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Houston Matters Houston Matters is a radio program airing weekdays at 9 am on Houston Public Media News 88.7 FM in Houston. During each hour, we'll investigate the issues and ideas, people and places that make Houston...well...Houston! We'll talk about current events, politics, education, health care, the environment, business, transportation, arts and culture, literature, sports and leisure.
Houston Matters

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Houston Matters

Houston Matters

From Houston Public Media News 88.7

Houston Matters is a radio program airing weekdays at 9 am on Houston Public Media News 88.7 FM in Houston. During each hour, we'll investigate the issues and ideas, people and places that make Houston...well...Houston! We'll talk about current events, politics, education, health care, the environment, business, transportation, arts and culture, literature, sports and leisure.

Most Recent Episodes

Future of Texas water (March 28, 2025)

On Friday's show: Even on rainy days like this, it doesn't take much to remember the extreme heat and occasional drought we suffer through in Houston summers. We learn what those ever-hotter summers may do to our water supply and what's being done to prepare for potential shortages in Texas and Greater Houston. Also this hour: From a protest over the removal of bike lane dividers, to an area school district trying out some Bible-infused curriculum, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And we learn about Resilient Grace, a Houston apparel brand that aims to educate customers about Black history through T-shirts.

Stormy weather for Opening Day (March 27, 2025)

On Thursday's show: There's potential for some heavy rainfall, maybe even a bit of flooding, over the next 36 hours. We look at the forecast with Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard. And we preview the new Astros season, which begins tonight against the Mets. Also this hour: We talk over Houston's credit landscape, saving for retirement, and other financial planning concerns with the help of certified financial planner Juan Hernandez Ariano from WealthCreate Financial. Then, on this month's edition of The Bigger Picture, the new film Black Bag leads to discussion with a husband and wife about the joys and challenges of spouses working in the same industry. And Houston-raised jazz pianist and composer Jason Moran talks about his love of the music of Duke Ellington ahead of a concert Friday night with DACAMERA concert celebrating Ellington's life and music.

The week in politics (March 26, 2025)

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the White House security breach and other developments in national, state, and local politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, the board chair of METRO, joins us to outline her organization's new transit initiative, METRONow, and to discuss other issues related to public transportation in the region. And we continue our quest to craft the ultimate Houston sandwich by going in search of Houston's best veggies and condiments.

Passing the ADA (March 25, 2025)

On Tuesday's show: We learn how potential cuts to FEMA funding might affect Houston's ability to respond to and recover from natural disasters. Also this hour: Longtime Houston activist Lex Frieden reflects on what it took to get the Americans with Disabilities Act passed and signed into law in 1990. That story is the subject of an episode of American Experience called Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act, which airs tonight at 8 on Houston Public Media, TV 8. And we learn about the new teacher evaluation system HISD will have next school year. Some like it, and some hate it (just like just about everything these days).

Houston's real estate market (March 24, 2025)

On Monday's show: State government can move fast or slow. Consider the speed with which the Texas Senate passed a bill calling for public schools to display the Ten Commandments, and how, so far, Gov. Greg Abbott seems to be slow playing what should be a simple call for a special election in a Houston-area Congressional district. News 88.7's Andrew Schneider updates us on both stories. Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in residential real estate here in Greater Houston, which has long been a seller's market, with the help of Florian Martin of the Houston Business Journal and real estate agent Kristin Pomroy. Then, columnist Dwight Silverman talks about some recent developments in consumer technology. And Jeff Balke tells us about the UH Cougars men's basketball team making its sixth straight appearance in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament and updates us on Houston sports.

Pauline Road Fire (March 21, 2025)

On Friday's show: We get an update on efforts to contain a wildfire near the Sam Houston National Forest. Also this hour: We revisit the origins of civil rights protests here in Houston, and a figure at the center of them. Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And, with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back on Earth after an extended stay in space, we revisit a 2017 conversation with astronaut Scott Kelly, who set a record for continuous time in space.

Law enforcement and ICE (March 20, 2025)

On Thursday's show: The Houston Police Department (HPD) says its stance of leaving immigration enforcement in the hands of federal agencies has not changed, even though a local family says a man was detained by the department and then handed over to federal agents. Also this hour: There are a lot of options out there when it comes to online education and certifications. Some may be useful. Others may be scams. Some may help your job search. While others may harm it. We discuss what area recruiters look for. Then, we talk with comedian Tom Papa ahead of his show at 713 Music Hall Friday night. And we explore the cultural history and tradition of mariachi music with the help of journalist and anthropologist Cecilia Ballí, who will talk about the subject at an event tonight at the MATCH. Audio from today's show will be available after 11 a.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, Stitcher and other apps.

The week in politics (March 19, 2025)

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: Acclaimed author Emma Donoghue talks about her latest novel, The Paris Express, a work of historical fiction inspired by a very real train crash in Paris, the aftermath of which has been immortalized by a famous photograph of a steam engine hanging out the second-floor window of a train station. Donoghue, who's known for her historical fiction and her novel Room, the screen adaptation of which garnered her an Oscar nomination, will speak at an Inprint event on March 24. And Brenda Valdivia continues her series pursuing the creation of the ultimate Houston sandwich by embarking on a quest for some of Houston's best meats and cheeses.

Payday lending (March 18, 2025)

On Tuesday's show: Houston ISD, like many school districts across Texas, has been addressing teacher shortages in recent years by hiring uncertified teachers. A bill in the Texas House would end the practice. We learn what the bill says and what it would mean for schools here in Houston and across the state. Also this hour: More than half of all payday lending fees issued in the country are paid by Texans, according to the nonprofit advocacy group the Center for Responsible Lending, We find out why that happens and what Texans can do to escape the cycle of debt. Then, Todd Waite, longtime resident actor at The Alley Theatre, joins us. He's in his final role with the theater after 25 years, performing in Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, a wacky twist on the classic tale. And we discuss the challenges of meeting new people in a large, busy metro area like ours.

Legislature update (March 17, 2025)

On Monday's show: Texas lawmakers filed more than 800 bills by Friday's deadline, bringing this legislative session's total to more than 8,600. But only a handful will actually become law. Blaise Gainey of the Texas Newsroom explains what happens next. And we hear what the Houston Police Department is preparing for this week with the rodeo underway, March Madness kicking off, St. Patrick's Day, and spring break. Also this hour: We learn about the complicated racial politics and history of the Riverside Terrace neighborhood from Houston Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing, who recently wrote about the subject as the neighborhood where she grew up turns 100. Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers questions about pet health. And we get an update on sports with Jeff Balke.

Houston Matters

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