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Houston Matters

Houston 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

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All Episodes

51:04

Polk Street closure (Oct. 24, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/24

On Friday's show: We get an update on controversial plans to close a two-block section of Polk Street as a part of the $2 billion expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center.Also this hour: Children's author Kate DiCamillo talks about how teachers reading to her in school helped shape her into a two-time Newbery Medal winner. DiCamillo, the author of titles like Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux, will be in Houston for an event with Inprint on Sunday to discuss her latest book,

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51:20

Shutdown threatens SNAP benefits (Oct. 23, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/23

On Thursday's show: As the federal government shutdown hits its third week, one looming effect is the possibility that SNAP benefits could stop in November. With millions of Americans at risk of going hungry, we talk with Brian Greene, CEO of Houston Food Bank about how his organization is bracing for a surge in need.Also this hour: We learn how some unlikely partnerships are helping conserve fisheries along the Gulf Coast. That story is the subject of a new book, called Sea Change, co-authored by

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49:56

The week in politics (Oct. 22, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/22

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We learn about fentanyl and other substance use trends in the county from Harris County Public Health.And a new play at The Ensemble Theatre called Of a Darker Hue presents ghost stories of a different sort, transforming the stage into a ritual space of memory, mystery, and survival.Watch

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48:03

Whitmire’s approach to Trump (Oct. 21, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/21

On Tuesday's show: Over the weekend, the New York Times ran a profile on Houston Mayor John Whitmire, highlighting his approach to dealing with President Donald Trump. In the article, Whitmire, a Democrat, suggested his city is in less turmoil than other Democrat-led municipalities because he keeps his head down and avoids confrontations with the Republican president. We talk with J. David Goodman, the Houston bureau chief for the Times who wrote the story.Also this hour: We talk with Houston

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48:20

Houston police and ICE (Oct. 20, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/20

On Monday's show: FIEL Houston executive director Cesar Espinoza was removed from the last Houston City Council meeting after he suggested city officials lied about the detention of an autistic 15-year-old boy. Emmanuel Gonzalez Garcia reportedly went missing nearly two weeks ago while selling fruit on the street with his mother. The boy ultimately ended up in federal custody. We discuss that case and what it can tell us about how Houston police officers interact with federal officials, including

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40:50

Katy’s Pride celebration moved (Oct. 17, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/17

On Friday's show: From Katy's Pride celebration being moved last-minute when the venue that had agreed to host it bowed to pressure brought by conservative leaders, to some Texas airports deciding not to show a video blaming Democrats for the federal government shutdown, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we preview a performance from Mercury Chamber Orchestra of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" as one of the most famous pieces in classical music turns 300 years old this

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47:36

School voucher rollout (Oct. 16, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/16

On Thursday's show: The timeline is set for how school vouchers will roll out in Texas beginning in February -- except that timing might only benefit parents who could already afford to send their kids to private school. Houston Chronicle reporter Isaac Yu explains why.Also this hour: Artificial intelligence is shaping our future, but could it also reinforce oppression? Ahead of a lecture this afternoon at the University of Houston, Safiya Umoja Noble explores how bias shows up in AI and what it

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50:25

The week in politics (Oct. 15, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/15

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Today is National Grouch Day. Since at least the mid 1970s, the day has celebrated grouches everywhere, including and highlighting Oscar the Grouch of Sesame Street fame. It’s billed as a day to embrace the inner grouch within us all, and maybe find a way to laugh about our sometimes over-the-top grumpiness. But does it seem like grouchiness is having too much of a moment? That too many of us,

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48:54

Hotel worker strike ends (Oct. 14, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/14

On Tuesday's show: A strike by hotel workers at Hilton-Americas Houston has ended after 40 days. Late last week, the parties reached a deal to raise wages for housekeepers, stewards, and laundry attendants in a result that could have repercussions for the rest of Houston’s hospitality industry -- and for labor in general. We learn the details of the deal and discuss what it means.Also this hour: A new book called Police Against the Movement explores police violence during the Civil Rights Movement

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47:33

Election Day preview (Oct. 13, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/13

On Monday's show: One week from today, early voting begins for this fall’s election. A Congressional seat, a city council seat, and 17 state constitutional amendments are up for consideration. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider explains what's on the ballot.Also this hour: Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners’ gardening questions.And Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast, discusses what the Astros need to do to return to the postseason next year.Watch

