x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

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

news daily news

All Episodes

49:30

Traffic deaths outnumbering homicides (Dec. 8, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/08

On Monday's show: Colin Allred is dropping out of next year’s U.S. Senate race and is running for Congress instead. That is just the latest move ahead of today’s filing deadline, and after Supreme Court approval of the new Texas Congressional maps. We consider what other scrambling we might see today and what it all means for longtime members of Congress from here in Houston and elsewhere in Texas who have hard decisions to make.Also this hour: We discuss why the Houston metro area is one of a

en-US

50:36

Houston trash and traffic woes (Dec. 5, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/05

On Friday's show: We consider the implications of a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on redistricting.Plus: We look at the future of trash pickup in Houston.And, we get an update on some major road closures from TxDOT.Also this hour: People can pay for the opportunity to SCUBA dive into the gulf to spear and kill invasive lionfish one by one. We talk with a Texas Monthly writer who recently did just that.Then, our non-experts consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we go

en-US

46:55

Young people and Houston’s economy (Dec. 4, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/04

On Thursday's show: As Houston grows, are large portions of the city's younger population missing out on the economic opportunities? A recent report digs into that question.Also this hour: Actor and musician Donald Glover, who is 42, recently revealed he suffered a stroke last year and received treatment here in Houston. That news defies the false assumption that only older people experience strokes. A local doctor discusses why more of us are facing some serious health problems earlier in

en-US

49:43

Impact of political scandals (Dec. 3 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/03

On Wednesday's show: Local experts discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: A lot has been made of what President Donald Trump’s connections were to Jeffrey Epstein. But, whatever they were (and whatever we might yet learn about them), how much will it matter? University of Houston political science professor and Party Politics co-host Brandon Rottinghaus discusses the changing nature of political scandals, which is the subject of his latest book, Scandal:

en-US

52:15

New restrictions on vehicle registration (Dec. 2, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/02

On Tuesday's show: New restrictions on vehicle registrations are causing some confusion and concern in Texas. Residents are now required to show proof of their legal status in the country before registering a vehicle or renewing it. We learn what is behind the sudden policy shift from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the issues it is causing.Also this hour: Houston food writers discuss their favorite places to find European food locally on this month’s edition of The Full Menu.And we

en-US

50:00

Gov. Abbott and states’ rights (Dec. 1, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/01

On Monday's show: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has often been a staunch champion of states’ rights, including when Joe Biden was president. But reporting from ProPublica and the Texas Tribune takes a closer look at how different things have been with Donald Trump in the White House.Also this hour: Then, we offer listeners a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city. Share yours now at talk@houstonmatters.org.And we discuss the latest developments in Houston sports with Jeff

en-US

50:38

Sean Astin, Howie Mandel, Cheech Marin, & Joe...

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/28

On Friday's show: Famous actors are all around in New York and Los Angeles. It’s a bit of a bigger deal when they roll through Houston. And when they do, it’s usually not to promote a television show or film. The motivation is usually something else entirely.On this special edition of Houston Matters, we revisit conversations with four actors who came to town with something on their minds and shared those messages with us (along with talking about their lives and careers).We discuss mental health

en-US

51:05

Stories we’re thankful for (Nov. 26, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/26

On Wednesday's show: In what has become a sort of tradition in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, the Houston Matters team gives thanks to you for listening and supporting this program -- and to each other for the work we’ve done this year.Coming up on this special edition of the show, we revisit some of our favorite segments from the past year. We hear conversations about traveling around Houston by foot, and crafting the ultimate Houston sandwich. We visit the Galveston Seawall and this year’s

en-US

50:00

Houston’s sinking suburbs (Nov. 25, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/25

On Tuesday's show: State regulators have approved a request from CenterPoint Energy to bill taxpayers $2.9 billion to strengthen the Houston-area power grid against extreme weather. We learn details of the company's “resiliency plan” from Claire Hao of the Houston Chronicle.Also this hour: Beyond extreme weather, flooding, or climate change, the next big environmental challenge facing Texas might actually be under our feet. We learn why some of Houston’s booming suburbs are literally sinking and

en-US

50:23

Beef and the environment (Nov. 24, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/24

On Monday's show: Two inmates died inside the Harris County Jail last week, according to a spokesperson for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, bringing the jail’s in-custody death total to 18 this year. We learn the latest on these cases.Also this hour: A new study examines what has come to be known as the carbon "hoofprint” of cities, a measure for how bad beef is for the environment. It turns out the pounds of CO2 emitted per pound of meat at retail varies widely from city to city. Put another

en-US

49:00

How to drive in Houston (Nov. 21, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/21

