Houston Matters

On Friday's show: We get the latest on dramatic flooding in the Texas Hill Country. And Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare discusses his office's efforts to investigate last week's shooting death of Houstonian Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent.Also this hour: We conclude our weeklong series examining the state of several areas of life in Greater Houston by discussing the state of our region's arts and culture scene.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we reflect on parallels between last week's ICE shooting and a death at the hands of law enforcement in the 1970s that transformed the Houston Police Department and led to what became known as The Chicano Squad.Watch

On Thursday's show: We recap calls for and efforts to investigate last week's shooting by an ICE agent in Magnolia Park.Also this hour: We continue our weeklong series examining the state of several areas of life in Greater Houston by discussing the state of transportation in the region.Then, we visit a "death cafe" -- a Houston-area discussion group that gathers to talk about issues related to death.And we preview the next installment of the podcast After the Flood.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We continue our weeklong series examining the state of several areas of life in Greater Houston by discussing the state of the environment.And more and more people these days own dogs who serve as service animals or emotional support animals. But where can they venture in Houston and where can't they? And are there limits some area businesses can set?Watch

On Tuesday's show: We get the latest on rainy weather in the forecast and the potential for flooding. And we learn about a TEA investigation of HISD's plans to consolidate some special education services in the district.Also this hour: We continue our weeklong series examining the state of several areas of life in Greater Houston by discussing the state of politics here.Then, we reflect on the role religion has played in shaping the state of Texas over its history with Joseph Locke, author of One State Under God: A History of Religion in Texas. Locke will discuss the book on July 16 at Brazos Bookstore.And retired astronaut Anna Lee Fisher talks about time with NASA. She was in the first astronaut class that included women, and she was the first mother to go to space. Her experience is chronicled in the first part of a new PBS documentary series Once Upon a Time in Space, which airs tonight at 8 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.Watch

On Monday's show: Last week's shooting by ICE agents of a Houstonian who had entered the country illegally more than 30 years ago raised, to some, questions about why he had only in recent years sought legal status.Also this hour: We begin a week-long series examining the state of Greater Houston, starting today with a look at Houstonians' health.Plus: We welcome your gardening questions.And we assess the Houston Astros at the All-Star break.Watch

On Friday's show: Past officer-involved shootings have led many law enforcement agencies to train officers to de-escalate -- something that seems far less evident from encounters between Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers since the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants. So, what happened to the concept of de-escalation? We talk it over with Dr. Everette Penn from the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we hear from spiritual jazz legend, Kahil El'Zabar ahead of his performance at the Houston Museum of African American Culture as part of the museum's latest exhibition, “Bayou City Stewards: America From Our Perspective." Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S_4VS_-YnY&t=1688s

On Thursday's show: More than 1,000 protesters gathered on Canal Street Wednesday night demanding answers after 36-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Houston's Magnolia Park neighborhood Tuesday morning.We speak with two elected officials who represent the area: Houston City Council Member Joaquin Martinez and State Senator Carol Alvarado: District 6, about the shooting, the community's response, and what comes next.Also this hour, East End residents discuss how this week's shooting has intensified longstanding frustrations over public safety, policing, and the challenges facing their neighborhood.Then, we examine America's relationship with guns and gun violence with longtime public radio host David Greene, who's screening his new documentary, Louder Than Guns, in Houston tonight.And we preview the latest episode of the podcast, After the Flood, a podcast collaboration of The Texas Newsroom and the PBS series Frontline.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the shooting of an undocumented immigrant in Magnolia Park. Elected officials and immigrant rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation. And we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We find out what kinds of protections exist for those who work outside in Houston's summer heat.And we learn about Texas Southern University's aviation program with a visit to its hangar at Ellington Field. https://www.youtube.com/live/h7vRgjfkcKI?si=TzGz4-sul6i6QuwB

On Tuesday's show: We learn how a little-known appeals process allowed thousands of wealthy homes to be removed from floodplain maps. Houston Chronicle investigative reporter Yilun Cheng explains how it happened and what it means.And we get details about a lawsuit filed by Daniel Wong, who had been appointed to serve as Fort Bend Couty Judge, the latest development in a battle over who should be the leader of that county.Also this hour: Houston's Venezuelan community is stepping up after that recent devastating earthquake there. We learn more about the effort here to help.Then, we talk with Houstonians from different generations about their experiences here as teenagers.And, 45 years ago today, President Ronald Reagan announced his intention to nominate Sandra Day O'Connor as the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. And, while she was the first woman on the High Court, she was not the first to appear on a presidential short list. We revisit a conversation about O'Connor's career with Renee Knake Jefferson, co-author of Shortlisted: Women in the Shadows of the Supreme Court.https://www.youtube.com/live/k8CpBpRp7Kg?si=i8-R3hLAfZqfpDBk

