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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

49:25

The week in politics (March 27, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/27

On Wednesday's show: From the deal struck by Attorney General Ken Paxton to avoid a trial and possible conviction for securities fraud, to the latest on former Pres. Trump's legal battles, we discuss recent developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: We learn about the concept of greenwashing -- companies misleading the public about what they're doing to protect the environment -- and how to know when companies are doing it. And we hear another conversation from I See U with

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48:38

Hydrogen’s role in the energy transition (March 26,...

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/26

On Tuesday's show: The energy transition is complicated and will require more than one solution to reduce carbon emissions. The Texas Tribune has published the first article in a series examining the role hydrogen might play in moving that transition forward. Also this hour: Space City is heavily involved in the Artemis missions, getting us back to the moon and then on to Mars. For some, it’s all about preparing for the day we put colonies on one or the other. But Kelly and Zach Weinersmith, the

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49:41

Guidance for doctors on abortions (March 25, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/25

On Monday's show: The Texas Medical Board on Friday published what it sees as guidance for doctors about how to define what constitutes a medical exception under the state’s strict abortion ban. We learn what that guidance entails and some of the legal questions it raises. Also this hour: A recent report from Rice University examines cost and quality at Houston hospitals and found, among other things, there’s a wide range of costs for customers with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas depending on

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49:09

HISD reverses course on principal evaluations (March...

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/22

On Friday's show: In a stunning reversal, mid-year proficiency screenings of Houston ISD principals will not be used to evaluate them this school year. That decision came after protests Thursday the annual State of the District event, hours of public comment from angry parents at last night’s HISD management board meeting, and hours more still of a closed session involving that state-appointed board and Superintendent Mike Miles, who then announced the change just after 2 a.m. Friday. News 88.7

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48:23

Power and reach of Harris County constables (March...

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/21

On Thursday's show: A new investigation from the Houston Chronicle called Unchecked Forces examines the growing number and power of Harris County constables. We learn what their reporting found and why it matters.Also this hour: We meet Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, the new board chair for Houston METRO, the agency that oversees public transit in Harris County. She's the first Hispanic woman to serve in that role. We discuss what she's focusing on in that position as METRO aims to increase ridership

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50:00

The week in politics (March 20, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/20

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: Entomologist Erin Mills of the Houston Botanic Garden joins us to talk about insects and bugs. And, as interest in pickleball grows, so do dedicated courts around Greater Houston.

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48:22

Outsourcing jail inmates (March 19, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/19

On Tuesday's show: Harris County is paying millions to outsource many of its inmates, sending hundreds of people to privately owned, out-of-state prisons — one of which is accredited by an organization with an “irreconcilable conflict of interest,” according to a congressional investigation. News 88.7's Lucio Vasquez explains how the county is "surrendering control" of its inmates to private prisons with questionable oversight. Also this hour: As the annual CERAWeek conference continues this week

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49:45

The state of oil and gas in Houston (March 18, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/18

On Monday's show: CERAWeek starts today. We preview the annual energy conference and listen back to a conversation with Stephanie Hertzog, CEO of Houston-based Sodexo Energy & Resources North America, about the role women play in the oil and gas industry’s “great crew change.” Also this hour: It’s Women’s History Month. We revisit our 2022 conversation with NASA's Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, author of the book Making Space for Women. Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care

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48:17

Renting in Houston (March 15, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/15

On Friday's show: How often do court-appointed defense attorneys in Harris County visit their clients who are facing the death penalty? We learn more about a new report and what it says about the criminal justice system.And we get the latest on some off-and-on stormy weather expected Friday and through the weekend in and around the Houston area. Also this hour: Amid rising prices over the past few years, how are Houston's renters doing? And, from artists dropping out of SXSW in protest of certain

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49:13

Flood and heat mitigation funding (March 14, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/14

On Friday's show: Houston is set to receive $43 million from the Department of Transportation for flood and heat mitigation, pedestrian safety, and green space. We'll learn what those improvements will look like from Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, and discuss the value of new tree canopies with Barry Ward from Trees for Houston.Also this hour: Ahead of St. Patrick's Day, we revisit a conversation about Irish-Americans in Houston. Then, following a PBS Frontline win at the Academy Awards for 20

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49:27

Our future with coronaviruses (March 13, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/13

On Wednesday's show: Nancy Sims joins us to discuss local, state, and national politics.Also this hour: It's been four years since the COVID pandemic started--we talk with Dr. Peter Hotez about where we are today and what's in store for the future. Then, Troy Schulze talks with some of the folks behind this year's FotoFest Biennial festival.