On Friday's show: A new study suggests more than 1.4 million more Texans will lose their health insurance in 2026 once Affordable Care Act subsidies expire as premiums double or even triple.Also this hour: Just in time for holiday travel, we welcome your questions about the rules of the road for Sgt. Stephen Woodard from the Texas Department of Public Safety.Then, from Houston having two of the deadliest roads in America, to a movie about the life of Mattress Mack going into production, our

en-US

49:30

School marshal program at Humble ISD (Nov. 20, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/20

On Thursday's show: Houstonians can no longer rent scooters late at night after the Houston City Council enacted a nighttime curfew for both electric and foot-powered scooters amid concerns about safety.And we learn about plans at Humble ISD to implement a school marshal program that would allow employees to carry firearms on campus.Also this hour: In a car-dominant state, the agency responsible for building Texas highways says the state needs more public transit options to deal with its continued

en-US

50:00

The week in politics (Nov. 19, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/19

On Wednesday's show: The U.S. House is poised to vote today on whether to release the Epstein files. We discuss that and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We learn about the role forensic genealogists play in solving cold cases.And CNN news anchor Bianna Golodryga discusses growing up in Houston as the child of Russian Jewish refugees and how that influenced Don't Feed the Lion, the new book she has co-authored to help children deal with antisemitism.Watch

en-US

49:00

Possible Spring ISD takeover (Nov. 18, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/18

On Tuesday's show: The Trump administration plans to overhaul federal funding for housing. We learn how that might affect Houstonians living in long-term housing and put many at risk of returning to the streets.Also this hour: We discuss the potential for a state takeover of Spring ISD if grades don’t improve this year at Dekaney High School.Then, Houston native Debbie Allen received an honorary Oscar over the weekend for her work as a choreographer, producer, director, and actor. We revisit a

en-US

50:10

Tesla battery factory (Nov. 17, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/17

On Monday's show: We get some insight into the goings-on in and around Fort Bend County, including a new Tesla battery factory and broadband expansion.Also this hour: We revisit a conversation about some Houston connections to the Jonestown Massacre, which took place 47 years ago.Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller gives us the lowdown on the dangers of pets getting into Halloween candy as she answers your pet care questions.And we discuss the Texans' latest win over the Titans and their upcoming

en-US

49:35

Ken Burns on ‘The American Revolution’ (Nov. 14, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/14

On Friday's show: A new survey from Texas Southern University examines which racial and socio-economic groups are most aware of the state's new school voucher program and which are most in support of it, with some surprising results.Also this hour: Filmmaker Ken Burns talks about his latest effort, The American Revolution, which debuts Nov. 16 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we learn about The Good Medicine Indigenous Music Festival

en-US

50:00

Science YouTuber Hank Green (Nov. 13, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/13

On Thursday's show: We hear what some local businesses connected to the hemp industry have to say about the component of the proposed government spending bill that could ban almost all THC-containing hemp products nationwide. Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in the back-and-forth prioritization of cars and light rail trains in downtown.Then, we talk with popular social media science communicator Hank Green, who was in Houston recently to launch the Thought Leader Series at Space

en-US

50:00

The week in politics (Nov. 12, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/12

On Wednesday's show: The federal government shutdown could end as soon as tonight. Did it accomplish anything? We consider that question and what the Senate deal, if passed by the House, could do to the burgeoning hemp industry in Texas and all the other recent developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We check out an immersive art installation at the recent AfroTech Conference.And we take a closer look at Houston’s comedy scene, beyond standup, as we talk with improv and sketch

en-US

50:00

Houston’s top public schools (Nov. 11, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/11

On Tuesday's show: Children at Risk has released its annual list of the top public schools in Houston. The organization's CEO, Bob Sanborn, walks us through the rankings.Also this hour: Houstonians played a big role in the Gemini missions, which were stepping stones in America’s 1960s journey to the moon. The program that preceded Apollo is the focus of Jeffrey Kluger’s new book, Gemini: Stepping Stone to the Moon, the Untold Story.Then, we visit Texas Children’s Hospital to learn about the first

en-US

50:10

Up-and-down temperatures (Nov. 10, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/11/10

On Monday's show: Houstonians woke up to a chill in the air this morning, and it will be back with us overnight. Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard joins us to discuss our wild swings in temperatures.Also this hour: Today is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps. We hear from a Houstonian and retired Marine who served in the Pacific theater during World War II.Then, we discuss how to keep your garden in good shape amid the fluctuating temperatures and into

en-US

513 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS News

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci