landing a man on the moon. That began the space race, so of much which stemmed from NASA's Johnson Space Center here in Houston.
We reflect on the speech and its significance with Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley. He's the author of American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race. The university has been holding events throughout the weekend and today to commemorate the events.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions. Anything related to the health and well-being of your dog or cat is welcome.
And Sunday's Texans game against the Colts ended in a 20-20 tie. Sportswriter and podcaster Jeff Balke recaps the game and the start of a new NFL season.
On Friday's show: Vice President Kamala Harris tours Johnson Space Center today as NASA tries to clear the way for another Artemis I launch attempt in the coming weeks. We learn more about her visit and what NASA has to do to get the mission off the ground.
And, with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we look back on the time she visited Houston in 1991.
Also this hour: When then-President George W. Bush was first informed a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, University of Houston alum Brian Montgomery was with him. Montgomery is a former Deputy Secretary at HUD and former director of the Office of Presidential Advance. He’s taking part in events commemorating 9/11 on campus Friday. He joins us to share his first-hand account of that day's events.
Then we discuss how and why the University of Houston is investing so heavily in athletics – and whether its attendance problem at football games is even a problem. Texas Monthly contributor Richard Justice weighs in.
And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including a new noise ordinance for bars and clubs and a local high school football team breaking its 42-game losing streak.
On Wednesday's show: A new survey takes a closer look at the race for Harris County Judge. We discuss the findings.
Also this hour: Actor Kevin Bacon and his brother, composer Michael Bacon, aka The Bacon Brothers, talk about their music ahead of a performance Sept. 10 at Dosey Doe in The Woodlands.
And former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison reflects on her career and discusses the state of American politics. She's delivering the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Lecture on Ethics and Leadership at the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs on Sept. 13.
On Wednesday's show: Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer is holding a press conference alongside some county leaders and members of law enforcement later today to address the county’s rising violent crime rate. News 88.7’s Lucio Vasquez gives us a preview.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, in this month's edition of The Full Menu, local writers discuss their favorite food halls around the city.
And Performance Today host Fred Child collaborates with Houston’s Apollo Chamber Players on a performance called Silk Threads.
On Tuesday's show: The FDA has approved new versions of two COVID-19 vaccine boosters that target the omicron variant. A local infectious disease expert tells us who should get them and when.
Also this hour: Officials for the Houston Police Department and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are trying to locate 11 unaccompanied migrant children who went missing while under sponsor care here in Houston.
Then, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, who represents District D on the Houston City Council, answers listener questions about issues facing the city.
And writer Erika L. Sanchez, author of the novel I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, talks about her new memoir, Crying in the Bathroom. She'll be in Houston Sept. 12 for an event with Inprint.
On Friday's show: What are we to make of this summer’s drought and the ongoing flooding occurring across the country? Are these weather events isolated or are they connected? We discuss with Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas.
Also this hour: Texas Monthly’s Mimi Swartz tells us about True the Vote, a voter fraud movement with deep ties to Houston.
Then: From declining life expectancy numbers, to a delayed vote on social studies curriculum, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And this Labor Day weekend, the Red, White & Bayou Texas Music Festival in Dickinson returns for the first time since Harvey hit in 2017.
On Thursday's show: Ed Young, the longtime pastor of Houston's Second Baptist Church, is under fire for making political statements during a sermon last Sunday. Some have even called for the removal of the church’s tax-exempt status. But is that likely? And what role does religion play in modern-day politics -- and what role should it?
Also this hour: Mary Beth Rogers, the former campaign manager and chief of staff for the late Texas Gov. Ann Richards, reflects on her life in politics and shares stories from her new memoir, Hope and Hard Truth: A Life in Texas Politics. She'll be in Houston Sept. 20 for an event at Brazos Bookstore.
Then we discuss efforts to seek transportation equity for people with disabilities with Gabe Cazares, the new executive director of LINK Houston.
Plus: We meet Bao Ong, the Houston Chronicle’s new food columnist.
On Wednesday's show: Harris County Commissioners Court is expected to sue state Comptroller Glenn Hegar over accusations that the county was defunding its police department. News 88.7’s Andrew Schneider explains what this could mean for the county’s budget.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, the public charge rule – what it is, how it’s changing, and what that means for Houston’s immigrant population.
And we learn how rescuing people during Harvey changed the trajectory of a Houston man’s life.
On Tuesday's show: The Battleship Texas will be moved this week from its long-time home in La Porte to Galveston's Pier 21 to undergo much-needed repairs. We learn more about what it takes to move it and the work that's being done.
Also this hour: We talk with the News 88.7 reporters involved in Houston Public Media's series and podcast Below the Waterlines: Houston After Hurricane Harvey to discover what surprised them in the process of their reporting.
Then, we discuss the role community college education plays in creating the future workforce of Greater Houston and why advocates say community colleges deserve more funding.
And Steve Earle and The Dukes perform Wednesday night at The Heights Theater. We listen back to a 2019 interview and peformance by Earle here at Houston Public Media for our series Skyline Sessions.
On Monday's show: NASA has scrubbed today's launch of the Artemis 1 mission because of an engine problem. We learn more about what caused the delay in launching the rocket carrying the unmanned Orion capsule that will eventually carry humans back to the moon.
Also this hour: The Rio Grande region is facing water scarcity issues. What could this mean for the rest of the state?
Then: Should Houston be the real technology capital of Texas instead of Austin?
And Jeff Balke joins us to preview the Houston Texans season.
On Friday's show: We preview Monday's planned launch of the Artemis 1 mission, a NASA rocket carrying the unmanned Orion capsule that will eventually carry humans back to the moon.
Also this hour: We dig into this week’s announcement of President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program and what it mean for Houstonians.
Then, we continue our conversations about lessons learned five years after Hurricane Harvey with one final lesson to impart: It willhappen again. So we all better be ready.
And a new study says Houston isn't the most humid city in the country. Our panel of non-experts may or may not agree. We find out in this week's installment of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
On Thursday's show: Beto O’Rourke, the Democratic candidate for governor, is holding rallies throughout the state in a push to raise support for his campaign. But are O’Rourke’s efforts and viral moments enough to defeat Gov. Greg Abbott in November? We discuss with Rice University political science professor Mark Jones.
Also this hour: An expert explores how to address mental health challenges for young people in Texas, especially in the two-plus years of the pandemic and increases in anxiety and depression among our youth.
Then, we continue our conversations about lessons learned five years after Hurricane Harvey. Former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett joins us to contemplate how every storm is different.
And this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture contemplates the road not taken as portrayed in the new Netflix film Look Both Ways.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in the world of politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: This week marks five years since Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Texas and then dumped some 50 inches of rain on Greater Houston, causing devastating, widespread flooding. All week, we reflect on the lessons learned from the storm and examine efforts to prevent such flooding when the next one occurs.
Today, we continue our look at flood mitigation efforts five years after Harvey by talking with Justin Bower from the Houston-Galveston Area Council. And we reflect on the often slow process of recovery from such a disaster.
And composer Rob Smith and PDC Works dance company collaborate on Take Root, a program inspired by nature and the forest floor.
On Tuesday's show: We learn what recent job numbers and the falling price of oil tell us about the oil and gas industry.
Also this hour: This week marks five years since Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Texas and then dumped some 50 inches of rain on Greater Houston, causing devastating, widespread flooding. All week, we reflect on the lessons learned from the storm and examine efforts to prevent such flooding when the next one occurs.
Today, we continue our look at flood mitigation efforts five years after Harvey with Stephen Costello, the City of Houston's Chief Recovery Officer. And we learn how architecture and design could play a role in preventing flooding from Brett Zamore from Brett Zamore Design.
And, we bring you the final episode of News 88.7's podcast Below the Waterlines: Houston After Hurricane Harvey. In Episode 4: The federal government spends billions of dollars on home buyouts after flood events. But do they really make a difference?
On Monday's show: Today is the first day of school for many area districts and institutions including Houston public schools, Cy-Fair ISD, the University of Houston, Rice, and Texas Southern, among others. News 88.7’s Matt Harab joins us to tell us about a busy day for HISD Superintendent Millard House II, who's visiting a number of district schools throughout the day.
And we preview Pearland's next game in the Little League World Series.
Also this hour: This week marks five years since Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Texas and then dumped some 50 inches of rain on Greater Houston, causing devastating, widespread flooding. All week, we reflect on the lessons learned from the storm and examine efforts to prevent such flooding when the next one occurs.
Today, Jeff Lindner, the meteorologist for the Harris County Flood Control District who was the face most Houstonians saw the most in press conferences during the flooding, talks about his experience amid the crisis and the lessons he and his agency learned from it. And Jim Blackburn of Rice University's SSPEED Center talks about what has been done -- and what still needs to happen -- to prevent the next great flood.
And Jeff Balke joins us to discuss the latest developments in Houston sports and to talk about the ebb and flow of professional teams and their competitive windows.
On Friday's show: A storm front is bringing some much-needed rain to our region. We discuss the climate outlook for August with Eric Berger of Space City Weather.
Also this hour: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones discusses The 1619 Project, which aims to bring the stories and contributions of enslaved Black people to the forefront of American history. She's edited a collection of essays, stories, and poetry by the same name. And she's speaking at an event with the Progressive Forum on Aug. 24.
Then, as students around the area go back to school, we discuss some education-related topics in the The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Houston author Derryl Bohanna talks about his series of children’s books aimed at teaching kids -- especially children of color -- about financial literacy. We hear an excerpt from an hour-long conversation from this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.
On Thursday's show: Harris County leaders touted recent public safety programs yesterday. But just how effective have those programs really been?
And the Biden administration is cancelling debt for students who used federal loans to attend the now-defunct ITT Technical Institute.
Also this hour: We preview Houston Theater Week.
Then, Mario Diaz of the Houston Airport System answers your questions.
And: A podcast examining the failures of Texas’ electric grid is back. We discuss the new season of The Disconnect with host Mose Buchele of KUT.
On Wednesday's show: ERCOT, the agency in charge of regulating the Texas energy grid, has hired Pablo Vegas as its new CEO. We learn more about him and what his selection means for the future of the state's energy grid.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, entomologist Erin Mills from the Houston Botanic Garden answers your questions about insects.
And we visit the Rosenberg Library in Galveston, the oldest continuously operating public library in the state.
MORE ON THE ROSENBERG LIBRARY:
The Great Storm of 1900 Exhibit | Film Archive Collection | Archive Collection
On Tuesday's show: Rep. Al Green discusses issues before Congress, his efforts to establish a national Slavery Remembrance Day, and answers listener questions.
Also this hour: We bring you the next episode of News 88.7’s podcast Below the Waterlines: Houston After Hurricane Harvey. In Episode 3: What role could green infrastructure play in preventing future flooding? Turns out, letting nature run its couse is often a better option than manade options.
And we visit Banksyland, a touring exhibit highlighting the work of the elusive street artist, Banksy.
On Monday's show: We learn what the CDC's new COVID guidelines mean for Houston, especially as many area school return to class.
Also this hour: From low teacher morale to the state's teacher shortage, we discuss the crisis in the teaching profession and ways to address it from the perspective of someone involved in helping train and prepare future teachers. We talk with Cathy Horn, the interim Dean of the College of Education and director of the Education Research Center at the University of Houston.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions. Anything related to the health and well-being of your dog or cat is welcome.
And, as a team from Pearland plays this week in the Little League World Series, sportswriter and podcaster Jeff Balke discusses kids competing on a national and global stage. Is it responsible to put them under this kind of pressure, whether it's the LLWS, the Olympics, or even the Scripps National Spelling Bee?
On Friday's show: We get the latest out of a Houston Independent School District Board meeting to approve funding for school security measures.
Also this hour: We hear from the coach of a Pearland Little League baseball team heading to the Little League World Series.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we learn how Houston became a hotbed of competitive air hockey. This weekend, the University of Houston will once again host the World Championships of Air Hockey.
On Thursday's show: A new report finds that 16 percent of Texas hospitals are still not complying with federal price transparency rules. We discuss why these rules were put in place and what can be done to get hospitals to comply with them.
Also this hour: We learn what's being done to address the state's teacher shortage.
Then, Dwight Silverman answers your technology questions.
And we learn how therapy helped Saturday Night Live cast member Chris Redd be a better comedian and how rap helped him get over a debilitating stutter. Redd’s on stage at Houston Improv for four shows tonight through Sunday.
On Wednesday's show: A new survey found that most teachers are seriously considering leaving the profession. We discuss why teacher morale is so low.
Also this hour: We discuss the FBI raid on former Pres. Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, the progress of the Inflation Reduction Act, and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, plastic surgeon Dr. Franklin Rose recalls the role he played in pioneering breast implant surgery and how that made Houston a mecca for the procedure.
