Fifty Plus

Doug returns from Big Cedar Lodge near Branson with airport mishaps, two near holes-in-one and a new appreciation for Snickers ice cream bars. Then he shares his take on early voting, the midterm election, health care, immigration and the cost of groceries, gas and coffee. Plus, an HOA’s Halloween candy rules, information overload and the WNBA national anthem controversy.

Doug Pike reflects on Texas rice farming and his days guiding hunts on the Katy Prairie, then weighs in on the Texas Senate race, political robocalls powered by AI and the debate over women’s sports. He also shares memories of the Cayman Islands, a surprising softball reunion and an unusual bird-smuggling story.

Doug Pike takes on confusing Houston freeway signs, grocery-store grazing and the cost of shoplifting. He also shares a recent skin-health scare, questions how familiar foods have changed, and makes the case for enjoying favorite treats in moderation. Plus, Doug weighs in on the midterms, a Miami police chase, a diverted airline flight and an e-bike built for family outings.

Doug welcomes Marianne Florian, a postdoctoral fellow in religion and medicine working with UTHealth’s McGovern Medical School and the Institute for Spirituality and Health, to discuss compassion, spiritual support and ethical decision-making in end-of-life care. Marianne previews the 33rd Annual Spirituality in Nursing Conference on October 9, with sessions on advance directives, palliative care,...

Doug shares his family’s experience with hospice care and discusses how AI could help detect heart disease earlier. He also offers his take on Texas politics, health care access, media coverage and education, along with lighter stories about National Taco Day, whiskey in space and 3D-printed salmon. Plus, an update on the upcoming St. Jude golf tournament.

Doug talks with Port Houston workforce development manager Jackie Young about the October 9 career fair, opportunities for job seekers and veterans, and the Houston Ship Channel’s Project 11 expansion. Elizabeth Gaines, founder of Children’s Funding Project and leader of Fund IRL, discusses using social media settlement dollars for youth mental health, after-school programs and real-world connecti...

Doug Pike welcomes attorney Rusty Reynolds of Reynolds & Reynolds to discuss accidents involving uninsured drivers, documenting a crash, dealing with insurance companies and choosing legal representation. Doug also highlights the upcoming St. Jude golf tournament, reflects on the Astros’ season and shares his take on Texas politics, mosquito troubles and baseball in national parks.

Doug Pike welcomes John Sesma to preview the free Fifty Plus Expo, coming to Stafford Center October 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They discuss resources for health care, financial planning, wills and home improvement, plus what visitors can expect from the vendors and seminars. Doug also weighs in on Texas weather, the Lindsay Clancy case, staged social media videos and the classic TV comedies he stil...

On Fifty Plus, Doug shares his views on socialism and health care, discusses recent shootings in Houston and a James Talarico fundraiser, and looks at a DoorDash settlement for delivery workers. He also checks the forecast and weighs in on when it’s too early for Halloween decorations.

Doug Pike welcomes a hint of fall to Houston, then weighs in on Texas politics, international news and stories that caught his eye this week. He also shares a feel-good story about a generous landlord and finds time for park-crawl birthday parties, valuable Goldfish crackers and a raccoon boot camp.

Doug Pike talks Astros baseball, finally finding speckled trout at the Surfside Jetty, the impact of technology and social media, and some of the stranger stories making headlines. Plus, a look at wildlife crossings, migrating birds and a little good news from the outdoors.

Doug Pike talks with veteran Clint Jordan about the cost and training of service dogs, and how they can help fellow veterans reconnect with everyday life. Plus, Doug shares a few unusual stories, including a $30 estate-sale painting that could be worth a quarter of a million dollars.

Doug Pike visits with elementary school nurse Christine Gannon about what really sends kids to the nurse’s office, from headaches and stomachaches to cuts, scrapes and broken bones. She shares what parents and grandparents should keep in a basic first-aid kit, when a child should stay home or see a doctor, and why healthy habits like hydration and sleep can make a big difference. Doug also weighs...

Doug Pike discusses Harris County’s property tax increase, then shifts to a few stories that caught his eye: a Viking silver discovery in Finland, Christian Bale’s foster care village designed to keep siblings together, and a tiny fossil feather found in dinosaur dung. He also weighs in on the National Toy Hall of Fame finalists, shares how he introduced his son to fishing, and looks at a possible...

Doug talks with Pam West of Honestly Texas Rice about the history of rice farming on the Katy Prairie, the challenges facing local farmers and how buying Texas-grown rice helps preserve agriculture and protect our food supply.

Doug weighs in on hands-free towing, the end of the penny and whether caffeine can slow aging. Plus, thoughts on politics, the future of AI and the possibility of life beyond Earth.

Doug discusses the red tide affecting parts of the Texas coast, his latest round at Whispering Pines and the upcoming Spirit International. He also weighs in on political division, strange headlines, whether Texas really is America’s loudest state and Zachary Levi’s plans for a new film studio outside Austin.

Doug reflects on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 before speaking with Sean Tucker of Kelley Blue Book and AutoTrader about rising car prices, affordable new and used vehicles, electric cars and what buyers should know before making a purchase.

Doug covers a Virginia mother punished for allowing her five-year-old to walk through her gated community, the mistreatment of a 12-year-old autistic student, and the sharp contrast in Labor Day shootings between Chicago and Houston. He also weighs in on sanctuary-state immigration policies, the Carmelo Anthony case, Nike’s dramatic decline, Iran’s latest missile attack, the Lindsay Clancy trial,...

Doug reflects on the approaching anniversary of 9/11, changes to Texas’ social studies curriculum and the Lindsay Clancy case. He also covers black bears expanding their range into Texas, a disruptive airline passenger, Lake Mead’s receding shoreline and more stories from around the country.

Doug Pike discusses the mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy case, the Strait of Hormuz, Democrats turning against Senator John Fetterman and privacy concerns surrounding Flock cameras. He also covers a nationwide egg recall, California’s sanctuary laws, the upcoming Republican midterm convention in Dallas, changes at the WNBA and more stories from around the country.

Doug checks the Labor Day weekend forecast and the quiet Gulf before discussing the Lindsay Clancy jury deliberations and controversial gender policies in schools. Dr. Shalsee Vigeant, Medical Director at Veterinary Emergency Group in Sugar Land, joins Doug with advice on choosing a healthy pet, spotting adoption red flags and safely introducing a new animal at home. Plus, National Wildlife Day, a...

Doug tracks the remnants of Edouard and Houston’s rain chances before discussing mounting tensions with Iran, illegal immigration, California’s legal battle over boys competing in girls’ sports and America’s growing tax burden. Plus, a naked DoorDash delivery, men and dieting, an unlikely lightning-strike survivor, the Astros, Labor Day confusion and more strange stories from around the country.

Doug Pike looks back at Tropical Storm Edouard’s uneven impact across Southeast Texas and weighs in on Iran, government spending, welfare abuse, the search for life beyond Earth and a staggering HOA assessment facing California retirees. He also covers a deadly bank robbery attempt, Hollywood headlines, public-safety concerns involving unqualified truck drivers and James Talarico’s past comments a...

Doug Pike takes a practical look at Tropical Storm Eduardo and what the Houston area can expect as it moves ashore near the Texas-Louisiana border. John Wesley Downey, host of The Movie Show, joins Doug to remember Dolly Parton and revisit her memorable film career, including 9 to 5, Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Plus, Doug discusses the debate over socialism in Congress...