Houston Matters

On Friday's show: A Galveston County jury has sentenced James Elmore, 61, to 20 years in prison for his role in a decades-old "Texas Killing Fields" case that went unsolved for over 40 years. We get the details on his trial and sentencing.Also this hour: NASA just launched a new telescope. We learn what makes the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope different than others before it, like the Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope, and what the agency hopes to discover with new snapshots of the universe.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And members of the ensemble WindSync tell us about their joint performance with Musiqa tonight at Miller Outdoor Theatre.Watch

On Thursday's show: We discuss the recent deal the city of Houston made promising to never absorb The Woodlands in exchange for $50 million over the next four years.Also this hour: We discuss how the growth of AI is shaping the medical field for doctors and patients.Then, a DPS trooper tells us what to do if (and, let's face it when) you're in a fender bender on Houston roads and highways.And the folks behind Houston's online radio station Ice House Radio talk about their mission to share and document Southern music culture.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We get an update on the after effects of Tropical Storm Edouard after it made its way through southeast Texas.Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Then, what's the holy grail of memorabilia from NASA's Apollo program? We find out as we learn about the realm of space memorabilia.And a new art exhibit at Rice called Radiant Geometries explores academic concepts like math, science, and technology through Indigenous and Latin American traditions.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Tropical Storm Edouard has formed moving in the Gulf and could bring heavy rain to parts of Greater Houston today. We have the very latest on the forecast and how area communities are preparing.Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Full Menu, Houston foodies offer their suggestions for the best breakfast and brunch options in town.And, last week, Houston Audubon announced its rebranding itself as Birds Houston, to better describe the organization's mission to connect people with birds and to champion conservation. Birds and birding are surprisingly big in Greater Houston, which explains why there's a Texas-sized field guide, called Birds of Texas, describing the hundreds of bird species you can find here. We learn more about it from its author.Watch

On Monday's show: Fort Bend County commissioners voted last week to strip funding and staff from the office of elected County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson, creating a new civil legal department under the court's own control. We learn what it could mean for the county and its residents.Also this hour: A tropical disturbance in the Gulf could develop into a tropical depression -- or even a tropical storm -- by Tuesday, the National Weather Service predicts, with several inches of rain falling in southeast Texas. We get the latest information on how it might affect Greater Houston.Then, during his visit to Johnson Space Center last week, President Trump signed an executive order to get the ball rolling on a U.S. Space Academy. We learn what it would do and consider whether the announcement signals an intent to place it here in Space City. And we reflect on how the often-overlooked Gemini missions won the space race.Plus, we discuss hair loss, hair changes, and signs of a need for medical attention with Dr. Oyetewa Asempa from Align Dermatology.And we preview the Texans season with Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.Watch

On Friday's show: We get details on Pres. Trump's visit to Houston, with a RNC fundraiser last night and plans to bestow the Artemis II astronauts with a Congressional Space Medals of Honor today.Also this hour: we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Then, restaurants come and go. So, how are some able to stand the test of time and become dining institutions that have stuck around 50, 80, or even more than a hundred years? We visit three of Houston's longest-lived eateries to find out.And we learn about an exhibition called Anomalous, which features works by a pair of Houston artists examining the beauty in imperfections.Watch

On Thursday's show: We talk with Houston Public Media's Dominic Anthony Walsh about Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz being a no-show at a Houston City Council public safety committee meeting this week examining a report on HPD calls involving ICE. We also discuss a $50 million agreement under consideration by Houston City Council that would, in part, include a decision not to absorb Woodlands Township.Also this hour: We get an update on developments in the bid for an NHL expansion team in Houston or Austin.Then, many companies promote drinks or supplements as health-forward, but what works best for you and when should you put them down?And we preview this weekend's Houston Mariachi Festival.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We learn how the concept of cohousing works by visiting East End Commons, a first-of-its kind in Houston housing concept that just opened in the East End.And two local ensembles come together to celebrate the 90th birthday of composer Arvo Pärt with a pair of concerts Aug. 29 and 30. We learn more from the founders of Kinetic and Cor Mundi.Watch

On Tuesday's show: The city of Houston has opened a program to provide funding to help homeowners whose property was damaged in the 2024 derecho or Hurricane Beryl. We get details on how the federally funded program works and who is eligible.Also this hour: The Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is holding an infrastructure summit and expo Wednesday. We learn more about it from the chamber's Laura Murillo.Then, while the political world is focused on the upcoming election, we're going to look back at historic leaders in Houston's history, and why some are beloved, some are seen as controversial, and why those sentiments can change over time.And Houston artist Avery Brown Renfro discusses three generations of art in her family -- her work and that of her father and grandfather, Bruce Brown and Leon Renfro. An exhibit at Texas Southern University celebrating all three is on display beginning Aug. 29.Watch

