Houston Matters

On Wednesday's show: Early voting starts in a week for the 18th district Congressional runoff election. We discuss that and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup, from news in Washington surrounding the economy, Iran, and a Justice Department investigation into that fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minnesota.Also this hour: We continue our series looking at the year ahead with a discussion about the issues in health care facing Greater Houston.And an upcoming series of performances called Free Rein from the contemporary music organization Musiqa and NobleMotion Dance combines music and dance with bioengineering to explore how creativity works in the human brain.Watch

On Tuesday's show: The Texans are moving on to face the New England Patriots after a decisive 30-6 victory over the Steelers Monday night. We recap the game and look ahead to the next round.Also this hour: We continue our series looking at the year ahead with a discussion about the issues in energy and the environment facing Greater Houston.Then, a new study explores links between sports betting and crime rates. It turns out, once a game starts, those crime rates go up -- even in some states, like Texas, that technically don't allow sports betting. We learn more.And, ahead of the My 15 Expo at NRG Center on Sunday, we learn about how quinceañeras have developed and grown over the years.Watch

On Monday's show: We talk with writer Salman Rushdie about his latest book, The Eleventh Hour. He speaks at an event tonight with Inprint Houston.Also this hour: We begin a weeklong series looking ahead at issues facing Houston in 2026, beginning with immigration.Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers questions about how to maintain the plants in your home or garden.And we preview the Texans' Monday night AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Steelers.

On Friday's show: We learn what took place at Houston protests in connection with the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis.Also this hour: We find out why the state teacher's union is suing the TEA following investigations into teachers' social media posts last fall.Then, our non-experts consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And the series Movies Houstonians Love returns this weekend to the MFAH with a documentary decades in the making. The 2023 film Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird focuses on Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler Zavala, the duo behind the El Paso progressive rock band The Mars Volta. It's culled from hundreds of hours of footage filmed across decades. Houston DJ and producer Gracie Chavez talks about why this film means so much to her.Watch

On Thursday's show: The Chevron Houston Marathon is this Sunday. That means a lot of runners, a lot of spectators, and a lot of traffic. We talk with one of the organizers about what Houstonians need to know ahead of this weekend's events.And we find out why the mayor and the city controller are clashing again, this time over how flood mitigation funds are being used.Also this hour: We recall great speakers and speeches in Houston's history.Then, we discuss the long term impact of GLP-1 medications on Houstonians' health.And we chat with reggae musician Shaggy ahead of his performance with the Houston Symphony on Sunday.Watch

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, Houston food writers discuss their favorite new restaurants that opened in 2025.And we chat with Puerto Rican composer and saxophonist Miguel Zenón about his upcoming performance with Kinetic Ensemble.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3yBFRAOI_M

On Tuesday's show: We hear from a local immigration attorney about questions that may be arising for Venezuelan immigrants after the U.S. takeover of the country.Also this hour: We answer questions about sleep and sleep disorders with a pulmonologist and sleep expert.Then, producer Brenda Valdivia takes us to a world where cats rule and humans happily comply at the Houston Cat Expo.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRMdXLLCc0A

On Monday's show: We discuss the implications of the takeover of Venezuela on Houston's oil and gas industry.Also this hour: We start the year off with some gripes and grievances in our regular segment called Houstonian Pet Peeves.Then, we preview the upcoming Wild Card playoff matchup between the Texans and the Steelers.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjMcB1BP_Iw

On Tuesday's show: We learn about problems with group homes for elderly or disabled people across the state, which is the subject of an investigation from the Texas Observer.Also this hour: The holidays may bring realizations about the health of aging family members in your life. We get some advice on how to handle that situation with care.Then, in this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we consider what the new Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead Man, has to say about religious leadership and guidance.And listeners share some of their favorite holiday songs in the Houston Matters Holiday Mixtape.Watch

On Monday's show: Civil rights organizations are seeking to block parts of Senate Bill 12, a sweeping Texas law that prohibits discussions about gender identity in public schools as well as student clubs based on sexual orientation. We take a closer look at these lawsuits, the arguments they're making, and confusion about a key question at the heart of it all.Also this hour: What is the top news story in Greater Houston from 2025? From snow, to flooding, to almost winning an NCAA championship in men's basketball, we count down the top ten stories from the past year.And how close is Houston to having a WNBA team again? We get an update on Houston sports.Watch

On Friday's show: Every Houstonian has something they miss, but should we still be missing it? As the year wraps up, we're asking which beloved parts of the city deserve remembrance and which might be holding us back.Then, our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news.And for 40 years, Houston chef Courtney Lindsay didn't know his biological father. Then the two found each other and formed a close relationship. We revisit a conversation with Lindsay about that experience and the documentary he made about it, which will be screened tonight at the MATCH.