On Monday's show: We learn more about an investigative series from the Houston Chronicle examining how a Houston-based compounding pharmacy is stretching the boundaries of health care regulation and creating potential dangers for patients.Also this hour: We offer listeners a chance to vent their pet peeves about life in our city.And we get an update on the FIFA World Cup matches and, now that Houston has hosted its last match, we reflect on how the city did as a host city.Watch

On Thursday's show: As Houston gears up to mark not just another Fourth of July but also the nation's semiquincentennial, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate -- from fireworks over Buffalo Bayou to a tree-planting event that had to work around a protected bird's nest. We walk through some of the ways people are celebrating across Greater Houston.Also this hour: Sure, Lee Greenwood sang about being proud to be an American. And so we, naturally, discuss what makes you proud to be a Houstonian.Then, we learn how Texas helped shape aviation in America, the subject of an exhibit called Made in Texas at the Lone Star Flight Museum.And we preview the latest episode of the podcast After the Flood, about the aftermath of the July 4 floods in the Texas Hill Country.Watch

On Wednesday's show: From the U.S. Supreme Court upholding birthright citizenship, to other decisions from the High Court, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Foodies discuss their favorite places for happy hour food and drink in the latest installment of The Full Menu.And, as the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of independence, we consider the nation's story through the lens of several pieces of art on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in conjunction with America 250 festivities.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Could the Corpus Christi water crisis have been averted if Texans were a little more realistic about climate change? We learn how the state may have underestimated the increasing size and scope of droughts.Also this hour: We consider Houston's role in international business and culture and whether that is changing lately.Then, we revisit a conversation from last year with Bryan Burrough, author of The Gunfighters, about the role Texas played in the rise of Old West legends.And we go bird watching in the Bayou City.

On Monday's show: We learn how last week's tire fire in southeast Houston may be affecting air quality. And the Galveston City Council approved zoning exemptions for the Discovery Sands development that has sparked controversy across the island.Also this hour: We discuss how last week's Supreme Court decision allowing the president to end the nation's Temporary Protected Status program might affect families, businesses, and industries across Greater Houston.Then, ahead of America's 250th birthday, we discuss what was happening in 1776 in what became Texas, which was under Spanish rule, and who else inhabited what became Greater Houston.And we dig deeper on news that the NHL might add an expansion team in Houston or Austin.Watch

On Friday's show: HISD's state-appointed board of managers approved Bible-infused curriculum for elementary school students and also voted to adopt a $2 billion operating budget for the 2026-27 school year. We get details on both.And, Fort Bend County government ground to a halt after two Democratic commissioners walked out of a meeting, breaking quorum and leaving county business in limbo. The standoff is the latest escalation in a partisan dispute over who legally leads the county.Also this hour: We mark an anniversary for a few key landmark Supreme Court rulings impacting gay rights: Lawrence v. Texas in 2003, the 2013 striking down of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, and, in 2015, Obergefell v. Hodges, in which the High Court ruled same-sex couples had a Constitutional right to marriage under the 14th Amendment.Then, our non-experts contemplate The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we preview the Ensemble Theatre's production of Get Ready, which explores the impact that shifts in popular music had on Black musicians starting in the 1950s.Watch

On Thursday's show: Houston City Council has approved $18 billion worth of capital projects. We find out what the money will be spent on and how that might affects services, such as solid waste.And we get details on the new $300 million arena complex the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo plans to build, which is intended to “complement, not replace” operations at NRG Park.Also this hour: Sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula fields listener questions about sleep and sleep disorders, which you can send now to talk@houstonmatters.org.And we take a closer look at the Texas Newsroom podcast After the Flood, about the people who died last summer when a flood tore through the Texas Hill Country.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We ponder the art of crafting a compelling story from the public radio program, The Moth, ahead of its Mainstage coming to Houston this weekend.And filmmaker Karla Murthy, who grew up in Missouri City, talks about her documentary, The Gas Station Attendant, which chronicles her father's struggles to achieve the American dream and her process of coming to terms with his story. The film will be screened June 25 as a part of the series HTX MADE with a related family storytelling workshop on June 27.Watch

