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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

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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50:46

Special session begins (July 21, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/21

On Monday's show: We discuss what Texas lawmakers will be taking up during this year's special legislative session, which begins today.Also this hour: A conversation with veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller about pet care.And we discuss why the middle of summer tends to be a real dead spot for a lot of sports leagues, and who should take advantage of it.

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1:09:25

When do you feel like a Houstonian? (July 18, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/18

On Friday's show: Houston Public Media General Manager Josh Adams shares updates on our resiliency campaign following the approved rescission of federal funding for public media.Also this hour: We discuss the experiences that make Houstonians feel truly like Houstonians.Then, Mincho Jacob talks with Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist creator Shaye Ogbonna and Li Lu, the creator of HTX Made, about an upcoming event this weekend.

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50:02

What’s happening in the Gulf? (July 17, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/17

On Thursday's show: We get the latest on activity along the Gulf Coast as Invest 93L moves westward.Also this hour: We often talk about flood safety in terms of preparing for a possible flooding event, but what do you do the moment water starts getting into your house? We discuss with local emergency officials.Then, we meet a Houston native and Navy veteran who is defying the odds—and doctors’ expectations—by returning to the track, the weight bench, and the volleyball court for the Department of

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50:31

The week in politics (July 16, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/16

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in local, state, and national politics with Renee Cross and Nancy Sims.Also this hour: A Palestinian man was detained at George Bush Intercontinental Airport for nine days with no apparent cause--we discuss that case and the implications for immigration policy.Then, we chat with comedian Kym Whitley ahead of an upcoming pair of shows in Houston.

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49:58

Redistricting challenges in Fort Bend (July 15, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/15

On Tuesday's show: We talk with Houston Public Media reporter Natalie Weber about redistricting and other stories in Fort Bend County.Also this hour: Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Trinity Test, the first detonation of a nuclear weapon, we consider where we are today in our approach to nuclear power and non-proliferation.Then, amid concerns about deportations of immigrants, we consider who's responsible for detention centers here in Houston, and what does detention look like in our area..And

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50:08

Contamination concerns at Texas beaches (July 14, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/14

On Monday's show: We learn the latest on recovery efforts in Texas Hill Country after they were disrupted by more rain and flooding.We also learn about new data from Environment Texas examining contamination along Texas beaches.Also this hour: We revisit a conversation with actor Tom Hanks about the future of space exploration.Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers your questions about gardening.And we discuss controversy at this year's MLB All-Star Game with Jeff Balke.

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50:06

Remembering Sandra Bland 10 years later (July 11, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/11

On Friday's show: Ten years ago this weekend, Sandra Bland died in a Waller County jail cell, three days after being arrested during a traffic stop. We look back at the impact of her death, and what has – and hasn’t changed – in the decade since.Also this hour: Andrew Schneider tells us about Governor Abbott’s special session addition – no, not storm response…his other addition: redistricting.Then, this week’s “non-expert” panel weighs in on intrigues in the news on The Good the Bad and the Ugly.And

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49:41

Central Texas Recovery (July 10, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/10

On Thursday's show: As the long road to recovery begins in Central Texas, many are asking if authorities did enough to protect residents and if alert systems were sufficient. Paul Flahive from the Texas Newsroom reports from the region and Joshua Fletcher from the Texas Tribune joins us to discuss why Texans keep building in areas that are flood prone. Also this hour: Legal professionals have embraced AI more broadly than many other industries.Now a professor at UH Law Center is encouraging law

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50:09

The week in politics (July 9, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/09

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the politics surrounding the deadly Central Texas floods and other developments in the news in our weekly political roundup.Also this hour: Houston food writers discuss their favorite unique restaurant experiences around town on this month’s edition of The Full Menu.And we learn about increased interest in birdwatching in Houston.

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48:40

Preventing catastrophic floods (July 8, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/08

On Tuesday's show: We get the latest on the flooding the Texas Hill Country, local efforts to aid in the rescue and recovery operations, and what actions elected officials could have taken to mitigate the disaster -- and what they might do to prevent similar ones in the future.Also this hour: We learn how summer camps prepare for emergencies and work to put parents' minds at ease as they leave their children in their care for days or even weeks at a time.Then, a local therapist who specializes in

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50:37

Hill Country floods (July 7, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/07

On Monday's show: The death toll continues to rise following devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country. We get the very latest from Houston Public Media's Dominic Anthony Walsh live from Kerrville. We also hear the accounts of several flood victims, including a Houstonian who was preparing to move there next month. And Space City Weather meteorologist Eric Berger explains the weather that led to Friday's flooding and whether the blame some have sought to place on the National Weather Service is

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49:30

Polk Street closure (July 3, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/03

On Thursday's show: We learn about a controversial plan to sever an artery connecting the East End to downtown Houston. A recent study said the project to close part of Polk Street to expand the George R. Brown Convention Center would have "no adverse impact." Houston Public Media's Dominic Anthony Walsh outlines what the report had to say and why some community members take issue with it.Also this hour: Sleep — there's never enough of it, it seems. Or, too often, there's something affecting the

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50:27

Judge Lina Hidalgo (July 2, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/02

On Wednesday's show: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo joins us to talk about issues facing the county, from budget issues to questions about whether she'll run for re-election.Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.And a historian explains why we could have ended up celebrating independence from England on July 2 instead of July 4.

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49:53

ICE and law enforcement (July 1, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/07/01

On Tuesday's show: The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld an historic penalty against ExxonMobil for pollution at its Baytown oil refinery. We hear from the group behind the long-running lawsuit on behalf of those who lived near the plant.Also this hour: In April, Houston police called ICE agents on a woman who'd dialed 911 to report domestic abuse. We learn the details of that case and discuss the effect it might have on people's willingness to report crime.Then, the Chris Larkin ALS Act is now law and

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50:13

Recapping SCOTUS rulings (June 30, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/06/30

On Monday's show: The U.S. Supreme Court’s latest term ended Friday. We recap the session and discuss what the rulings might mean for Texas and Houston with the help of law professor Charles “Rocky” Rhodes.Also this hour: On this date in 1986, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Bowers v. Hardwick, saying states could criminalize gay sex between consenting adults. In 2003, the decision in Lawrence v. Texas overturned that. We revisit a 2023 conversation with Mitchell Katine, the local

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50:00

Pride parade losing sponsors (June 27, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/06/27

On Friday's show: Thousands are expected to gather in downtown Saturday for the annual Houston Pride parade and festival. However, representatives of Pride Houston 365, the nonprofit organization that has held the event for nearly 50 years, says they've lost about 20 sponsors this year accounting for more than $180,000 in funding because diversity, equity, and inclusion policies have been banned at both the state and federal level, and the LGBTQ+ community has come under attack by political

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49:38

Doctor shortage in Texas (June 26, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/06/26

On Thursday's show: Three Harris County Jail inmates died during a recent 48-hour span, marking a total of ten in-custody deaths reported in Harris County so far this year. We learn about their cases.Also this hour: We examine whether any progress has been made in addressing the doctor shortage across the nation and in Texas.Then, visual artist Andrew Thomas Huang talks about his craft, which includes sculpture and directing both short films and music videos. He's coming to Houston this weekend for

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478 results

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