And we visit the Houston Yacht Club, the oldest of its kind in Texas, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary. It was the site of this year’s International Laser Class Association Youth World Championship, in which 200 young sailors ages 15-18 from 34 countries competed.
On Tuesday's show: Over the weekend, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act. A representative from the Environmental Defense Fund analyzes the climate change provision in the bill and discusses how it might affect Houston.
Also this hour: We welcome your questions for Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Martin, who represents District E on Houston City Council.
Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston fields your gardening questions.
And we bring you the next episode of News 88.7's podcast Below the Waterlines: Houston After Hurricane Harvey. In Episode 2: Harvey showed us the Addicks and Barker reservoirs are in dire need of improvements. Can Harris County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pull off a multi-billion dollar plan to move water downstream and away from homes in the reservoirs?
On Monday's show: Houston and two dozen other Texas cities are suing Netflix, Hulu, and Disney. We learn why those cities think those streaming services owe them money.
Also this hour: Local organizers want HISD to reform the district’s code of conduct, saying it relies too much on law enforcement -- and too often for Black students.
Then, we learn why a state program giving out life-saving drugs to treat opioid overdoses has been out of money for months and what it means for emergency responders.
And Justin Verlander has returned from injury to pitch very well this season. We talk about why some athletes are continuing to excel into their late 30s, even early 40s, and if that’s something we didn’t used to see in baseball with sportswriter and podcaster Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: A Russian court has found WNBA star Brittney Griner guilty on drug smuggling and possession charges. The judge sentenced Griner to nine years in prison. What are the chances of the United States government arranging for her release much sooner in some sort of prisoner exchange or other diplomatic effort? An international relations expert weighs in.
Also this hour: We discuss the implications for us here in Houston and across Texas of a recent Supreme Court ruling signaling dwindling power for the EPA.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including a man using 3D-printed guns to make a point at the city's recent gun buyback event, and an award-winning songwriter finding herself in over her head after a comment about Beyoncé on Twitter.
And renowned Indian composer and violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam is in Houston this week preparing for a concert Saturday with the Houston Symphony in the world premiere of his Mahatma Symphony, written to celebrate 75 years of Indian independence.
On Thursday's show: We discuss the implications of Harris County's potential lawsuit against the state over the latest audit of its elections.
Also this hour: As more businesses seek to reimburse employees for travel undertaken to get access to an abortion in another state, we explore the potential for additional state laws designed to stop them.
Then, we consider why the concept of air conditioning in Texas prisons remains controversial with Keri Blakinger of The Marshall Project.
And we take a tour of downtown to learn the stories behind the city’s skyline.
On Wednesday's show: Harris County Commissioners Court approved a bond proposal that will go before voters in November for around $1 billion in infrastructure spending.
Plus: Houston-area school districts will no longer provide free lunches to all students due to the expiration of a federal waiver.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, local food writers discuss what's on tap for Houston Restaurant Weeks in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And, long before the deadly Astroworld festival concert, New York had its own disaster of a concert event: Woodstock ’99. A new documentary about it debuts today on Netflix. Local film critic Joe Leydon was there and reflects on what he saw.
On Tuesday's show: Harris County could decide today whether to put a roughly $1 billion bond measure for infrastructure projects on the ballot in November.
Also this hour: Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer answers your questions about issues facing the city.
Then, the city of Houston is often celebrated for the strides it’s made in reducing homelessness. But how effective have these efforts truly been?
And we debut the first episode of Below the Waterlines, a new four-part podcast series from News 88.7 reflecting on lessons from Hurricane Harvey, five years later. In the first installment, reporter Matt Harab finds out what's keeping one Houston senior from getting back into her home.
On Monday's show: The U.S. Senate has approved a bill that contains the long-sought-after Ike Dike/coastal barrier project. The House has passed its own bill as well. We find out what happens next.
Also this hour: We offer you your monthly chance to vent your pet peeves.
And we analyze any moves the Astros make as the trade deadline approaches and discuss the high costs of attending their games (it’s not just about the tickets) with sportswriter and podcaster Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: TxDOT has announced plans to raise a portion of I-10 near White Oak Bayou, but local residents are skeptical of the project. Will TxDOT move forward with the project despite their concerns? We discuss.
MORE: TxDOT is seeking public input on the proposed project. Click here to read more about the proposal and for instructions on how to comment.
Also this hour: A recent study found Houstonians reported the highest stress levels of any community surveyed in the last year. We find out why.
Then, we discuss three stories that are bad news for ice cream lovers in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Megan Cavanagh, the actress who played Marla Hooch in the movie A League of Their Own -- who now lives in Houston -- reflects on the role and the film, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this month.
On Thursday's show: Harris County, the City of Houston, and local environmental attorney Jim Blackburn are suing Union Pacific, citing toxic pollution and soil and groundwater contamination in Kashmere Gardens and the Fifth Ward. We discuss the lawsuit with Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee.
Also this hour: In light of the Dobbs decision affecting abortion rights in Texas and across the nation, what other legal questions have arisen its wake? We talk it over with a legal expert.
Then this month's installment of The Bigger Picture explores why we’re drawn to sprawling, connected cinematic universes. What is it about tying stories together that speaks to us?
And longtime NFL coach Wade Phillips has been named the head coach for Houston's new XFL football team, which begins play next year. We revisit a 2017 conversation with him about his memoir, Son of Bum, which chronicles what it was like growing up the son of iconic Houston football coach Bum Phillips.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the status of drought conditions across the state and the forecast for the rest of the summer.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
And we revisit our conversation with Jon Meacham about his biography of former Pres. George H.W. Bush, Destiny and Power.
On Tuesday's show: We talk with Houston area Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia about her bill requiring employers to offer paid rest breaks for construction workers. And we welcome your questions and comments about other issues facing the area.
Also this hour: We preview Frontline: Facing Eviction, which takes a closer look at evictions in Texas. The episode airs tonight at 9 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.
And we reflect on the life and career of Jack Brooks, the late Texas lawmaker who some called “the meanest man in Congress.”
On Monday's show: The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Houston's response to illegal dumping and whether the city is guilty of racial discrimination.
Also this hour: How do we define where “Houston” ends and “outside of Houston” begins? The loop? The beltway? The Grand Parkway? The city limits? The metro area? We talk it over and get your input.
Then, Texas may have found a compromise on prayer in public schools years ago. Was that lightning in a bottle or is it possible to find compromise in other areas?
And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: We talk with a local health expert about the spread of monkeypox and what it means for Houston.
Also this hour: William Menjivar concludes a two-part exploration of the future of live music in the Houston area. Hear Part One
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we hear an excerpt from this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson, which tells the story of how a group of Vietnamese fishermen took on the KKK in a heated dispute over fishing Galveston Bay.
On Thursday's show: After another day of record-breaking demand on the Texas electric grid, we ask the Houston Chronicle’s Chris Tomlinson to weigh in on efforts in the political ranks (from both sides) to blame different sources of energy for not supplying enough juice.
Also this hour: We discuss the concept of sportswashing -- how companies, governments, or other entities use sports or sponsorship of a sport to improve a troubled reputation.
Then, we learn the role air conditioning played in making Houston the massive, sprawling city it is today — for better or worse.
And a performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night utilizes Juilliard graduate students and Houston-area high schoolers.
On Wednesday's show: The EPA is formally objecting to the issuance of operating permits for a Pasadena facility run by Intercontinental Terminal Company, the company responsible for a fire at a separate Deer Park petrochemical facility back in 2019. Will those permits still be issued?
And we learn about efforts to unionize some area Starbucks locations.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, we know well how disasters adversely affect poorer neighborhoods with fewer resources, but what about people who are neither wealthy nor poor? New research explores how disasters impact the middle class.
And Houstonians share some of their memories from watching the moon landing 53 years ago.
Last week, HR 8297 passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act would prohibit anyone from interfering with a person traveling across state lines to obtain abortion services.
The bill is sponsored by Houston Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, who joins us to discuss that and other legislation introduced in response to the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade. And she answers listener questions about other issues before Congress affecting Greater Houston.
Also this hour: The Moth, the storytelling event and radio show, is celebrating 25 years. Its founder George Dawes Green tells us how it got started and how it helped launched more storytelling events like it all over the world, including here in Houston. And he discusses his new novel, The Kingdoms of Savannah.
And our producer William Menjivar goes fishing on Buffalo Bayou with Alex Sosa of Buffalo Bayou Fishing Champs.
On Monday's show: We learn about a gun buyback program that will allow residents of Houston and Harris County to turn in their firearms for gift cards on July 30.
Also this hour: We learn about plans to build a huge movie studio in Central Texas. One of the co-founders of Hill Country Studios is from the Houston area. We discuss what this studio might mean for the future of the Texas film industry.
Plus: Over the weekend, the Harris Center became one of five Texas crisis centers answering calls to the new 988 hotline. It’s the new number for a nationwide suicide prevention line. It’s expected that this three-digit number will receive more calls than the previous 11-digit one. The change comes amid renewed focus on mental health in America. That topic was the reason actor Sean Astin came to Houston several years ago, and we revisit our 2018 conversation with the star of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Goonies, and Stranger Things.
And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: Houston officials say dioxin has been found in a Kashmere Gardens soil sample. News 88.7's Lucio Vasquez has the latest.
Also this hour: William Menjivar begins a two-part exploration into the future of live music in the Houston area with an examination of the challenges local venues face putting on concerts.
Then: A new poll indicates the race for Harris County Judge is tight. Andrew Schneider catches up with Rice University’s Mark Jones for details.
And, from a proposed floating abortion clinic in the Gulf of Mexico, to a Cypress couple being sued for big money by their homeowners association for feeding ducks, we contemplate The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: Prices for consumer goods have risen 9 percent over the last year -- the highest jump in 40 years. Is a recession on the horizon? And will prices continue to rise?
Also this hour: What a chemical leak last year can teach us about what some Houston communities are up against in protecting their health and safety in the shadows of our city’s enormous petrochemical industry as revealed in a recent investigation from Public Health Watch.
Then, last month, the Texas GOP Convention maintained a strict stance on homosexuality as part of its official platform. What does that mean for gay conservatives in the state?
And we preview Comicpalooza this weekend.
On Wednesday's show: The recent intense heat has put the spotlight back on the Texas energy grid, with the state's power grid operator asking residents to conserve energy. We discuss whether the power grid can handle the load and whether we should be concerned about another massive power failure.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, it’s the dual-edged sword of community improvement projects – how do you revitalize a neighborhood without pricing longtime residents out of it? A years-long effort in southwest Houston is intended to strike that balance.
And we remember The Laff Stop, the longtime comedy club that closed in 2009. Quite a few notable comedians performed and recorded albums there over the years. And a reunion of comedians and old friends of the venue takes place this week (July 14-16).
On Monday's show: The COVID positivity rate in Harris County is close to 30 percent. Should we be concerned about this sharp rise in cases?
Also this hour: As NASA is releasing the first images from its new James Webb Space Telescope, we discuss what they show us and learn how the telescope works.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: Houston native Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges as her trial continued in a Russian court on Thursday. The WNBA star admitted to bringing cannabis into the country but said she had packed in a hurry and did not intend to break the law. We get the latest on her case.
Also this hour: For centuries, the Karankawa people dominated what is now Houston and much of the Texas coast. A common misconception has been that they’re now extinct. But that's not exactly the case. We learn what really happened to the Karankawas, about their culture, and about efforts to preserve their language.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including a difference between what many Texans think about gun control measures and what others think that Texans think about that issue. And we mull over an incident at a San Antonio Taco Cabana that some are comparing to the Disney movie Ratatouille.
And we take a tour of the Alief Art House and learn how artist Matt Manalo is making art more accessible to the Alief community.
On Thursday's show: Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner are planning to sue Union Pacific over alleged toxic pollution from the railroad's Fifth Ward site. Menefee joins us to discuss how the pollution is affecting the health of residents nearby.
And we learn why the Justice Department is investigating Texas over its Operation Lone Star border initiative.
Also this hour: We explore how the recent Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade could lead to an erosion of privacy rights.
Then, we discuss why many Texans are reluctant to buy electric vehicles – according to a Houston survey. And we learn how a proposed new state initiative aims to address those concerns. Public comment on the draft plan is still being accepted at txdot_nevi@txdot.gov.
And some NFL players return home to their Houston neighborhood to help aspiring football players improve their game.
On Wednesday's show: Harris County has a new elections administrator. Well, almost, anyway. We learn why Clifford Tatum, a former election commission lawyer and administrator who has worked in D.C. and Georgia, can’t officially start his new job just yet. We discuss that story and all the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, in this month's installment of The Full Menu, local food writers talk about their favorite places around the city for refreshing beverages of all sorts -- whether it be juice bars, coffee, or even cocktails.
