Houston Matters

On Tuesday's show: If you could wave a magic wand and change the design of any roadway in Houston, what would you change and why? We welcome your suggestions. Also this hour: We discuss the history of lethal injection, which is the subject of Secrets of the Killing State, a book by legal scholar and former criminal prosecutor Corinna Lain, who will be in Houston for an event at Brazos Bookstore Friday evening at 6:30. And writer Sasha Bonét reflects on how Houston has shaped her and discusses her new memoir, The Water Bearers. Bonét will be at Kindred Stories tonight at 7. Watch

On Monday's show: Striking hotel workers at the downtown Hilton Americas-Houston plan to remain on the picket line through the middle of October, marking the second significant extension of a "historic" labor action initially slated to end Sept. 9. We learn the latest on the dispute over wages. Also this hour: Scientists recently discovered evidence that could point to ancient life on Mars. We dig into what they found. Then, we discuss the latest developments in consumer technology with columnist Dwight Silverman. And we recap this weekend’s battle for the AL West division lead between the Astros and the Mariners and break down the Texans game against the Jaguars with Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast. Watch

On Friday's show: With the state's newly redrawn congressional maps, does the creation of several predominantly Hispanic districts help those areas or disenfranchise them? Gabby Birenbaum of the Texas Tribune tells us more. Also this hour: Sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee joins us and performs in studio ahead of a concert Saturday at the University of Houston. Then, from military helicopters flying over Houston as part of a training exercise, to a Houston-based company that owns strip clubs across the nation facing bribery charges over an alleged scheme to avoid paying taxes, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And we reflect on the iconic Houston music station KLOL with the director of a documentary about it called Runaway Radio.

On Thursday's show: From ABC pulling Jimmy Kimmel off the air, to firings and reviews of Texas public school teachers and staff, what some have said about the shooting of Charlie Kirk has come back to bite them. But is it all legal? A constitutional law professor explains the nuances. Also this hour: We explore how a new law is affecting what public school nurses can and cannot do for sick students. Then, are some public schools too intent on finding that next "star principal" to lead them? And we reflect on the legacy of Rice University's Shepherd School of Music as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Watch

On Wednesday's show: We get insight on the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Then, we take a nature walk along the Bayou Greenways. And an event this week allows community members to share how Houston’s Fifth Ward shaped their lives. Watch

On Tuesday's show: In the years 2022 to 2024, the percentage of children without health insurance made its highest increase in almost a decade, according to a Georgetown University report. And Texas continues to have the highest percentage of uninsured children in the nation. We discuss what this means for the state with Elena Marks of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. Also this hour: So far this year, it has been an awfully quiet hurricane season. We explore why as we chat with Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard. Then, singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell joins us in studio to perform and discuss his new album, Airline Highway. Crowell will appear at an in-store event at Cactus Music today at 5:30. And we preview the 2025 Gay Softball World Series, which takes place in Houston Sept. 21-27. We discuss what the tournament means for the city, for the athletes taking part, and for their fans. Watch

On Monday's show: We preview this week's vote on the Harris County budget. The budget process this year has often been contentious as tensions rise over funding cuts. Also this hour: Dr. Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine discusses his book, Science Under Siege, which examines growing opposition to science and the threat it poses. Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listeners’ questions about their pets. And Jeff Balke previews a season-defining week ahead for the Astros and the Monday Night Football matchup between the Texans and the Buccaneers. Watch

On Friday's show: Eight years after Harvey’s devastating flooding, Houston continues to develop in floodplains. A recent Houston Chronicle report analyzed who is benefitting and who is not. Also this hour: From Houston supplanting Philadelphia as America’s poorest large city, to Carnival Cruise Line and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream unveiling sunscreen-flavored ice cream, this week’s panel of non-experts weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And, ahead of a live performance on Saturday night, we dive into the rhythms, steps, and stories that bring flamenco music to life in Houston. Watch

On Thursday's show: We get updates on several stories from reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh, including striking hotel workers at the Hilton Americas-Houston, the results of the latest homeless count, and the ongoing saga over City of Houston employees who took an early retirement to save the city money still waiting to receive their buyout payments. Also this hour: Everything is bigger in Texas, but is that always a good thing -- especially when it comes to governing and serving a state that is huge in terms of both area and population? Then, we hear from author and archivist J.D. Doyle, the creator of Queer Music Heritage, an historic collection of Houston LGBTQ+ music. And producer Brenda Valdivia speaks with some Houstonians putting up a ghost bike roadside memorial and learns about the cyclist they’re remembering and the sometimes-deadly interactions between cyclists and drivers on Houston roads.

On Wednesday's show: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo walked out of a budget meeting, while Texas A&M plans to audit its classes after a professor is fired amid conservative backlash over teaching gender identity in class. We get context and clarity on those and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: We learn about efforts by law enforcement to keep reckless drivers in check. And this month, Houston blues acts battle for a shot to represent the city at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. We learn more and bring you a special live, in-studio performance by the first woman to win the competition, Houston native Diunna Greenleaf, and her band, Blue Mercy.

On Tuesday's show: We learn how Texas and other states are facing off in the fight over access to abortion pills. New York's attorney general says she will intervene in a legal fight related to the Texas ban on those pills. Texas Tribune reporter Alex Nguyen explains what's going on. Also this hour: We learn what lessons the deadly crowd rush at the 2021 Astroworld festival can teach us. That event is highlighted in Edward Segal’s newly published Crisis Casebook. Then, we consider what it costs to become a U.S. citizen in both time and money as we talk with immigration attorney Ruby Powers and Cesar Espinoza of FIEL Houston. And David Sarkozi of the Texas Ornithological Society talks about his new guidebook, Birds of Texas.

