Houston Matters

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.