And we go inside the world of competitive Scrabble playing in Houston.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the Biden administration can end the so-called "Remain in Mexico" immigration policy. The decision is a setback for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who sued the Biden administration when the White House tried to rescind the policy. A local immigration activist responds to the news.
Also this hour: The high court's opinion in that immigration case came on the final day of the Supreme Court's term, one that included controversial rulings on abortion, guns, and the environment -- all of which demonstrates the impact of a more conservative court on the nation. We reflect on the recently concluded Supreme Court term with local experts.
Then, from homeownership growing ever more out of reach for renters to a new explanation for why fish rained from the sky over Texarkana last December, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of week.
And Houston writer Chris Cander talks about her latest novel, A Gracious Neighbor. She has a book launch event with Brazos Bookstore at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church July 6 at 7 p.m.
On Thursday's show: Increased flooding across the country is exposing more people to industrial waste, especially those in minority communities, according to new research from Rice University. And the problem is expected to get worse.
Also this hour: How big an impact do minority-owned businesses have on the Greater Houston economy? A recent report from the Greater Houston Partnership takes a closer look.
Then, former prisoner Brandon Warren of Lee College explains why it's important to educate the incarcerated -- even if they're never going to get out. And he tells how he went from incarcerated to earning a doctorate.
And we talk with teacher Roshunda Jones-Koumba, who teaches at George Washington Carver H.S. in Aldine ISD. She was recently honored at the Tony Awards for her work supporting students pursuing careers in the arts and other fields.
On Wednesday's show: Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez explains why he is withdrawing his nomination to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gonzalez made the announcement Monday via Twitter after his confirmation vote has stalled for months in Congress.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, we examine a new initiative at the University of Houston to increase the number of Hispanic professors.
And we learn about the Houston Hurricanes Minor League Cricket team.
On Tuesday's show: It’s not just unwanted pregnancies. Stricter abortion laws following the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade could affect parents who want a child but face medical challenges.
Also this hour: Lori Garver, former NASA Deputy Administrator, talks about her time in the space industry, working to expand NASA's partnership with commerical space companies, and the experience of women in leadership in the field of space exploration. She has a new book called Escaping Gravity.
Then we revisit our 2016 conversation with Houston writer Leah Lax about her memoir, Uncovered: How I Left Hasidic Life and Finally Came Home.
And we chat with sculptor Joseph Havel, who’s retiring as director of the Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, after 30 years.
On Monday's show: What last week’s Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade signals about politics and the judiciary beyond abortion, here in Texas, and across the nation.
Also this hour: We talk about the resources available for young people dealing with mental illness in Greater Houston. The conversation is in conjunction with the new two-part PBS film from Ken Burns, Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness, which airs tonight and Tuesday night at 8 on Houston Public Media TV 8.
And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: New research examines the growing divide between home owners and renters in Houston.
Also this hour: On The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – we revisit a story from late December about fish falling from the sky in Texarkana. It turns out the reason we were given for why it happened might have been wrong. An alternative theory is intriguing -- but also just a little bit gross.
Today's show was abbreviated so that News 88.7 could air special coverage the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe. v. Wade.
On Thursday's show: The Houston area is set to face triple digit temperatures later this week, and local municipalities are taking action against the heat.
Also this hour: State lawmakers are ending a costly tax break program that has allowed large corporations to avoid paying billions of dollars in school property taxes. We discuss why this expiring tax code will continue to cost taxpayers billions and ponder whether such tax incentives really do help create jobs.
Then we learn how architecture can lead to better flood prevention.
And we chat with Tiffany Derry. She's a Beaumont native and judge on the PBS series The Great American Recipe. Derry is a two-time James Beard Award Finalist and restauranteur based in Texas.
On Wednesday's show: Former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has reached an agreement to settle 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits that had been filed by women who accused him of sexual assault and harassment, an attorney for the women said.
And we discuss why TxDoT is going forward on demolition of the Ballpark Lofts for the expansion of I-45, despite a federal pause on the project.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, we reflect on the significance of the Shamrock Hotel 35 years after it was demolished and how its loss changed preservation in Houston.
And, while the Shamrock is long gone, a new book called Oldest Houston surveys some of the most storied local establishments that have managed to stick around.
On Tuesday's show: Houston children as young as 6 months old could begin receiving a COVID vaccine this week. We learn about the recent approval by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and about the potential vaccine rollout in the area.
Also this hour: Today is Make Music Day in Houston and in many cities around the world. We learn more about what's planned for this free celebration of music and hear performances from local musicians Heather Rayleen and Alex Coba.
And we talk with the co-creator of the Marvel character Deadpool, comic book writer Fabian Nicieza. He'll be in Houston Wednesday evening for an event at Murder by the Book tied to his new murder mystery book, The Self-Made Widow.
On Monday's show: With the state dealing with a major heat wave, we learn how the high temperatures are affecting agriculture.
Also this hour: With the leaked Supreme Court ruling that would potentially overturn Roe v. Wade, we discuss concerns that the decision could lead to other rights being taken away on similar grounds.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: We preview a pair of Juneteenth programs you can hear on News 88.7 this weekend.
Also this hour: University of Houston Professor Nancy Beck Young discusses the 50th anniversary of the Watergate break-in and ensuing scandal.
Then, on this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture, Joshua Zinn and his guests will recall the great film about Watergate, All The President’s Men.
And we may soon have trillionaires among us – including a couple of them here in Texas. And a shuttered local theme restaurant runs afoul of the cartoon it was based on. We discuss those stories in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: The U.S. House passed a bill that would provide $1.5 billion to states for wildlife conservation, including $50 million for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. We learn how it might affect Greater Houston.
Also: The U.S. Supreme Court sided with El Paso’s Tigua tribe in their decades-long fight with the state over gambling.
Also this hour: New York Times correspondent Jonathan Martin talks about the book he co-authored with Alexander Burns called This Will Not Pass. It chronicles an 18-month period of crisis in American democracy from the coronavirus pandemic, to the contested 2020 presidential election, to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, to the challenges of President Biden’s first year in office.
And we take a tour of Juneteenth historical sites in Galveston.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the House select committee hearings on the Jan. 6 capitol insurrection and learn what some Harris County Commissioners hope to convince voters to spend around a billion dollars on in a proposed November bond referendum. Then, we walk through results and analysis from four state primaries and talk about the framework for a proposed bipartisan Senate bill to address school safety and guns. We take on those and other topics in a double dose of our weekly political roundup.
Also this hour: We visit Harris County's Emergency Operations Center at Houston TranStar, which is where local officials converge when the Houston area is under threat of a storm or other emergency.
And, ahead of Father's Day this Sunday, three sons talk about their famous fathers.
On Tuesday's show: One of the largest export plants producing liquified natural gas has been shut down following an explosion at its export facility last week. We take a look at how this closure could impact the global liquified gas market.
Also this hour: Fort Bend County Judge KP George joins us to answer your questions about issues facing the county.
Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses several recent developments in consumer technology.
And we meet the Houston filmmakers and one cast member behind the new western Murder at Yellowstone City.
On Friday's show: The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 capitol insurrection had its first primetime public hearing yesterday. We discuss what to expect during the hearings and learn about the Texans involved in the riots.
Also this hour: NASA is upgrading its spacesuits. Two Houston companies are involved in the overhaul.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And comedian Hari Kondabolu discusses becoming a father during the pandemic and returning to standup. He performs tonight at The Secret Group.
On Thursday's show: Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and dozens of other women who say they were sexually assaulted by Larry Nassar are seeking more than $1 billion from the FBI for failing to stop the sports doctor when the agency first received allegations against him.
Also this hour: We discuss how easy -- or challenging -- it is to get around Houston these days, whether by bike, car, public transit, or on foot.
Then, Elon Musk says all Tesla employees have to come back to the office — no exceptions. How reasonable is that expectation after years of remote working? We discuss with Houstonians Jill Chapman from Insperity and Michelle Castrow with Workforce Solutions.
And when local writer and professor Lacy M. Johnson was charged with collecting stories from Hurricane Harvey, what surprised her the most were the stories she wasn't hearing. That led to a new collection of essays on Houston's relationship with catastrophic flooding called More City than Water: A Houston Flood Atlas.
On Wednesday's show: New data reveals that Texas lost one in five childcare providers between 2020 and 2021. We discuss why those closures happened with Children at Risk president and CEO Bob Sanborn.
Also this hour: The University of Houston’s Brandon Rottinghaus and Beth Simas join us to discuss the latest developments in politics.
Then, food writers discuss their favorite places for barbecue in Houston in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And we talk with Pearland native Grace Li, whose debut novel Portrait of a Thief became a bestseller and will soon be adapted into a series on Netflix.
On Tuesday's show: ERCOT expects record high energy usage today. Can the state’s power grid hold up?
Also this hour: Houston City Council Member Amy Peck join us to answer your questions about issues facing the city.
Then, Marshall Project reporter Keri Blakinger joins us to discuss her new memoir Corrections in Ink, which chronicles her journey from promising figure skater, to heroin addict, to prisoner, to award-winning reporter covering prisons.
And the new season of the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind debuts this week. Troy Schulze talks with cast members about the series, which considers what would have happened to NASA and Space City if the Russians had won the space race.
On Friday's show: Two of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s aides have filed a motion to remove District Attorney Kim Ogg from their case involving a controversial COVID-19 outreach contract. We learn why.
And we discuss the $1 billion plan to expand the Houston Ship Channel.
Also this hour: Jim Smith, the new Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Houston Field Office, discusses his job and efforts to fight crime in the area.
Then, from a man throwing cake at the Mona Lisa to the potential demise of Elvis-themed weddings in Las Vegas, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news.
And we learn how a challenge from another writer led Houston poet Van G. Garrett to shift gears and write a children's book about sneakers called Kicks.
On Thursday's show: This week’s Supreme Court ruling temporarily blocking a Texas social media law from taking effect demonstrates it’s not always strictly about political ideology in the courts. But as South Texas College of Law Houston’s Rocky Rhodes tells us, it is about politics a lot more often than it used to be.
Also this hour: We talk about the state of our politics with former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. Though the two differed on politics, they always worked well together -- in particular during major storm events and other emergencies. But the world of politics has changed dramatically even in the last several years. We seek their wisdom on how to navigate it and how to improve our public discourse.
And we revisit a performance by the Houston group Nick Gaitan & The Umbrella Man. Gaitan performs June 5 at Cowboy Surfer.
On Wednesday's show: On this first official day of the Atlantic hurricane season we present a special edition of Houston Matters with everything you need to get ready for whatever tropical weather the next six months may have in store for us.
We talk with Matt Rosencrans of NOAA about the hurricane forecast and what we can expect in terms of the number and severity of tropical storms between now and the end of November.
Also, we offer a first-timer’s guide to hurricane season for newbies wondering what to do and what to expect before, during, and after a tropical storm.
Then Craig Cohen and Ernie Manouse of Town Square go shopping for hurricane season supplies. And we reflect on the impact of Hurricane Ike as told in the Houston Public Media podcast series Hurricane Season.
Plus, in the audio below we visit Harris County’s Emergency Operations Center at Houston TranStar, which is where local officials converge when the Houston area is under threat of a storm or other emergency. Houston Matters producer Michael Hagerty takes us on a tour with the help of TranStar's Josh Shideler and Brian Murray with Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
And Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo talks with Michael about how the county prepares for hurricane season.
Hurricane Resources:
Ready Harris | Emergency Supply Kit | Flood Insurance FAQs
On Tuesday's show: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia discusses the school shooting in Uvalde and answers listener questions.
Also this hour: Why former Houston Astros star Ken Caminiti admitted he'd used steroids long before anyone else did -- and the demons that led to his untimely death -- are the subject of a new book by journalist Dan Good. It's called Playing Through the Pain.
And a judge has ruled that the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston can keep a painting by Bernardo Belloto, which may or may not have been sold under duress to Adolf Hitler’s art dealer. We learn about efforts to return stolen artwork from World War II and the museum's perspective on the story.
On Friday's show: Protests are planned this weekend as the National Rifle Association's annual convention takes place in Houston just days after the school shooting in Uvalde. News 88.7 reporters outline who's speaking at this year's events and what to expect from activists outside the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Also this hour: We learn about the new podcast Line in the Land from Texas Public Radio and the Houston Chronicle. It tells the story of how and why thousands of Haitians made their way to the U.S.-Mexico border in 2021.
Then, we discuss Beto O'Rourke's confrontation with Gov. Greg Abbott and other stories as we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news.
And two Houston-area middle schoolers are competing in the coming days at the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The Houston Matters annual spelling bee is, well, a little less impressive -- but still entertaining.
On Thursday's show: Since 2018, homicides involving a gun have been on the rise here, according to Harris County’s Institute for Forensic Science. In the wake of the horrifying school shooting in Uvalde, and ahead of this weekend’s NRA national meeting in Houston, we discuss the implications of gun violence in the area and what to do about it with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. We also discuss how gun laws in Texas haven’t changed since a similar tragedy at Santa Fe High School.