On Thursday's show: When an elected official leaves office, what happens to their campaign funds? Well, it turns out many Texas politicians are using those funds on everything from luxury hotels, to steakhouse dinners, to salaries for political operatives. Taylor Goldenstein of the Houston Chronicle tells us what her reporting uncovered.Also this hour: We get a better understanding of municipal utility districts, or MUDs, which are entities formed for handling water services and other utilities in unincorporated areas across the state. People are often lured to buy homes in them for affordable prices but then are surprised by high costs for property taxes or for basic services, like trash collection.Then, we discuss what makes a good workplace these days.And we visit an annual gingerbread house building contest.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: As DEI programs roll back nationwide, one Houston leader is doubling down on inclusion -- starting with kids as young as nine. Shevann Steuben of the NAACP Houston Branch discusses what it takes to build a generation that shows up to vote.And singer/soprano Sarah Brightman is known for originating the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and for her many PBS fundraising specials. But she explains the role disco played in getting her there ahead of a holiday concert in Sugar Land on Dec. 19.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Beginning in January, a new Medicare program in Texas and five other states will use AI to approve or deny certain services. We learn what that could mean for Houston patients and what it signals about the future of health care.Also this hour: We discuss the city of Houston's current approach to homelessness, and, in particular, giving out tickets to homeless people who can't possibly pay them. We discuss with Kelly Young, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County.Then, we consider how Houstonians can keep the peace at home while navigating holiday traditions that might put an unfair burden on someone in the household. We discuss with Robyn Martin from The Menninger Clinic.And we take you to an immersive multimedia holiday experience at ARTECHOUSE Houston.Watch

On Monday's show: A recent study into pay equity among Harris County employees has come under fire from county commissioners and has led to some fear among county workers. We learn more.Then, Houston Mayor John Whitmire's political party of more than five decades admonished him on Sunday, barring the lifelong Democrat from receiving its endorsement in the future.And we remember longtime Houston television news anchor Dave Ward, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 86.Also this hour: We talk with longtime labor advocate Rick Levy, who recently retired from the Texas AFL-CIO.Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers questions about pet care.And we get an update on Houston sports.Watch

On Friday's show: President Donald Trump has frozen the processing of immigration requests for all Afghans pending a review of security and vetting procedures. Now, many Afghan immigrants, including many in Houston who came to the United States through the appropriate legal channels, are growing increasingly worried about their status.And we learn about a cold front arriving late Saturday that could bring Houston's first freeze of the season early Monday morning.Also this hour: From a State Department policy change involving fonts, to the debut of the world's longest commercial flight route, to In-N-Out Burger doing away with 2025's most annoying outburst, our non-experts consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we meet Angolan-born, Houston-based singer Vivalda Ndula, who blends traditional rhythms with Afro-contemporary sounds. But her music does more than entertain. It also confronts inequality, celebrates resilience, and uplifts unheard voices.Watch

On Thursday's show: We examine steps Texas is taking to reduce waste and other takeaways from a new report called: Trash in America. Also this hour: We talk with Brad Pritchett, the new CEO of Equality Texas, the statewide nonprofit advocating for LGBTQIA+ Texans.And we learn about a new documentary chronicling the Bum Phillips era of the old Houston Oilers, called Luv Ya, Bum!Watch

On Wednesday's show: From last-minute jockeying in races for the U.S Senate and Congress, to some calls to end investigations into a military strike that killed survivors of an attack on an alleged drug running boat, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We talk with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, the hosts of the podcast The War on Cars, who are bringing their war to car-centric Houston for a live event tonight at the MATCH and have a new book, Life After Cars.And we hop on board Ensemble Theatre's production of Take the Soul Train to Christmas.Watch

On Tuesday's show: As Houstonians prepare for the holidays, new data shows they're planning to cut spending by 11 percent compared to last year, with the average person expecting to spend around $1,600. Yet, despite this local pessimism, online sales during the five-day Cyber Week period hit $44.2 billion nationally, up nearly 8 percent from last year. We make sense of those seemingly contradictory trends.Also this hour: We get an update on the longstanding nationwide nursing shortage and find out how area universities are responding to a shortage of nursing educators as well.Then, we reflect on why former Astros star Ken Caminiti admitted he'd used steroids long before anyone else did and the demons that led to his untimely death, which are the subject of a book by journalist Dan Good, called Playing Through the Pain.And Houston native director Alex Stapleton talks with us about her new Netflix docuseries Sean Combs: The Reckoning. Watch

