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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

48:40

Rodney Crowell (Sept. 16, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/16

On Tuesday's show: In the years 2022 to 2024, the percentage of children without health insurance made its highest increase in almost a decade, according to a Georgetown University report. And Texas continues to have the highest percentage of uninsured children in the nation. We discuss what this means for the state with Elena Marks of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.Also this hour: So far this year, it has been an awfully quiet hurricane season. We explore why as we chat with

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49:35

Science Under Siege (Sept. 15, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/14

On Monday's show: We preview this week's vote on the Harris County budget. The budget process this year has often been contentious as tensions rise over funding cuts.Also this hour: Dr. Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine discusses his book, Science Under Siege, which examines growing opposition to science and the threat it poses.Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listeners’ questions about their pets.And Jeff Balke previews a season-defining week ahead for the Astros and the Monday

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50:00

Developing in Houston’s floodplains (Sept. 12, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/12

On Friday's show: Eight years after Harvey’s devastating flooding, Houston continues to develop in floodplains. A recent Houston Chronicle report analyzed who is benefitting and who is not.Also this hour: From Houston supplanting Philadelphia as America’s poorest large city, to Carnival Cruise Line and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream unveiling sunscreen-flavored ice cream, this week’s panel of non-experts weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And, ahead of a live performance on Saturday

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50:00

Everything’s bigger in Texas — but is that better?...

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/11

On Thursday's show: We get updates on several stories from reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh, including striking hotel workers at the Hilton Americas-Houston, the results of the latest homeless count, and the ongoing saga over City of Houston employees who took an early retirement to save the city money still waiting to receive their buyout payments. Also this hour: Everything is bigger in Texas, but is that always a good thing -- especially when it comes to governing and serving a state that is huge

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49:30

The week in politics (Sept. 10, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/10

On Wednesday's show: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo walked out of a budget meeting, while Texas A&M plans to audit its classes after a professor is fired amid conservative backlash over teaching gender identity in class. We get context and clarity on those and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We learn about efforts by law enforcement to keep reckless drivers in check.And this month, Houston blues acts battle for a shot to represent the city at the

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49:34

States face off over abortion pills (Sept. 9, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/09

On Tuesday's show: We learn how Texas and other states are facing off in the fight over access to abortion pills. New York's attorney general says she will intervene in a legal fight related to the Texas ban on those pills. Texas Tribune reporter Alex Nguyen explains what's going on.Also this hour: We learn what lessons the deadly crowd rush at the 2021 Astroworld festival can teach us. That event is highlighted in Edward Segal’s newly published Crisis Casebook.Then, we consider what it costs to

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49:50

Oil and gas layoffs (Sept. 8, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/08

On Monday's show: Houston-based oil and gas giant ConocoPhillips announced last week that it is cutting about 3,000 jobs -- as much as a quarter of its global workforce. The company says rising costs and a push for efficiency are behind the move, which comes despite the company posting nearly $2 billion in profits last quarter. We talk over what the news means for Houston.Also this hour: On the 125th anniversary of the deadliest natural disaster in American history, the 1900 Galveston hurricane, we

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48:18

Special session wrap-up (Sept. 5, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/05

On Friday's show: The second special session of the Texas Legislature wrapped up this week, with bills headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk related to flood prevention and summer camp safety. We recap what did and did not get done.Also this hour: We talk about the life and legacy of late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who's the subject of a new PBS documentary called Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect, which airs Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 9 p.m. on Houston Public Media, TV 8.Then, this

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49:30

Gun culture & self-defense (Sept. 4, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/04

On Thursday's show: A 42-year-old Houston man was arrested this week and charged with murder in the shooting death of a boy who was playing a prank by ringing on doorbells and running. We discuss the story with Houston Chronicle writer Leah Binkovitz, who wrote an opinion piece about how the country has changed since she played the same prank as a kid. Also this hour: Two of Space City’s NASA veterans are making sure their former colleagues get recognition they’re due. Larry Bell and Chet Vaughan

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49:50

The week in politics (Sept. 3, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/03

On Wednesday's show: We seek insight from area experts on the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: In this month’s installment of The Full Menu, Houston food writers discuss their favorite area restaurants that they should have told you about sooner -- the ones that maybe defy any category but deserve a little attention.And Japan Festival Houston returns to Hermann Park this weekend, and the festival’s chairman joins us to share its history and to preview highlights

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49:40

Tariffs and restaurants (Sept. 2, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/09/02

