Houston Matters

On Friday's show: The Texas Education Agency has warned school districts that facilitating student political walkouts could lead to a state takeover. This comes as the agency unveils a newly created enforcement role focusing on overseeing investigations into alleged misconduct by Texas teachers. We get the latest on this developing story.Also this hour: We discuss how digital maps are increasingly being used to reveal patterns across Greater Houston, from the famed Houston arrow, to the Whataburger location map being used as a substitute for power outage tracking during major storms, to an ICE tracker map being developed by students at Rice University.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we preview the latest in a series of concerts from The Apollo Chamber Players celebrating America’s 250th birthday and the centennial of what became Black History Month.Watch

On Thursday's show: City of Houston Controller Chris Hollins discusses the city’s deficit spending, due in part to the continuing need to pay overtime to staff police and fire departments.Also this hour: The delay in the Artemis II mission stirs memories of how the Apollo program played out decades ago. We look back on our last missions to the moon.Then, the nonprofit Trees for Houston celebrates the planting of its one millionth tree today. We visit the site of that celebration.And a recent report finds incomes are growing and poverty is shrinking, but living in Texas is still less affordable. We talk about why that's the case.Watch

On Wednesday's show: In a special election last weekend, a Fort Worth State Senate seat in a conservative district flipped to the Democrats. Is that a one-off, or a sign of things to come? We discuss that story and the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Our foodies list their favorite award-winning and award-nominated restaurants around town on this month’s edition of The Full Menu.And we consider the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination in the history of our institutions and how those institutions reconcile that past. A new book explores that subject through the lens of Rice University, its history, and its "fundamental and ongoing process of transformation."Watch

On Tuesday's show: The window for families to apply for the state's new school voucher program, officially called Texas Education Freedom Accounts, opens on Wednesday for the 2026-27 school year. We discuss why the state is trying to limit which schools can participate and other questions as the new program begins.Also this hour: How much should you trust the quality of the water coming out the tap? Pedro Alvarez, director of Rice University’s WaTER Institute, explains what we should all know about the quality of water where we live and work.Then, representatives from The Houston Defender and the The Houston Sun reflect on the history of the Black press in Houston, how it has shaped the city through pivotal eras of history, and why its voice still matters.And standup comedian Mohanad Elshieky performs this week at Punch Line Houston. We talk with him about his comedy and his work as a writer for NPR's Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!Watch

On Monday's show: The 18th Congressional District has a new Congressman-elect. But how soon will Christian Menefee be sworn in?Also this hour: We offer listeners a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.And Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle previews the Super Bowl.Watch

On Friday's show: Houston Rep. Lizzie Fletcher joins us to discuss immigration enforcement in Minnesota and issues affecting Greater Houston and the nation.Also this hour: We explore how recent events surrounding immigration policy are influencing young Houstonians and their perceptions of law enforcement in particular.And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Watch

On Thursday's show: Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered all state agencies and public universities to freeze new applications for H-1B visas, which allow employers to hire foreign nationals for certain jobs in the United States. While this directive will affect many kinds of employers in Texas, we learn how it might affect hospitals and health care providers specifically.Also this hour: The upcoming Artemis II mission will send American astronauts around the moon for the first time in decades. We take a closer look at the mission and Houston's role in it.Then, the Oyster South Symposium takes place this weekend in Houston. The gathering is aimed at supporting oyster farmers and protecting the waters where oysters are harvested. We learn about the challenges facing that industry.And we hear about a unique approach to one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, presented with puppets.Watch

On Wednesday's show: From the effect the freezing weather had on the special election runoff for the 18th Congressional District, to debates and endorsements in statewide primary races, to the fallout from shootings by federal officers in Minneapolis, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We learn about a report examining high maternal death rates among Black women in Harris County.And we bring you the second part of our 2022 conversation with Holocaust survivor Ruth Steinfeld.Watch

On Tuesday's show: Texas civil rights organizations have secured an emergency court order directing Harris County to operate two additional early voting days in the 18th Congressional District special election runoff following weather interruptions this week. We get details.Also this hour: The annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society is taking place this week in Houston. We discuss how the current political climate is affecting how meteorologists do their jobs these days and the ramifications for our region.Then, we consider some day trips to take across Greater Houston as a way of exploring new parts of the region and finding adventure and a mini escape.And on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we revisit the story of Holocaust survivor Ruth Steinfeld and how she found forgiveness and the courage to tell her story.Watch

On Monday's show: We get an update on the freezing temperatures from the National Weather Service and bring you the latest on how the freeze has affected Greater Houston.Also this hour: The nation continues to react to Saturday’s fatal shooting by federal officers of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. We consider the political implications for the nation and for the Houston area. And we welcome listener reactions and thoughts.Then, today is the 100th anniversary of the first public demonstration of live television. We mark that moment by discussing Houston’s television history and landscape.And former Astro Carlos Beltran is headed to the Hall of Fame. Since he was also a major figure in the Astros’ electronic sign-stealing scandal, does his election mean furor over that scandal is beginning to fade? And does it suggest Jose Altuve and other Astros stars will have an easier path to the Hall of Fame when the time comes as well?Watch

