Houston Matters

On Tuesday's show: We learn about the recent storm’s impact on tree cover from Barry Ward of Trees for Houston. Also this hour: We preview a busy month ahead for the U.S. Supreme Court with Charles “Rocky” Rhodes of South Texas College of Law Houston. Then, Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians and a native Houstonian, talks about his latest book, Lies and Weddings. And we visit Camp for All near Brenham, where kids with disabilities, health conditions, and other challenges can have a traditional summer camp experience.

On Friday's show: An official with CenterPoint Energy talks about the past eight days’ worth of repairs and electricity restoration, how mobile generation was used through the storm and recovery, and what’s left to do where. Also this hour: A live music program launches at an area hospital. We learn what Musicians on Call seeks to do for patients, families, and caregivers. Then, our non-experts break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And, with Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd scheduled to speak this weekend at Comicpalooza (in a session moderated by Houston Public Media's Ernie Manouse), we revisit a 2015 conversation marking the film's 30th anniversary where we invited listeners to speculate on what Houston would be like 30 years in the future.

On Thursday's show: One week after deadly storms struck parts of Greater Houston and knocked out power for thousands, we take stock of the recovery effort so far. Also this hour: Former Houston Chronicle reporter Mike Hixenbaugh talks about increased political battles in public education, which is the subject of his new book: They Came for the Schools. Then, ahead of this weekend’s Comicpalooza, we hear from a star of the comic book world who’s appearing there: writer and illustrator Chip Zdarsky. He’s written for popular DC and Marvel comics, including Batman, Spider-Man, and Daredevil. And, ahead of a concert next week celebrating the music of Joe Sample, we revisit a 2013 conversation with the late Houston jazz musician.

On Wednesday's show: We get an update on cleanup efforts across Greater Houston from last Thursday's severe storms. Also this hour: Is Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton auditioning to be the U.S. Attorney General, should former President Trump win in November? We discuss that, the latest in the former’ President’s hush money trial in New York, and other developments in our regular Wednesday’s political roundup. Then, with Compicpalooza this weekend featuring some stars of various iterations of Star Trek, we revisit our 2019 conversation with Ben Harrison and Adam Pranica, the hosts of the Maximum Fun comedy podcast The Greatest Generation. And we talk with author and historian Tristan Smith about his latest book, A History Lover’s Guide to Galveston.

On Tuesday's show: We discuss this week’s heat and what it means for Houstonians still without power following Thursday’s severe storms. Space City Weather meteorologist Eric Berger brings us the latest. And we get some advice from the Texas Department of Insurance on what to do if your home was damaged during last week’s storm. Also this hour: We find out what the annual Houston Area Survey from Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research has to tell us about Houstonians' opinions on a wide range of subjects. Then, we learn why two Houston-based artists are showcasing the shared experiences of Asian American and Black communities. And we talk with Houstonians Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb, co-directors of Butterfly in the Sky, a documentary about the PBS series Reading Rainbow.

On Monday's show: Some 200,000+ CenterPoint customers are still without power following Thursday’s dramatic storm. We discuss the restoration efforts and other looming energy grid threats this week. Also, we preview a town hall discussion tonight between HISD Superintendent Mike Miles and four graduating seniors from high schools impacted by his new policies. Asher Lehrer-Small, who covers K-12 education for Houston Landing, will be moderating the discussion, and he joins us to preview it. Event Info: Doors open at 6 p.m. with the town hall beginning at 7 p.m. The conversation is a general admission, pay-what-you-can, ticketed event, with a suggested cost of $5. Tickets are available at thehobbycenter.org. We also talk with University of Houston Energy Fellow Ed Hirs about the process of restoring power after Thursday night's severe weather left many Houstonians without. Also this hour: Adam Higginbotham, the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight in Chernobyl, discusses, his book, Challenger, which offers a dramatic, minute-by-minute story of the space shuttle Challenger disaster. Higginbotham will be in town for a Brazos Bookstore event on Monday night. Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions. And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: A major storm system tore through the region last night, causing significant damage and leading to at least four fatalities from powerful winds and possible tornadic activity. We get the latest from our reporters in the field and Space City Weather's Eric Berger. Then: A judge ordered a new election for a seat decided in 2022. The Fifth Circuit heard Galveston County's defense of its redistricting plan. And House Speaker Dade Phelan has 11 days to convince GOP voters in a primary runoff to let him run again. We discuss recent election-related developments with News 88.7's politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider. Also this hour: Ernie Manouse chats with Martha Davis, the longtime lead singer for the American new wave band The Motels, whose ‘80’s hits, including Suddenly Last Summer and Only the Lonely were part of the soundtrack of many a Gen Xers’ youth. Davis and The Motels perform in Katy on Saturday night. And we talk about Houston's Salvadoran community and its food ahead of events in town next week celebrating a new cookbook all about it.