Also this hour: A new survey reveals what Houston area Muslims say life is like for them in the Bayou City.
And, in this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we explore what the new “folk horror” film Men may be trying to say about masculinity.
On Wednesday's show: We learn the latest on the fatal shooting at a Uvalde elementary school.
Also this hour: We discuss the results from the Texas primary runoff elections and the latest news in our weekly political roundup.
Then, on the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, Washington Post journalists Toluse Olorunnipa and Robert Samuels examine his life growing up in Houston and the factors that led to his death in their new book, His Name is George Floyd.
On Tuesday's show: The Southern Baptist Convention is wrestling this week with the implications of a report released Sunday finding cover-ups of allegations and incidents of sexual abuse by leaders and volunteers.
Also this hour: City Council Member Edward Pollard answers your questions.
Then, a newly created housing affordability report found that fewer households in Greater Houston could afford to purchase a median-priced home in the first quarter of 2022, as home prices and mortgage interest rates climbed. We learn about some different ways Houstonians needing a home are adjusting.
And we meet Houstonians who collect unusual things.
On Monday's show: We discuss how the shortage of baby formula is affecting Houston families.
Also this hour: We learn about the problem of high concentrations of bacteria on Texas beaches -- some of it from human waste.
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And we recap the latest developments in Houston sports.
On Friday's show: The pandemic had devastating effects on the global economy in 2020 as things shut down. So, why was 2021 so much better for Houston's transactions with the rest of the world? A new report from the Greater Houston Partnership takes a closer look.
Also this hour: We learn about some plans to restore natural prairie and grasslands around town and the benefits that could ensue.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we learn how much bees have influenced human design and construction as higlighted in a new exhibition called The Architecture of Bees.
On Thursday's show: COVID-19 cases and viral loads in wastewater are on the rise here in Houston. Is there another wave on the way? Dr. Stacey Rose from Baylor College of Medicine helps us understand what the numbers mean.
Also this hour: Local sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula answers your questions.
And chef Nick Fine of the Houston restaurant Wild Oats is obsessed with dishes Texans think of as their own and seeks out local specialties and recipes. We talk with about what dishes and styles of food fall under the umbrella of "Texas cuisine."
On Wednesday's show: We discuss how leaders have responded to the mass shooting in Buffalo, N.Y. and other developments in our weekly political roundup.
Also this hour: What do Houstonians think about life here -- the economy, their life experiences, beliefs, and attitudes? We discuss the findings of the 41st annual Houston Area Survey with Rice University sociologist Dr. Stephen Klineberg. It's his last year working on the longest-running survey of its kind in the nation.
On Friday's show: Five refineries in Texas exceeded federal limits on benzene pollution, some in the Houston area. We talk about what comes next.
Also this hour: We visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to consider the historical significance of the official portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama.
Then, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we preview an upcoming performance by the classical/hip-hop crossover duo Black Violin.
On Thursday's show: We talk with Eco Watch about what consumers should know about their electricity bills and how to choose the right provider.
Also this hour: The ramifications of Mexico's government saying they will route a major rail line through New Mexico instead of Texas.
Then, we learn about a new historical fiction novel from Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
And a project from the University of Houston aims to document the experiences of Houston's Latino-Jewish community.
On Wednesday's show: City Controller Chris Brown joins us to give his perspective on Mayor Sylvester Turner's proposed city budget.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest news in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, author Lance Scott Walker talks about his new book DJ Screw: A Life in Slow Revolution.
And the West Texas A&M University Symphony Orchestra presents a silent film classic with a contemporary film score.
On Tuesday's show: U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher joins us to answer listener questions.
Also this hour: The story of why a transgender teen and her family moved out of state.
Then, we learn about new poll data from the Episcopal Health Foundation on Texans' attitudes about health care.
And we revisit a conversation with Mickey Gilley, who died this past weekend.
On Monday's show: For more than a decade, the Texas prison system has fallen short on state fire safety standards. The Marshall Project’s Keri Blakinger tells us about concerns raised over unsafe wiring and inadequate alarm systems leading to deaths in Texas prisons.
Also this hour: Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale talks about her own struggle with OCD and her role as the director of McLean OCDI Houston.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from writer Jesus Ortiz of Our Esquina.
On Friday's show: Legislation is moving forward in the U.S. Senate in the creation of a new levee system often referred to as the Ike Dike. It would block storm surge along Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula, and at the mouth of Galveston Bay.
Also this hour: Huma Abedin, political operative and longtime staffer of Hillary Clinton, talks about her new memoir, Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds. She'll be in Houston for an event with the Asia Society May 11.
Then, another comedian is attacked on stage and what the latest data tells us about how much harder it’s getting to buy a home in Houston -- unless you make a lot of money. We discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we discuss the lost are of apologizing.
On Thursday's show: ERCOT is concerned high temperatures over the weekend could put a strain on the electricity grid and is asking plants to postpone scheduled maintenance so they'll be able to respond to the increased demand.
Also this hour: Eliza Reid, the First Lady of Iceland, talks about how her country has managed to lead the world in equality for women and about her book, Secrets of the Sprakkar. She's one of the keynote speakers today at the Greater Houston Conference for Women.
Plus we learn about the costs and challenges of hydrogen as an energy alternative.
And we discover how wearable technology might inform the interrelationship between sleep and depression.
On Wednesday's show: With the leaked draft ruling suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade, we check in with News 88.7 reporters covering local protests and find out what this all could mean for Houston and Texas.
Also this hour: We discuss the potential Supreme Court ruling and all the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Plus: Area foodies dish on their favorite Houston-area hamburger joints in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And a world premiere play at The Alley Theatre called Born with Teeth contemplates a possible, and likely contentious, partnership between Shakespeare and one of his contemporaries.
On Tuesday's show: Some members of city council have proposed changes to the city's noise ordinance that will be voted on this week. They hope those changes will address problems with bars along Washington Avenue. One of those council members, Sallie Alcorn, joins us to explain what the proposed changes would do.
Also this hour: Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle, who represents Precinct 4, joins us to discuss issues facing the county and take your questions.
Then we revisit our conversation with actor Jeff Goldblum from 2019 when he was in town to perform with his jazz band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Goldblum and the ensemble perform Wednesday night at the Hobby Center.
And we learn how a one-word comment on a social media post led Houstonian KC Davis to change how she thought about herself as a mother -- and help other struggling parents too -- with her new book How to Keep House While Drowning.
On Monday's Houston Matters: Europe is importing more Texas oil to offset the loss of supplies from Russia. We learn what that could mean for the Houston oil and gas industry.
Also this hour: We offer you your monthly chance to vent your pet peeves.
And we recap who the Texans chose in the NFL Draft and discuss the latest developments in Houston sports.
On Friday's show: Beginning this weekend, a crucial highway ramp connecting 610 and 59 is set to close for two years. We discuss what it will mean for traffic in the region. And we find out which players the Texans picked up in the early rounds of the NFL Draft.
Also this hour: With housing prices so high and supply of new homes struggling to keep up, would-be Houston-area homeowners are increasingly looking outward, beyond the suburbs, beyond the exurbs, to developments being touted as “agrihoods.” We learn about one such development in Richmond and contemplate the state of residential real estate in an increasingly sprawling Greater Houston.
Plus: The long-awaited Yankees letter has been released and offers insight into how the Yankees stole signs electronically for two seasons before the Astros did. This week’s panel weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
And, ahead of his final concert as music director of the Houston Symphony, Andrés Orozco-Estrada sits down with Joshua Zinn.
On Thursday's show: We learn why the Houston Dash suspended their head coach and general manager, James Clarkson.
Also this hour: Following recent stories about the NFL's hiring practices for coaches and the need for more diversity, we talk with Javier Loya. He's minority owner of the Houston Texans and is working on this issue as a member of the newly formed NFL Diversity Advisory Committee.
Then, in this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we discuss how Asian stories and Asian characters have evolved in American cinema as demonstrated in the new movie Everything Everywhere All at Once.
And we learn about an independent horror film shot in Houston called The Curse of Professor Zardonicus.
On Wednesday's show: New numbers show antisemitic incidents in Texas more than doubled in 2021 and are at an all-time high in the nation.
Also today: More about Elon Musk and the politics of Twitter along with all the latest news from the world of politics in our weekly roundup.
Plus: The Houston Zoo is turning 100. We discuss how the zoo – and conservation – has changed over the last century.
And we visit a youth robotics competition, the FIRST Championship.
On Monday's show: We learn more about The Sunnyside Solar Project, which aims to convert a former landfill into the largest urban solar farm in the nation.
Also this hour: What drives Gov. Greg Abbott, and what are his political ambitions? A new in-depth profile in Texas Monthly takes a closer look.
Then, there is increasing concern these days about microplastics -- tiny bits of plastic in our oceans, the food chain, and even in some cases our own bodies. Rice professor Pedro Alvarez explains what we do and don't know about this problem.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: In recent years, Texas has launched numerous costly initiatives aimed at securing the U.S.-Mexico border. But what has Texas gotten in return for those measures? A new investigation takes a closer look.
Also this hour: From the waistline sizes of Texas state troopers, to Taylor Swift having a millipede named after her, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we learn about the first BIPOC Book Fest happening this weekend.
On Thursday's show: A task force formed after November's deadly Astroworld Festival has presented recommendations on how Texas can avoid future tragedies. In a nine-page report, the Texas Task Force on Concert Safety recommends standardizing statewide the permitting process for such events, creating benchmarks that would trigger an event's cancellation, and streamlining and clarifying the chain of command for local authorities at such events.
Also this hour: New research suggests attitudes towards tattoos in the workplace are evolving. We learn what the study has to say and what it may mean for you and yours at work.
And we learn how Dogecoin -- something that started as a joke on the other side of the world -- turned into a very real festival called Dogepalooza happening Saturday at Constellation Field in Sugar Land.
On Wednesday's show: The travel mask mandate has been struck down. Florida’s governor wants to end a special status for Disney World. And Alex Jones’ Infowars has filed for bankruptcy. We discuss those and other stories in our weekly political roundup.
Also this hour: Many Texas teachers were already burned out before the pandemic exacerbated the issues they face, such as low pay, poor school finance, and an outdated standardized testing strategy. A recent Texas Monthly story let teachers sounds off on what they're facing.
And the tragic loss of life at the Astroworld music festival last fall also left a stigma on Houston's beloved, long-lost theme park of the same name. We learn how an art show this weekend featuring works inspired by and celebrating the Astroworld theme park hopes to change that some.
On Tuesday's: City Council Member Tarsha Jackson answers your questions about issues facing District B and the city at-large.
Also this hour: We discuss the fossil fuel industry’s history of casting doubt and delaying action on climate change in conjunction with a new three-part series on Frontline called The Power of Big Oil, which begins airing tonight at 9 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.
And local baker Hemlata "Hemu" Basumatary from the Netflix baking show Is It Cake? talks about her craft.
On Monday's show: The Harris Health System announced the release of its only COVID-19 patient this past Friday, leaving zero COVID-19 patients for the first time since March of 2020. And Memorial Hermann also announced Friday that they would be easing several of their COVID guidelines – health screenings won’t be required from employees and patients and masks will be optional in non-patient areas. Visitation will also return to pre-pandemic rules.
While some things may be looking better for hospitals they’re still assessing the full scope of the financial damage the pandemic caused over the last two years.
Also this hour: You still have until the end of the day to file your federal income taxes. We discuss why the deadline was extended to today and what you should do if you can’t get yours filed on time.
Plus, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: The cleanup of the San Jacinto Waste Pits faces another setback. We examine why the process is being delayed. And Houston will likely face stricter pollution standards to reduce smog.
Also this hour: From Gov. Greg Abbott ending his policy of inspecting commercial trucks at the border after traffic snarls and delays, to California police pulling over a driverless car, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Kara LaMoure, bassoonist for the local chamber ensemble WindSync, talks about the group's new album, All Worlds, All Times.
On Thursday's show: Houston City Council voted unanimously to approve paid parental leave for city employees. We discuss this and other news from Wednesday’s council meeting with News 88.7 reporter Caroline Love.
And we get an update on several COVID-19-related stories.
Also this hour: Dr. Juli Berwald fell in love with coral reefs when she was a marine biology student. The Texas resident wrote last September about the Flower Garden Banks for Texas Monthly. Now, she has a new book out called Life on the Rocks: Building a Future for Coral Reefs. We talk with her about efforts to protect the reefs, and how they, in turn, provide storm protection but are threatened by climate change. We also discuss a parallel Berwald draws to the fate of coral reefs -- and her own daughter’s struggle with mental illness – two often invisible battles with uncertain outcomes.
And an event at Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts, featuring the Houston-based ensemble Nameless Sound, fuses music with visual representations of itself.
