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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

49:47

Second special session (Aug. 18, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/18

On Monday's show: The Texas Legislature’s second special session is under way, with what are likely to be far different outcomes for the same agenda. Blaise Gainey from the Texas Newsroom and News 88.7's Andrew Schneider join us with the latest.Also this hour: We take a closer look at Texas aquaculture -- growing and harvesting marine life. Some reports say the industry is shrinking. Others say it’s growing. We try to figure out what’s true.Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listeners'

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49:48

Crypto energy usage (Aug. 15, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/15

On Friday's show: Cryptocurrency mining in Texas can draw as much power from the electrical grid as the city of Austin, and the industry is only growing. But how much energy is it using? No one knows because the Public Utility Commission refuses to release data on the industry. Reporter Keaton Peters from Straight Arrow News joins us to explain.Also this hour: With news that Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast is closing two of its six clinics in the area, there are fewer options for women’s health care

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50:07

Spending federal recovery funds (Aug. 14, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/14

On Thursday's show: Houston City Council has approved plans to spend some $315 million in federal recovery funds, including $100 million for home repairs and housing, marking a significant turnaround from Mayor John Whitmire’s initial proposal and a major victory for housing advocates. We learn more about that and some other recent developments in city government, including money for more beds for the homeless in the East End and new solid waste trucks. Also this hour: Recent comments from President

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50:50

The week in politics (Aug. 13, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/13

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: The state has begun buying land for new state parks thanks to a new source of funding. We learn where those parks might be and how the state is making that determination from Texas Tribune reporter Alejandra Martinez. And we get to know Afrobeat and hip-hop violinist Demola ahead of his performance this weekend at 713 Music Hall.

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49:35

Educating ‘pandemic babies’ (Aug. 12, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/12

On Tuesday's show: Students at HISD campuses are headed back to school today, and among them are some kids you could call “pandemic babies.” We discuss the challenges faced by kids whose early childhoods were disrupted by the pandemic.Also this hour: We remember astronaut Jim Lovell, who passed away last week. We revisit a conversation from 2020 he had with producer Michael Hagerty to mark the mission's 50th anniversary. And we hear some thoughts on Lovell from the man who brought him to the big

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50:00

Quorum break’s second week (Aug. 11, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/11

On Monday's show: It’s been over a week since Texas Democrats left the state to break quorum in the Texas House of Representatives, delaying the passage of a new Congressional map. We get the latest on the Democrats’ protest and response from Republican officials in Texas.Also this hour: Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, the head of Harris Health System makes his case for potentially expanding Ben Taub Hospital, which would include seizing nine acres of land from Hermann Park.Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of

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51:00

Judge Hidalgo censured (Aug. 8, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/08

On Friday's show: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo was censured by county commissioners Thursday for her behavior during a Commissioners Court meeting. We learn what happened. And we get the latest on the ongoing quorum break in Austin.Also this hour: From late sculptor David Adickes' Beatles statues relocating to a car dealership, to a Danish zoo seeking public donations of pets to feed to its captive predators, our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Then, we

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50:00

Vaccine cuts and COVID (Aug. 7, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/07

On Thursday's show: An announced rollback of mRNA vaccine development and funding comes as Texas is among the states seeing the largest rise in COVID cases this summer. Infectious disease specialist Catherine Troisi offers her take on what the rollback means.Also this hour: A Grand Parkway expansion project is just the latest sign of ongoing growth in Greater Houston’s north and west sides. We discuss the project and what is behind the growth.Then, theater productions involve a lot more than actors

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50:35

The week in politics (Aug. 6, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/06

On Wednesday's show: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton want the state’s Supreme Court to order Democrats who broke quorum during the special session to be thrown out of office. Can they do that? We talk through the Texas redistricting fight and discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Houston Restaurant Weeks is underway during the month of August raising funds for the Houston Food Bank. In this month's installment of The Full Menu, food

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49:20

Arrest warrants for Texas Democrats (Aug. 5, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/05

On Tuesday's show: Texas Republican leaders are issuing threats while Texas House Democrats remain out of state in an effort to block new district maps the GOP says will help them gain seats in Congress. The Democrats say they are racially motivated. We hear from one of those Democrats, Houston-area State Rep. Gene Wu, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus.Also this hour: We examine the growing use of telemedicine among Houston-area doctors. Sometimes it’s practical and beneficial for

