Houston Matters

On Thursday's show: Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered all state agencies and public universities to freeze new applications for H-1B visas, which allow employers to hire foreign nationals for certain jobs in the United States. While this directive will affect many kinds of employers in Texas, we learn how it might affect hospitals and health care providers specifically.Also this hour: The upcoming Artemis II mission will send American astronauts around the moon for the first time in decades. We take a closer look at the mission and Houston's role in it.Then, the Oyster South Symposium takes place this weekend in Houston. The gathering is aimed at supporting oyster farmers and protecting the waters where oysters are harvested. We learn about the challenges facing that industry.And we hear about a unique approach to one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies: A Midsummer Night's Dream, presented with puppets.Watch

On Wednesday's show: From the effect the freezing weather had on the special election runoff for the 18th Congressional District, to debates and endorsements in statewide primary races, to the fallout from shootings by federal officers in Minneapolis, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We learn about a report examining high maternal death rates among Black women in Harris County.And we bring you the second part of our 2022 conversation with Holocaust survivor Ruth Steinfeld.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Texas civil rights organizations have secured an emergency court order directing Harris County to operate two additional early voting days in the 18th Congressional District special election runoff following weather interruptions this week. We get details.Also this hour: The annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society is taking place this week in Houston. We discuss how the current political climate is affecting how meteorologists do their jobs these days and the ramifications for our region.Then, we consider some day trips to take across Greater Houston as a way of exploring new parts of the region and finding adventure and a mini escape.And on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we revisit the story of Holocaust survivor Ruth Steinfeld and how she found forgiveness and the courage to tell her story.Watch

On Monday's show: We get an update on the freezing temperatures from the National Weather Service and bring you the latest on how the freeze has affected Greater Houston.Also this hour: The nation continues to react to Saturday's fatal shooting by federal officers of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. We consider the political implications for the nation and for the Houston area. And we welcome listener reactions and thoughts.Then, today is the 100th anniversary of the first public demonstration of live television. We mark that moment by discussing Houston's television history and landscape.And former Astro Carlos Beltran is headed to the Hall of Fame. Since he was also a major figure in the Astros' electronic sign-stealing scandal, does his election mean furor over that scandal is beginning to fade? And does it suggest Jose Altuve and other Astros stars will have an easier path to the Hall of Fame when the time comes as well?Watch

On Friday's show: Meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather will fill us in on the very latest on this weekend's freezing weather. And we talk with reporters about how officials around Greater Houston and the state are preparing for the demands a weather event like this puts on the power grid and local infrastructure.Also this hour: We break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Watch

On Thursday's show: A freeze is headed to much of Texas this weekend and could bring freezing rain, sleet, or ice to parts of Greater Houston. We check the latest forecast with Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard and discuss how to prepare.Also this hour: On this month's installment of our film segment, The Bigger Picture, we consider what the new movie Is This Thing On? has to say about separation and divorce and what Houstonians going through those challenges can glean from it.And, as  Artemis II prepares to launch in the coming weeks, signaling the next stage in America's return to the moon, we recall one quirky moment during the Apollo missions that involved a Houston barber, an astronaut, and a golf ball.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We dig into the politics surrounding President Donald Trump's foreign policy pursuits in Greenland and Venezuela and share other observations a year into his second term as we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: NPR reporter Frank Langfitt talks about recent reporting he's been doing in Houston, talking with Venezuelans living here and others about the United States seizing that country's President Nicolás Maduro.And entomologist Erin Mills with Enchanted Forest Nursery in Richmond answers your questions about Houston bugs and insects. Send yours now to talk@houstonmatters.org.Watch

On Tuesday's show: We discuss the latest public health trends, including what we're seeing this flu season, with Dr. Janeana White with the Houston Health Department.Also this hour: What makes us click with some people better than others? And why is connecting with other people so important for humans? We discuss the science behind human connection with Houston-area journalist Kate Murphy, who's latest book is Why We Click. Murphy will discuss the book on Jan. 26 at Blue Willow Bookshop and on Feb. 11 at Brazos Bookstore.Then, a local doctor offers safety reminders for household poisons.And we visit Nuestro Ambiente, an exhibit at Architecture Center Houston telling the story of Latinos who have helped shape Houston's built environment, from taco trucks to transit lines.Watch

On Monday's show: We mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a conversation about the state of civil rights here in Houston and across the country with the help of Christa Stoneham, president of the Houston Land Bank, Dr. Melanye Price from Prairie View A&M University, and Ian Haddock of The Normal Anomaly Initiative.Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listener questions about their pets.And we recap the Texans' season after a playoff loss Sunday to the Patriots.Watch

On Friday's show: More than 160 Texas faith leaders are urging school boards to reject a new state-organized prayer law. Rabbi Joshua Fixler of Houston's Congregation Emanu El explains why he and the other faith leaders say SB 11, which carves out time for prayer and Bible readings in public schools, threatens religious freedom.Also this hour: We conclude our week-long Houston 2026 series with a look at the year ahead in transportation.Then, from a unified Martin Luther King Day parade, to Matthew McConaughey trademarking catchphrases, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we learn how a singing group of teenage girls from southeast Texas called The Melody Maids traveled the world to perform for troops from World War II to Vietnam. A new documentary tells their story, and a pair of screenings will be held on Saturday in Beaumont.Watch

On Thursday's show: The Houston Chronicle reports that HISD Superintendent Mike Miles helped connect a consulting firm with a Texas charter school network to complete a nearly $1 million contract. While the parties involved say Miles was not paid for his role, some experts say the arrangement raises some concerns. Reporter Nusaiba Mizan explains.Also this hour: We continue our series looking at the year ahead with a discussion about education in Greater Houston.Then, on the 25th anniversary of Wikipedia, we learn about Houston-area Wikipedia edit-a-thons.And FIFA officials say the World Cup could bring $1.5 billion in economic activity to Houston. But who sees that money?Watch

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