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30:08

Robert Roberson case (Oct. 10, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/10

On Friday's show: We learn what's next in the case of Robert Roberson, whose execution was halted by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals this week.Also this hour: We break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we visit the Houston Quilt Festival.Watch:https://www.youtube.com/live/R-VCcQEjrOs?si=WqXuCDoM-dzCOEN-&t=706

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41:05

Bodies in the bayous (Oct. 9, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/09

On Thursday's show: Houston police recovered the body of a man in White Oak Bayou Wednesday morning, the seventh body found in the bayous in about a month. Investigators do not suspect foul play. Houston Public Media's Michael Adkison brings us the latest on this particular instance and what law enforcement has to say about the frequency in which human remains are found in the city's bayous.Also this hour: We examine what renewed efforts to ramp up coal production might mean for the energy industry

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49:38

The week in politics (Oct. 8, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/08

On Wednesday's show: We get insight on the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We reflect on the legacy of Monica Roberts, an influential activist for transgender rights who passed away five years ago. We remember her work fighting for equality and visibility during a time of progress and pushback, and we discuss where Houston’s transgender community is headed next.And how can something as innocuous as design fight racism? Author Omari Souza discusses his book,

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50:37

A Texas-based stock exchange (Oct. 7, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/07

On Tuesday's show: A new Texas-based national stock exchange has moved one step closer to becoming a reality. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is allowing the Texas Stock Exchange, operated by a Dallas-based startup, to move forward as a direct competitor to the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq. We learn what this could mean for Texas and its economy.Also this hour: From solitary confinement, to group recreation, we learn how small changes are reshaping life on Texas death row.Then,

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50:30

DPS task force in Houston (Oct. 6, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/06

On Monday's show: Gov. Greg Abbott announced last week that the Department of Public Safety is launching a new task force in Harris County aimed at targeting what he called “repeat violent offenders.” The governor says the DPS-led effort will bring more resources to Houston and Harris County law enforcement. But questions remain about what this task force will actually do, how it will operate alongside local agencies, and what role politics may play in its creation.Also this hour: We offer

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49:56

Rep. Dan Crenshaw on the shutdown (Oct. 3, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/03

On Friday's show: As the government shutdown enters its third day, Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw joins us to talk about the impasse and what it would take to reopen.Also this hour: We meet Abdullah Antepli, the new president of the Rothko Chapel.Then, from a controversial Halloween display depicting political hangings, to a potential new movie star being an AI creation, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd talks about the 30th

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51:05

Government shutdown (Oct. 2, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/02

On Thursday's show: Much of the federal government is shut down after Senate Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a spending bill to keep the government open. Houston Rep. Lizzie Fletcher joins us to discuss the implications and what it would take to reopen.Also this hour: We learn about a program from Houston Methodist and Rice University to train Houston students and teachers to shape the future of digital health.And we preview the Nigeria Cultural Parade and Festival, which takes place

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50:43

The week in politics (Oct. 1, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/10/01

On Wednesday's show: Experts offer insight on the latest developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Food writers talk about some of their favorite sandwich places around Houston in this month's installment of The Full Menu.And Houston’s Black rock scene is alive and evolving, and a local band is at its heart. We hear from Nicotine & The Warmtones about what it means to carve out space in the city’s music landscape.Watch

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50:30

Houston unemployment (Sept. 30, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/30

On Tuesday's show: As hurricane season nears its end, what can Harris County do to make sure our region is prepared for all kinds of emergencies?Also this hour: The national unemployment rate held steady last month at 4.3 percent, but that remains the highest it has been in nearly four years. However, that is still a far cry from COVID-era rates. We talk about what we’re seeing in terms of jobs and unemployment benefits in the Houston area with Juliet Stipeche of Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions.Then,

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50:45

Astros miss the playoffs (Sept. 29, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/29

On Monday's show: The Astros will miss the playoffs for the first time in nine years. We discuss how much injuries plagued the team this season, and what, if anything, the Astros can do to avoid the same fate next year with Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast. And the Texans pulled off their first shutout in 15 years, beating the Titans 26-0.Also this hour: Fort Bend County has a new budget, but it didn’t come without contention. Houston Public Media's Natalie Weber explains.Then,

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