Houston Matters
Houston PR
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. But we also hope that what we do each day on Houston Matters serves as the beginning of a conversation — one we hope you’ll continue here, at home, at work, with family, with friends and neighbors. We hope to introduce Houstonians to one another, to celebrate our diversity, and to engage one another through stories and conversations that demonstrate depth and context. Just the sort of thing you count on from public media.
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. But we also hope that what we do each day on Houston Matters serves as the beginning of a conversation — one we hope you’ll continue here, at home, at work, with family, with friends and neighbors. We hope to introduce Houstonians to one another, to celebrate our diversity, and to engage one another through stories and conversations that demonstrate depth and context. Just the sort of thing you count on from public media.
Location:
Houston, TX
Genres:
News
Networks:
Houston PR
Description:
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. But we also hope that what we do each day on Houston Matters serves as the beginning of a conversation — one we hope you’ll continue here, at home, at work, with family, with friends and neighbors. We hope to introduce Houstonians to one another, to celebrate our diversity, and to engage one another through stories and conversations that demonstrate depth and context. Just the sort of thing you count on from public media.
Twitter:
@houstonmatters
Language:
English
Contact:
713-440-8870
Episodes
Houston’s strong place in the global economy despite the pandemic (May 20, 2022)
5/20/2022
On Friday's show: The pandemic had devastating effects on the global economy in 2020 as things shut down. So, why was 2021 so much better for Houston's transactions with the rest of the world? A new report from the Greater Houston Partnership takes a closer look.
Also this hour: We learn about some plans to restore natural prairie and grasslands around town and the benefits that could ensue.
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we learn how much bees...
Duration:00:48:29
What rising COVID indicators mean for Houston, and answers from a sleep expert (May 19, 2022)
5/19/2022
On Thursday's show: COVID-19 cases and viral loads in wastewater are on the rise here in Houston. Is there another wave on the way? Dr. Stacey Rose from Baylor College of Medicine helps us understand what the numbers mean.
Also this hour: Local sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula answers your questions.
And chef Nick Fine of the Houston restaurant Wild Oats is obsessed with dishes Texans think of as their own and seeks out local specialties and recipes. We talk with about what dishes and...
Duration:00:47:35
The week in politics, and the annual Houston Area Survey (May 18, 2022)
5/18/2022
On Wednesday's show: We discuss how leaders have responded to the mass shooting in Buffalo, N.Y. and other developments in our weekly political roundup.
Also this hour: What do Houstonians think about life here -- the economy, their life experiences, beliefs, and attitudes? We discuss the findings of the 41st annual Houston Area Survey with Rice University sociologist Dr. Stephen Klineberg. It's his last year working on the longest-running survey of its kind in the nation.
Duration:00:48:31
Benzene pollution, and presidential portrait history (May 13, 2022)
5/13/2022
On Friday's show: Five refineries in Texas exceeded federal limits on benzene pollution, some in the Houston area. We talk about what comes next.
Also this hour: We visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to consider the historical significance of the official portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama.
Then, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we preview an upcoming performance by the classical/hip-hop crossover duo Black Violin.
Duration:00:49:33
Electricity prices spiking, and new plans for the T-MEC Corridor (May 12, 2022)
5/12/2022
On Thursday's show: We talk with Eco Watch about what consumers should know about their electricity bills and how to choose the right provider.
Also this hour: The ramifications of Mexico's government saying they will route a major rail line through New Mexico instead of Texas.
Then, we learn about a new historical fiction novel from Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
And a project from the University of Houston aims to document the experiences of Houston's Latino-Jewish community.
Duration:00:49:45
A new city budget proposal, and a biography of DJ Screw (May 11, 2022)
5/11/2022
On Wednesday's show: City Controller Chris Brown joins us to give his perspective on Mayor Sylvester Turner's proposed city budget.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest news in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, author Lance Scott Walker talks about his new book DJ Screw: A Life in Slow Revolution.
And the West Texas A&M University Symphony Orchestra presents a silent film classic with a contemporary film score.
Duration:00:50:51
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, and Mickey Gilley on Urban Cowboy (May 10, 2022)
5/10/2022
On Tuesday's show: U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher joins us to answer listener questions.
Also this hour: The story of why a transgender teen and her family moved out of state.
Then, we learn about new poll data from the Episcopal Health Foundation on Texans' attitudes about health care.
And we revisit a conversation with Mickey Gilley, who died this past weekend.
Duration:00:49:08
Deadly fires in Texas prisons, and Elizabeth McIngvale’s mental health journey (May 9, 2022)
5/9/2022
On Monday's show: For more than a decade, the Texas prison system has fallen short on state fire safety standards. The Marshall Project’s Keri Blakinger tells us about concerns raised over unsafe wiring and inadequate alarm systems leading to deaths in Texas prisons.
Also this hour: Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale talks about her own struggle with OCD and her role as the director of McLean OCDI Houston.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we get an update on...
Duration:00:49:32
Ike Dike legislation moves forward, and Huma Abedin steps out of the shadows (May 6, 2022)
5/6/2022
On Friday's show: Legislation is moving forward in the U.S. Senate in the creation of a new levee system often referred to as the Ike Dike. It would block storm surge along Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula, and at the mouth of Galveston Bay.
Also this hour: Huma Abedin, political operative and longtime staffer of Hillary Clinton, talks about her new memoir, Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds. She'll be in Houston for an event with the Asia Society May 11.
Then, another comedian is...