On Monday's show: More than 20 Houston-area apartment landlords are accused of using a shared pricing algorithm to push rents higher. We find out what a settlement means for affected renters.Also this hour: As Houstonians, we waste a lot of time sitting in traffic. We lose hours doom scrolling on social media. We also lose precious time contending with spam calls and junk mail, which only seem to get worse as time goes by. Can we free ourselves from unsolicited calls, e-mails, and texts?Then, a Houston Chronicle article laid out how HISD and other districts may be gaming the system to artificially inflate their state accountability grades and why that particular gravy train may soon end. We discuss that and other developments in education with a roundtable of reporters.And the Astros General Manager, Dana Brown, is parting ways with the team after four seasons. We talk about his tenure and what comes next for the team, which is tied for the division lead, with Bleav in Astros podcast co-host Jeff Balke.Watch

On Friday's show: ERCOT has announced when its audit of data centers mandated by Gov. Greg Abbott will be complete. And a new report expresses concern over certain pathogens found in Texas waterways.Also this hour: Houston Chronicle columnist Regina Lankenau explains how a relatively unique court in Harris County is helping renters avoid eviction.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And the 1877 tall ship Elissa recently returned to Galveston after visiting New York for America's 250th birthday. We talk with a volunteer crew member and the director of the Galveston Historic Seaport about the voyage and the historic ship -- one of only three of its kind still actively sailing.Watch

On Thursday's show: We look at the forecast for hot weather as a heat advisory begins today with Justin Ballard, meteorologist with the Houston Chronicle. And, amid the Houston heat, Houston City Council has approved an ordinance requiring landlords to provide air conditioning for residents in rental units within the next 120 days.Also this hour: Back in the 1880s, Mexican Americans in the southwest established escuelitas (Spanish for "little schools"). These are small, grass-roots educational spaces to teach community children about their history and culture. This summer, Magnolia Park Arts and Community launched its own pilot escuelita program. We learn more about it.Then, we examine the role chaplains play at the Texas Medical Center and in other health care settings across Greater Houston.And we preview Saturday night's performance of The Call of the Flute by the Indian performing arts group Samskriti at Miller outdoor Theatre.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: When Texas became a state in 1845, it might have been given Congressional permission to divide itself into five states. We contemplate what such a move might have meant and would mean today for a metro area like Houston, which might've become a state unto itself.And we visit a first-of-its-kind monument to Black pioneers in space called EarthRise.Watch

On Tuesday's show: We take a closer look at the redistricting saga in Galveston County.Also this hour: We get a primer on MUDs, municipal utility districts, which handle water services and other utilities for unincorporated areas of Texas.Then, we discuss how to deal with burnout in your job or career.And people in Texas love their barbecue, but how did a lower-quality cut of meat like brisket become the main event? Houston Chronicle barbecue columnist J.C. Reid explains.Watch

On Monday's show: We discuss state school ratings, and questions about reading proficiency at some HISD schools with Houston Public Media's education reporter Bianca Seward.Also this hour: It's hardly a new phenomenon, but it just keeps increasing -- people, industry, and venues moving from the core of the city outward into the suburbs, exurbs, and beyond. From housing developments, to company headquarters, to new arenas, we explore what this continuing shift means as Greater Houston continues to transform.Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listener questions about pet care. You can submit yours now to talk@houstonmatters.org.And, as the WNBA was suddenly thrust into a challenging spotlight last week over whether transgender women should be allowed to play in the league, we consider how professional sports leagues can navigate divisive issues in the culture that rile up fans and players alike.Watch

On Friday's show: A representative from Pride Houston 365 will join us to preview Saturday's rescheduled Pride Houston parade.Also this hour: As a recent tragic incident of domestic violence reinforced here in Houston, while conversation about abuse often encourages people to “watch out for the signs,” it's not always clear who is ultimately responsible for speaking up when those signs begin to show -- or even how to do it. We discuss that with Leticia Manzano the Houston Area Women's Center.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And we talk with comedian Ron Funches, who just brought his standup to Houston last weekend.Watch

On Thursday's show: Marijuana enforcement and no-knock warrants will be on the ballot for Houston voters in November. And airport workers are getting a raise. Houston Public Media's Dominic Anthony Walsh has been following those developments and breaks them down for us.Also this hour: As Johnson Space Center continues preparations for the next Artemis mission and America's return to the moon, it reminds us that NASA's long-term vision includes using the moon as a stepping-stone for future missions to Mars. But there is a lot to consider about what human beings spending extended time on the moon or Mars will mean. We revisit a February conversation with Rice University biology professor Scott Solomon, author of Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds.Then, we consider how alcohol consumption habits are changing and what that might mean for the health of younger Houstonians.And we learn about a documentary in production about soccer in Houston.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We preview a special screening on Aug. 27 at the River Oaks Theatre of the classic film Casablanca, with the man presenting it, longtime Houston-area film critic Joe Leydon.And we learn about the world premiere of a blend of original music, dance, and electronics from NobleMotion Dance called CHANT.Watch

