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
What it would take to bring Brittney Griner home, and Indian composer and violinist L. Subramaniam (Aug. 5, 2022)
8/5/2022
On Friday's show: A Russian court has found WNBA star Brittney Griner guilty on drug smuggling and possession charges. The judge sentenced Griner to nine years in prison. What are the chances of the United States government arranging for her release much sooner in some sort of prisoner exchange or other diplomatic effort? An international relations expert weighs in.
Also this hour: We discuss the implications for us here in Houston and across Texas of a recent Supreme Court ruling...
Duration:00:48:55
Harris County takes issue with latest election audit (Aug. 4, 2022)
8/4/2022
On Thursday's show: We discuss the implications of Harris County's potential lawsuit against the state over the latest audit of its elections.
Also this hour: As more businesses seek to reimburse employees for travel undertaken to get access to an abortion in another state, we explore the potential for additional state laws designed to stop them.
Then, we consider why the concept of air conditioning in Texas prisons remains controversial with Keri Blakinger of The Marshall...
Bond proposal headed to voters, and previewing Houston Restaurant Weeks (Aug. 3, 2022)
8/3/2022
On Wednesday's show: Harris County Commissioners Court approved a bond proposal that will go before voters in November for around $1 billion in infrastructure spending.
Plus: Houston-area school districts will no longer provide free lunches to all students due to the expiration of a federal waiver.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, local food writers discuss what's on tap for Houston Restaurant Weeks in this month's installment...
Duration:00:49:42
A billion dollar county bond measure, and rebuilding after Harvey (Aug. 2, 2022)
8/2/2022
On Tuesday's show: Harris County could decide today whether to put a roughly $1 billion bond measure for infrastructure projects on the ballot in November.
Also this hour: Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer answers your questions about issues facing the city.
Then, the city of Houston is often celebrated for the strides it’s made in reducing homelessness. But how effective have these efforts truly been?
And we debut the first episode of Below the Waterlines, a new four-part...
Duration:00:49:34
Ike Dike bills moving closer to reality, and Houston pet peeves (Aug. 1, 2022)
8/1/2022
On Monday's show: The U.S. Senate has approved a bill that contains the long-sought-after Ike Dike/coastal barrier project. The House has passed its own bill as well. We find out what happens next.
Also this hour: We offer you your monthly chance to vent your pet peeves.
And we analyze any moves the Astros make as the trade deadline approaches and discuss the high costs of attending their games (it’s not just about the tickets) with sportswriter and podcaster Jeff Balke.
Duration:00:49:46
Plans to raise part of I-10, and Houston’s stress level (July 29, 2022)
7/29/2022
On Friday's show: TxDOT has announced plans to raise a portion of I-10 near White Oak Bayou, but local residents are skeptical of the project. Will TxDOT move forward with the project despite their concerns? We discuss.
MORE: TxDOT is seeking public input on the proposed project. Click here to read more about the proposal and for instructions on how to comment.
Also this hour: A recent study found Houstonians reported the highest stress levels of any community surveyed in the last...
Duration:00:50:00
Other legal questions spawned by the Dobbs ruling (July 28, 2022)
7/28/2022
On Thursday's show: Harris County, the City of Houston, and local environmental attorney Jim Blackburn are suing Union Pacific, citing toxic pollution and soil and groundwater contamination in Kashmere Gardens and the Fifth Ward. We discuss the lawsuit with Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee.
Also this hour: In light of the Dobbs decision affecting abortion rights in Texas and across the nation, what other legal questions have arisen its wake? We talk it over with a legal...
Duration:00:48:43
Drought conditions, the week in politics, and the life of George H.W. Bush (July 27, 2022)
7/27/2022
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the status of drought conditions across the state and the forecast for the rest of the summer.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
And we revisit our conversation with Jon Meacham about his biography of former Pres. George H.W. Bush, Destiny and Power.
Duration:00:48:48
Rep. Sylvia Garcia on paid rest breaks for construction workers (July 26, 2022)
7/26/2022
On Tuesday's show: We talk with Houston area Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia about her bill requiring employers to offer paid rest breaks for construction workers. And we welcome your questions and comments about other issues facing the area.
Also this hour: We preview Frontline: Facing Eviction, which takes a closer look at evictions in Texas. The episode airs tonight at 9 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.
And we reflect on the life and career of Jack Brooks, the late Texas lawmaker who some...
Duration:00:49:21
Race and Houston’s response to illegal dumping (July 25, 2022)
7/25/2022
On Monday's show: The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Houston's response to illegal dumping and whether the city is guilty of racial discrimination.
Also this hour: How do we define where “Houston” ends and “outside of Houston” begins? The loop? The beltway? The Grand Parkway? The city limits? The metro area? We talk it over and get your input.