Duration:00:48:20
Concerns over energy demand amid hot weekend weather (May 5, 2022)
5/5/2022
On Thursday's show: ERCOT is concerned high temperatures over the weekend could put a strain on the electricity grid and is asking plants to postpone scheduled maintenance so they'll be able to respond to the increased demand.
Also this hour: Eliza Reid, the First Lady of Iceland, talks about how her country has managed to lead the world in equality for women and about her book, Secrets of the Sprakkar. She's one of the keynote speakers today at the Greater Houston Conference for...
Duration:00:49:39
What a potential overturn of Roe v. Wade could mean for Houston and Texas (May 4, 2022)
5/4/2022
On Wednesday's show: With the leaked draft ruling suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade, we check in with News 88.7 reporters covering local protests and find out what this all could mean for Houston and Texas.
Also this hour: We discuss the potential Supreme Court ruling and all the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Plus: Area foodies dish on their favorite Houston-area hamburger joints in this month's installment of The Full Menu.
And a world...
Duration:00:48:49
Addressing noise from Washington Ave. bars, and actor Jeff Goldblum (May 3, 2022)
5/3/2022
On Tuesday's show: Some members of city council have proposed changes to the city's noise ordinance that will be voted on this week. They hope those changes will address problems with bars along Washington Avenue. One of those council members, Sallie Alcorn, joins us to explain what the proposed changes would do.
Also this hour: Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle, who represents Precinct 4, joins us to discuss issues facing the county and take your questions.
Then we revisit our...
Duration:00:49:28
Europe importing Texas oil, and Houstonian pet peeves (May 2, 2022)
5/2/2022
On Monday's Houston Matters: Europe is importing more Texas oil to offset the loss of supplies from Russia. We learn what that could mean for the Houston oil and gas industry.
Also this hour: We offer you your monthly chance to vent your pet peeves.
And we recap who the Texans chose in the NFL Draft and discuss the latest developments in Houston sports.
Duration:00:49:06
Ramp connecting 59 with 610 set to close for two years, and a farewell to Andrés Orozco-Estrada (April 29, 2022)
4/29/2022
On Friday's show: Beginning this weekend, a crucial highway ramp connecting 610 and 59 is set to close for two years. We discuss what it will mean for traffic in the region. And we find out which players the Texans picked up in the early rounds of the NFL Draft.
Also this hour: With housing prices so high and supply of new homes struggling to keep up, would-be Houston-area homeowners are increasingly looking outward, beyond the suburbs, beyond the exurbs, to developments being touted as...
Duration:00:48:36
Texans’ minority owner on hiring process for coaches and improving diversity (April 28, 2022)
4/28/2022
On Thursday's show: We learn why the Houston Dash suspended their head coach and general manager, James Clarkson.
Also this hour: Following recent stories about the NFL's hiring practices for coaches and the need for more diversity, we talk with Javier Loya. He's minority owner of the Houston Texans and is working on this issue as a member of the newly formed NFL Diversity Advisory Committee.
Then, in this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we discuss how Asian stories and Asian...
Duration:00:49:24
Antisemitic incidents multiplying in Texas, the week in politics, and the Houston Zoo turns 100 (April 27, 2022)
4/27/2022
On Wednesday's show: New numbers show antisemitic incidents in Texas more than doubled in 2021 and are at an all-time high in the nation.
Also today: More about Elon Musk and the politics of Twitter along with all the latest news from the world of politics in our weekly roundup.
Plus: The Houston Zoo is turning 100. We discuss how the zoo – and conservation – has changed over the last century.
And we visit a youth robotics competition, the FIRST Championship.
Duration:00:48:45
Turning a landfill in Sunnyside into a solar farm, and what motivates Gov. Abbott (April 25, 2022)
4/25/2022
On Monday's show: We learn more about The Sunnyside Solar Project, which aims to convert a former landfill into the largest urban solar farm in the nation.
Also this hour: What drives Gov. Greg Abbott, and what are his political ambitions? A new in-depth profile in Texas Monthly takes a closer look.
Then, there is increasing concern these days about microplastics -- tiny bits of plastic in our oceans, the food chain, and even in some cases our own bodies. Rice professor Pedro Alvarez...
Duration:00:50:15
What Texas has gotten in return for security initiatives at the border (April 22, 2022)
4/22/2022
On Friday's show: In recent years, Texas has launched numerous costly initiatives aimed at securing the U.S.-Mexico border. But what has Texas gotten in return for those measures? A new investigation takes a closer look.
Also this hour: From the waistline sizes of Texas state troopers, to Taylor Swift having a millipede named after her, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we learn about the first BIPOC Book Fest happening this weekend.
Duration:00:50:08
Task force identifies safety failures at the Astroworld Festival (April 21, 2022)
4/21/2022
On Thursday's show: A task force formed after November's deadly Astroworld Festival has presented recommendations on how Texas can avoid future tragedies. In a nine-page report, the Texas Task Force on Concert Safety recommends standardizing statewide the permitting process for such events, creating benchmarks that would trigger an event's cancellation, and streamlining and clarifying the chain of command for local authorities at such events.
Also this hour: New research suggests...
Duration:00:49:12
The week in politics, the state of Texas teachers, and remembering Astroworld in art (April 20, 2022)
4/20/2022
On Wednesday's show: The travel mask mandate has been struck down. Florida’s governor wants to end a special status for Disney World. And Alex Jones’ Infowars has filed for bankruptcy. We discuss those and other stories in our weekly political roundup.
Also this hour: Many Texas teachers were already burned out before the pandemic exacerbated the issues they face, such as low pay, poor school finance, and an outdated standardized testing strategy. A recent Texas Monthly story let...
Duration:00:49:51