Houston Matters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Tuesday's show: HISD Superintendent Mike Miles joins us to discuss issues facing the state's largest school district, from addressing food insecurity among students as SNAP benefits end amid the federal government shutdown, to kids reading books in HISD elementary schools.Also this hour: We talk with the co-authors of Frontera: A Journey Across the US-Mexico Border, a coffee table book designed to cut through the stereotypes and political rhetoric about the border by offering a close-up view of the communities along its entire length, from Texas to California.Watch

On Monday's show: We learn about renewed efforts in Texas to mine for minerals and metals needed for renewable energy, microchips, or military technology.Also this hour: We offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.And we discuss the latest developments in Houston sports with Jeff Balke.Watch

On Friday's show: Houston has seen explosive growth over the past decade, primarily in flood plains. Houston Chronicle reporter Yilun Cheng explains some potential connections between development in the flood plain and donations to political campaigns.Also this hour: We meet Marine Corps veteran Steve Jimenez, who found relief from depression, anxiety, and a general lack of purpose after leaving the military in beekeeping. He founded Hives for Heroes, an organization to help his fellow veterans get into beekeeping. Jimenez is among several veterans involved in agriculture featured in an upcoming episode of the PBS series After Action.Then, from a mixed bag for Houston in Wallet Hub's rankings of the country's best Halloween experiences, to fluctuating candy costs this Halloween, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we learn how Sugar Land is celebrating Día de los Muertos.Watch

On Thursday's show: We learn about a controversy brewing in Fort Bend County as some county leaders circumnavigate the authority of the country attorney.Also this hour: A recent policy brief from the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American Democracy suggests teachers across the country are largely uncomfortable teaching civics in their classes, citing challenges like insufficient training, concerns about stirring controversy, and a lack of instructional guidance from school districts and states. Is civics actually that much harder to teach these days because of things like polarized politics?Then, he was one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history. Yet somehow, the name of former Houston Rocket Moses Malone doesn't come up as often as Bird, Magic, or Jordan. We talk with author Paul Knepper about his new book, Moses Malone: The Life of a Basketball Prophet.And we talk about what we remember and what we miss about the AstroWorld theme park, which shut down on this day 20 years ago today.Watch

On Thursday's show: We get insight on the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Andrea Ball of the Houston Chronicle catches us up on a saga surrounding control over Second Baptist Church.And we check out a retrospective exhibit of art made by Mary Magsamen and Stephan Hillerbrand, a Houston husband-and-wife team who make visual art about their family's life, often made with everyday objects from that life, including their children's toys, their living room furniture, or even their home itself. The exhibit is on display through Nov. 22 at Silver Street Studios.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Think your electricity bill has been high lately? You might be surprised by how much some of your fellow Texans say they're being charged for power, month to month. We examine the findings from a new survey on the financial strain energy bills are putting on Texans.Also this hour: Texas Monthly writer Skip Hollandsworth discusses some noteworthy crimes committed in Texas by women. It's the subject of his latest book, She Kills.Then, Houston native Diane Ravitch was once a firm proponent of standardized testing and school choice, and she was a key figure in President George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind policies -- until she changed her mind. We find out why, which she addresses in her book, An Education.And we meet the team behind lo-fi puppets + stuff, who make puppets and practice the art of puppetry in various forms.Watch

On Monday's show: The Trump administration recently announced it would quadruple Argentine beef imports to lower grocery prices, drawing sharp criticism from U.S. cattle producers and Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller. But he is pushing an alternative proposal. We learn the details.And we how Texas flagged more than 2,000 "potential noncitizens" on its voter rolls.Also this hour: We discuss some opportunities and challenges facing Houston's rapidly changing East End neighborhood.Then, we discuss the latest developments in consumer technology with columnist Dwight Silverman.And we talk over a former UH basketball player's role in a growing sports betting scandal and what it says about mordern sports and sports betting with Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast.

