Houston Matters

On Friday's show: A battle over immigration enforcement is playing out at Houston City Hall, and it puts the mayor and city council on a collision course. And Harris County commissioners have voted to pass a controversial expansion of Ben Taub Hospital through eminent domain. We get details on both stories from the Houston Public Media newsroom.Also this hour: We preview the Houston Hockey Hall of Fame induction event tonight, emceed by our own hockey enthusiast, Craig Cohen. Inductees include Chie Chie Yard, an NHL executive, former Olympian, and Houston-native. And we find out what's on tap for the annual Hockey Day in Houston event this Saturday at Saint Arnold Brewery.And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Watch

On Thursday's show: Delays in heavy trash pickup around the city are sometimes forcing residents to take matters into their own hands. We find out what's behind the crisis and whether any solutions are on the horizon.Also this hour: A national conference exploring the intersection of medicine and religion takes place in Houston March 22-24. We preview the event and discuss where those two things should and should not intersect.And we learn about this year’s Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta, the biggest canoe and kayak race in Texas, which takes place on Saturday.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: When people think “rodeo,” they often picture one thing. But in Houston, rodeo culture tells a much bigger, more layered story -- one shaped by music, diverse cowboy traditions, fashion, and community. We explore how Houston’s version of rodeo culture stands apart.And a recent survey revealed some things about how Houstonians experience loneliness these days, so much so that it inspired a public event on the topic next week called Stronger Together. With those facts in mind, we ask a licensed professional counselor for some practical advice on how to address loneliness in our lives and communities.Watch

On Tuesday's show: An Australian gambler known as “The Joker” has confirmed he was behind the plot to engineer a guaranteed Lotto Texas jackpot win in 2023. In his ongoing coverage of this story, Houston Chronicle investigative reporter Eric Dexheimer tells us more about the man and the ring of high-stakes gamblers who pulled off the plot, reportedly with the full support of the Texas Lottery Commission.Also this hour: The next launch window for Artemis II is April 1-6. The mission to send astronauts around the moon and back has been delayed over technical issues found during testing, which remind us of the complicated nature of spaceflight. We discuss aerospace and aviation safety standards with an industry expert.Then, author Mark Stevens talks about his new memoir, The Last Club Kid, which recalls how Houston’s nightlife once offered refuge, freedom, and community for a generation during the height of the AIDS epidemic.And, on this St. Patrick's Day, we learn about Irish Americans, immigrants, and ex-pats

On Monday's show: Houston-area public school districts have recently become inundated with requests for Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs, linked to Texas' new $1 billion school voucher program. Houston Public Media's Bianca Seward joins us to explain.Also this hour: We learn why Corpus Christi could run out of water by next year and discuss the possible ramifications for the state.Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listener questions about their pets.And, we get an update on Astros Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic.Watch

On Friday's show: We get the latest on the status of the upcoming Artemis II mission.Plus, we talk about the political implications of County Judge Lina Hidalgo's incident at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.Also this hour: We break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Then, spring is on the way, and your allergies might be as well. We discuss how to deal with those challenging seasonal sneezes with the help of Dr. Dat Tran of Innovative Allergy.And movie legend Charlie Chaplin's 1940 satire of Adolf Hitler, The Great Dictator, will be screened on March 16 as a part of the Houston Jewish Film Festival. We look back at the film and consider what it's message has to tell us today.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45FJFryZNxQ

On Thursday's show: Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz have announced revisions to the department’s protocols for engaging with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We learn what’s changed and why.Also this hour: Seeking out a spring break-appropriate trip into nature within a day’s drive? We visit Lake Houston Wilderness Park to learn more about it.Then, we get answers to some questions about pharmaceutical drugs. For example, when you’re sick, how can you tell the difference between a symptom and a drug interaction? We ask a pharmacist about safer medication habits.And we discover what a new photo exhibit called Between Borders has to show us about the war in Ukraine -- and the unlikely organization hosting the exhibit.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0wvHnr5z6w

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Author Tayari Jones talks about how her latest novel, Kin, explores mother-daughter relationships and friendships between women. Jones appears tonight at Houston’s Kindred Stories.And we learn about a new exhibit at The Health Museum which explores the science, stories, and human experiences behind the fight against cancer.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Gas prices in Houston have risen around 50 cents in the last week, bringing the average price per gallon above $3 for the first time in recent memory, according to AAA, as the Iran war intensified. We discuss how long that increase might last and how it could affect the Houston economy.Also this hour: Houston hosting matches during this summer's FIFA World Cup brings international attention and scrutiny to human trafficking prevention in our region. So, how are local human rights groups preparing for the rise in illicit activities? And what happens once the games are over?Then, a civil rights nonprofit recently released a report documenting modern-day lynchings, finding more than 70 have taken place since 2000 here in Texas and six other states.And we all know Houston traffic can be challenging. But now imagine you’re in it while steering a covered wagon and a team of mules! We visit with the Valley Lodge Trail Riders as they roll into town for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.Watch

On Monday's show: Fort Bend County Judge KP George's trial for alleged money laundering is set to begin this week, and Galveston is embarking on a mission to help people live better and longer. Houston Public Media's Fort Bend and Galveston County reporters update us on those stories.Also this hour: We visit Camp for All near Brenham, where kids with disabilities, health conditions, and other challenges can have a traditional summer camp experience.Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers questions about how to maintain the plants in your home or garden.And we discuss the Texans' latest plan to overhaul their offensive line to protect the team's quarterback next season.Watch

On Friday's show: We learn about some potential strong winds and even flooding in Greater Houston this weekend with the help of Justin Ballard, meteorologist for the Houston Chronicle.Also this hour: We talk about movies dealing with time travel. That's the theme of Moonlight Movies, a series of outdoor film screenings this month put on by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we preview this year’s Theater District Open House, where performing arts organizations open their doors for visitors to learn about what they do and to preview their coming seasons.