On Wednesday's show: A five-year audit found that Houston ISD had a $300 million surplus. So, why does the district continue to cut spending?
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly political roundup, including the politics of gasoline. We discuss why the Biden administration is temporarily allowing E15 ethanol blend gas to be sold this summer, when it’s usually banned under the Clean Air Act.
Then, we reflect on the contributions women have made -- and continue to make -- in the field of space travel and exploration, specifically at NASA's Johnson Space Center. We talk with the space center's historian, Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, author of Making Space for Women.
And we visit Houston's William Price Distilling to learn how the startup had to pivot two years ago and make something they’d never intended.
On Tuesday's show: Two senior staffers for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and one former one were indicted Monday for what investigators say was an attempt to steer a roughly $11 million COVID-19 vaccine outreach contract to a preferred vendor. We learn the latest and what happens next.
Also this hour: City Council Member Mary Nan Huffman answers your questions about issues affecting the city.
Then, what happens when the public’s right to know bumps up against an individual’s right to privacy? We talk with Tulane Law Professor Amy Gajda about her new book, Seek and Hide – The Tangled History of the Right To Privacy.
And Khalil Arab worked as an interpreter for U.S. forces in his native Afghanistan before ending up in Houston. We hear his story and learn what he hopes Americans will learn about those like him. There will be a free screening of a documentary about Afghans like Arab, called The Interpreters, as a part of the Inspire Film Festival Thursday night at the MATCH.
On Monday's show: The pollen count has been high lately. We learn why and discuss how it affects people.
Also this hour: A Houston mother of a transgender child talks about her experience as a parent and how the recent news of Child Protective Services investigating families of transgender children for child abuse is affecting her family.
Then, there’s some good money for student athletes in Texas who can now gain financially from a law passed last year. But who’s benefitting the most?
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: For the first time in two years, the Texas Department of State Health Services says fewer than a thousand patients with COVID-19 are being treated in Texas hospitals. Even as increasing percentages of COVID cases are coming from the new BA.2 omicron subvariant, hospitalizations remain down and flat. That, of course, is due to widely available vaccines and treatments, which we did not have in April of 2020.
To reflect on how far we've come in fighting the pandemic over the past two years, News 88.7’s Paul DeBenedetto speaks with Harris County’s chief executive, Judge Lina Hidalgo.
Also this hour: When should judges recuse themselves? And what happens when there’s a potential conflict of interest, and a judge – or a Supreme Court Justice – doesn’t? We’ll discuss.
Plus: Elon Musk buys a large stake in Twitter, and Mike Tyson’s gummies business hits a snag in Colorado. Our non-expert panel weighs in on this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
And Michael Hagerty visits this year’s Mecum Auction here in Houston, where 1,050 classic and collector cars were sold.
On Thursday's show: Several Houston areas have recently had racist fliers distributed in certain neighborhoods. We learn more.
And a representative from the The American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region tells us about recent blood shortages in the area.
Also this hour: We check in with Kam Franklin and other members of The Suffers. We hear their new single, Don’t Bother Me, which it out today and discuss some of what’s happening in Houston’s music scene these days. Kam was also at the Grammys last weekend, and her newest project, Bayou City Comeback Chorus, makes its premiere at the Art Car Ball Friday.
And we visit the Rice University baseball program's new high-tech pitching lab.
On Wednesday's show: Some members of Harris County Commissioners Court want to fire outgoing Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria before she's set to step down this summer following problems with the recent primary election. And they want to strip Judge Lina Hidalgo of her emergency powers. We find out why – and discuss why these measures are unlikely to pass.
Also this hour: We discuss those stories and other news in our weekly political roundup with the help of University of Houston political scientists Beth Simas and Jeronimo Cortina.
Then, local food writers discuss their favorite places to eat in Chinatown and Katy Asian Town in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And the Houston Art Car Parade is Saturday, with a variety of events throughout the weekend. We revisit our conversation with comedian Cheech Marin, who was the parade's grand marshal in 2017.
On Tuesday's show: Missouri City recently became the first city in Texas to implement a new technology that helps police respond faster and more effectively to emergency calls. We learn more about Live911.
Also this hour: City Council Member Mike Knox joins us to answer your questions about issues facing the city.
Then, University of Houston men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson joins us to recap the Cougars' latest NCAA tournament run and what the last two seasons have meant for the program and the university.
And Sean Carey from the band Bon Iver talks about the band's music and his solo work ahead of a show at White Oak Music Hall.
On Monday's show: This week, Houston City Council plans to begin considering a paid parental leave policy for city employees. We learn what the benefits might entail and how they might help city employees.
Also this hour: It's another chance to vent your pet peeves about life in Houston.
And Jeff Balke previews the Astros season and updates us on sports.
On Friday's show: The Texas Tribune reports state officials, the energy sector, and cybersecurity experts all believe Russian hackers are looking for ways to disrupt the state’s energy infrastructure. We learn more.
Also this hour: Filmmaker Richard Linklater talks about growing up in the Houston area during the space race and his new film drawing on that, Apollo 10 1/2.
Plus: From the history of space exploration to its present and future -- we discuss the politics of private space flight as Houston-based Axiom Space has been cleared by NASA for the first private mission to the International Space Station.
Then, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we bid farewell to News 88.7's energy reporter Kyra Buckley.
On Thursday's show: The even more contagious BA.2 strain of the omicron variant of COVID-19 is now the most common strain of the virus in the United States. We learn about its presence in Houston.
Also this hour: Last month, when Gov. Greg Abbott directed Child Protective Services to investigate parents providing gender-affirming care for their kids as child abuse, the ACLU sued. A judge put a halt to such investigations for now. We talk with an ACLU attorney and an area reporter about what gets set in motion and what authority CPS has when it begins such investigations.
Then, environmental advocacy group Bayou City Waterkeeper alleges millions of gallons of waste from Baytown’s sewer system leaked into neighboring communities. We learn how years of pollution affected the area.
And we learn about the Houston Power, our city's women's professional tackle football team. Their season begins April 9.
On Wednesday's show: Houston City Council is considering a ban on smoking vapes and e-cigarettes in public spaces. News 88.7's Caroline Love brings us the details.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest news in our weekly political roundup.
Then, why most Americans aren’t getting the end-of-life health care they need.
And a conversation with filmmaker Ti West about why his movie entitled X is set in Texas, about characters from Houston, but was filmed thousands of miles away.
MORE: Extended conversation with director Ti West
On Tuesday's show: Texas added 5,100 upstream oil and gas jobs in February, the highest spike in more than a decade and the second highest jump more than 30 years, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Why?
Also this hour: Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis talks about issues affecting the county and answers listener questions.
Then, we learn about some of the rare species of wildlife that have been spotted around Texas recently.
And poet Nikki Giovanni shares what advice she gives to aspiring writers at Prairie View A&M University and explains why a South American bat was named after her.
On Monday's show: Pres. Joe Biden will allow Ukrainians fleeing the war into the United States. We learn how a local nonprofit is preparing to resettle Houston’s newest refugees.
And the Biden administration is suing Galveston County officials for allegedly discriminating against people of color when they redrew political boundaries for the commissioners court.
Also this hour: As we discussed recently, scientists at Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake have been in the process of carefully opening a vacuum-sealed tube filled with rocks and soil that was collected on the moon 50 years ago. NASA held onto the tube and kept it tightly sealed all this time while technology improved to the point that they could safely and effectively collect gas that might have built up within it over five decades. Well, they opened it last week. We learn how and what we might learn from it,
Then, a new book from Rice University researcher Dan Cohan discusses the combination of diplomacy, technology, and policy needed to decarbonize the world in time to save it. It's called Confronting Climate Gridlock.
And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: The University of Houston Men's Basketball team is headed to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament! We discuss last night's win against Arizona and the expectations for their next game against Villanova.
And how the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a case stemming from Houston dealing with a practice that dates back to colonial times.
Also this hour: Texas has closed nearly all of the state’s public oyster reefs for harvesting, dealing a devastating blow to those who work in the industry. But state biologists say it’s necessary to protect the bivalves for the future. We learn more.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And a new cross-cultural production by Samskriti called A Story, a Song, and a Dance highlights the resilience shown by artists during the pandemic.
On Thursday's show: Houston City Council voted unanimously to approve the city’s contract with the Houston Police Officers’ Union after failing to pass a motion from council members who wished to delay the vote for two weeks.
And we learn about plans to expand the cancer research that won a local researcher a Nobel Prize in medicine.
Also this hour: Fire ants, Chinese tallow trees, even four-foot-long Argentine lizards -- we learn about some of the many invasive species found in and around Greater Houston and the threats they pose to the environment.
Then, in this month's edition of The Bigger Picture, we discuss some of the issues surrounding adolescence addressed in the new animated movie Turning Red.
And we learn about Ocean Filibuster, a theater experience utilizing music, video, and 3D augmented reality to convey the wonders of the earth's oceans.
On Monday's show: There are now seven separate wildfires making up the Eastland Complex wildfires near Abilene. We get an update on efforts to contain them and discuss air quality and just how much of a health threat that smoke from those wildfires was that blew southeast here to Houston on Friday.
Also this hour: Uber’s head of cities and transportation policy, Shin-pei Tsay, discusses how to develop sustainable and inclusive transportation in Houston. She speaks during the next Kinder Institute Forum, a free webinar on March 23.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And the UH Cougars are headed to the Sweet 16, the Houston Texans traded quarterback Deshaun Watson to Cleveland, and Carlos Correa found a new team. Jeff Balke updates us on those and other developments in Houston sports.
On Friday's show: The Houston area added more construction jobs than any other metro in the country. We examine how the industry is recovering two years into the pandemic.
Also this hour: Why a Scottish court doesn't want to extradite a prisoner to Texas.
Then: Making Daylight Saving Time permanent, an oversized potato (of sorts), and Dolly Parton removing herself from her nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame -- we mull over The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And, as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo enters its final weekened, we check in on how things went this year.
On Thursday's show: A University of Houston study identifies the Houston-area intersections with the most car crashes and the factors contributing to them.
And we take a look at the figures from this year's homeless count.
Also this hour: For St. Patrick’s Day we talk about the origins of the holiday and where we can find the influences of Irish culture here in the states and in Houston.
Then: How a recent court ruling stemming from an incident involving a Houston fire fighter might set precedent for future cases related to hostile work environments.
And we visit Virtual Realities, an exhibit the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has described as "the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of works by M.C. Escher ever presented."
On Wednesday's show: Four HPD officers dismissed in 2020 after shooting and killing Nicolas Chavez, a man suffering an apparent mental health crisis, are being reinstated, and some community members aren’t happy about it.
Also this hour: The Fed is expected to raise interest rates this week, which, as NPR’s Domenico Montenaro reported Monday, raises some political challenges for the Biden administration. We discuss that, the politics surrounding a currently-blocked directive from the governor to the state’s child welfare agency to investigate families seeking gender-affirming care, and other developments in this week’s political roundup.
Then, an area expert answers your questions about filing your income taxes.
And we chat with Houston’s own French ice cream maker, Lucienne Bellefontaine.
On Tuesday's show: Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic started in earnest here in Houston, we talk with Dr. David Persse, the Houston Health Authority, about where things stand and what the future holds.
Also this hour: Fort Bend County Judge KP George discusses issues affecting his county and answers your questions.
Then, Mike Nichols, CEO of Coalition for the Homeless, joins us to walk us through the findings of the organization’s annual homeless count.
And we talk bagels with Houston writer Rachel Teichman, author of B is for Bagel.
On Monday's show: A Texas judge has blocked Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to the state’s child welfare agency to investigate families seeking gender-affirming care for their kids, but not before some 60 corporations condemned the order.
And the Memorial Hermann health system has reached an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, restoring access to care for some 200,000 patients.
Also this hour: A practice in the oil fields has some dire consequences for Texans, and is there any hope for regulating it?
Then, how is Russia's invasion of Ukraine affecting America's relationship with Russia in space, particularly the International Space Station?
And Jeff Balke updates us on sports.
On Friday's show: A measure that would have set a minimum down payment recquired in order to bond out of jail on certain offenses failed to pass the Harris County Bail Bond Board on Wednesday, despite broad support. We learn why.
Also this hour: With average gas prices at record highs, some Houstonians might be considering an electric vehicle. But a new survey from UH and Texas Southern suggests not many people in Houston are very likely to buy one. While price might be a concern, we discuss some of the other factors that might be at play, such as how common charging stations are around the city and the cost of outfitting homes for them.
Then, we mull over The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we learn about Notorious RBG, an exhibit about the life and legacy of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It opens today and runs through July 31 at Holocaust Museum Houston.
On Thursday's show: The Texas General Land Office discriminated against communities of color in Houston and Harris County when choosing how to distribute Harvey recovery funds, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. We learn more about the allegations.
