Houston Matters

On Monday's show: The Texas Senate approved new congressional district maps on Saturday, which Gov. Greg Abbott says he’ll sign “swiftly.” Does this mean lawmakers will now get to other items on the agenda for the second special session? We learn the latest from Blaise Gainey of the Texas Newsroom. Also this hour: Some recent tests suggest the secretive Chinese space program could beat the United States back to the moon. We learn more from Eric Berger of Ars Technica. Then, we learn about the latest developments in consumer technology with the help of columnist Dwight Silverman. And Major League Baseball is contemplating expansion and realignment. We discuss what that might look like for the Astros as we check in with Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast.

On Friday's show: The Houston Chronicle is reporting that UTHealth Houston is laying off dozens of employees due to “financial headwinds.” The move comes after the academic health science center implemented a hiring freeze in early July. Is this and other belt tightening at area health care institutions in recent months a momentary blip or a sign of more to come for Houston’s health care industry? Health economist Vivian Ho breaks down what it all means. Also this hour: Not all zoos and aquariums are created equal. While many advertise fun for the whole family or showcase loved and well-cared-for animals, the reality is that caring for a multitude of exotic and endangered species requires extensive education and expertise. We learn how the AZA and the Houston Zoo set and enforce standards to make sure all animals get the best care possible. Then, from HISD being among the 11 Texas school districts temporarily blocked from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms after a ruling in federal court, to the City of Houston launching a “Train Watch” webpage with real-time info on rail crossings with stopped trains, our panel of "non-experts" decides The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And veteran voice actor Phil LaMarr talks about the many characters he's voiced. He's one of many voice actors and celebrities coming to Houston this weekend for The Nostalgia Con at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

On Thursday's show: A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked 11 public school districts in Texas’ largest metropolitan areas from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms as required by a new state law set to take effect Sept. 1. A legal expert joins us to discuss the case and where it goes from here. Also this hour: Sen. Ted Cruz is largely opposed to regulation of AI, while the state is set to be one of a few to implement the first legislation related to the industry. We discuss that dichotomy. Then, Houston native filmmaker Nell Teare discusses some of the lessons she's learned about overcoming the barriers and naysayers to building a creative career. It's a topic she'll discuss Sunday afternoon during the Houston Media Conference. And we learn how school publications like newsletters, zines, and podcasts are giving students ways to take control of their media and better understand how media works.

On Wednesday's show: From the second special session beginning in Austin, to the latest developments out of Washington, to what’s happening in the cities and counties across Greater Houston, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: Another school year means another opportunity for parents and kids to establish better habits when it comes to social media. A local psychologist discusses how social media use can affect kids’ mental health. And we revisit a conversation with actor Jeff Goldblum whose jazz band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, performs Sept. 14 at The Hobby Center.

On Tuesday's show: The Texas Education Agency released its accountability ratings for the 2024–25 school year on Friday, covering public school districts across the state. Five districts are at risk of a state takeover, while HISD, which is already run by the state, is seeing improvements in test scores. Bob Sanborn from Children at Risk weighs in. Also this hour: We learn what a recent ruling means for Houstonians with unpaid medical bills. Then, we find out why some longtime city employees who took Mayor John Whitmire’s early retirement offer haven’t been paid yet. Plus, we revisit a conversation from last year where longtime residents offered their suggestions for some Houston do's and don'ts for life here. And we discuss the business side of filmmaking in Houston with organizers of this weekend’s Houston Media Conference.

On Monday's show: The Texas Legislature’s second special session is under way, with what are likely to be far different outcomes for the same agenda. Blaise Gainey from the Texas Newsroom and News 88.7's Andrew Schneider join us with the latest. Also this hour: We take a closer look at Texas aquaculture -- growing and harvesting marine life. Some reports say the industry is shrinking. Others say it’s growing. We try to figure out what’s true. Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listeners' questions about their pets. And the Astros are hanging on for dear life these days atop the American League West. We talk over baseball's stretch run with Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: Cryptocurrency mining in Texas can draw as much power from the electrical grid as the city of Austin, and the industry is only growing. But how much energy is it using? No one knows because the Public Utility Commission refuses to release data on the industry. Reporter Keaton Peters from Straight Arrow News joins us to explain. Also this hour: With news that Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast is closing two of its six clinics in the area, there are fewer options for women’s health care in Houston. How are other clinics and health care providers filling that gap? Then, from plans to seize nine acres of unused land from Hermann Park to expand Ben Taub Hospital, to the possibility of a UFC cage fight at the White House next year, our panel of non-experts discusses The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the news. And unpaid bills, broken agreements, and bad behavior -- what are your rights if your roommate crosses the line?