On Thursday's show: We broadcast live from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where we talk about the annual celebration of western culture with Chris Boleman, the event's president and CEO. We also discuss the future of water in Texas and how the need for it will affect the state's agriculture.Also this hour: We go shopping for Western wear inside the exhibitor hall at NRG Center. And we take an inside look at the annual calf scramble.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We examine how the races turned out in the Texas primary election and discuss the latest 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 restaurants around Houston to take a date or have a date night with a significant other.Watch

On Tuesday's show: We have the latest news on voter turnout during primary election day.Also this hour: Houston didn't make the headlines like Minneapolis or Los Angeles for aggressive immigration enforcement this past year, but it felt the impact. More than one in seven Houston-area residents personally know someone who was detained and potentially deported in 2025. We discuss new surveys from Rice University's Kinder Institute on how Houstonians' attitudes toward immigration enforcement are shifting.Then, retired astronaut Butch Wilmore joins us to talk about his career, including the nine months he spent on the ISS when his mission was originally only supposed to last eight days.Then, we discuss why the Trump administration wants to extend the Texas border wall through Big Bend National Park.And we learn about a Texas Tech University archaeology team’s recent discovery of a long-lost Spanish mission site, which sheds new light on missionary life in Texas during the 1700s.Watch

On Monday's show: Sunday’s mass shooting in Austin may have been an act of terrorism and a response to the U.S. and Israel’s military action in Iran, which has led that country to attack several Middle East neighbors. We discuss that and other reverberations from this weekend’s violence and implications in politics and on the oil and gas industry.Harris County commissioners recently voted to strip the county treasurer’s office of key functions and to pursue dissolving the office altogether. The move was made amidst legal troubles for County Treasurer Carla Wyatt. We get  the details from reporter Sarah Grunau.Also this hour: It’s the first Monday of the month. That’s when we set aside time to sweat the small stuff in another round of Houstonian pet peeves. Send yours now to talk@houstonmatters.org.And we discuss the Astros at spring training, how the automated ball strike challenge system is going so far, and preview the World Baseball Classic as some of the tournament’s games will be played at Daikin Park st

On Friday's show: We learn about HISD's plans to close some of its schools, after a vote on the matter takes place.Also this hour: We discuss the homeschooling experience in Houston with Tess Harris, a former home school student and member of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, and Amber Swirsky, a homeschool teacher, mother of five, and owner of The Homeschool Store.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we chat with Rich Levy, executive director of Inprint Houston, who’s presenting the next film in the Movies Houstonians Love series at the MFAH. We talk about the movie he wants you to see, Wim Wenders’ 2023 film, Perfect Days, and about his 30+ years at Inprint ahead of his retirement.Watch

On Thursday's show: Apple plans to build its Mac mini computers right here in Houston, and Wall Street Journal reporter Rolfe Winkler got an exclusive inside look. We talk with him about what is driving this move and what it means for the city.Also this hour: The deadline is next week for Texas public school boards to vote on whether or not to adopt a voluntary period for prayer and reading of religious texts during the school day. We discuss the law behind this, SB 11, and concerns over how it will be implemented.Then, we learn about CanCare, a local cancer support organization that pairs patients with survivors.And we reflect on the history of the Julia Ideson Library, which is celebrating its centennial with a performance of new music from ROCO on Feb. 28.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We recap last night’s State of the Union address and discuss other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Do you grunt when you get up after sitting too long? Do you feel achy after sleeping? Nearly a quarter of all U.S. adults suffer from chronic pain. We discuss how to manage it, and when it is a good idea to see a doctor or a specialist.And Houston-based singer and musician Kyle Cousins joins us and performs in studio. He’s one of a number of area musicians who will be showcased in a concert Thursday that wraps up this year’s ReelAbilities Houston Film and Arts Festival.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Texas rewards school districts for preparing students for life after graduation, tying college and career readiness to more school funding and higher performance ratings. But a new report shows many college prep classes are failing to live up to their promise. We talk with the researcher behind the findings.Also this hour: Amid concern about the fate of the former Garden Oaks Theater, we discuss historic preservation in Houston.Then, we talk with an area immigration attorney about Houstonians pursuing dual citizenship.And we preview Truth Be Told, a dance production Feb. 26-27 from Urban Souls Dance Company honoring the stories, ancestors, and cultural legacies that shape the Black experience.Watch

On Monday's show: We discuss how the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down many of President Trump’s tariffs might affect Greater Houston.Also this hour: We learn about Blackball, an exhibit exploring baseball in Houston Freedmen’s Town, from teams that barnstormed in sandlots, to players and teams in the Negro Leagues, to the eventual integration of Major League Baseball. And we learn about some of the notable Black baseball players from Houston's history from the president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.Then, from the rollout of school vouchers, to districts voting on prayer in school, to plans to close some HISD campuses, there is a lot going on these days in K-12 education. We bring together a panel of education reporters to discuss those and other subjects in the news.And we recap the Winter Olympics with Houston Chronicle sports editor Reid Laymance.Watch