On Monday's show: Colin Allred is dropping out of next year's U.S. Senate race and is running for Congress instead. That is just the latest move ahead of today's filing deadline, and after Supreme Court approval of the new Texas Congressional maps. We consider what other scrambling we might see today and what it all means for longtime members of Congress from here in Houston and elsewhere in Texas who have hard decisions to make.Also this hour: We discuss why the Houston metro area is one of a handful in the nation with more traffic deaths last year than homicides and what if anything can be done about it.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 latest developments in Houston sports with Jeff Balke.Watch

On Friday's show: We consider the implications of a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on redistricting.Plus: We look at the future of trash pickup in Houston.And, we get an update on some major road closures from TxDOT.Also this hour: People can pay for the opportunity to SCUBA dive into the gulf to spear and kill invasive lionfish one by one. We talk with a Texas Monthly writer who recently did just that.Then, our non-experts consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we go behind the scenes of an adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life performed as a live radio play at Stages Houston through Dec. 28.

On Thursday's show: As Houston grows, are large portions of the city's younger population missing out on the economic opportunities? A recent report digs into that question.Also this hour: Actor and musician Donald Glover, who is 42, recently revealed he suffered a stroke last year and received treatment here in Houston. That news defies the false assumption that only older people experience strokes. A local doctor discusses why more of us are facing some serious health problems earlier in life.Then, we talk with comedian Jay Jurden, who performs Dec. 5-6 at Punch Line Houston.And we meet the Jordan Family, a jazz group from New Orleans that's performing Saturday night at the Eldorado Ballroom.

On Wednesday's show: Local experts discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: A lot has been made of what President Donald Trump's connections were to Jeffrey Epstein. But, whatever they were (and whatever we might yet learn about them), how much will it matter? University of Houston political science professor and Party Politics co-host Brandon Rottinghaus discusses the changing nature of political scandals, which is the subject of his latest book, Scandal: Why Politicians Survive Controversy in a Partisan Era.And we visit the first-ever national showcase of Black female soccer players, held recently by the Black Women's Player Collective at Prairie View A&M University.Watch

On Tuesday's show: New restrictions on vehicle registrations are causing some confusion and concern in Texas. Residents are now required to show proof of their legal status in the country before registering a vehicle or renewing it. We learn what is behind the sudden policy shift from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the issues it is causing.Also this hour: Houston food writers discuss their favorite places to find European food locally on this month's edition of The Full Menu.And we escape the sprawl and the rat race with a visit to Lake Houston Wilderness Park.Watch

On Monday's show: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has often been a staunch champion of states' rights, including when Joe Biden was president. But reporting from ProPublica and the Texas Tribune takes a closer look at how different things have been with Donald Trump in the White House.Also this hour: Then, we offer listeners a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city. Share yours now at talk@houstonmatters.org.And we discuss the latest developments in Houston sports with Jeff Balke.Watch

On Friday's show: Famous actors are all around in New York and Los Angeles. It's a bit of a bigger deal when they roll through Houston. And when they do, it's usually not to promote a television show or film. The motivation is usually something else entirely.On this special edition of Houston Matters, we revisit conversations with four actors who came to town with something on their minds and shared those messages with us (along with talking about their lives and careers).We discuss mental health with actors Sean Astin and Joe Pantoliano. We review the fascinating life and career of one-time Houston Art Car Parade grand marshal Cheech Marin of Cheech and Chong fame. And we chat with actor, comedian, game show host, and reality TV judge Howie Mandel about his career, but also about -- we kid you not -- controlling cholesterol.

On Wednesday's show: In what has become a sort of tradition 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.Coming up on this special edition of the show, we revisit some of our favorite segments from the past year. We hear conversations about traveling around Houston by foot, and crafting the ultimate Houston sandwich. We visit the Galveston Seawall and this year's Afro Hair Summit Expo. We bring you an in-studio performance by an Indian sitar maestro, and host Craig Cohen waxes poetic about the impact The Muppets had on his life.Along the way, members of the Houston Matters team explain why they picked each of these stories and conversations to share and why they're thankful for the people who produced them.