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48:53

Environmental news in Texas (March 12, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/12

On Tuesday's show: We talk with Jennifer Hadayia from Air Alliance Houston about a number of developments in environmental news, from highway projects and emissions to new federal standards and lawsuits from the stateAlso this hour: Reporter Roxanna Asgarian shares what her book We Were Once a Family reveals about inequities in the child welfare system. Then, allergist Dr. Dat Tran joins us to answer questions about getting allergy relief. And we go behind the scenes of a new concert series at

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48:54

The RNC spring meeting (March 11, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/11

On Monday's show: NPR's Franco Ordoñez joins us to discuss the Republican National Convention's spring meeting in Houston that took place on Friday.Also this hour: After losing an hour of sleep from Daylight Saving Time, we talk about how to get back on proper rest with sleep expert Kristin Eckel-Mahan. Then, we answer your gardening questions with Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston. And the NFL free agency period starts today. We'll talk with Jeff Balke about what moves the Houston Texans

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49:08

The State of the Union (March 8, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/08

On Friday's show: We discuss President Biden's State of the Union address and any implications for Texas with Texas Southern University professor Michael O. Adams.Also this hour: We revisit a conversation with death row exoneree Anthony Charles Graves from I SEE U. Then, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the week's news, including an investigation into the Houston Police Department, and a Texas land swap with SpaceX. And Ernie Manouse talks with the local author of a book about Academy Award

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49:30

HISD teacher pay (March 7, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/07

On Thursday's show: HISD announced it will increase teachers' hourly pay as part of 2024-2025 compensation plan, which would take effect July 1 if approved by the board. However, reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh explains why the plan might not actually be the raise it seems. Also this hour: We discuss how civic engagement has changed over the years – how much harder it is to actually get people from opposite sides of the political spectrum to engage with one another, how social media and cable news

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47:00

Primary election analysis (March 6, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/06

On Wednesday's show: We learn the results of primary election day in Texas, and our political analysts discuss what it all means -- along with all the other developments in politics -- in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: Food writers talk about their favorite places to eat in Montrose and Midtown in this month's installment of The Full Menu. And what if Harpo Marx and Salvador Dalí made a screenplay? Well, they did. The movie never got made, but we learn how a graphic novel by a Houston native

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49:07

Primary day in Texas (March 5, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/05

On Tuesday's show: Today is primary election day in Texas. We check in with the Harris County Clerk and learn how redistricting is causing back-and-forth shifts in political power in Houston's suburbs. Also this hour: Slightly fewer folks have attended the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo so far this year. Is it a temporary hiccup, or is a post-pandemic attendance bump over? We discuss with rodeo president and CEO Chris Boleman. Then: It’s tax season! We find out what’s new this year and welcome

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48:52

Houston pet peeves (March 4, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/04

On Monday's show: A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Texas law that would have allowed local police to arrest people suspected of being in the state illegally and created a state deportation force. We learn the latest in the battle over Senate Bill 4. Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent about their pet peeves. And we talk about the new seasons for the Dash and the Dynamo and some major soccer tournaments with matches in Houston recently.

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49:00

Lessons from the lunar lander (March 1, 2024)

Houston Matters ·

2024/03/01

On Friday's show: As the Houston-built Odysseus lunar lander goes dark, we reflect on what went right during the mission, what went wrong, and what it means for future space missions with Eric Berger of Ars Technica.Also this hour: From a big day for renewable energy in Texas, to Houston now being home to the oldest person in America, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. Then, with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo underway, we learn about the history of Black rodeos and

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48:59

Harris County Jail continues to fail inspections...

Houston Matters ·

2024/02/29

On Thursday's show: Harris County Jail has failed a safety inspection for the fifth time. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards has deemed the facility noncompliant with the state's safety standards. News 88.7 reporter Lucio Vasquez explains why.Also this hour: Over the years, Texas and other states have passed laws requiring kids to get more physical education at school. We learn why those laws really didn't work. Then, we hear from British actor Eric Kofi Abrefa of the Starz series BMF in an

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490 results

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