On Tuesday's show: A Tesla crashed into a Katy home on Friday, killing a 76-year-old woman. The driver told police the vehicle was in an automated driving mode. While no criminal charges have yet to be filed in the case, a legal expert discusses the liability questions that stem from incidents involving such vehicles.Also this hour: We've heard a lot about the toll large data centers might take on water and energy demand in Texas. But how might they also affect the weather and climate around them -- including here in Houston? Then, experts talk about efforts in Texas to combat the New World screwworm and how to deal with it and other unwanted pests and invasive species in our environment. And, ahead of the Houston Punk Fest June 26-27, we revisit a conversation from 2025 paying homage to the Houston bands that made up the Texas punk rock scene of the '70s and '80s.Watch

On Monday's show: Three years ago, Texas Republican lawmakers approved a state law eliminating Harris County's chief elections official and allowing state officials to intervene and supervise elections here. We learn how the state is using the law to take over elections in some other, much-smaller counties.Also this hour: We hear the story behind the Houston-based nonprofit Love You Adam Foundation and how it is using some new approaches to prevent suicide.Then, an expert from the UTHealth Houston Neurosciences-Headache & Pain Center answers your questions about headaches and migraines.And, after some MLB players wrote Bible verses on the rainbow-themed hats they wore on a recent LGBTQ+ Pride night, we talk about athletes and free speech -- what they can say, do, and even wear on the field.Watch

On Friday's show: Today is Juneteenth, which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in this country. And while we tend to think of Galveston when we conjure the holiday's history, a local researcher tells us about what he found that suggests the first festivities happened in Houston.Also this hour: A new book celebrates the stories and legacy of Riverside General, Houston's former Negro hospital. Journalist Carlton Houston talks about his book, The Houston Negro Hospital, and shares his own family's connection to its story.Then, our non-experts break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And Sunday is Make Music Day, a free celebration of musical performance around the world. We talk with Houston vocalist Dria Thornton about her music and career.Watch

On Thursday's show: Greater Houston may have dodged a bullet in terms of widespread flooding when Tropical Storm Arthur bypassed our region on its way to Louisiana, but it has left with us some extreme heat. We get an update and an explanation from meteorologist Justin Ballard of the Houston Chronicle.And we get details on former Fort Bend County Judge KP George's sentencing for his money laundering conviction.Also this hour: How do we know when an older adult might need help at home, professional care, or a different living arrangement? We discuss the ins and outs of elder care.Then, amid its initial public offering last week, SpaceX set some pretty lofty goals, including future colonization of Mars. Space scientist Scott Soloman of Rice University explains why he thinks those goals are not feasible -- and even unethical.And we visit The Landing at Augusta Woods, a memory care community in Spring that uses faith, music, and repetition to help residents with dementia rediscover their purpose and inspire others.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We get an update on the forecast for rainy weather across the region. And we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: How often do you really think about how you're going to get from point A to point B throughout your day? For disability advocate Melissa DiVietri, it's something she has to consider all the time.And we learn about this year's Houston Punk Fest, which takes place June 26-27.Watch

On Tuesday's show: We get an update on the potential for "life-threatening flooding" this week as the Houston area faces sustained heavy rains amid a flood watch. We check in again with meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather for the latest. And we find out how local chefs and restaurants fared in the annual James Beard Awards.Also this hour: We learn how the City of Houston is doing on its efforts to improve its sewer system.Then, scientists last year discovered evidence that could point to ancient life on Mars. We revisit a conversation from last fall about what they found.And we chat with some artists behind six new massive murals in downtown.Watch

On Monday's show: More stormy weather is inbound and brings with it the threat of potential flooding this week. We get the latest on two storm systems headed our way from meteorologist Eric Berger from Space City Weather.We check in with Houston Public Media's Michael Adkison on the FIFA World Cup. We recap Sunday's match in Houston between Germany and Curaçao and preview Wednesday's match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And we discuss how the Fan Fest and other related events are going so far.Also this hour: Ahead of Juneteenth, we reflect on how Black communities have commemorated freedom, preserved their history, and fought for full citizenship through generations of celebration and remembrance with historian Blair LM Kelley, author of Black Freedom: The Visual History of Juneteenth and Emancipation Days. She will discuss the book during an author talk at Kindred Stories on June 18 at 7 p.m.Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listener questions about their pets.And to cap or not to cap -- that's the question Major League Baseball is wrestling with when it comes to its salaries. Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast, explains the argument and how it could lead to no Astros games for some -- or all -- of next season.Watch

