Hello Houston: The Commuter Cut

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie and guest host Katharine Shilcutt talk with Dr. Libby Cohen , Executive Director of the non-profit Raise Your Hand Texas , who discusses the state of public-school funding in Texas and the state's school voucher program. Then, we hear from Bradley Michalakis, the Head of Dramaturgy at Alley Theatre , who breaks down all the shows that will be in the...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie and guest host Katharine Shilcutt talk with State Rep. Dr. Suleman Lalani , who discusses why he believes there’s a rise in Islamophobia among Texas politicians and what impact this has on communities across the state. Then, we hear from Rebuilding Together Houston CEO Christine Holland, who tells us all about the area non-profit and its mission of p...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie and Houston Public Media reporter Michael Adkison talk with ABC13’s Chief Meteorologist Travis Herzog , who gives us a preview of what we can expect from this year’s hurricane season, which officially begins today. Next, we hear from Nathan Brownell, the Vice President of Resilience and Capital Delivery at CenterPoint, who explains how the energy com...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear from Houston Airport System ’s Director of Aviation, Jim Szczesniak , who gives us the latest on airport redevelopment projects and what travelers can expect from the summer travel season this year. Next, Sean Tajipour , the founder and editor of Nerdtropolis, joins us again on the show to break down this summer's biggest movie releases and which f...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear Ernie’s conversation with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, who gives his reaction to facing off against Republican nominee Ken Paxton in November’s general election following Tuesday’s GOP primary runoff. Next, Houston-based author Kalyani Adusumilli talks to us about her newly released debut novel , The Invisible Canvas , and how it explores...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we hear from Houston Business Journal reporter Chandler France , who discusses the Astrodome possibly facing either demolition or redevelopment as part of a master plan for the future of NRG Park. Then, Paul Cobler , the economy and industry reporter for The Texas Tribune, explains why several major companies are moving their legal homes to Texas, despite...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie and guest host Brandon Rottinghaus  talk with Houston Public Media politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider , who breaks down the key races in the Texas primary runoff election. Then, we hear from University of Houston Energy Fellow Ed Hirs , who gives his analysis on the latest developments in the Iran War, as well as his perspective on the...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," it’s Ernie Manouse’s 30 th anniversary at Houston Public Media. We hear from actress Amy Sedaris and Representative Sylvia Garcia , who both chat with Ernie and guest host Matt Harab and share their congratulations. Plus, Representative Garcia presents Ernie with a congressional record from the U.S. House of Representatives honoring his 30-year milestone....

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear highlights from our LIVE show at The Bryan Museum in Galveston. First, we hear Ernie and Houston Public Media Galveston Bureau reporter Julianna Washburn talk with former City of Galveston Mayor Dr. Craig Brown , who discusses his last six years as mayor and what lies ahead for the island.   Then, Eric Broussard, curator of The Bryan Museum, tells...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie Manouse and guest host Maria Todd talk with UTHealth Houston associate professor and psychiatrist Dr. Lokesh Shahani , who discusses men’s mental health, the warning signs to look out for, and the stigma behind reaching out for help. Then, we hear Ernie’s conversation with actor Esai Morales , known for La Bamba , Ozark , and more recently the final...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie and guest host Houston Public Media reporter Michael Adkison talk with Chris Canetti, President of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee, who discusses the preparation process for this massive sporting event. Next, we learn about the new documentary Steal This Story, Please! , with Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and co-director  Tia Lessin...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie Manouse and guest host Doris Childress talk with Dr. Theresa Tran , Director of the Houston Health Department, who explains the inner workings of food inspections at local restaurants. Also, we hear from Constable Alan Rosen , who talks to us about Harris County Precinct One’s Animal Cruelty Division, and last week's rescue of 17 dogs from an alleged...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie Manouse and guest host  Katharine Shilcutt talk with  Houston Mayor John Whitmire , who explains why he believes his proposed budget for the next fiscal year will help alleviate the city's financial pressures, while he also discusses other current city issues. Plus, we hear Hello Houston producer Garrett Bohlmann’s conversation with award-winning com...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie Manouse and guest host Katharine Shilcutt talk with Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth , who explains what voters need to know about upcoming runoff elections and what she thinks about voter fatigue. Also, we break down the latest report on Houston’s housing market with Kat Robinson, Vice Chair of the Houston Association of Realtors, who discusses...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie Manouse and guest host Houston Public Media reporter Michael Adkison talk with  City Controller Chris Hollins , who explains his concerns with Mayor Whitmire’s proposal for the city’s budget. Then, we learn about how Houston’s hospital systems are preparing for health emergencies during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Adam Lee, Director of Emergency Ma...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie Manouse and guest host Shelley Wade talk with U.S. Representative Christian Menefee , who discusses the upcoming runoff election for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, his goals, and why he believes he’s right for this seat. Then, we learn all about local non-profit, Communities In Schools of Houston ’s efforts to expand access to school-based menta...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie Manouse and guest host Doris Childress discuss maternal mental health and motherhood with Dr. Angel Glover , a UT Health Houston assistant professor, psychologist, and childbirth educator. Next, we learn all about the Black Cowboy/girl Preservation Project , a growing oral history archive documenting the experiences of Black cowboys and cowgirls, wit...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie Manouse and guest host  Brandi Smith talk with Quentin Wiltz , the mayor-elect of the City of Pearland, who discusses his priorities and what residents can expect from him as he comes into office after a narrow victory. Next, we discuss what renewable energy means for Texans with Andy Uhler , a University of Texas energy reporter and host of the podc...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie Manouse and guest host Brandi Smith talk with Deputy Chief Appraiser for the Harris Central Appraisal District, Jason Cunningham, who explains how to protest your property taxes ahead of the deadline on May 15. Also, we discuss Texas’s nursing shortage as new projections show the state could be short of more than 50,000 nurses by 2032, with Bryan Sis...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie Manouse and guest host Lisa Gray discuss the use of AI in flood mapping, with University of Houston researcher Francisco Haces-Garcia , who also explains what was found in a recent flood risk study he authored. Then, James Beard Award-winning Houston chef and TV host, Chris Shepherd , joins us to tell us about his new live conversation series, Breaki...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie Manouse and Houston Public Media reporter Michael Adkison talk with the Texas Water Association ’s Sarah Kirkle, who explains what needs to happen for Texas to avoid a major water crisis in the future. Next, we discuss the ongoing political and legal battles surrounding redistricting and voting rights with David Froomkin , assistant professor of law...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we break down a new report with insights on where Houston’s economy stands today with Gus Faucher , the Chief Economist for PNC, who also explains what its findings mean for the months ahead.  Next, we hear from Stephanie Magers, the Chief Development Officer of the local women’s organization, The Women's Resource of Greater Houston , who explains how they...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we hear from writer, speaker, and social media influencer Libby Ward , who discusses how she’s redefining the narrative about motherhood and her new book Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself .  Next, we talk with Melissa Enaje , the Fort Bend County reporter for Houston Public Media, who gives us the latest on a new county initiative tha...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we discuss a new business accelerator initiative designed to expand childcare in Harris County with Anne Sung, the Chief Policy and Innovation Officer for Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones . Next, we talk with Houston-area media personality Tessa Berrera , formerly of Houston Life on KPRC, who shares with us what she’s been up to since l...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Kim Kofron , Director of Early Childhood Education at Children at Risk , breaks down their new report on “childcare deserts” across Texas, and what it means for families, providers, and policymakers. Next, we talk with Silambam Houston founder and Executive Artistic Director, Dr. Lavanya Rajagopalan, who tells us more about the arts organization and its or...