Also this hour: HISD Superintendent Millard House II joins us to discuss issues facing the school district and to answer your questions.
And we visit the Electroacoustic Music Labs at Rice University, which focuses on the interaction between music, art, and technology.
On Wednesday's show: Harris County Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria has announced she'll resign effective July 1. The news comes after a week of Republican demands for her ouster following a primary election marked by long delays in releasing vote totals. News 88.7's Andrew Schneider fills us in.
Also this hour: We discuss all the other news from Greater Houston and around the world in our weekly poltiical roundup.
Then, in the latest installent of The Full Menu, local food writers discuss their favorite places to eat in Spring Branch and outside the loop in northwest Houston.
And former Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson talks about her nonprofit Justice Forward and its program Girls Moving Forward that provides trauma counseling for victims of sex trafficking.
On Tuesday's show: Gas prices are set to hit record highs this week thanks to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We learn why they won't be falling any time soon.
Also this hour: Today is International Women's Day. So, we meet two pioneering women in Greater Houston. First, we revisit a conversation with Stephanie Hertzog about women in oil and gas leadership. The Pasadena native is CEO of Houston-based Sodexo Energy & Resources North America. Then we revisit a conversation with Lynn Rippelmeyer. The Magnolia resident was the first female pilot to fly a Boeing 747 and the first female to captain a 747 transatlantic flight.
Then, we discuss why formerly churchgoing, Southern Republican women who become atheists probably aren’t talking about it, according to new research from Rice University and West Virginia University.
And they say write what you know. So, that might explain why Houston novelist Jennifer Murphy wrote a new tale about a painter and her daughter on the run from a man...who might not even be real. She knows about painting, having earned an MFA in it. And she knows about being a single mother. She tells us how both factored into the new novel Scarlet in Blue. She has an event at Murder by the Book Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
On Monday's show: Around 30 percent of Harris County's mail-in ballots were rejected during this year’s primary election, but how many are likely to be corrected in person as is required in order to be counted?
Also this hour: Listeners share their pet peeves about life in Greater Houston.
And Jeff Balke updates us on sports.
On Friday's show: Harris County has been pursuing bail reform efforts for some time now. How’s it going? News 88.7’s Andrew Schneider joins us with an update. And the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is responding to some ADA compliance concerns. News 88.7’s Lucio Vasquez has the latest for us.
Also this hour: Houston Chronicle columnist Chris Tomlinson discusses the ways the world depends on Vladimir Putin economically in one way or another and how that's a factor now that the Russian leader has invaded Ukraine.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And the contemporary music ensemble Musiqa is collaborating with Stages Theater on the premiere of a chamber opera by Laura Schwendinger called Cabaret of Shadows on stage March 5 and 6 at the MATCH.
On Thursday's show: Harris County failed to finish the election count on time — a claim the elections administrator denies. So, what's going on, who's to blame, and what does it mean for the November general election?
Then we discuss the failed negotiations between Memorial Hermann and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and what this means for patients.
Also this hour: Sanjay Ramabhadran, the newly appointed chair of the Metro board, talks about his new role and discusses issues related to public transit in Greater Houston.
Then, we learn how climate change is affecting farming and agriculture in Greater Houston and across Texas.
And we remember Houston blues musician and band leader Milton Hopkins, who passed away last week at age 88.
On Wednesday's show: We bring you the results from Primary Election Day in Texas with analysis of the races and other developments in the news in our weekly poltical roundup.
Also this hour: Today is the 186th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico. But who were these original Texans who sought independence on March 2, 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos?
And we learn about the man known as "Da Mayor of the Fifth Ward," longtime Houston activist, writer, and former Chicago Black Panther Robert “Bob” E. Lee.
On Tuesday's show: It's Primary Election Day across Texas. We visit some polling places around the city and talk with an elections administrator.
Also this hour: We learn about Willie Thomas Sr., someone considered to be "the Jackie Robinson of rodeo," and learn about the contributions Black cowboys like him have made to Texas culture over the decades, including those who worked at the George Ranch in Fort Bend County.
And local filmmaker Vincent Powell talks about his project Black is Eternal, which enlists actors and performers in reciting prominent pieces of Black literature.
On Monday's show: A local expert weighs in on President Biden's nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court to fill the seat left when Judge Stephen Breyer retires this summer.
And we learn why some Memorial Hermann patients with Blue Cross, Blue Shield insurance could soon lose access to their doctors.
Also this hour: The truth is out there – and by "there" we mean Houston, as Rice University hosts an international conference on the paranormal. It's called Opening the Archives of the Impossible and takes place March 3-6.
Then, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo returns in full force starting today at NRG Park and continuing through March 20. We talk with President & CEO Dr. Chris Boleman about the event and navigating the last two years of the pandemic.
And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: We get analysis of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from local experts. And we offer you and other Houstonians a chance to share your thoughts about the situation and reactions to it.
Also this hour: Houston artist Ted Ellis tells us about his paintings depicting key figures and events from Black history, which are the featured works in a new exhibit at Galveston's Nia Cultural Center.
And we break down some of the other recent news in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: How might Russia's invasion of Ukraine affect oil prices here in the U.S. and therefore Houston?
Also this hour: We discuss the idea of building a "living shoreline" to protect the Texas coast from storms and flooding. Essentially, the idea is to design a nature-based support system for wetlands along the Gulf Coast using constructed oyster reefs. We learn how it would work.
And we examine disaster movies and what they can teach Houston in this month's installment of The Bigger Picture.
On Wednesday's show: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has proposed investing $8 million in early childhood programs, but she faces some pushback from members of the Commissioners Court. We learn why.
And a new report says Houston is second only to Dallas in real estate development in the nation over the past decade.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest news in our weekly political roundup up with the help of UH political scientists Beth Simas and Jeronimo Cortina.
Then, an expert answers your questions about wills, trusts and other matters related to estate planning.
And the siege of the Alamo began on this date in 1836. We revisit our conversation about Forget the Alamo, a book that challenges some of the myths about that event in the Texas Revolution.
On Tuesday's show: An EPA hearing today over a chemical used in some household products follows the agency’s announcement last month to reject a less protective standard for it here in Texas. We learn more about that standard for the chemical in question – ethylene oxide.
And diesel prices are at record highs these days, and the impact is being felt in the trucking industry.
Also this hour: Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz answers your questions about issues affecting the city.
And we learn about the West African Film Festival.
On Monday's show: Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña took the stand last week to update the city on staffing levels within the Houston Fire Department. According to Peña, HFD is short almost 250 firefighters, with only 67 new fire fighters being added between May of 2019 and August of 2020. But there's some dispute about why. We learn more.
Also this hour: Texas just opened its first new psychiatric hospital in over two decades. We learn about the facility, which contains 264 beds for psychiatric patients and is part of the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from writer Jesus Ortiz of Our Esquina.
On Friday's show: Harris County is asking the Department of Justice to intervene after thousands of mail-in ballots and applications were rejected in the wake of a strict new voting law passed in the Texas Legislature.
And Texas is receiving over a billion dollars from pharmaceutical companies as part of a settlement over the opioid epidemic. We take a look at how the money will be used.
Also this hour: We recently devoted time to discussing why ongoing efforts to reduce the number of traffic fatalities on Texas roads don’t seem to be working. We know what’s been tried: messaging on roadways, grants to promote crackdowns on speeders, jury awards to discourage drunk driving, and DWI checkpoints. So, today, we discuss what else might work and welcome your suggestions.
And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: A new study from the University of Houston finds Black and Latino neighborhoods were less likely to get COVID-19 vaccines during their initial rollout. We find out why.
Also this hour: What is it with all the book banning of late? Most recently, a Tennessee school district banned the graphic novel Maus, which tells the story of the author’s parents’ experience of the Holocaust. What is driving this wave of activism, and why are books addressing racism and hate often targeted?
Then, many wireless companies are shutting down their 3G networks soon. We learn why and find out what this means for cell phone users and discuss other developments in consumer technology with columnist Dwight Silverman.
And local artist Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee discusses her work, much of which is inspired by scuba diving excursions.
On
Wednesday's show: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and other city officials showed up at Tuesday's H-GAC board meeting to offer public comment about why the city might only be receiving 1.9 percent of the council's flood mitigation funding. We learn more from News 88.7's Jen Rice.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in the news in our weekly political roundup.
Then, the ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival is underway now through Feb. 24. We talk about efforts to make workplaces more accessible for the disabled, which is one of the focuses of this year's event.
And we learn about JB Brockman, a prominent criminal defense attorney from Houston's past who rose to national prominence for taking on some of the most notorious cases of his time -- before meeting an untimely death himself. He's the subject of the new book, Getting Away with Bloody Murder, by historian and author Mike Vance.
On Tuesday's show: On the anniversary of last year’s freeze and massive and sustained power outages after an admittedly limited test of the grid, how confident are we that winterization efforts have worked? What lessons did we learn from last year, and what should we have learned?
Also this hour: After more than two decades in the U.S. House, Republican Kevin Brady is retiring at the end of this term. He joins us to talk about his time in Congress and to address your questions and comments.
And, will there ever be a point when we’ve had enough with flooding and simply leave Gulf Coast communities behind? Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gilbert Gaul explores that questions in his book, The Geography of Risk.
On Monday's Houston Matters: Hundreds of mail-in ballots in Texas are being returned to voters because they don’t comply with the state's new voting law. We learn what aspects of the ballots are running afoul of the new law.
Also this hour: State transportation officials have been trying for years to find ways to reduce the number of deaths on Texas roadways. In 2021, 4,400 were killed, the second-highest body count ever, and the highest since the advent of seat belt laws. What’s going on? Why does this keep getting worse? And what would genuinely make a difference?
Then, to celebrate Valentine's Day, Houstonians share their favorite love songs in the latest installment of the Houston Matters Mixtape.
And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: Could power generated from solar panels have prevented the outages caused by last February's winter storm? Environment Texas seems to think so.
Plus: A new state law requires hospitals to be transparent about their pricing. What does this look like?
Also this hour: We discuss the challenges 3D printed guns (sometimes referred to as "ghost guns" because they have no serial numbers) present law enforcement.
Then, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we talk with Lee David Zlotoff, the creator of the TV show MacGyver, about MacGyver the Musical, which is making its world premeire at Stages Houston now through March 4.
On Thursday's show: Three months after the Astroworld festival tragedy left ten dead, the city of Houston and Harris County have established a task force to recommend safety procedures for future events. We talk with a member of that task force.
Also this hour: Dr. Brandon Green from the University of St. Thomas grew up in poverty and remembers struggling to find food even when he was in college. That's why he wants all universities to be stocked with food pantries for students.
Then, we learn how students and their professors at Rice University discovered a new species of wasp on campus and named it after a favorite watering hole. And we talk with Ashley Wahlberg, who's known as the Spider Lady of East Texas.
And we find out what playwright Chisa Hutchinson, who's Black, learned from writing a play from the perspective of a man who's joining a white supremacist group. The resulting work, called Amerikin, debuts on Friday and runs through March 13 at the Alley Theatre.
On Wednesday's show: Lovie Smith is officially the Texans’ new head coach – but what are we to make of the hiring after Brian Flores brought a discrimination lawsuit against the NFL?
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup with the help of Renee Cross of the University of Houston and Mark Jones of Rice University.
Then, Mardi Gras is coming back to Galveston after it was cancelled in 2021.
And teen dating violence can be a touchy subject – but it doesn’t have to be, according to a local violence prevention educator.
On Tuesday's Houston Matters: It’s been a challenging start to the spring semester for students, teachers, and parents – and not just due to absences stemming from the pandemic. We explore the cumulative effect of COVID, teacher burnout, faculty and staff shortages, and political pressure on public education.
Also this hour: City Controller Chris Brown talks about issues related to the city's budget and finances.
Then, breast cancer rates tend to be harder on Black women than anyone else. We talk with a local oncologist and a breast cancer survivor about how to address that disparity.
And actor Jason Lee talks about his career and the book of photos of Galveston he recently published.
On Monday’s show: In light of some recent jobs reports on the national level, we ask Patrick Jankowski of the Greater Houston Partnership whether his local jobs forecast for 2022 needs to be adjusted.
Also this hour: As we do on the first Monday of each month, we invite our listeners to share their latest gripes and complaints about life in Houston.
And we get an update on the latest developments in Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: We bring you the latest on winter weather around the state and in Greater Houston.
Also this hour: Mayor Sylvester Turner says he's committing $44 million to fight violent crime. But where will the money be spent?
And we learn about future plans to bring back the River Oaks Theatre, which closed last March.
Then, we discuss whether the implementation of underground stormwater tunnels throughout Greater Houston will help prevent flooding.
Plus, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including a new name for the Washington's NFL team and a groundhog's untimely passing.
