Houston Matters

On Friday's show: Remember how Sen. Ted Cruz was supposed to be in a tough re-election race? The Texas Tribune’s Jasper Scherer joins us to share why Cruz’s campaign believes the senator ultimately won so easily and what it may signal for Cruz’s future prospects in the Senate and possibly, someday, the White House.Also this hour: We learn how Hurricane Beryl affected the Texas coast.Then, from Michelin Guide restaurant honors, to a ride-sharing service featuring armed drivers, this week’s panel of non-experts considers The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And jazz icons Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie might be best remembered for their music. But a new book called The Jazzmen explains how they overcame racism and discrimination to open America's eyes to their music and in the process "wrote the soundtrack for the civil rights movement." We talk with author Larry Tye, who'll speak Saturday during the Jewish Book & Arts Festival at Houston's Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center.

On Thursday's show: The Astrodome Conservancy, a nonprofit that advocates for the preservation of the one-time "Eighth Wonder of the World," has unveiled a $1 billion redevelopment concept for the Dome. We find out what the plan calls for, who would pay for it, who needs to buy in, and what may set the idea apart from past proposals for the Astrodome.Also this hour: We discuss how physical media, such as vinyl records, DVDs, and books may be in a state of decline and renaissance all at the same time.And, on the anniversary of the U.S. Army overturning convictions of Black soldiers that stemmed from the 1917 Houston Riots, we visit the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum.

On Wednesday's show: A recent survey asked Houstonians about their quality of life here. The question came from us here at Houston Matters, and we learn what they had to say.Also this hour: We discuss some of the names already made public as likely members of President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration along with other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Then, in the latest installment of The Full Menu, Houston food writers share some of their favorite area restaurants to visit for special occasions.And University of Houston film scholar Karen Fang talks about her new book, Background Artist: The Life and Work of Tyrus Wong. Wong was a 20th century Asian-American artist who worked on many famous films, including as the lead production illustrator for Disney’s classic Bambi.

On Tuesday's show: It’s been five years since the state funded free, full-day pre-K programs. So, how’s it going? We learn what new reports say about enrollment in and the evaluation of Houston-area pre-K instruction.Also this hour: We talk with Houston engineer William Taggart, who says he knows how to fix the country's problems, which he outlines in his new book, Fixing America: An Engineer’s Solution to our Social, Cultural, and Political Problems.Then, earlier this month, we heard from HISD Superintendent Mike Miles about chronic absenteeism in the district. We learn more about chronic absences across the rest of Texas.And we learn how an aspiring local filmmaker captures the story of Houston in just three minutes. Elisha Luckett’s conceptual documentary A Town Called Houston is one of a number of short films featured as part of the annual Houston Cinema Arts Festival.

On Monday's show: Last week’s election doesn’t just mean a GOP sweep of Congress and the White House. Hardline Republicans gained seats in an even more conservative Texas House. We learn what that further shift right means for the next Texas legislative session.Also this hour: On this Veterans Day, we learn about services provided by the Houston VA.Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners’ gardening questions.And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.

On Friday's show: While we’ve all understandably been fixated on election news this week, there’s actual governing going on, too. Dominic Anthony Walsh joins us with the latest on some leadership changes at Houston City Hall.Also this hour: From Elon Musk seemingly discovering Harris County exists on election day, to someone buying a dime for $500,000, our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And true crime podcasts are very popular. We meet the hosts of the Sistas Who Kill podcast who offer a unique take on the concept. Their live tour arrives in Houston on Sunday at House of Blues.

On Thursday's show: We’re keeping a close eye on the rapidly intensifying Hurricane Rafael in the Gulf of Mexico. Could it head here? We discuss the latest of what’s known about the storm’s track with Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard.Also this hour: Former President Donald Trump reclaimed the White House. Ted Cruz will stay in the U.S. Senate. So, now what? Longtime activist Sam Daley-Harris offers his advice for what to do in the periods between elections as he encourages everyday citizens to get involved in government. Harris is the author of Reclaiming Our Democracy and we talk with him ahead of a visit to Houston.Then, we revisit a 2018 conversation with Jon Meacham about his book, The Soul of America, which examines some particularly trying times in our nation’s history when presidents and ordinary citizens came together to overcome fear and hate.And we revisit a 2018 conversation with writer Mitch Albom, who’s headed to Houston this weekend to discuss his latest book at the annual Jewish B

On Wednesday's show: We devote the entire hour to election results and analysis and welcome your thoughts on the presidential election, the U.S. Senate election, a variety of other state and local results, the HISD bond, and other ballot initiatives.Party Politics co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina offer their insights throughout the hour, and we hear from our listeners.

On Tuesday's show: We mark Election Day by visiting some polling places around Greater Houston.Also this hour: Are there lessons professional athletes learn about nutrition that can benefit the rest of us? We ask Astros dietitian Geordan Stapleton. And HISD dietitian Nathan Reska shares some insights on childhood nutrition.Then, we talk with Pete and Crystal Damore, the Houston-area singer/songwriter duo that makes up the folk Americana band Ordinary Elephant.And Houston native Stephanie Wittels Wachs has co-founded the award-winning podcast network Lemonada, which to date has more than 60 podcasts, including many hosted by celebrities like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Duchovny, and even an upcoming one to be hosted by Meghan Markle. Wittels Wachs talks with us about Lemonada’s story and dramatic growth.