On Tuesday's show: We learn about the FDA’s new COVID vaccine restrictions and who should still get one of the latest vaccines anyway.And as Harris County Commissioners wrestle with an impending budget deficit, a proposed budget would give significant raises to county constables, who want to be paid more than the sheriff. We learn about the role of constables in county law enforcement, which was the subject of a recent Houston Chronicle investigation. Also this hour: We discuss the impact that

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51:40

How Hurricane Katrina changed Houston (Aug. 29, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/29

On Friday's show: We learn about Elon Musk's involvement in a $760 million plan to dig tunnels under Houston to help alleviate future flooding. Would it be worth the cost? Investigative reporter Lauren McGaughy from the Texas Newsroom brings us the details.Also this hour: On this date 20 years ago, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on Louisiana causing devastation in that state, including New Orleans. In the days and months after, many evacuees sought refuge in our city, and many made it their new

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49:24

Replacing the STAAR test (Aug. 28, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/28

On Thursday's show: In light of the school shooting in Minneapolis, we get a refresher on the safety requirements the Texas Legislature established in 2023 and how much of those requirements are paid for by the funding passed during the most recent legislative session.And we learn about efforts at the capitol to replace the STAAR test.Also this hour: We learn why the premiums for some health insurance plans in Texas are expected to rise a lot next year.Then, on this month’s edition of The Bigger

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50:08

The week in politics (Aug. 27, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/27

On Wednesday's show: From the latest developments surrounding the second special session in Austin, to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ongoing social media trolling of President Trump, we seek insight on the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Former President Lyndon B. Johnson was born on this date in 1908. We revisit several past conversations about his life, political career, and legacy.And author Jasminne Mendez talks about Story of My Anger, a novel about a teen

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48:30

Deploying National Guard to cities (Aug. 26, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/26

On Tuesday's show: President Donald Trump wants specialized National Guard units ready to deploy to U.S. cities to quell civil disturbances and ensure public safety and order. We discuss what that means, whether we could see troops deployed here, and whether this is largely a pretense to step up immigration enforcement.Also this hour: A new Texas law expands when someone can be detained for psychiatric evaluation. Some welcome the change while others worry it crosses a line. We discuss the debate

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50:10

Congressional maps approved (Aug. 25, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/25

On Monday's show: The Texas Senate approved new congressional district maps on Saturday, which Gov. Greg Abbott says he’ll sign “swiftly.” Does this mean lawmakers will now get to other items on the agenda for the second special session? We learn the latest from Blaise Gainey of the Texas Newsroom.Also this hour: Some recent tests suggest the secretive Chinese space program could beat the United States back to the moon. We learn more from Eric Berger of Ars Technica.Then, we learn about the latest

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49:48

Health care layoffs (Aug. 22, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/22

On Friday's show: The Houston Chronicle is reporting that UTHealth Houston is laying off dozens of employees due to “financial headwinds.” The move comes after the academic health science center implemented a hiring freeze in early July. Is this and other belt tightening at area health care institutions in recent months a momentary blip or a sign of more to come for Houston’s health care industry? Health economist Vivian Ho breaks down what it all means.Also this hour: Not all zoos and aquariums are

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50:00

Ten Commandments in schools (Aug. 21, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/21

On Thursday's show: A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked 11 public school districts in Texas’ largest metropolitan areas from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms as required by a new state law set to take effect Sept. 1. A legal expert joins us to discuss the case and where it goes from here.Also this hour: Sen. Ted Cruz is largely opposed to regulation of AI, while the state is set to be one of a few to implement the first legislation related to the industry. We discuss that

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50:30

The week in politics (Aug. 20, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/20

On Wednesday's show: From the second special session beginning in Austin, to the latest developments out of Washington, to what’s happening in the cities and counties across Greater Houston, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Another school year means another opportunity for parents and kids to establish better habits when it comes to social media. A local psychologist discusses how social media use can affect kids’ mental health.And we revisit a

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49:30

School ratings (Aug. 19, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/19

On Tuesday's show: The Texas Education Agency released its accountability ratings for the 2024–25 school year on Friday, covering public school districts across the state. Five districts are at risk of a state takeover, while HISD, which is already run by the state, is seeing improvements in test scores. Bob Sanborn from Children at Risk weighs in.Also this hour: We learn what a recent ruling means for Houstonians with unpaid medical bills.Then, we find out why some longtime city employees who took

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