On Tuesday's show: State regulators have approved a request from CenterPoint Energy to bill taxpayers $2.9 billion to strengthen the Houston-area power grid against extreme weather. We learn details of the company's “resiliency plan” from Claire Hao of the Houston Chronicle.Also this hour: Beyond extreme weather, flooding, or climate change, the next big environmental challenge facing Texas might actually be under our feet. We learn why some of Houston's booming suburbs are literally sinking and discuss what can be done to stop it.Then, this month's edition of The Bigger Picture examines what the new adaptation of Stephen King's The Running Man has to say about media shaping narratives.And Houston writer Kathryn Haueisen, herself a descendant of Mayflower pilgrims, explains what we often get wrong about the history of the first Thanksgiving. Her historical fiction novel, Mayflower Chronicles – The Tale of Two Cultures was an attempt to shed some light on those misconceptions.Watch

On Monday's show: Two inmates died inside the Harris County Jail last week, according to a spokesperson for the Harris County Sheriff's Office, bringing the jail's in-custody death total to 18 this year. We learn the latest on these cases.Also this hour: A new study examines what has come to be known as the carbon "hoofprint” of cities, a measure for how bad beef is for the environment. It turns out the pounds of CO2 emitted per pound of meat at retail varies widely from city to city. Put another way: the carbon footprint of a hamburger is, in fact, bigger in Houston than it is in Chicago. We learn more about the study and talk with some area farmers trying to raise cattle in manner that minimizes this effect.Then, we discuss the latest developments in consumer technology with columnist Dwight Silverman.And we talk over recent developments in Houston sports with Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast.Watch

On Friday's show: A new study suggests more than 1.4 million more Texans will lose their health insurance in 2026 once Affordable Care Act subsidies expire as premiums double or even triple.Also this hour: Just in time for holiday travel, we welcome your questions about the rules of the road for Sgt. Stephen Woodard from the Texas Department of Public Safety.Then, from Houston having two of the deadliest roads in America, to a movie about the life of Mattress Mack going into production, our non-experts weigh in on the The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news.And this weekend marks 62 years since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. We revisit a conversation with the late Secret Service agent Clint Hill about his memories of that day and the day before, which the president spent here in Houston.Watch

On Thursday's show: Houstonians can no longer rent scooters late at night after the Houston City Council enacted a nighttime curfew for both electric and foot-powered scooters amid concerns about safety.And we learn about plans at Humble ISD to implement a school marshal program that would allow employees to carry firearms on campus.Also this hour: In a car-dominant state, the agency responsible for building Texas highways says the state needs more public transit options to deal with its continued growth. We learn more about the draft plan from TxDOT and consider how we should anticipate the future transportation needs of Houstonians.Then, we embark on a hunt for Houston's hidden history with the book, Lost Treasures of Houston.And we visit the Houston Geological Society's annual Gem, Jewelry, Mineral, and Fossil Show.Watch

On Wednesday's show: The U.S. House is poised to vote today on whether to release the Epstein files. We discuss that and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We learn about the role forensic genealogists play in solving cold cases.And CNN news anchor Bianna Golodryga discusses growing up in Houston as the child of Russian Jewish refugees and how that influenced Don't Feed the Lion, the new book she has co-authored to help children deal with antisemitism.Watch

On Tuesday's show: The Trump administration plans to overhaul federal funding for housing. We learn how that might affect Houstonians living in long-term housing and put many at risk of returning to the streets.Also this hour: We discuss the potential for a state takeover of Spring ISD if grades don't improve this year at Dekaney High School.Then, Houston native Debbie Allen received an honorary Oscar over the weekend for her work as a choreographer, producer, director, and actor. We revisit a conversation with her about how the creative scene in Houston helped her succeed in the performing arts.Plus: The documentary Selena y Los Dinos: A Family's Legacy came out on Netflix Monday. The film offers an intimate look at the life of Tejano legend Selena Quintanilla-Perez and her family band through a wealth of candid footage captured by the singer's sister. A Houston historian and Selena superfan reflects on some of his memories of watching her perform her last concerts in Houston.And, with the ever-growing presence of AI in our lives, we learn how musicians are using new technology in their work.Watch

On Monday's show: We get some insight into the goings-on in and around Fort Bend County, including a new Tesla battery factory and broadband expansion.Also this hour: We revisit a conversation about some Houston connections to the Jonestown Massacre, which took place 47 years ago.Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller gives us the lowdown on the dangers of pets getting into Halloween candy as she answers your pet care questions.And we discuss the Texans' latest win over the Titans and their upcoming Thursday matchup against the Buffalo Bills.Watch

On Friday's show: A new survey from Texas Southern University examines which racial and socio-economic groups are most aware of the state's new school voucher program and which are most in support of it, with some surprising results.Also this hour: Filmmaker Ken Burns talks about his latest effort, The American Revolution, which debuts Nov. 16 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we learn about The Good Medicine Indigenous Music Festival this weekend and hear a musical performance from its organizer.