On Thursday's show: We learn what revelations are coming from an independent panel that’s reviewing the scandal involving Houston Police Department officers suspending thousands of criminal investigations because of a lack of personnel and resources. The committee shared its preliminary report with Houston City Council members on Wednesday. Also this hour: NPR reporter Sarah McCammon discusses her new book, The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church. Then, we discuss the role music can play in maintaining good mental health. And Cy-Fair ISD theater arts teacher and actor Kedrick Brown joins us. Brown was recently seen on the ABC series The Rookie and has also appeared on Black Lightning, New Amsterdam, Greenleaf and other shows. He talks about how he balances being a teacher and a professional actor.

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: We learn about Texas Letters, an anthology of letters written by people in solitary confinement in Texas prisons. Its creator, Damascus James, joins us ahead of a Brazos Bookstore event on May 19. And we listen back to a conversation with Rev. William Lawson, the founder of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston's Third Ward. He died Tuesday at the age of 95.

On Tuesday's show: We get an update on severe weather around the region over night. And, with the weather already warm and humid, there are plenty of mosquitoes pestering Houstonians outside. Has the mosquito season started earlier than previous years? And how can you minimize them around your home? Also this hour: U.S. immigration policy hasn't changed in decades, but could it after the 2024 election? We preview a symposium on that topic happening today at Rice University. Then, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Thornton Wilder has been dead for nearly 50 years. But, he has a new play making its world premiere now at The Alley Theatre. We learn the story of unearthing and completing The Emporium, which runs through June 2. And Houstonians are getting a second chance to experience what it’s like to be aboard the International Space Station. We revisit an immersive, virtual reality experience called The Infinite, which has returned to Space City this summer and runs through June.

On Monday's show: We discuss some recent developments at area school districts, including layoffs at HISD and Cy-Fair ISD voting to omit chapters about topics such as climate change and vaccines from textbooks. Also this hour: Will there ever be a point when we’ve had enough with flooding and simply leave Gulf Coast communities behind? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gilbert Gaul discusses his book, The Geography of Risk. Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers questions about gardening. And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday’s show: Houston Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher discusses issues affecting Greater Houston and answers listener questions. Also this hour: Jean Becker, the longtime chief of staff for George H.W. Bush reflects on her career and what can be learned from the former president, particularly in an era of major political division. And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

On Thursday's show: Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer weighs in on the sudden retirement of HPD Chief Troy Finner. Also this hour: We talk with actor Joe Pantoliano, aka "Joey Pants." The longtime actor, who's known for roles in The Sopranos, The Matrix, and The Fugitive, is in Houston to speak at an event with The Menninger Clinic. We talk with him about his life, career, and mental health journey. And, ahead of another Houston Symphony performance of Harry Potter music, we discuss the enduring impact of John Williams’ film scores and why symphonies have taken to performing concerts of his music in sync with the movies he’s written it all for.