On Thursday's show: Houston City Council has approved plans to spend some $315 million in federal recovery funds, including $100 million for home repairs and housing, marking a significant turnaround from Mayor John Whitmire’s initial proposal and a major victory for housing advocates. We learn more about that and some other recent developments in city government, including money for more beds for the homeless in the East End and new solid waste trucks. Also this hour: Recent comments from President Trump suggest some hostility towards wind energy. We consider what that could mean for Texas. Then, we learn about the challenges of running a restaurant -- when that restaurant is on wheels. And Stacey Allen, the author of a new children’s book about dance, called D is for Dance, explores how the rhythms of the African diaspora continue to shape Houston’s creative scene.

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: The state has begun buying land for new state parks thanks to a new source of funding. We learn where those parks might be and how the state is making that determination from Texas Tribune reporter Alejandra Martinez. And we get to know Afrobeat and hip-hop violinist Demola ahead of his performance this weekend at 713 Music Hall.

On Tuesday's show: Students at HISD campuses are headed back to school today, and among them are some kids you could call “pandemic babies.” We discuss the challenges faced by kids whose early childhoods were disrupted by the pandemic. Also this hour: We remember astronaut Jim Lovell, who passed away last week. We revisit a conversation from 2020 he had with producer Michael Hagerty to mark the mission's 50th anniversary. And we hear some thoughts on Lovell from the man who brought him to the big screen: actor Tom Hanks. Plus, we explore life in Houston through the eyes of different generations, from the perspectives of Gens X, Y, and Z. And successful food trucks often become restaurants. And sometimes restaurants simplify and become food trucks. What challenges come with these transitions? And, in a city known for its variety of restaurant choices, do food trucks have an edge in reaching new audiences?

On Monday's show: It’s been over a week since Texas Democrats left the state to break quorum in the Texas House of Representatives, delaying the passage of a new Congressional map. We get the latest on the Democrats’ protest and response from Republican officials in Texas. Also this hour: Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, the head of Harris Health System makes his case for potentially expanding Ben Taub Hospital, which would include seizing nine acres of land from Hermann Park. Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners’ gardening questions. And we get an update on Houston sports from Bleav in Astros podcast co-host Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo was censured by county commissioners Thursday for her behavior during a Commissioners Court meeting. We learn what happened. And we get the latest on the ongoing quorum break in Austin. Also this hour: From late sculptor David Adickes' Beatles statues relocating to a car dealership, to a Danish zoo seeking public donations of pets to feed to its captive predators, our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. Then, we revisit a tour we took in 2018 of some of downtown Houston’s most historically significant skyscrapers. And Whataburger turns 75 today. The fast-food chain’s first location opened on this date in 1950 in Corpus Christi. We reflect on the beloved Texas burger joint's history.

On Thursday's show: An announced rollback of mRNA vaccine development and funding comes as Texas is among the states seeing the largest rise in COVID cases this summer. Infectious disease specialist Catherine Troisi offers her take on what the rollback means. Also this hour: A Grand Parkway expansion project is just the latest sign of ongoing growth in Greater Houston’s north and west sides. We discuss the project and what is behind the growth. Then, theater productions involve a lot more than actors stepping out on stage and reciting lines. We learn how the crew behind the scenes at the Alley Theatre design and creates sets, costumes, wigs, and props for every production. And six Houston writers will be honored at the Master Wordsmith Awards on Thursday night at Kindred Stories -- not just for what they’ve written but also for how their words have helped heal, connect, and inspire.