On Thursday's show: We hear what some local businesses connected to the hemp industry have to say about the component of the proposed government spending bill that could ban almost all THC-containing hemp products nationwide. Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in the back-and-forth prioritization of cars and light rail trains in downtown.Then, we talk with popular social media science communicator Hank Green, who was in Houston recently to launch the Thought Leader Series at Space Center Houston.And an aspiring filmmaker shares his harrowing experience with a disease that affected his ability to think and why he wanted to document it as a film, My Missing Mind.Watch

On Wednesday's show: The federal government shutdown could end as soon as tonight. Did it accomplish anything? We consider that question and what the Senate deal, if passed by the House, could do to the burgeoning hemp industry in Texas and all the other recent developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We check out an immersive art installation at the recent AfroTech Conference.And we take a closer look at Houston's comedy scene, beyond standup, as we talk with improv and sketch performers around town.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Children at Risk has released its annual list of the top public schools in Houston. The organization's CEO, Bob Sanborn, walks us through the rankings.Also this hour: Houstonians played a big role in the Gemini missions, which were stepping stones in America's 1960s journey to the moon. The program that preceded Apollo is the focus of Jeffrey Kluger's new book, Gemini: Stepping Stone to the Moon, the Untold Story.Then, we visit Texas Children's Hospital to learn about the first immunotherapy center dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer.And, on Veterans Day, we hear local Air Force veteran Ty Mahany's story about an encounter with a World War II veteran and discover what he learned about engaging fellow veterans in conversations about their service.Watch

On Monday's show: Houstonians woke up to a chill in the air this morning, and it will be back with us overnight. Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard joins us to discuss our wild swings in temperatures.Also this hour: Today is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps. We hear from a Houstonian and retired Marine who served in the Pacific theater during World War II.Then, we discuss how to keep your garden in good shape amid the fluctuating temperatures and into Houston's version of winter with the help of  Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston.And we recap Sunday's Texans game, the team's biggest comeback win in 12 season, and we look at the strong start to the Rockets season.Watch

On Friday's show: After elections this week, we take a closer look at the shifting politics of school boards with the help of Houston Chronicle reporter Elizabeth Sander, who has been covering the politics of suburban school districts over the last year.Also this hour: New data suggests Houston isn't facing the effects of inflation as badly as other cities, but that's cold comfort for Houstonians still struggling financially. We discuss what studies sometimes miss about Houston's economy.Then, from shutdown-prompted cancellations at Houston airports, to Tom Brady investing in a Texas company that cloned his late pit bull, our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we check in with musician Rhett Miller, the longtime lead singer of the alt-country/rock band The Old 97s, fresh off a pair of performances at McGonigel's Mucky Duck.Watch

On Thursday's show: Houston City Council is considering a measure that would effectively prohibit homeless people from sidewalks in a sprawling area around a new homeless services center in the East Downtown neighborhood. The addition of a new zone to the so-called civility ordinance across the Greater East End would mark the third expansion of the rule over the past year. We get the latest details from Houston Public Media's Dominic Anthony Walsh.Also this hour: Attorney and law professor Joyce Vance talks about the erosion of democratic norms and how citizens can push back on that, which is the subject of her book, Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual For Keeping A Democracy. Vance will speak at a Houston event on Nov. 13.Then, we talk with comedian Steve Hofstetter ahead of his appearance Friday at The Secret Group.And we meet the new director of Houston Grand Opera,James Gaffigan.Watch

On Wednesday's show: On Election Day, Democrats won high-profile races in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York, while back here in Houston, closely watched races for Congress and Houston City Council are headed to runoffs. We discuss election results and the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Dining out has been getting more expensive. So, we turn to our gaggle of foodies and seek their suggestions for the best low-cost eating options around town on this month's edition of The Full Menu.And gifted and talented programs in Texas schools can take many forms. An education expert explains how those programs have evolved to embrace more than just academic prowess.Watch