On Monday's show: Ahead of Election Day, for those who haven't voted early, we offer an election guide for procrastinators. Also this hour: We offer listeners their monthly chance to vent their pet peeves about life in Greater Houston. You can share yours now at talk@houstonmatters.org.And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: As voters contemplate a school bond and battles over public education focus on resources and curriculum, there’s a more fundamental challenge schools face -- too many students not showing up to class. Producer Celeste Diaz Schurman talks with HISD Superintendent Mike Miles about the impact of chronic absenteeism at Houston-area schools.Also this hour: The Texans lost last night...to the Jets? We talk about it with Jeff Balke, who co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast and writes for Houston Press.Then, from many HISD middle and high schools scrapping their Halloween celebrations after new guidance from the district, to Port Arthur being named one of the worst small cities in the country, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we preview the Houston Music Festival, featuring performances of chamber music, improv, and spoken word, including a concert of music with Houston ties, including covers of Beyoncé and Lizzo.

On Thursday's show: Dominic Anthony Walsh provides an update on why the City of Houston continues to pay dues to the Houston-Galveston Area Council after a proposition last year allowed Houston to leave the organization.Also this hour: Amid recent foodborne illness outbreaks and kids hauling buckets of Halloween candy home, we consider how to ensure that our food is safe to eat.Then, we hear from listeners and HPM staffers about some of their favorite Halloween songs.And author and former Houstonian Shea Serrano talks about Werewolf Lawyer, his latest novella about a lawyer for werewolves.

 On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in local, state, and national politics with Party Politics co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina.Then, we consider whether adults have co-opted Halloween from kids.And we look back on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which released 50 years ago this month.

 On Tuesday's show: With a hot and dry October so far, we talk with meteorologist Justin Ballard about what we can expect for trick-or-treating weather.Plus, we look at why Rice University has seen a drop in admissions for Black students over the past year.Also this hour: We consider how minors are viewed in the legal system, amid efforts to fix foster care in Texas.Then, we talk with the filmmaker of a new documentary about the film Chasing Amy.And Meow Wolf Houston officially opens this week! We get a preview of the new immersive experience.

 On Monday's show: We dive into the political battle happening over the delayed execution of Robert Roberson.Also this hour: Last week we discussed why choosing an electricity provider in Texas can be complicated and intimidating. Today, we revisit how we got to this point after the state deregulated the retail electricity market and consider how that truly affected energy prices in the state.Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses recent developments in consumer technology.And Jeff Balke recaps the Texans' important divisional matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.

On Friday's show: While Houston ISD voters are contemplating whether to approve a record-setting bond for their school district, Fort Bend ISD is revising plans for an over-budget bond approved there last year. We discuss both with Houston Public Media’s Adam Zuvanich and Natalie Weber.Also this hour: From a Missouri woman using an Apple AirTag to track a stolen campaign sign taken from her yard and shaming the thief on social media, to the Yankees' general manager saying his team's World Series drought should’ve ended in 2017, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Then, we reflect on the life and career of Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon with reporter Mirin Fader, author of Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon.And we visit the Wings Over Houston air show at Ellington Field where a local pilot explains what it's like re-enacting the attack on Pearl Harbor flying vintage World War II aircraft.

On Thursday's show: A dust-up between Houston’s mayor and controller seems to have escalated in recent days. We walk through what’s going on with News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.Also this hour: We visit an event raising funds for cancer research while celebrating children who are combatting cancer.Then, this month’s installment of The Bigger Picture examines the new film Saturday Night, about the behind-the-scenes chaos leading up to the first episode of Saturday Night Live back in 1975. Joshua Zinn discusses the film and the show's affect on live sketch and improv comedy in the Houston area.And classical music meets hip hop tonight as the Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra teams up with Houston’s Fly Dance Company and Outspoken Bean.

On Wednesday's show: More polling results are in from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs. We learn what they have to tell us about the upcoming election and opinions on the integrity of those elections.Also this hour: With early voting underway and a hyper-focus on the presidential election, we seek context and clarity about recent developments in politics in our weekly roundup.And choosing an electric provider in Texas can be quite complicated. We talk to one of those electric providers to learn how they operate and with the founder of a company that helps Texas residential electricity customers find the best plan.

On Tuesday's show: As we enter the final weeks of campaigning before Election Day, we check in with reporter Andrew Schneider on how the candidates for U.S. Senate are making their last appeals to voters.Also this hour: With early voting underway in the 2024 election, we revisit a conversation from 2022 about the television series, The West Wing, which inspired a whole generation to engage in the world of politics. But did it establish unrealistic expectations? We ask University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus, who uses clips from the show in his classes.Then, we talk with content creator Felecia for the Win, who's the host of the PBS Digital series Roots of Resistance, which is produced by Houston Public Media and examines social movements that have changed life in America throughout our nation's history. The latest episode, which is out now on YouTube, delves into the age-old question: Is voting a privilege or a fundamental right?And we visit an event called Coffee with the Compos

 On Monday's show: A new report sheds light on how much lead is showing up in drinking water at Texas schools.Also this hour: Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Powers, author of 14 novels including The Overstory and The Echo Maker, talks about his work and his latest book, Playground, ahead of an event with Inprint tonight at 7:30 at The Alley Theatre.Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller talks about issues affecting pet health.And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.