Houston Matters

On Wednesday's show: We examine how the races turned out in the Texas primary election and discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Full Menu, food writers discuss some of their favorite restaurants around Houston to take a date or have a date night with a significant other.Watch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Friday's show: Texas is suing Dow Chemical Co., citing hundreds of water pollution violations at the company's facility in Seadrift along the coast south of Victoria. Dylan Baddour of Inside Climate News explains the lawsuit and how it could actually end up shielding Dow from tougher penalties.Also this hour: The nonprofit Sierra Club recently released its legislative scorecard for last year, measuring how well or how poorly state lawmakers supported various environmental needs, at least according to the organization's own measurements. We discuss the ratings and whether such assessments ever move the needle on the state's environmental concerns.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And a new documentary called The Inquisitor explores the life and career of the late Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. The film airs Feb. 23 at 9 p.m. on Houston Public Media, TV 8. In conjunction, we reflect on Jordan's contributions to the political landscape.Watch

On Thursday's show: AI-focused data centers have increased the demand for memory chips that drive many electronics consumers use. And that is driving up prices we pay to get them. Technology columnist Dwight Silverman explains, and he offers advice for how to spot AI being used in campaign ads or social media posts.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 talk that over with Rice University biology professor Scott Solomon, author of Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds.Then, we discuss the role the Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary plays in protecting birds that migrate through Texas.And, as Olympic hockey games near their pinnacle this week, we talk with Chie Chie Yard, the first Houston native to play hockey in the Olympics. These days, she plans major events for the National Hockey League, and she is one of this year's Houston Hockey Hall of Fame inductees.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We learn about a new initiative from the University of Houston-Downtown, which will guarantee admission for HISD graduates with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.And we preview a concert on Friday featuring the string quartet Brooklyn Rider, performing a work that explores the complex relationship between Mexican painters Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. It's in conjunction with an exhibit about Kahlo on display now at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Early voting begins today for the 2026 Texas primaries as Democrats and Republicans decide the candidates who'll be on the ballot for the November general election. Reporter Andrew Schneider tells us what we need to know about the races and voting.Also this hour: It's no secret restaurants face a variety of challenges today. So, what do they need that they're not getting? We get some insight from two local restauranteurs.Then, in testimony last week, Instagram's CEO dismissed the notion that people become addicted to social media, saying critics should separate “clinical addiction” from “problematic use.” We ask local counselor, Dr. Thomson Ivins of the Council on Recovery, to weigh in.And we learn about Houston Grand Opera's upcoming concert, Giving Voice, which celebrates Black voices in opera, and we hear a performance.Watch

On Monday's show: FEMA has released new draft flood maps for the Houston area. We discuss their implications with Jim Blackburn from Rice University's SSPEED Center.Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listener questions about their pets.And, as Spring Training begins, we preview the Astros season.Watch

On Friday's show: We learn what Mayor John Whitmire had to say in his second State of the City address yesterday, laying out his vision for the remainder of his term and promising not to increase taxes, despite the city's budget issues.And the Houston Texans will soon have a new headquarters for their business operations, part of a planned 83-acre sports, retail, and entertainment district in the Bridgeland community in Cypress.Also this hour: Five years after the 2021 winter freeze knocked out power across the state for several days, we reflect on some memories of that deadly event and discuss the lessons learned from its effect on the power grid.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And, ahead of Valentine's Day, we talk about a different kind of date -- a “Doggy Date” courtesy of the Houston Humane Society.Watch

On Thursday's show: Last week, the dean of the University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences asked faculty he oversees to sign a document attesting they are not "indoctrinating" their students but are instead teaching them to think critically. One of those professors, Robert Zaretzky, responded with an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle saying he will not sign the document. He joins us to explain why.Also this hour: Houston's diversity shows up everywhere, including in foster care. We discuss how families navigate caregiving of children from different cultural backgrounds.Then, we visit this year's ongoing Mardi Gras celebrations in Galveston to learn how they're different from what happens in New Orleans.And, ahead of the Chinese New Year, which begins Feb. 17, we learn more about Chinese Americans' cultural and economic impacts here in Houston. And we talk about some of the Chinese constellations in the night sky with an area astronomer.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We visit Fresh Houwse Grocery in Sunnyside, a farmer-owned store in a neighborhood that previously had limited access to fresh food.And Houston author Saadia Faruqi explains why she wanted to use Hurricane Harvey as the backdrop for her latest young adult novel, Some of Us Are Brave, and how her own experiences during the 2017 storm continue to influence her writing. Faruqi will appear at a book launch on Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. in Katy.Watch