On Friday's show: Tina Petersen, the head of the Harris County Flood Control District has resigned amid pressure to address looming deadlines. We learn why she resigned and what it has to do with post Harvey-flood mitigation projects.Also this hour: Ahead of the first FIFA World Cup matches in Houston, for those among us who know little to nothing about the sport, we talk with Nick Greene, author of How to Watch Soccer Like a Genius, who explains the ins and outs of the World Cup, from the basics of the game, to what it takes to maintain the grass on the pitch, and how to enjoy the game itself.Then, from the wrong flag being used to welcome World Cup fans to Houston, to a shuttle bus to Buc-ee's being included in public transit for World Cup visitors in Dallas, our non-experts break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we meet a Houston psychiatrist, Dr. Raymond Cho, who has also become a composer.Watch

On Thursday's show: STAAR test results are out. We learn how Houston-area schools fared. And we find out if the City of Houston passed its $7.5 billion proposed budget, which would include a $5 trash pickup fee.Also this hour: As we've grown more and more dependent on technology, some of us are growing increasingly wary of the tradeoffs it requires. We discuss the reasons why with Houston Chronicle technology writer Dwight Silverman. Then, school may be out, but reading doesn't have to be. We find out how a local reading challenge is encouraging kids to turn more pages and how adults can discover new books and community events at their neighborhood library.And, ahead of a June 25 concert at The Heights Theater, we revisit a 2024 conversation with Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter and author Mary Gauthier.Watch

On Wednesday's show: The U.S. House has approved ICE and border patrol money. Houston City Council is poised to vote on the mayor's budget. And Senate candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating FIFA over World Cup tickets. We discuss those and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Estate sales draw collectors, bargain hunters, second-hand sellers, and curious neighbors. We learn more about them and what happens behind the scenes to prepare for them from Michael Dentel, owner of the Houston-based Elite Estate Sales.And Texas-based writer Lauren Hough shares insights from traveling the country in her van -- and how bringing her dog helped facilitate conversations she might never have had along the way. She recounts those stories in her latest book, Monster of a Land, which she will discuss at an event at Brazos Bookstore on June 18.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Information from ERCOT shows there are some hot spots in Texas where more large data centers want to open and join the state's power grid. We take a closer look at Houston Chronicle reporting on that story and find out where many of these new data centers hope to be.Also this hour: We consider the factors that lead to youth homelessness in Greater Houston and how to address the problem.Then, we revisit a conversation about the challenges of teaching civics in schools amid our polarized political climate.And we chat with organizers of the Sin Muros festival, which features readings, workshops, and celebrations by and for Latino playwrights, poets, and performers.Watch

On Monday's show: We get updates on the goings-on in Fort Bend and Galveston Counties.Also this hour: We discuss why some food deserts persist in Greater Houston.Then, we answer listener questions about gardening.And we preview the upcoming FIFA matches in Houston.Watch

On Friday's show: We discuss a report from Children at Risk that assesses the quality of life for children in Harris County.Also this hour: We talk with two Houstonians about starting their own businesses.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we preview Houston's official LGBT Pride Celebration.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_csMDc5J1A

On Thursday's show: We get the latest on the City of Corpus Christi's attempts to delay its looming water crisis.Also this hour: We revisit the original plans for Corpus Christi's desalination plant and how it's supposed to work.Then, we learn how community land trusts strive to address both housing affordability and gentrification at the same time.And Houstonian Kolbi Ferguson tells us he how trains for competitive weightlifting with his sights set on Olympic Games that are still more than two years away.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5bH3dEazUA

On Tuesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Two local foodies talk about restaurants with good patios and refreshing food and drink for the summer in this month's edition of The Full Menu.And we preview the upcoming Houston Symphony concerts featuring music from the Final Fantasy video game series.https://www.youtube.com/live/443GGLyk7hs?si=WckllKqy4QT81vfp

On Tuesday's show: A new investigation looks into a number of use of force incidents by campus police in Texas school districts.Also this hour: We learn why local bars and restaurants are starting to do away with popular steak night traditions.Then, a new book goes beyond the stats and highlights to offer a portrait of legendary pitcher Nolan Ryan.And we go behind the scenes of the annual KimoKawaii Anime Experience and Convention.https://www.youtube.com/live/dcFwg85uclc?si=CmDlor-RdmbzWhQX

On Monday's show: The Atlantic hurricane season begins today. We get a reminder about what you need to know as we head into the season.Also this hour: We offer listeners a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.And we get an update on the Astros.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57fcRD32nJo