On Wednesday's show: Late last night, Mayor John Whitmire announced in an e-mail to city employees that Houston Police Chief Troy Finner has retired, and that Larry Satterwhite has been appointed acting Chief of Police. This follows, of course, the revelation and ensuing investigations into many thousands of cases and incidents in which HPD officers for years used a code – “SL” – to indicate in police reports that they weren’t pursuing them any further due to lack of personnel. The final nail in the coffin for Chief Finner may have been an e-mail reported by ABC13 and other news outlets, which Finner apparently wrote in 2018, three years before he became the police chief, referencing the suspended cases problem. That timeline contradicts his previous statements about when he became aware of it. Finner said he didn’t recall the e-mail. We discuss this and other developments in local, state, and national politics, in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: We preview this weekend's Big As Texas festival this weekend in Montgomery. And, ahead of a concert on Sunday of traditional klezmer music featuring renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman, we revisit a 2021 conversation with the frequent Houston Symphony collaborator.

On Tuesday's show: Ever since the Whitmire administration struck a deal with the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, questions have swirled around how the City of Houston, already facing upcoming budget deficits, could pay for a $650 million settlement. On Monday, Houston Controller Chris Hollins, the elected chief financial officer for the city, expressed his view that, while it’s not up to him to decide how to pay it off, it would likely require tax hikes and budget cuts. Hollins joins us to explain why. Also this hour: University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus talks about his new book, Rick Perry: A Political Life. Then, local artist Abuela M’api Rainflowa explains how learning the truth about her ancestry led her on new journey of creative expression and activism for indigenous people. Her story is told in the latest episode of the PBS series The Express Way with Dulé Hill, which airs tonight at 8 on Houston Public Media, TV 8. And dancer and artist Li Cunxin talks about his life and career. He left his native China to dance with the Houston Ballet and eventually became a principal dancer with the company. When he decided to stay in the United States, he was detained in the Chinese consulate, setting off an international incident. His story is told in the 2009 film, Mao's Last Dancer, which was based on his autobiography. He was recently in Houston for a screening and conversation.

On Monday's show: While protests against the war in Gaza have been raging at some college campuses across the country in recent weeks, Houston has been relatively quiet. Why? Is Houston just not much of a protest city? Or are other reasons behind why demonstrations here often look a bit different? Maggie Gordon of Houston Landing discusses her recent article on the subject. Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent about their pet peeves. And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: Meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather recaps a busy week in weather, provides the latest on storms and flooding from Thursday and outlines what we can expect the rest of Friday and through the weekend. Also this hour: Patrick Jankowski of the The Greater Houston Partnership joins us to discuss the state of Houston’s global economy. Then, from the University of Houston using “Houston blue” uniforms, despite threats from the NFL, to rapper Kendrick Lamar confusing Joel Osteen and Haley Joel Osment, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And we talk with the stars of The Alley Theatre’s production of Jane Eyre.

On Thursday's show: There have now been a few different city transportation and mobility projects halted – or even reversed – since Mayor John Whitmire took office in January. Are they just isolated projects in need of review, or are Houston’s years-long efforts to become more walkable and bikeable…over? We talk it over. Also this hour: We consider ways to minimize or eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. Then, with Cinco de Mayo approaching, we discuss how holidays like it come to popularity and become about something completely different.

On Wednesday's show: Legal action continues in connection with the kidney and liver transplant programs at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. In April, the hospital halted those transplants due to a “pattern of irregularities with donor acceptance criteria.” We get an update on the story and learn about a woman whose husband died while waiting for a liver transplant. Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Then, in this month's edition of The Full Menu, food writers discuss their favorite underrated restaurants and hidden gems around the city. And Stages Houston is presenting a fresh take on a Shakespearean classic. Othello: The Remix blends hip-hop and a rotating stage to bring new life to the themes found in the Bard’s classic work.

On Tuesday's show: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Biden administration over revised Title IX rules that would expand discrimination protections to transgender students. Also this hour: On the heels of protests at college campuses over the war in Gaza, including some protests here in Texas, we discuss what a Supreme Court non-decision signals about the future of protests in Texas and other states. Then: The latest about changing guidance surrounding cancer screening. And this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture examines some of the social and political issues at play in the movie Civil War.