Houston Matters

On Friday's show: P ast officer-involved shootings led many law enforcement agencies to train officers to de-escalate – something that seems far less evident from ICE and CBP. We discuss with Dr. Everette Penn from the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center. Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And we hear from spiritual azz legend, Kahil El’Zabar ahead of his performan...

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the shooting of an undocumented immigrant in Magnolia Park. Elected officials and immigrant rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation into Tuesday’s shooting of an undocumented immigrant in Magnolia Park. Plus we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: protections for those who work outside in Housto...

On Tuesday's show: We learn how a little-known appeals process allowed thousands of wealthy homes to be removed from floodplain maps . Houston Chronicle investigative reporter Yilun Cheng explains how it happened and what it means. And we get details about a lawsuit filed by Daniel Wong , who had been appointed to serve as Fort Bend Couty Judge, the latest development in a battle over who should b...

On Monday's show: We learn more about an investigative series from the Houston Chronicle examining how a Houston-based compounding pharmacy is stretching the boundaries of health care regulation and creating potential dangers for patients. Also this hour: We offer listeners a chance to vent their pet peeves  about life in our city. And we get an update on the FIFA World Cup matches and, now that H...

On Thursday's show: As Houston gears up to mark not just another Fourth of July but also the nation's semiquincentennial, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate -- from fireworks over Buffalo Bayou to a tree-planting event that had to work around a protected bird's nest. We walk through some of the ways people are celebrating across Greater Houston. Also this hour: Sure, Lee Greenwood sang about...

On Wednesday's show: From the U.S. Supreme Court upholding birthright citizenship , to other decisions from the High Court, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: Foodies discuss their favorite places for happy hour food and drink in the latest installment of The Full Menu . And, as the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of independenc...

On Tuesday's show: Could the Corpus Christi water crisis have been averted if Texans were a little more realistic about climate change? We learn how the state may have underestimated the increasing size and scope of droughts. Also this hour: We consider Houston's role in international business and culture and whether that is changing lately. Then, we revisit a conversation from last year with Brya...

On Monday's show: We learn how last week's tire fire in southeast Houston may be affecting air quality . And the Galveston City Council approved zoning exemptions for the Discovery Sands development that has sparked controversy across the island. Also this hour: We discuss how last week’s Supreme Court decision allowing the president to end the nation’s Temporary Protected Status program might aff...

On Friday's show: HISD’s state-appointed board of managers approved Bible-infused curriculum for elementary school students and also voted to adopt a $2 billion operating budget for the 2026-27 school year. We get details on both. And, Fort Bend County government ground to a halt after two Democratic commissioners walked out of a meeting, breaking quorum and leaving county business in limbo. The s...

On Thursday's show: Houston City Council has approved $18 billion worth of capital projects . We find out what the money will be spent on and how that might affects services, such as solid waste. And we get details on the new $300 million arena complex the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo plans to build, which is intended to “complement, not replace” operations at NRG Park. Also this hour: Sleep e...

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: We ponder the art of crafting a compelling story from the public radio program, The Moth , ahead of its Mainstage coming to Houston this weekend. And filmmaker Karla Murthy , who grew up in Missouri City, talks about her documentary, The Gas Station Attendant , which chronicles her father’s s...

On Tuesday's show: A Tesla crashed into a Katy home on Friday, killing a 76-year-old woman. The driver told police the vehicle was in an automated driving mode. While no criminal charges have yet to be filed in the case, a legal expert discusses the liability questions that stem from incidents involving such vehicles. Also this hour: We’ve heard a lot about the toll large data centers might take o...

On Monday's show: Three years ago, Texas Republican lawmakers approved a state law eliminating Harris County’s chief elections official and allowing state officials to intervene and supervise elections here. We learn how the state is using the law to take over elections in some other, much-smaller counties. Also this hour: We hear the story behind the Houston-based nonprofit Love You Adam Foundati...

On Friday's show: Today is Juneteenth , which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in this country. And while we tend to think of Galveston when we conjure the holiday's history, a local researcher tells us about what he found that suggests the first festivities happened in Houston . Also this hour: A new book celebrates the stories and legacy of Riverside General, Houston’s former Negro...

On Thursday's show: Greater Houston may have dodged a bullet in terms of widespread flooding when Tropical Storm Arthur bypassed our region on its way to Louisiana, but it has left with us some extreme heat. We get an update and an explanation from meteorologist Justin Ballard of the Houston Chronicle. And we get details on former Fort Bend County Judge KP George's sentencing  for his money launde...

On Wednesday's show: We get an update on the forecast for rainy weather across the region. And we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: How often do you really think about how you're going to get from point A to point B throughout your day? For disability advocate Melissa DiVietri , it's something she has to consider all the time. And we learn about thi...

On Tuesday's show: We get an update on the potential for " life-threatening flooding " this week as the Houston area faces sustained heavy rains amid a flood watch. We check in again with meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather for the latest. And we find out how local chefs and restaurants fared in the annual James Beard Awards . Also this hour: We learn how the City of Houston is doing o...

On Monday's show: More stormy weather is inbound and brings with it the threat of potential flooding this week. We get the latest on two storm systems headed our way from meteorologist Eric Berger from Space City Weather . We check in with Houston Public Media’s Michael Adkison on the FIFA World Cup . We recap Sunday’s match in Houston between Germany and Curaçao and preview Wednesday's match betw...

On Friday's show: Tina Petersen, the head of the Harris County Flood Control District has resigned amid pressure to address looming deadlines. We learn why she resigned and what it has to do with post Harvey-flood mitigation projects. Also this hour: Ahead of the first FIFA World Cup matches in Houston, for those among us who know little to nothing about the sport, we talk with Nick Greene, author...

On Thursday's show: STAAR test results are out. We learn how Houston-area schools fared. And we find out if the City of Houston passed its $7.5 billion proposed budget, which would include a $5 trash pickup fee. Also this hour: As we’ve grown more and more dependent on technology, some of us are growing increasingly wary of the tradeoffs it requires. We discuss the reasons why with Houston Chronic...

On Wednesday's show: The U.S. House has approved ICE and border patrol money . Houston City Council is poised to vote on the mayor’s budget. And Senate candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating FIFA over World Cup tickets. We discuss those and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: Estate sales draw collectors, bargain hunters, second-hand sell...

On Tuesday's show: Information from ERCOT shows there are some hot spots in Texas where more large data centers want to open and join the state's power grid. We take a closer look at Houston Chronicle reporting on that story and find out where many of these new data centers hope to be. Also this hour: We consider the factors that lead to youth homelessness in Greater Houston and how to address the...

On Monday's show: We get updates on the goings-on in Fort Bend and Galveston Counties. Also this hour: We discuss why some food deserts persist in Greater Houston. Then, we answer listener questions about gardening. And we preview the upcoming FIFA matches in Houston. Watch

On Friday's show: We discuss a report from Children at Risk that assesses the quality of life for children in Harris County. Also this hour: We talk with two Houstonians about starting their own businesses. Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And we preview Houston's official LGBT Pride Celebration. Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_csMDc5J1A

On Thursday's show: We get the latest on the City of Corpus Christi's attempts to delay its looming water crisis. Also this hour: We revisit the original plans for Corpus Christi's desalination plant and how it's supposed to work. Then, we learn how community land trusts strive to address both housing affordability and gentrification at the same time. And Houstonian Kolbi Ferguson tells us he how...