On Wednesday's show: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton want the state’s Supreme Court to order Democrats who broke quorum during the special session to be thrown out of office. Can they do that? We talk through the Texas redistricting fight and discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: Houston Restaurant Weeks is underway during the month of August raising funds for the Houston Food Bank. In this month's installment of The Full Menu, food writers talk about what dishes local restaurants are offering this year and what they're looking forward to sampling. And, 80 years after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, we talk with an area psychologist and author whose dad took part in the Manhattan Project that developed the bomb. Dr. Leslie Shover talks about her debut novel, Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak, which is based on anecdotes from her parents during that time.

On Tuesday's show: Texas Republican leaders are issuing threats while Texas House Democrats remain out of state in an effort to block new district maps the GOP says will help them gain seats in Congress. The Democrats say they are racially motivated. We hear from one of those Democrats, Houston-area State Rep. Gene Wu, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. Also this hour: We examine the growing use of telemedicine among Houston-area doctors. Sometimes it’s practical and beneficial for patients. Sometimes, it’s not. 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 we learn how a local nonprofit called Prevention Zone tries to help disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline, serve kids of incarcerated parents, and reduce recidivism rates.

On Monday's show: Dozens of Texas House Democrats have left the state, breaking quorum in an effort to block a Republican plan to redraw district maps at President Trump’s direction. We get the latest from Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider. Also this hour. We learn why the Houston Federation of Teachers is suing HISD over how the district plans to hand out raises. Then, we offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city. And we discuss the return of Carlos Correa to the Astros and other developments in sports.

On Friday's show: This week, experts from across Texas testified at a hearing on disaster preparedness and flooding in the wake of the deadly Central Texas floods. Among those who testified were representatives from Rice University's SSPEED Center, whose Jim Blackburn discusses how what happened in Central Texas relates to past storms here. Also this hour: A recent report from Bankrate ranked Texas near the bottom when it comes to the best states to retire. Why? And how does Houston stack up? We consider the pros and cons of retiring here. Then, from what used to be Houston’s own Shipley’s Do-Nuts being sold to a California company, to an ad campaign’s play on words that has some worried about eugenics, this week’s non-expert panel weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And Hank, Peggy, and Bobby are back as King of the Hill returns after 15 years. Its showrunner Saladin Patterson talks about bringing back the beloved animated series and its depiction of small-town Texas life.

On Thursday's show: Actor William Shatner talks with us ahead of an appearance in Houston tonight at House of Blues where he'll share stories from his career following a screening of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Also this hour: The Trump administration this week announced plans to walk back a 2009 EPA finding that has since been the scientific and legal foundation behind regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. We discuss the legal and practical implications of such a rule change on climate policy and industry here in the Houston area. Then, we learn how zoning shapes cities from Sara Bronin, who grew up in Houston -- a city famous for having no zoning. That's the subject of her book, Key to the City. And we visit the Genuine Cup, a soccer tournament happening this week in Houston for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities on teams from all over the world.

On Wednesday's show: While a couple candidates appear to have a little bit of an early lead in the special election for the 18th Congressional District, many of the district’s voters don’t really know -- or have an opinion about -- who’s running, according to new polling data. We discuss that, the special session in Austin, and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: On this date 60 years ago, the legislation creating Medicare and Medicaid was signed into law. We reflect on the history, impact, and future of those federal programs and what they mean to Houstonians. And the Houston Shakespeare Festival returns this week with productions of As You Like It and Henry V. We talk with the band of brothers…and sisters who are behind it.

On Tuesday's show: The White House is proposing an end to federal funding for legal aid nonprofits that help low-income Americans obtain assistance with all manner of legal matters. We learn more from R.A. Schuetz of the Houston Chronicle. Also this hour: We mark the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and recall its roots here in Houston with Lex Frieden, a local disabilities advocate who was instrumental in creating the law and getting it passed. Then, we learn about the rise of sensory-friendly events around town, as local businesses and organizations create events for individuals who struggle with bright lights, loud noises, or overstimulation from crowds. And we take you to an exhibit at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts in Spring called “Art Unleashed,” which, unlike most exhibits and most museums, actually encourages you to reach out and touch the pieces of art on display.