On Friday's show: We get an update on controversial plans to close a two-block section of Polk Street as a part of the $2 billion expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center.Also this hour: Children's author Kate DiCamillo talks about how teachers reading to her in school helped shape her into a two-time Newbery Medal winner. DiCamillo, the author of titles like Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux, will be in Houston for an event with Inprint on Sunday to discuss her latest book, Lost Evangeline.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And it's been 50 years since Houston Grand Opera first presented the American opera Porgy and Bess, which won the organization a Tony and a Grammy Award. As the Gershwins' folk opera returns to the stage, we reflect on its legacy.Watch

On Thursday's show: As the federal government shutdown hits its third week, one looming effect is the possibility that SNAP benefits could stop in November. With millions of Americans at risk of going hungry, we talk with Brian Greene, CEO of Houston Food Bank about how his organization is bracing for a surge in need.Also this hour: We learn how some unlikely partnerships are helping conserve fisheries along the Gulf Coast. That story is the subject of a new book, called Sea Change, co-authored by Amanda Leland, executive director of the Environmental Defense Fund. She discusses the book at Brazos Bookstore on Thursday evening.Then, we get an update on the health of another body of water: Buffalo Bayou.Plus, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein presents a scientist whose ambitions get beyond his control. Does Houston have its own Frankenstein's monster of sorts? Joshua Zinn ponders that question on this month's edition of The Bigger Picture.And, with Halloween season in full swing, we visit an area haunted house.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We learn about fentanyl and other substance use trends in the county from Harris County Public Health.And a new play at The Ensemble Theatre called Of a Darker Hue presents ghost stories of a different sort, transforming the stage into a ritual space of memory, mystery, and survival.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Over the weekend, the New York Times ran a profile on Houston Mayor John Whitmire, highlighting his approach to dealing with President Donald Trump. In the article, Whitmire, a Democrat, suggested his city is in less turmoil than other Democrat-led municipalities because he keeps his head down and avoids confrontations with the Republican president. We talk with J. David Goodman, the Houston bureau chief for the Times who wrote the story.Also this hour: We talk with Houston Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenberg about a recent column in which she reported on HISD early elementary school teachers having to sneak books into the hands of their students because the lesson plans they're required to follow don't leave time for reading actual books. And we hear a response from Superintendent Mike Miles to her article.Then, a documentary screening this week at the River Oaks Theatre called The Librarians digs into how the books students have access to in public schools has become politicized. We talk with director Kim A. Snyder.And we visit one of Houston's most anticipated food events, the Southern Smoke Festival, where chefs, bartenders, and food lovers come together not just to eat and drink, but to give back.Watch

On Monday's show: FIEL Houston executive director Cesar Espinoza was removed from the last Houston City Council meeting after he suggested city officials lied about the detention of an autistic 15-year-old boy. Emmanuel Gonzalez Garcia reportedly went missing nearly two weeks ago while selling fruit on the street with his mother. The boy ultimately ended up in federal custody. We discuss that case and what it can tell us about how Houston police officers interact with federal officials, including ICE, as we talk with Matt DeGrood of the Houston Chronicle. Then, Espinoza joins us to share his concerns and why he believes he was removed from Wednesday's meeting.Also this hour: Today is the anniversary of the Saturday Night Massacre during Watergate. We revisit 2022 conversations about the lasting impact of the scandal and how it influenced film.Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller gives us the lowdown on the dangers of pets getting into Halloween candy as she answers your pet care questions.And Kris Gardner from Houston Roundball Review previews the Rockets season, which tips off Tuesday night on the road against the champion Oklahoma City Thunder.Watch

On Friday's show: From Katy's Pride celebration being moved last-minute when the venue that had agreed to host it bowed to pressure brought by conservative leaders, to some Texas airports deciding not to show a video blaming Democrats for the federal government shutdown, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we preview a performance from Mercury Chamber Orchestra of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" as one of the most famous pieces in classical music turns 300 years old this year.Watch

On Thursday's show: The timeline is set for how school vouchers will roll out in Texas beginning in February -- except that timing might only benefit parents who could already afford to send their kids to private school. Houston Chronicle reporter Isaac Yu explains why.Also this hour: Artificial intelligence is shaping our future, but could it also reinforce oppression? Ahead of a lecture this afternoon at the University of Houston, Safiya Umoja Noble explores how bias shows up in AI and what it means for marginalized communities.And we talk with members of the Drunk Shakespeare Company, which has set aside its usual celebration of The Bard's works to present a production tailor-made for October: Drunk Dracula.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Today is National Grouch Day. Since at least the mid 1970s, the day has celebrated grouches everywhere, including and highlighting Oscar the Grouch of Sesame Street fame. It's billed as a day to embrace the inner grouch within us all, and maybe find a way to laugh about our sometimes over-the-top grumpiness. But does it seem like grouchiness is having too much of a moment? That too many of us, too often, are too angry, by default? We talk it over.And jazz saxophonist Walter Smith III talks about how growing up in Houston shaped his musical career. He pays homage to his home town in his latest album, wrly titled three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not. He performs from that recording, along with fellow Houston natives Jason Moran and Kendrick Scott, in a concert for DACAMERA Friday night at the Wortham Center.