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50:00

House Democrats leave the state (Aug. 4, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/04

On Monday's show: Dozens of Texas House Democrats have left the state, breaking quorum in an effort to block a Republican plan to redraw district maps at President Trump’s direction. We get the latest from Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider.Also this hour. We learn why the Houston Federation of Teachers is suing HISD over how the district plans to hand out raises.Then, we offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.And we discuss the return of Carlos Correa

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50:17

Retiring in Houston (Aug. 1, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/08/01

On Friday's show: This week, experts from across Texas testified at a hearing on disaster preparedness and flooding in the wake of the deadly Central Texas floods. Among those who testified were representatives from Rice University's SSPEED Center, whose Jim Blackburn discusses how what happened in Central Texas relates to past storms here.Also this hour: A recent report from Bankrate ranked Texas near the bottom when it comes to the best states to retire. Why? And how does Houston stack up? We

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50:07

William Shatner (July 31, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/31

On Thursday's show: Actor William Shatner talks with us ahead of an appearance in Houston tonight at House of Blues where he'll share stories from his career following a screening of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.Also this hour: The Trump administration this week announced plans to walk back a 2009 EPA finding that has since been the scientific and legal foundation behind regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. We discuss the legal and practical implications of such a rule change

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50:24

The week in politics (July 30, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/30

On Wednesday's show: While a couple candidates appear to have a little bit of an early lead in the special election for the 18th Congressional District, many of the district’s voters don’t really know -- or have an opinion about -- who’s running, according to new polling data. We discuss that, the special session in Austin, and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: On this date 60 years ago, the legislation creating Medicare and Medicaid was signed into law. We reflect

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49:44

Federal funding for legal aid (July 29, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/29

On Tuesday's show: The White House is proposing an end to federal funding for legal aid nonprofits that help low-income Americans obtain assistance with all manner of legal matters. We learn more from R.A. Schuetz of the Houston Chronicle.Also this hour: We mark the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and recall its roots here in Houston with Lex Frieden, a local disabilities advocate who was instrumental in creating the law and getting it passed.Then, we learn about the rise of

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48:46

Redrawing Congressional districts (July 28 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/28

On Monday's show: Houston-area Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher explains why she's opposed to the legislature’s plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts. State lawmakers gathered at the University of Houston on Saturday to hear public testimony on the matter.Also this hour: We learn about the latest developments in consumer technology with the help of columnist Dwight Silverman.And we get an update on Houston sports.

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50:42

Superintendent detained in Houston (July 25, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/25

On Friday's show: We talk with Wilmer Chavarria, a naturalized U.S. citizen and school superintendent from Vermont, who was detained for several hours by Customs and Border Protection agents this week at Houston's Bush Airport on his way back from visiting family in Nicaragua. He tells us what happened and explains how the experience has changed the way he views international travel.Also this hour: Jamie Bryant, the new CEO of the Houston Housing Authority discusses efforts to improve the agency and

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50:43

Why Kerr County didn’t upgrade its flood warning...

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/24

On Thursday's show: We learn why officials in Kerr County didn't upgrade their flood warning system over the years, even when the county had a surplus of funds.Also this hour: Larry Bagneris helped launch Houston’s first Pride Parade and became the first Black president of the LGBTQ+ Political Caucus. He reflects on overcoming racism and homophobia, which he details in his new memoir, Call Me Larry.And the new Ari Aster film Eddington explores the sticky world of small-town politics amid the

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49:50

The week in politics (July 23, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/23

On Wednesday’s show: From the special session of the Texas Legislature, to change in media, we discuss the latest developments in local, state, and national politics.Also this hour: We learn about the job of being a translator in Houston, a city where thousands rely on those services for vital needs such as understanding their legal rights, medical care, and finances.

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50:53

UH Coach Kelvin Sampson (July 22, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/22

On Tuesday's show: University of Houston men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson has spent the last decade transforming the Cougars into a national powerhouse. He talks about his life, career, and how his Native American heritage influences his approach to coaching.Also this hour: We listen back to highlights from interviews with some well-known actors and entertainers who've been on the show over the years, including Rita Moreno, Lewis Black, Paula Poundstone, and Joe Pantoliano.And we discuss some

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