And we learn about the history of something you might be wearing right now: blue jeans. That staple of American fashion is the subject of a new documentary called Riveted from the PBS series American Experience. It airs Monday, Feb. 7, at 8 p.m. on Houston Public Media, TV 8.
On Thursday's show: As an Arctic cold front has moved off the coast, it could bring parts of Houston some wintry precipitation and temperatures below freezing tonight. A winter weather advisory is in effect until noon Friday. But what happens elsewhere in Texas may influence how much of a test this is for our energy grid.
Also this hour: The British ambassador to the United States, Dame Karen Pierce, is in Houston this week. We find out why and discuss a wide range of topics.
And Exxon Mobil is moving its headquarters from Dallas to its Houston campus next year. We discuss what that could mean for the city and Exxon's employees.
On Wednesday's show: We learn about the blast of cold weather coming to Texas late Thursday and intro Friday.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest political news in our weekly roundup.
Then, local food writers discuss their favorite places around the city for date night in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And we reflect on Boris Yeltsin's 1989 visit to a Houston grocery store.
On Tuesday's show: Harris County COVID cases are trending downwards. The city’s health authority, Dr. David Persse, joins us to talk about the latest data.
Also this hour: City Council Member Sallie Alcorn answers your questions about issues facing the city.
Then, we learn about Nourish, a program that teaches healthcare professionals more about nutrition than what they get in school. The program has also released a new cookbook.
And we visit Ship to Shore, an interactive ehibit telling the stories of immigrants who came to the U.S. through Galveston in the late 19th century.
On Monday's show: A federal judge has invalidated a recent sale of oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico, saying the Biden administration did not adequately consider the costs to the world's climate. We learn more.
Also this hour: Taxpayers in the city may be paying for more than they receive in services from the county. We discuss a new study from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University.
Then, we learn how a football player from Greater Houston helped fully integrate college football and what his own daughter learned in telling his story. Maya Washington talks about her father, former NFL wide receiver Gene Washington, who grew up in La Porte and Baytown, and the book and documentary she made about him and his fellow Black teammates at Michigan State called Through the Banks of the Red Cedar. The film airs on Houston Public Media, TV 8 on Friday, Feb. 11, at 10 p.m.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: Aldine ISD is canceling classes the next three Fridays in order to help deal with teacher burnout. We learn more. And Former President Donald Trump is speaking at a pair of events in Houston and Conroe this weekend.
Also this hour: We talk about trains in Houston -- the many ways the rails serve our region, from freight to mass transit.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And we learn more about the city's lone food co-op, Central City Co-Op.
On Thursday's show: We learn about some new personnel in major roles within the county, including a new director of the Harris County Flood Control District, a new county engineer, and a new budget director.
Also this hour: On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Houston resident Ruth Steinfeld shares her story of surviving the Holocaust as a child in Germany. Both of her parents died at Auschwitz, but she and her sister survived in hiding in France. Last October, Steinfeld was awarded the Legion of Honor, France's highest honor.
And Houston-area eviction filings are back to pre-pandemic levels. Earlier this month, Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht wrote a guest essay in The New York Times decrying the speed with which tenants are pushed through eviction court proceedings. He tells News 88.7’s Jen Rice what he means.
On Wednesday's show: Are methane emissions leaking from oil and gas facilities in the Permian Basin worse than we thought? We take a look at some data.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest news in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, for the first time, two annual Houston events have joined forces to create The Houston Auto & Boat Show, the nation’s largest event of its kind. The show begins today at NRG Center and runs through the weekend.
And we meet a man who helps refugees who've just arrived in Houston by preparing a special meal.
On Tuesday's Houston Matters: We learn about new anti-hate measures from the Harris County DA.
Also this hour: Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Martin, who represents District E on city council, joins us to discuss issues facing the city and to answer your questions.
Then, we discuss changing ideas about college affordability and financial aid.
And the TV show Texas Country Reporter turns 50 this year. We talk with longtime host Bob Phillips, who has a recent book called A Good Long Drive.
On Monday's Houston Matters: How concerned should we be about new COVID variants? Dr. Wesley Long from Houston Methodist joins us to talk about identifying new variants and drug-resistant bacteria.
Then we chat with News 88.7’s Caroline Love about testing and vaccinating the homeless population.
Also this hour: We discuss how news organizations cover COVID-19, speficially reporting on case numbers and how that can sometimes be confusing.
Then, a local expert on Alzheimer's Disease answers your questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Friday's show: In December, the median price for a single-family home in Houston hit an all-time high of $319,000. And apartment rents are up sharply. What's leading to this stark rise in house prices?
Also this hour: A pair of Houston therapists, Eliza Boquin and Eboni Harris, talk about ways the mental health field can improve how it serves people of color. They cofounded the website Melanin and Mental Health to try and bridge those gaps. It's the second of a two-part series from I See U with Eddie Robinson.
Then we discuss The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly of the week, including a new law for pet owners in the city and a new name for the Sugar Land Skeeters.
And today is Hakeem Olajuwon's birthday. In honor of the man known as "The Dream" turning 59, we revisit a 2018 conversation about the book 100 Things Rockets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die by Houston Chronicle Rockets beat writer Jonathan Feigen.
On Thursday's show: Temperatures have plummeted across Greater Houston as a cold front has descended on the area. We get the latest forecast from Eric Berger of Space City Weather. And we discuss whether the state's energy grid is prepared for another blast of cold weather almost a year after the deadly massive power failure across Texas.
Also this hour: We learn about a program at Alief ISD that's helping new immigrants learn English and acclimate to the United States.
Then Dwight Silverman joins us to discuss the latest technology news.
And Tiphanie Yanique, a writer and graduate of the University of Houston's creative writing program, talks about her latest novel, Monster in the Middle. She's participating in a livestream event Jan. 24 with Inprint Houston.
On Wednesday's show: We discuss why oil prices have spiked to their highest point since 2014. And Houston is getting a new non-profit news organization.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest news in our weekly political roundup.
Then, we revisit a 2018 conversation about how Southern Blacks fared here in Texas during Reconstruction and under Jim Crow.
And actor Chris Salazar from the Alley Theatre talks about how COVID-19 forced him to learn a new role last-minute.
On Tuesday's show: At some point over the last two years of the pandemic, you or someone you know has more than likely come down with a mild infection of COVID-19. We know getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, but does natural immunity developed from a previous infection provide anywhere near the same protection as a vaccine? And what kind of immunity do people really have after recovering from a COVID infection?
Also this hour: State Rep. Gene Wu joins us to talk about state government and issues facing his district in west and southwest Houston.
Then, former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang talks about starting a new political party and his book Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy. He’s speaking at an event tonight with the Asia Society.
And we learn about Mykawa Farm, an agricultural education center run by HISD.
On Friday's Houston Matters: Prices are up for lots of things nationwide. We discuss what it means for Houston-area consumers.
Also this hour: We mark the 30th anniversary of the end of the civil war in El Salvador and talk about what it means for Salvadorans who resettled here.
Plus: Discussing mental health with actor, director, and author David Harewood in an excerpt from this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.
And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
On Thursday's show: Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg appeared before county commissioners to request additional funding to hire 82 new prosecutors. She joins us to discuss why.
Also this hour: A new book called In Too Deep follows the lives of a group of Houston mothers in a neighborhood that has repeatedly suffered catastrophic flooding and explores how that affects them and their childen. We talk with its author, Rice University sociologist Rachel Tolbert Kimbro.
Then, local sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula answers your questions.
And actor Kal Penn talks about his career and about changing the way Indian-Americans are depicted in TV and film. Penn is in Houston to talk about his new book, You Can't Be Serious at an event tonight at the Asia Society.
On Wednesday's show: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says COVID-19 hospitalization rates among children are at their highest level since the beginning of the pandemic. So, why is the omicron surge hitting children differently than past surges?
Also this hour: We discuss Pres. Biden's new voting rights initiative and other developments in our weekly political roundup.
Then, writer and poet Roya Hakakian talks about her experience coming to America from Iran as a teenager and discusses her book, A Beginner's Guide to America. She's here for an in-person and livestreamed event tonight with World Affairs Council of Greater Houston.
And, much like the seasons unfold over the course of a new year, a good meal can itself be a journey of flavors and courses. So, we figured January was a good time for Houston food writers to discuss their favorite places for appetizers in the latest installment of The Full Menu.
On Tuesday's Houston Matters: Colleges around the area are starting their spring semesters amid the surge in COVID-19 cases, a surge serious enough for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo to raise the county’s COVID alert level to red – it’s highest level. We learn how some area colleges and universities are handling the return to campus.
And the Houston area is set to get another round of federal rent relief funding this year. But it's not nearly as much as local officials hoped to receive. Why?
Also this hour: Last week, Harris County leaders adopted a policy that will ban most county departments from asking about a job applicant's criminal history. County Attorney Christian Menefee proposed the program, and he joins us to discuss it and other issues facing the county.
Then, we reflect on an especially divisive political environment -- but not our current one. Something called the Jaybird-Woodpecker War in the late 1800s in Fort Bend County.
And how writer J.Elle's homesickness for Houston’s Third Ward turned into a fantasy novel for young adults called Wings of Ebony, which has a new sequel out today called Ashes of Gold.
On Monday's Houston Matters: The swiftly spreading omicron variant has led to cancellations of performances across Houston, and even some restaurants closing. We get updates on each.
Also this hour: The Texas Railroad Commission has banned a method of water disposal associated with fracking because of its link to earthquakes in the state.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your questions.
And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.
On Friday's show: The omicron variant of the COVID virus continues to upend daily life. Studies suggest that it isn’t as severe as other variants, but it is much more transmissible. The positivity rate and seven-day average of new cases is higher than at any point in the pandemic so far. And more cases means more hospitalizations.
So, how much worse can this new wave get, and when will it plateau? The City of Houston's health authority Dr. David Persse joins us with answers.
Also this hour: Asylum cases in Houston get denied frequently. We examine why.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including the use of sheep to encourage vaccination and raining fish in Texarkana.
And we hear a preview of a conversation about Black-owned radio stations from this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.
On Thursday's Houston Matters: On the anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, we reflect on what took place and check in on some of the criminal cases of Texans and Houstonians accused of being involved.
And we talk with the producer of the documentary Preserving Democracy: Pursuing a More Perfect Union, which chronicles the history of the democratic system from its origins to the present and addresses political divisiveness and threats to democracy around the world.
Also this hour: We learn how the omicron-fueled wave of COVID-19 is affecting Texas nursing homes.
And astronaut Eileen Collins reflects on her career. She was the first woman to pilot a space shuttle and the first woman mission commander. She has a new memoir called Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars.
On Wednesday's Houston Matters: As many students are returning to campus this week after the holiday break, we examine how school districts are addressing the need for substitute teachers while simultaneously dealing with a teacher shortage amid the ongoing pandemic.
Also this hour: Pres. Biden has re-nominated Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez for the top job at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But will that bring him any closer to an actual confirmation vote? We discuss that story and other developments in our weekly political roundup.
Then, NPR's Ari Shapiro talks about his work, the changing media landscape, and his side gig performing occasionally with the group Pink Martini, which has three shows in Houston this weekend.
And a year after it was launched, a Houston-based website memorializing those lost to COVID-19, surpasses 10,000 people memorialized.
On Tuesday's Houston Matters: With kids returning to school after the holiday break and news that the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of a Pfizer-BioNTech booster in those ages 12-15, a local pediatrician discusses how the omicron variant is affecting kids.
Also this hour: Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia answers your questions.
Then, we discuss how to know when you're burned out at your job and what to do about it with Dr. Aneika Simmons of Sam Houston State University.
And we learn about The Infinite, an immersive virtual reality simulation of what it's like to be aboard the International Space Station.
On Monday's Houston Matters: A new year brings new hopes…and ongoing concerns about the pandemic. With daily new infection numbers that broke records in recent days and concerns about a dwindling supply of an antibody treatment that’s most effective against the omicron variant, we get an update on the fight against the coronavirus in Greater Houston.
Then: the hopes. We offer you a chance to share your hopes and goals for 2022 in your life and for Greater Houston at large.
And we get an update on Houston sports from writer Jeff Balke.
This week, Houston Matters presents its Top Ten Houston Stories of 2021, a countdown of the most consequential issues and events that affected Houstonians this year.
Some stories took place here in Houston. Others occurred statewide, across the nation, or around the world. But they all had a real impact on the Houston area.
On today’s edition: Our top five stories of the year.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Houston Matters will present its Top Ten Houston Stories of 2021, a countdown of the most consequential issues and events that affected Houstonians this year.
Some stories took place here in Houston. Others occurred statewide, across the nation, or around the world. But they all had a real impact on the Houston area.
On today's edition: Stories ten through six. And tomorrow we present our top five.