On Tuesday's show: President Donald Trump has signed an executive order calling on federal health officials to scale back vaccine recommendations and to split the MMR vaccine into individual shots for measles, mumps, and rubella. We get reaction from a local epidemiologist. And jalapeños are being recalled in 27 states, including Texas, after they were linked to a nationwide outbreak of salmonella. This comes after recalls of lettuce tied to outbreaks of Cyclospora. We get the latest on both outbreaks and learn more about the illnesses caused by them.Also this hour: We keep hearing what the latest polling has to tell us about the possible outcome of the Texas race for U.S. Senate. But how much can you take from polls? We revisit a conversation with Anthony Salvanto, the executive director of elections and surveys for CBS News, about how much to trust them and how to separate the useful ones from the less serious. He's the author of a book on that subject called Where Did You Get This Number?Then, we learn how extreme heat affects our electronic devices and how that might be a growing problem as the climate warms.And we talk over some of interesting places to explore in Greater Houston off the beaten path.Watch

On Monday's show: Students at HISD go back to class today, with many students at other districts around Greater Houston beginning a new school year this week as well. We discuss the first day of school and other education developments with Houston Public Media's Bianca Seward.Also this hour: HISD made significant changes to how it will handle special education in the new school year. And they weren't exactly popular moves. We take a closer look at how the changes might affect parents and students.Then, we visit local gardener Erandi Treviño of Verandi Secret Garden to learn how to transition your yard to native plants to save water, reduce upkeep, and help local wildlife.And Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle talks about the Texans' offseason, personnel changes, training camp, and preparation for preseason play, which begins Aug. 13 against the Chargers.Watch

On Friday's show: We get updates from Houston Public Media reporters on several stories from Fort Bend County, Galveston County, and Harris County.Also this hour: Classes begin for HISD students on Monday. Kids returning to class means another year of close contact, germs getting passed around, and a variety of other health-related questions and considerations. We talk through them with pediatrician Dr. Desiree Evans from Texas Children's.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we meet the director and one of the actors from the regional premiere of the newly revised West End production of Mean Girls: The Musical, on stage at Queensberry Theatre through Aug. 16.Watch

On Thursday's show: We learn why Moody's has upgraded the City of Houston's credit rating and what it means for the city and the rest of us.Also this hour: AI is finding its way into the classroom more and more. We discuss what that looks like and how educators from grade school to college hope to handle it responsibly.Then, we hear from Joseph Williams, lead singer of the rock band Toto, ahead of the band's concert in The Woodlands on Friday. We discuss the group's enduring hits, like Africa, Hold the Line, and Rosanna, along with Williams' solo efforts, which include the singing voice of Simba in the original The Lion King and working with his dad, John Williams, on three Star Wars films.And we visit The Chess Refinery, a gathering space for chess players in Katy.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We get to know the new host of Reading Rainbow, librarian and literacy advocate Mychal Threets.And comedian Maddy Kelly explains how her failed attempts to act dramatically on stage turned into a career in comedy and a recent appearance on The Tonight Show. Kelly performs in Houston Friday and Saturday at The Riot Comedy Club.Watch

On Tuesday's show: We learn why some local restaurants are choosing to do their own versions of Houston Restaurant Weeks, which is underway during the month of August and runs through Sept. 7. The event raises funds for the Houston Food Bank.Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Full Menu, food writers talk about what local restaurants that are participating in HRW are offering on their menus this year and what they're looking forward to sampling.Then, we learn about The Magnolia Fund, described as the "real estate investment fund for the rest of us." It takes small investments and groups them together to fund bigger projects as a way for neighbors to invest in their own communities.And superheroes can do more than save the day. They can also inspire a love of reading. We meet the Houston couple behind Adroit Comics, a family-owned comic book company using original stories to help students build literacy skills.Watch

On Monday's show: Nearly one in five traffic deaths in Texas happen in the 13 counties the Houston-Galveston Area Council covers. We learn about an upcoming public meeting the agency is hosting on how to improve those numbers.Also this hour: We offer listeners a chance to vent their pet peeves about life in our city.And we discuss what the Astros might do before today's trade deadline and how they're positioned for the final two months of the season.Watch

On Friday's show: Starting today, Texas is banning hemp products containing certain intoxicating cannabinoids. We find out what will still be legal, what will not, and how it's affecting businesses.Also this hour: We learn what a recent investigation by the Texas Observer tells us about when and why school districts across the state choose to have students ages 10-12 arrested for on-campus incidents and discuss how school leaders make those decisions.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And Houston singer/songwriter Kam Franklin performs live in studio.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TfaXAf-JcE&t=445s