On Tuesday's show: A strike by hotel workers at Hilton-Americas Houston has ended after 40 days. Late last week, the parties reached a deal to raise wages for housekeepers, stewards, and laundry attendants in a result that could have repercussions for the rest of Houston's hospitality industry -- and for labor in general. We learn the details of the deal and discuss what it means.Also this hour: A new book called Police Against the Movement explores police violence during the Civil Rights Movement with some focus on how the Houston Police Department tried to undermine activism here at the time.And, every week across Greater Houston, vendors visit festivals and other events to sell their wares. We visit the recent Bayou City Art Festival to talk to vendors about what that life is like.Watch

On Monday's show: One week from today, early voting begins for this fall's election. A Congressional seat, a city council seat, and 17 state constitutional amendments are up for consideration. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider explains what's on the ballot.Also this hour: Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners' gardening questions.And Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast, discusses what the Astros need to do to return to the postseason next year.Watch

On Friday's show: We learn what's next in the case of Robert Roberson, whose execution was halted by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals this week.Also this hour: We break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we visit the Houston Quilt Festival.Watch:https://www.youtube.com/live/R-VCcQEjrOs?si=WqXuCDoM-dzCOEN-&t=706

On Thursday's show: Houston police recovered the body of a man in White Oak Bayou Wednesday morning, the seventh body found in the bayous in about a month. Investigators do not suspect foul play. Houston Public Media's Michael Adkison brings us the latest on this particular instance and what law enforcement has to say about the frequency in which human remains are found in the city's bayous.Also this hour: We examine what renewed efforts to ramp up coal production might mean for the energy industry here in Texas.And Chef Adán Medrano discusses his new cookbook celebrating the plant-based traditions of Texas Mexican-American families and their ancestors.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We get insight on the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We reflect on the legacy of Monica Roberts, an influential activist for transgender rights who passed away five years ago. We remember her work fighting for equality and visibility during a time of progress and pushback, and we discuss where Houston's transgender community is headed next.And how can something as innocuous as design fight racism? Author Omari Souza discusses his book, Design Against Racism, ahead of an event at Kindred Stories Thursday night.Watch

On Tuesday's show: A new Texas-based national stock exchange has moved one step closer to becoming a reality. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is allowing the Texas Stock Exchange, operated by a Dallas-based startup, to move forward as a direct competitor to the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq. We learn what this could mean for Texas and its economy.Also this hour: From solitary confinement, to group recreation, we learn how small changes are reshaping life on Texas death row.Then, comedian Maria Bamford has an amazing ability to slip into and out of characters on stage. We talk with her in her real voice (and maybe some others) ahead of a performance at Houston Improv Wednesday night.And we learn how Houston's Korean community is shaping the city's cultural landscape ahead of the annual Korean Festival this weekend at Discovery Green.Watch

On Monday's show: Gov. Greg Abbott announced last week that the Department of Public Safety is launching a new task force in Harris County aimed at targeting what he called “repeat violent offenders.” The governor says the DPS-led effort will bring more resources to Houston and Harris County law enforcement. But questions remain about what this task force will actually do, how it will operate alongside local agencies, and what role politics may play in its creation.Also this hour: We offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.And we discuss the latest developments in Houston sports.Watch

On Friday's show: As the government shutdown enters its third day, Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw joins us to talk about the impasse and what it would take to reopen.Also this hour: We meet Abdullah Antepli, the new president of the Rothko Chapel.Then, from a controversial Halloween display depicting political hangings, to a potential new movie star being an AI creation, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd talks about the 30th anniversary of Ledbetter Heights, the album that put him on the map while he was just a teenager. He performs the album in its entirety Feb. 21 at House of Blues Houston.Watch

On Thursday's show: Much of the federal government is shut down after Senate Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a spending bill to keep the government open. Houston Rep. Lizzie Fletcher joins us to discuss the implications and what it would take to reopen.Also this hour: We learn about a program from Houston Methodist and Rice University to train Houston students and teachers to shape the future of digital health.And we preview the Nigeria Cultural Parade and Festival, which takes place this Saturday, Oct. 4, in downtown Houston.Watch