On Tuesday's Houston Matters: Some events, performances, and sporting events in Greater Houston are being cancelled this week amid concerns over COVID numbers, which have been fueled by the omicron variant. As holiday gatherings ramp up this week as we approach Christmas, what should you and your family consider when it comes to staying safe and healthy this holiday season?
Also this hour: Next summer, Dr. Reginald DesRoches will take over as the next president of Rice University. He joins us to talk about his vision for the university and to answer your questions.
Then, with the remake of West Side Story currently in theaters, we discuss some of the issues related to gangs raised in it. It's the subject of this month's edition of our film segment, The Bigger Picture.
And filmmaker Sean Baker talks about his movie Red Rocket, which was shot in Texas City and takes place there.
On Monday's Houston Matters: Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg discusses matters of criminal justice and takes your questions.
Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers questions about the health of your beloved dog or cat companion.
And we get an update on Houston sports from writer Jeff Balke.
On Friday's Houston Matters: With concerns that the fast-spreading omicron variant could be triggering another COVID-19 wave in the area, we check in with City of Houston Health Authority Dr. David Persse.
Also this hour: Last week, a Corpus Christi jury awarded $301 billion -- yes BILLION -- in a lawsuit brought against a local sports bar for overserving a man who wound up killing himself and two others in a 2017 drunk driving accident. What’s the value of such an over-the-top award? Does it help efforts to curb drunk driving when it’s so preposterous no one involved expects to see it paid?
Then we reflect on Space City! -- Houston's former underground newspaper from the 1960s and 70s.
MORE: Online archive of Space City! issues
And we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of week, including Art Acevedo's new role at CNN and TV chef Gordon Ramsay relocating his North American headquarters to the DFW area.
On Thursday's Houston Matters: A new report just out from the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty notes this year’s historically low levels of death penalty sentences and executions.
And much of Greater Houston’s public health concerns (during the pandemic and otherwise) are served by two agencies: the Harris County Department of Public Health and the City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services. And while those two agencies in some ways serve different populations in different areas of the region there is some overlap between what they do. A new study suggests the region could benefit from consolidating those agencies like other Texas cities. We learn how.
Also this hour: Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Christie Whitbeck joins us to discuss issues facing schools in her district and to answer your questions.
Plus: Forbes has named Houston writer Bryan Washington to its 30 Under 30 North America 2022 Class. Washington garnered critical acclaim in 2019 for his debut collection of stories called Lot. We revisit our 2020 conversation with Washington about his debut novel, Memorial.
And Houstonians share some of their favorite holiday music in our Houston Matters Holiday Mixtape.
On Wednesday's Houston Matters: City Council is poised to vote today on a contract to implement ShotSpotter – technology that identifies when and where shots are fired and alerts police. We learn how it works, discuss lingering concerns, and consider whether it can fill the void of additional law enforcement personnel the city can’t afford.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest news in our weekly political roundup.
Then, delays and design flaws (such as what's taking place with the Houston Ship Channel Bridge project) cost a lot of money for transportation projects in the region. Can we do better?
And indie folk singer-songwriter Erin Rae talks about her music and performs.
On Tuesday's Houston Matters: Last week, nine cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 were detected at Houston Methodist Hospital. That news came just two days after Harris County confirmed the first case of the variant in the area. So, what are Houston area hospitals experiencing now? We ask Dr. Annamaria Macaluso Davidson from the Memorial Hermann Hospital System.
Also this hour: Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin discusses issues facing the city and answers your questions.
Then, filmmaker Eric Hunter talks about his work and about advocating for more films to me made in Houston.
And the new scripted, fictional podcast Here Lies Me takes on the adolescent experience with a cast of young voice actors from Houston's Kinder HSPVA. Its creator, author and podcaster Hillary Frank, talks about the new project.
On Monday's Houston Matters: In a ruling late last week, the U.S. Supreme Court said that Texas abortion providers can sue over the state’s controversial new law banning most abortions but allowed the law itself to remain in effect. And that wasn’t the only court ruling last week over the law. We learn the latest on the ongoing state and federal challenges to it.
Also this hour: A new investigation by the Houston Chronicle shows how much religious leaders in Texas are avoiding in taxes on their homes.
Then, we learn about the Atlas Scholars program and efforts to empower people of color in the future of the energy industry.
And we get an update on Houston sports.
On Friday's Houston Matters: The feds came to Houston to investigate the I-45 project this week. We discuss the latest developments.
Also this hour: We meet the new director of Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Ruth López Turley.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And, as the University of Houston prepares to host the 2021 World Air Hockey Championships this weekend, we learn how Houston became a mecca for air hockey enthusiasts.
On Thursday's Houston Matters: After the alleged sexual assault of a 60-year-old guard by an inmate at a Harris County jail facility this week, a representative from the Harris County Deputies’ Organization weighs in on the safety of such faculties.
Also this hour: With a decision pending at the U.S. Supreme Court that could affect abortion access across the country, will that put an even greater burden on the foster care system and adoption agencies? A representative from the local adoption agency Adoption Advocates talks about the demand and need organizations like hers face right now.
Then, we revisit a conversation with Carmen Osbahr, the puppeteer and voice behind Rosita on Sesame Street.
And the Apollo Chamber Players take us on a Holiday Voyage with a new commission inspired by Kwanzaa, presented at two concerts next week: Friday, Dec. 17, at the MATCH and Saturday, Dec. 18 at First Congregational Church of Houston.
On Wednesday's Houston Matters: Could Harvey recovery efforts have been more equitable? A Northeast Houston group thinks so. We learn more.
Also this hour: We discuss the latests news in our weekly political roundup.
Then, Pres. Joe Biden has designated Beth White of the Houston Parks Board the new chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, which provides guidance on the planning of federal land and buildings in and around Washington, D.C. White talks about what the role entails and about her ongoing work advocating for Houston parks.
And actor and artist Brady Smith, who grew up in Houston, talks about the first installment of his new series of graphic novels for middle-grade readers. It's called Louie and Bear in the Land of Anything Goes.
On Tuesday's Houston Matters: Houston Rep. Lizzie Fletcher answers questions about issues affecting Greater Houston and her district.
Also this hour: We examine whether the Texas power grid is ready for winter.
And today is the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. One of the men who survived the attack was Vaughn Hamberlin, and his son, Cliff Hamberlin, shares his father's story.
On Monday's Houston Matters: The vaccination rates of both the Houston Police Department and the Houston Fire Department are lagging behind other city employees, and a Houston Chronicle in-depth report confirms a number of factors that led to the Astroworld Festival disaster. We discuss both of those stories.
Also this hour: We offer you another chance to vent about your Houston pet peeves. Share yours now at talk@houstonmatters.org.
And we get an update on Houston sports.
On Friday's Houston Matters: A federal judge has temporarily blocked a new Texas law set to go into effect this week that would've allowed users banned from social media platforms for their political views to sue for reinstatement. News 88.7's Andrew Schneider explains House Bill 20 and why it was halted.
Also this hour: Recent analysis from the Houston Chronicle found that Katy ISD blocks websites of certain organizations serving LGBTQ+ children, including a suicide prevention hotline. We learn more from reporter Hannah Dellinger.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
Plus: Rice University researchers have been leading a project that's mapping out mutations of the coronavirus. Most recently, they've been focusing their efforts on the omicron variant, which was classified as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization last week.
And we hear how an engineering degree – and some sexism – led Houstonian Heida Thurlow to launch Chantal Cookware 50 years ago.
On Thursdays Houston Matters: We learn what the job market in Houston might look like next year from the Greater Houston Partnership.
Also this hour: We reflect on the lessons learned from the collapse of Enron 20 years later with journalist Bethany McLean, co-author of the book The Smartest Guys in the Room.
Plus: We listen back to a conversation with the late Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who passed away last week.
And local food writers discuss Houston's best new restaurants of 2021 in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
On Tuesday's Houston Matters: We discuss what we know -- and what we don't -- about the omicron variant of COVID-19 and what threat it poses to Houston.
Also this hour: Want to be a successful entrepreneur? Well, you should probably go to school in Houston. That's because, for the third straight year, the entrepreneurship program at the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business has been named the top undergraduate program of its kind in the nation. And Rice University’s entrepreneurship program was ranked the nation's top graduate program. We learn more about what makes these programs so successful.
Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers your questions.
And an exhibit at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston called The Dirty South explores how the aesthetic traditions of the African American South have shaped visual art and musical expression over the last century.
On Monday's Houston Matters: Early voting begins today as voters will decide four HISD trustee races that have been forced into runoffs. We take a closer look at some of the issues at play.
MORE: League of Women Voters of Houston Voter's Guide
Also this hour: From March Madness to women’s professional tennis, we learn how Houston has changed the landscape of sports for the rest of the nation. It's the subject of the book The Sports Revolution.
Then, actress Natalie Wood died on this date 40 years ago. Writer and former Houstonian Suzanne Finstad talks about her updated biography of the late actress, Natalie Wood: The Complete Biography.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.
On Wednesday's Houston Matters: Pres. Biden plans to dip into the nation's emergency oil reserves in the coming months in order to bring down high gas prices. And Rep. Louie Gohmert is joining the race to challenge Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in an already crowded primary. We discuss those stories and other developments in politics.
Also this hour: The hosts of our Party Politics program talk about the political stories they’re thankful for this year.
Then, in lieu of our monthly film segment The Bigger Picture, Houstonians share the movies they’re thankful for
And the World Table Tennis Championships are happening in Houston this week. We visit the Houston area’s major table tennis training facility, Houston International Table Tennis Academy.
On Tuesday's Houston Matters: Two men who worked as security guards at Travis Scott's Astroworld music festival have filed a lawsuit against concert organizers saying security companies at the event failed to properly train and supervise employees during the event that left ten people dead and 25 hospitalized. Wee hear some of what they have to say.
Also this hour: Millions of Americans are expected to take to the roads this week to head to Thanksgiving gatherings, and they won’t all be paying close attention, or observing the traffic laws…or sober, sadly. In that spirit, we offer this opportunity to be reminded of some of the rules of the road.
Then, are you're stressed out about the big meal you have to prepare this week because there’s ten, maybe twenty people coming over? That’s nothing. Ever year, the folks at Bosscat Kitchen & Libations host a Thanksgiving feast for more than 300 guests. So, maybe they can help you out? Executive Chef Peter Petro joins us to talk about his signature Thanksgiving dishes and to answer your last-minute meal prep questions.
And the book Mayflower Chronicles by a Houston author – who’s a direct descendant of one of the Mayflower pilgrims – illustrates what we often get wrong about the history of Thanksgiving.
On Monday's show: With Thanksgiving just days away, we continue one of our annual Turkey Day traditions. Members of the Houston Matters team have picked interviews from the past year or so produced by another member of the team for which they're thankful, and we'll listen back on them.
This hour we revisit a conversation with actor Jim Parsons about growing up in Houston and his movie The Boys in the Band. We listen back to a conversation with former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who made the case for transforming mental health care in America. Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn talks about finding the right head space for doing his job. And we revisit our...well...visit to Armand Bayou Nature Center in the Clear Lake area.
On Friday's Houston Matters: HISD Superintendent Millard House II joins us to discuss issues affecting students, educators, and parents at the state's largest school district. You can submit your questions now to talk@houstonmatters.org.
Also this hour: Our group of non-experts breaks down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And Houston Contemporary Dance Company will hold a performance called Terra Firma on Saturday at The Hobby Center. It’s the company's first time back on stage since the pandemic began. Artistic and executive director Marlana Doyle tells us about the challenges of keeping a relatively new performing arts organization afloat in such unusual circumstances.
On Thursday's Houston Matters: Many of us will travel over Thanksgiving and the holidays that follow. How might it impact the state of the pandemic? We talk it over with Dr. James McDeavitt from Baylor College of Medicine.
Also this hour: On this date in 1978, 900 people died at The Peoples Temple in Jonestown, a settlement in the South American jungle of Guyana, in an act carried out by followers of cult leader Jim Jones. The shocking event had a Houston connection, as our Michael Hagerty learned in his 2018 conversation with writer Jeff Guinn, author of The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and The Peoples Temple.
Then, there’s been a lot of attention and hand-wringing lately over what public schools teach about sexuality and race. For example, books in Texas schools came under scrutiny recently because they cover some perceived uncomfortable subject matter. But aren’t we regularly encouraged to get outside our comfort zones? We discuss the importance of sometimes being uncomfortable in our everyday lives.
And we talk with Texas bee expert Jack Neff.
On Wednesday's Houston Matters: We discuss Beto O'Rourke’s gubernatorial candidacy and other developments in politics with analysts Jeronimo Cortina and Renee Cross from the University of Houston.
Also this hour: Michael Hagerty talks with Star Trek’s Data himself -- actor and Houston native Brent Spiner -- about his new book called Fan Fiction.
And Houstonians talk about some of the interesting things they collect.