On Friday's show: Meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather will fill us in on the very latest on this weekend’s freezing weather. And we talk with reporters about how officials around Greater Houston and the state are preparing for the demands a weather event like this puts on the power grid and local infrastructure.Also this hour: We break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Watch

On Thursday's show: A freeze is headed to much of Texas this weekend and could bring freezing rain, sleet, or ice to parts of Greater Houston. We check the latest forecast with Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard and discuss how to prepare.Also this hour: On this month’s installment of our film segment, The Bigger Picture, we consider what the new movie Is This Thing On? has to say about separation and divorce and what Houstonians going through those challenges can glean from it.And, as  Artemis II prepares to launch in the coming weeks, signaling the next stage in America’s return to the moon, we recall one quirky moment during the Apollo missions that involved a Houston barber, an astronaut, and a golf ball.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We dig into the politics surrounding President Donald Trump’s foreign policy pursuits in Greenland and Venezuela and share other observations a year into his second term as we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: NPR reporter Frank Langfitt talks about recent reporting he's been doing in Houston, talking with Venezuelans living here and others about the United States seizing that country's President Nicolás Maduro.And entomologist Erin Mills with Enchanted Forest Nursery in Richmond answers your questions about Houston bugs and insects. Send yours now to talk@houstonmatters.org.Watch

On Tuesday's show: We discuss the latest public health trends, including what we’re seeing this flu season, with Dr. Janeana White with the Houston Health Department.Also this hour: What makes us click with some people better than others? And why is connecting with other people so important for humans? We discuss the science behind human connection with Houston-area journalist Kate Murphy, who's latest book is Why We Click. Murphy will discuss the book on Jan. 26 at Blue Willow Bookshop and on Feb. 11 at Brazos Bookstore.Then, a local doctor offers safety reminders for household poisons.And we visit Nuestro Ambiente, an exhibit at Architecture Center Houston telling the story of Latinos who have helped shape Houston’s built environment, from taco trucks to transit lines.Watch

On Monday's show: We mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a conversation about the state of civil rights here in Houston and across the country with the help of Christa Stoneham, president of the Houston Land Bank, Dr. Melanye Price from Prairie View A&M University, and Ian Haddock of The Normal Anomaly Initiative.Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listener questions about their pets.And we recap the Texans' season after a playoff loss Sunday to the Patriots.Watch

On Friday's show: More than 160 Texas faith leaders are urging school boards to reject a new state-organized prayer law. Rabbi Joshua Fixler of Houston's Congregation Emanu El explains why he and the other faith leaders say SB 11, which carves out time for prayer and Bible readings in public schools, threatens religious freedom.Also this hour: We conclude our week-long Houston 2026 series with a look at the year ahead in transportation.Then, from a unified Martin Luther King Day parade, to Matthew McConaughey trademarking catchphrases, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we learn how a singing group of teenage girls from southeast Texas called The Melody Maids traveled the world to perform for troops from World War II to Vietnam. A new documentary tells their story, and a pair of screenings will be held on Saturday in Beaumont.Watch

On Thursday's show: The Houston Chronicle reports that HISD Superintendent Mike Miles helped connect a consulting firm with a Texas charter school network to complete a nearly $1 million contract. While the parties involved say Miles was not paid for his role, some experts say the arrangement raises some concerns. Reporter Nusaiba Mizan explains.Also this hour: We continue our series looking at the year ahead with a discussion about education in Greater Houston.Then, on the 25th anniversary of Wikipedia, we learn about Houston-area Wikipedia edit-a-thons.And FIFA officials say the World Cup could bring $1.5 billion in economic activity to Houston. But who sees that money?Watch

On Wednesday's show: Early voting starts in a week for the 18th district Congressional runoff election. We discuss that and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup, from news in Washington surrounding the economy, Iran, and a Justice Department investigation into that fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minnesota.Also this hour: We continue our series looking at the year ahead with a discussion about the issues in health care facing Greater Houston.And an upcoming series of performances called Free Rein from the contemporary music organization Musiqa and NobleMotion Dance combines music and dance with bioengineering to explore how creativity works in the human brain.Watch

On Tuesday's show: The Texans are moving on to face the New England Patriots after a decisive 30-6 victory over the Steelers Monday night. We recap the game and look ahead to the next round.Also this hour: We continue our series looking at the year ahead with a discussion about the issues in energy and the environment facing Greater Houston.Then, a new study explores links between sports betting and crime rates. It turns out, once a game starts, those crime rates go up -- even in some states, like Texas, that technically don’t allow sports betting. We learn more.And, ahead of the My 15 Expo at NRG Center on Sunday, we learn about how quinceañeras have developed and grown over the years.Watch

On Monday's show: We talk with writer Salman Rushdie about his latest book, The Eleventh Hour. He speaks at an event tonight with Inprint Houston.Also this hour: We begin a weeklong series looking ahead at issues facing Houston in 2026, beginning with immigration.Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers questions about how to maintain the plants in your home or garden.And we preview the Texans’ Monday night AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Steelers.