On Thursday's show: A longstanding city of Houston program requiring some government contracts to be awarded to minority-owned businesses was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge. We learn why and discuss the ramifications of the decision.Also this hour: Free speech doesn't mean freedom from consequences. Negative backlash, a boycott, a lost job -- lots can happen when you express yourself in a way others don't like on social media. We discuss what is a fair and appropriate response and what is going too far.Then, we preview the next installment of the podcast After the Flood.Plus, we learn about the documentary Los Tejanos: A 500-Year History, which chronicles five centuries of Mexican American history in Texas. A free screening of the film will be held Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Wilhelmina Cullen Robertson Auditorium on the campus of the University of Houston-Downtown.And, with another new Spider-Man movie coming out, we talk about the big business of movies based on comic books.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We recall the influence the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee had on Houston and the city's desegregation strategies more than half a century ago ahead of a panel discussion and screening of the 1998 documentary The Strange Demise of Jim Crow Thursday at 7 p.m. at The Menil Collection.And we mark a key anniversary in the history of spaceflight -- the official establishment of NASA -- by learning what researchers found when they digitized audio recordings from NASA's Mission Control during the Apollo years.Watch

On Tuesday's show: This week could be the hottest stretch of the summer in Houston, with several triple-digit days in a row possible. We learn more from meteorologist Justin Ballard of the Houston Chronicle. And, amid that brutal heat, residents of Corpus Christi got some good news about their water crisis.Also this hour: Recent efforts to inject religion into Texas public schools might be leading some Houstonians to seek out secular alternatives. We talk it over.Then, we preview this year's Houston Shakespeare Festival.And we visit Creatorspace, a makerspace in League City where all kinds of practical, physical production takes place, like welding, laser cutting, electronics, woodworking, pottery, sewing, and jewelry-making.Watch

On Monday's show: Katy ISD is banning the use of AI by elementary school students. The district's board also set limits on AI use by middle and high school students in a decision that stands in sharp contrast to Houston ISD's plans. And we recap a Congressional forum in Houston over ICE tactics.Also this hour: We dig deeper on the rights of renters in Greater Houston.Then, a medical diagnosis kept Houstonian Ginger Kerrick from ever being an astronaut. It didn't, however, stop her from making history at NASA. Her story is among those told in a PBS documentary series called Once Upon a Time in Space, which is airing this month on Houston Public Media, TV 8.And we recap Sunday's Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which features more than one former Astros players, and consider which current members of the team could someday join them in the hall.Watch

On Friday's show: An energy industry watcher explains how the war with Iran is reshaping the oil industry and its impact on Houston.Also this hour: We break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And, before they pilot billion-dollar spacecraft, NASA's astronauts first have to learn to fly something much more down to earth. We visit LIFT Academy, the flight school in Galveston that is teaching them how.Watch

On Thursday's show: We learn how the city is preparing to help residents as Houston and the Southeast Texas region face dangerously high heat over the next few days. And we find out whether the FIFA World Cup matches in Houston provided the boost in demand many hotels and renters expected.Also this hour: Pediatrician Dr. Seema Jilani of Texas Children's Hospital talks about her work traveling the globe to care for patients in some of the world's most vulnerable places devastated by war and conflict. She recently served as a consultant on the HBO MAX series, The Pitt.And with the intensifying heat of late July, we provide some ideas for air-conditioned things to do in the summertime.Watch

On Wednesday's show: From the Arizona primaries, to a new tariff on Canadian goods, to the latest from the campaign trail, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Comedian Dulcé Sloan, who's a frequent panelist on NPR's Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me!, talks with us ahead of some standup gigs at Punch Line HTX Thursday through Saturday.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Meteorologist Justin Ballard of the Houston Chronicle gives us the latest on Tropical Storm Bertha, which has formed in the Gulf southwest of Florida, and how it might affect Greater Houston in the coming days.Also this hour: Is Greater Houston a good place to raise a family? What could make it better? We discuss how do define what makes a neighborhood family-friendly, where and why some parts of Greater Houston may fall short, and where and why others may be great for families.Watch

On Monday's show: We get an update on several stories in Fort Bend County, including how drama over the leadership of the county might affect the tax rate there and how developers are facing hurdles in their attempt to purchase land adjacent to the Sugar Land 95 burial site. And we get details on a new study that found the W.A. Parish coal plant in Fort Bend County is the largest producer of cloud-forming particles in the greater Houston region.Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listener questions about pet care. You can submit yours now to talk@houstonmatters.org.And we preview the second half of the Astros' season.Watch

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