On Monday's show: Houston-based oil and gas giant ConocoPhillips announced last week that it is cutting about 3,000 jobs -- as much as a quarter of its global workforce. The company says rising costs and a push for efficiency are behind the move, which comes despite the company posting nearly $2 billion in profits last quarter. We talk over what the news means for Houston. Also this hour: On the 125th anniversary of the deadliest natural disaster in American history, the 1900 Galveston hurricane, we reflect on that disaster led to the construction of the Galveston seawall and how it protects the island from storm surge more than a century later. Over the weekend, the seawall was awarded the world record for longest continuous walkway. Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners' gardening questions. And the Texans dropped their season opener to the Rams on Sunday. We recap the game with Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast..

On Friday's show: The second special session of the Texas Legislature wrapped up this week, with bills headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk related to flood prevention and summer camp safety. We recap what did and did not get done. Also this hour: We talk about the life and legacy of late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who's the subject of a new PBS documentary called Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect, which airs Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 9 p.m. on Houston Public Media, TV 8. Then, this week’s non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And we learn how a pair of Houston organizations aim to reduce clothing waste.

On Thursday's show: A 42-year-old Houston man was arrested this week and charged with murder in the shooting death of a boy who was playing a prank by ringing on doorbells and running. We discuss the story with Houston Chronicle writer Leah Binkovitz, who wrote an opinion piece about how the country has changed since she played the same prank as a kid. Also this hour: Two of Space City’s NASA veterans are making sure their former colleagues get recognition they’re due. Larry Bell and Chet Vaughan tell us about ceremonies they hold for otherwise unsung heroes of the space program. Then, the Hearst Corporation now owns the major newspapers in the state’s four largest metro areas, including here in Houston. We learn what it means for the business with Michael Hardy from Texas Monthly. And can comedy be a tool for recovery? We ask comedian Andy Gold and the organizers of a fundraiser this weekend for The Council on Recovery called Addicted to Comedy.

On Wednesday's show: We seek insight from area experts on 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 area restaurants that they should have told you about sooner -- the ones that maybe defy any category but deserve a little attention. And Japan Festival Houston returns to Hermann Park this weekend, and the festival’s chairman joins us to share its history and to preview highlights from this year’s free celebration.

On Tuesday's show: We learn about the FDA’s new COVID vaccine restrictions and who should still get one of the latest vaccines anyway. And as Harris County Commissioners wrestle with an impending budget deficit, a proposed budget would give significant raises to county constables, who want to be paid more than the sheriff. We learn about the role of constables in county law enforcement, which was the subject of a recent Houston Chronicle investigation. Also this hour: We discuss the impact that on-again, off-again tariffs have had on Houston-area restaurants. Then, writer Rob Franklin talks about his debut novel, Great Black Hope, which tells the story of a young, privileged, queer Black man whose life gets upended by an arrest for cocaine possession. As he enters the legal system, his class is an asset but his race is not. Franklin will speak at JLF Houston on Saturday, Sept. 6. And we hear from Houston native Hayes Carll. The Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and alt-country star performs at The Heights Theater on Thursday night.

On Friday's show: We learn about Elon Musk's involvement in a $760 million plan to dig tunnels under Houston to help alleviate future flooding. Would it be worth the cost? Investigative reporter Lauren McGaughy from the Texas Newsroom brings us the details. Also this hour: On this date 20 years ago, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on Louisiana causing devastation in that state, including New Orleans. In the days and months after, many evacuees sought refuge in our city, and many made it their new home. We reflect on how those evacuees changed Houston — and how Houston changed them. And two local photo journalists recall their experience covering the aftermath of the storm in the immediate days after it struck and share some of the photos from that disaster that had the greatest impact on them -- and the world. And, from the Astros suing the Harris County Appraisal District for trying to levy property taxes against Daikin Park, to the co-owner of a Houston gun store being prohibited from owning or using a firearm, our panel of “non-experts” breaks down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

On Thursday's show: In light of the school shooting in Minneapolis, we get a refresher on the safety requirements the Texas Legislature established in 2023 and how much of those requirements are paid for by the funding passed during the most recent legislative session. And we learn about efforts at the capitol to replace the STAAR test. Also this hour: We learn why the premiums for some health insurance plans in Texas are expected to rise a lot next year. Then, on this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture: The horror film Weapons features a scenario that would frighten any parent. We talk about the film and discuss real world concerns that stick in some parents’ minds. And we reflect on the punk rock scene in Texas, including here in Houston, which is documented in the new book, Someday All the Adults Will Die! The Birth of Texas Punk by Pat Blashill, who will reminisce about the Houston punk rock scene at an event this Sunday, Aug. 31, from 4-6 p.m. at Basket Books and Art.

On Wednesday's show: From the latest developments surrounding the second special session in Austin, to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ongoing social media trolling of President Trump, we seek insight on the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: Former President Lyndon B. Johnson was born on this date in 1908. We revisit several past conversations about his life, political career, and legacy. And author Jasminne Mendez talks about Story of My Anger, a novel about a teen battling racism and book banning in her Texas school. Mendez will appear at Kindred Stories on Sept. 19.

On Tuesday's show: President Donald Trump wants specialized National Guard units ready to deploy to U.S. cities to quell civil disturbances and ensure public safety and order. We discuss what that means, whether we could see troops deployed here, and whether this is largely a pretense to step up immigration enforcement. Also this hour: A new Texas law expands when someone can be detained for psychiatric evaluation. Some welcome the change while others worry it crosses a line. We discuss the debate over involuntary treatment and its cost. Then, a recent investigation by the Texas Observer explores the murky legal world of some private foster and adoption agencies. And we meet a competitive Scrabble player.