On Friday's show: The U.S. Department of Justice has created a new "Anti-Weaponization Fund" as a way to compensate victims of "weaponization and lawfare." Two police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, have filed a lawsuit to stop payouts from the fund from going to those attackers. Now, Houston Rep. Lizzie Fletcher has introduced a bill related to the fund, which she calls a “perversion of our system of justice.” She explains what her bill would do.Also this hour: From an investigation into how and when FIFA sells tickets to the World Cup, to Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta acquiring Caesars Entertainment, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston continues its series Movies Houstonians Love with a screening tonight at 7 of The Unbelievable Truth by indie filmmaker Hal Hartley. Harold Taylor, a longtime member of the MFAH's Ultimate Film Buffs, is presenting the movie. He explains why he chose it and what it means to him.Watch

On Thursday's show: As NASA continues to work toward building a base on the moon, it has awarded some contracts to commercial companies to take the next steps there. We learn why one Texas company earned one of those contracts and a Houston-based one did not.Also this hour: On the heels of Tuesday's runoff election and as we look ahead to November, we break down how Supreme Court decisions of recent years have gutted the Voting Rights Act, and how, paired with ensuing redistricting, representation is changing in Houston and across The South.Then, we learned this month that an unusual settlement over child transgender care was reached, which calls on Texas Children's Hospital in Houston to establish the country's first-ever “detransition clinic.” We discuss the practical and legal questions that settlement raises with Shelby Chestnut, executive director of the Transgender Law Center.And technology is changing the way music is made. Some of it is for the better. Some of it...not so much. We talk it over with some creators.Watch

On Wednesday's show: Ken Paxton will take on James Talarico for a U.S. Senate seat in November. And there was a surprise -- at least to some -- in the Democratic primary for Harris County Judge. We pore over those and other results from Tuesday's primary runoffs as we discuss the latest developments in politics.Also this hour: We learn about a new report that looks to the future of Fort Bend County, which could see a population above two million by the year 2050.And we talk with folks involved in this year's Haapifest, celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander films and filmmakers here in Houston. Watch

On Tuesday's show: Today is election day for the primary runoff races. We check in with Houston Public Media reporters at polling places across Greater Houston, recap what is on the ballot, and share what you need to know before voting.Also this hour: We visit the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center to learn about the adaptive sports and recreation services it provides Houstonians with disabilities.And we talk with Houston native fashion designer Bach Mai.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh_tMMjWRlA

On Friday's show: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a below-average number of storms during the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, according to its annual forecast released Thursday. We learn what might be in store for us.Also this hour: A new study suggests a bleak future for the city of New Orleans due to sea level rise. The authors even suggest residents should probably start relocating now. We learn more about the report. And, while Houston's elevation isn't quite as low, and we're a little further away from the Gulf, there are some in Greater Houston who may be just as vulnerable. We talk it all over.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And Matt Dinniman, author of the highly popular Dungeon Crawler Carl series talks with our Brenda Valdivia ahead of his appearance at this weekend's Comicpalooza.Watch

On Thursday's show: HISD Superintendent Mike Miles joins us to discuss the state of the district, changes in special education, and to address listener questions. You can send yours now to talk@houstonmatters.org.Also this hour: We meet the people behind a new free arts newspaper called the Houston Associated Experimental Press.And we revisit a 2015 conversation with former Congressman Barney Frank, who served Massachusetts for more than 30 years. Frank passed away this week. He was the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay.Watch

On Wednesday's show: From President Trump endorsing Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate primary runoff, to other primary votes happening across the county, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Prairie View A&M University, the state's oldest public HBCU, is celebrating 150 years. Former Prairie View history professor Dr. Will Guzmán talks about the school's history and legacy, which he addresses in two books he has written this year.And we revisit a conversation with the hosts of Sistas Who Kill, a podcast focused on Black women in true crime, ahead of a live event in Houston on May 24.Watch

On Tuesday's show: The WHO has declared an Ebola outbreak in Africa a global health emergency. We talk with local epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Troisi of UTHealth about how concerned we should be about the disease spreading further, including to Greater Houston.Also this hour: We hear two conversations about artificial intelligence. First, a new study from the University of Houston examines people's attitudes toward AI and data centers. Then, a local law professor explains why he thinks students can beomce better lawyers by using AI tools, something the legal profession may be embracing more broadly than other industries.Then, a Houston businessman was recently acquitted and released by a federal judge in a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act case. Jury convictions in such cases are hardly ever overturned. We find out why it was in this case.And turtles, geckos, and snakes were among the creatures on display recently in Pasadena at Repticon. Brenda Valdivia was there and shares what she learned.Watch