Then, Texas may have found a compromise on prayer in public schools years ago. Was that lightning in a bottle or...
Duration:00:50:05
The latest on the monkeypox outbreak, and live music in Houston (July 22, 2022)
7/22/2022
On Friday's show: We talk with a local health expert about the spread of monkeypox and what it means for Houston.
Also this hour: William Menjivar concludes a two-part exploration of the future of live music in the Houston area. Hear Part One
Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we hear an excerpt from this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson, which tells the story of how a group of Vietnamese fishermen took on the KKK in a heated dispute over...
Duration:00:49:52
Fact checking claims about the energy grid, and using sports to generate positive PR (July 21, 2022)
7/21/2022
On Thursday's show: After another day of record-breaking demand on the Texas electric grid, we ask the Houston Chronicle’s Chris Tomlinson to weigh in on efforts in the political ranks (from both sides) to blame different sources of energy for not supplying enough juice.
Also this hour: We discuss the concept of sportswashing -- how companies, governments, or other entities use sports or sponsorship of a sport to improve a troubled reputation.
Then, we learn the role air conditioning...
Duration:00:49:54
State and federal environmental agencies in conflict over renewal permits for ITC (July 20, 2022)
7/20/2022
On Wednesday's show: The EPA is formally objecting to the issuance of operating permits for a Pasadena facility run by Intercontinental Terminal Company, the company responsible for a fire at a separate Deer Park petrochemical facility back in 2019. Will those permits still be issued?
And we learn about efforts to unionize some area Starbucks locations.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, we know well how disasters adversely affect...
Duration:00:49:11
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher on new abortion legislation (July 19, 2022)
7/19/2022
Last week, HR 8297 passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act would prohibit anyone from interfering with a person traveling across state lines to obtain abortion services.
The bill is sponsored by Houston Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, who joins us to discuss that and other legislation introduced in response to the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade. And she answers listener questions about other issues before Congress affecting Greater...
Duration:00:52:00
Gun buyback program, and a new Texas movie studio (July 18, 2022)
7/18/2022
On Monday's show: We learn about a gun buyback program that will allow residents of Houston and Harris County to turn in their firearms for gift cards on July 30.
Also this hour: We learn about plans to build a huge movie studio in Central Texas. One of the co-founders of Hill Country Studios is from the Houston area. We discuss what this studio might mean for the future of the Texas film industry.
Plus: Over the weekend, the Harris Center became one of five Texas crisis centers...
Duration:00:48:56
Dioxin found in Kashmere Gardens, and the future of live music in Houston (July 15, 2022)
7/15/2022
On Friday's show: Houston officials say dioxin has been found in a Kashmere Gardens soil sample. News 88.7's Lucio Vasquez has the latest.
Also this hour: William Menjivar begins a two-part exploration into the future of live music in the Houston area with an examination of the challenges local venues face putting on concerts.
Then: A new poll indicates the race for Harris County Judge is tight. Andrew Schneider catches up with Rice University’s Mark Jones for details.
And, from a...
Duration:00:49:56
What rising inflation means for Houston’s economy (July 14, 2022)
7/14/2022
On Thursday's show: Prices for consumer goods have risen 9 percent over the last year -- the highest jump in 40 years. Is a recession on the horizon? And will prices continue to rise?
Also this hour: What a chemical leak last year can teach us about what some Houston communities are up against in protecting their health and safety in the shadows of our city’s enormous petrochemical industry as revealed in a recent investigation from Public Health Watch.
Then, last month, the Texas GOP...
Duration:00:49:29
The energy grid takes some heat, and remembering The Laff Stop (July 13, 2022)
7/13/2022
On Wednesday's show: The recent intense heat has put the spotlight back on the Texas energy grid, with the state's power grid operator asking residents to conserve energy. We discuss whether the power grid can handle the load and whether we should be concerned about another massive power failure.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, it’s the dual-edged sword of community improvement projects – how do you revitalize a neighborhood...
Duration:00:49:15
COVID case numbers on the rise, and images from the James Webb Space Telescope (July 11, 2022)
7/11/2022
On Monday's show: The COVID positivity rate in Harris County is close to 30 percent. Should we be concerned about this sharp rise in cases?
Also this hour: As NASA is releasing the first images from its new James Webb Space Telescope, we discuss what they show us and learn how the telescope works.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.
Duration:00:49:16
Griner pleads guilty, and preserving Karankawa culture (July 8, 2022)
7/8/2022
On Friday's show: Houston native Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges as her trial continued in a Russian court on Thursday. The WNBA star admitted to bringing cannabis into the country but said she had packed in a hurry and did not intend to break the law. We get the latest on her case.
Also this hour: For centuries, the Karankawa people dominated what is now Houston and much of the Texas coast. A common misconception has been that they’re now extinct. But that's not exactly...
Duration:00:50:04