On Tuesday's show: We learn how the end of Affordable Care Act subsidies and changes to Medicare are leaving some Houston-area hospitals feeling squeezed. Also this hour: Ahead of a national energy expo next week in Houston, we learn how deals made there can affect energy policy, companies, and consumers.Then, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America is kicking off an educational tour of the country with a free conference on Wednesday in Houston to help caregivers. We talk with one of the event's speakers, a neuroscientist and caregiver herself, about how to handle difficult behaviors among loved ones who are experiencing cognitive decline.And many neighborhoods and areas around Houston have a certain reputation. But are those reputations correct and deserved?Watch

On Monday's show: The state of Texas is cracking down on teachers and schools that support student protests over immigration enforcement. We talk with an attorney who represents school districts, and she outlines what they legally can and can't do.Also this hour: We discuss technology in the classroom -- or, rather, the lack of it, and why more teachers are finding students have greater success when there are no screens at all to stare at.Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers questions about how to maintain the plants in your home or garden.And we take a closer look at the Rockets season so far.Watch

On Friday's show: The Texas Education Agency has warned school districts that facilitating student political walkouts could lead to a state takeover. This comes as the agency unveils a newly created enforcement role focusing on overseeing investigations into alleged misconduct by Texas teachers. We get the latest on this developing story.Also this hour: We discuss how digital maps are increasingly being used to reveal patterns across Greater Houston, from the famed Houston arrow, to the Whataburger location map being used as a substitute for power outage tracking during major storms, to an ICE tracker map being developed by students at Rice University.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we preview the latest in a series of concerts from The Apollo Chamber Players celebrating America's 250th birthday and the centennial of what became Black History Month.Watch

On Thursday's show: City of Houston Controller Chris Hollins discusses the city's deficit spending, due in part to the continuing need to pay overtime to staff police and fire departments.Also this hour: The delay in the Artemis II mission stirs memories of how the Apollo program played out decades ago. We look back on our last missions to the moon.Then, the nonprofit Trees for Houston celebrates the planting of its one millionth tree today. We visit the site of that celebration.And a recent report finds incomes are growing and poverty is shrinking, but living in Texas is still less affordable. We talk about why that's the case.Watch

On Wednesday's show: In a special election last weekend, a Fort Worth State Senate seat in a conservative district flipped to the Democrats. Is that a one-off, or a sign of things to come? We discuss that story and the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Our foodies list their favorite award-winning and award-nominated restaurants around town on this month's edition of The Full Menu.And we consider the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination in the history of our institutions and how those institutions reconcile that past. A new book explores that subject through the lens of Rice University, its history, and its "fundamental and ongoing process of transformation."Watch

On Tuesday's show: The window for families to apply for the state's new school voucher program, officially called Texas Education Freedom Accounts, opens on Wednesday for the 2026-27 school year. We discuss why the state is trying to limit which schools can participate and other questions as the new program begins.Also this hour: How much should you trust the quality of the water coming out the tap? Pedro Alvarez, director of Rice University's WaTER Institute, explains what we should all know about the quality of water where we live and work.Then, representatives from The Houston Defender and the The Houston Sun reflect on the history of the Black press in Houston, how it has shaped the city through pivotal eras of history, and why its voice still matters.And standup comedian Mohanad Elshieky performs this week at Punch Line Houston. We talk with him about his comedy and his work as a writer for NPR's Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!Watch

On Monday's show: The 18th Congressional District has a new Congressman-elect. But how soon will Christian Menefee be sworn in?Also this hour: We offer listeners a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.And Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle previews the Super Bowl.Watch

On Friday's show: Houston Rep. Lizzie Fletcher joins us to discuss immigration enforcement in Minnesota and issues affecting Greater Houston and the nation.Also this hour: We explore how recent events surrounding immigration policy are influencing young Houstonians and their perceptions of law enforcement in particular.And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Watch

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