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

50:20

Mike Miles’ role in brokering a $1M contract (Jan....

Houston Matters ·

2026/01/15

On Thursday's show: The Houston Chronicle reports that HISD Superintendent Mike Miles helped connect a consulting firm with a Texas charter school network to complete a nearly $1 million contract. While the parties involved say Miles was not paid for his role, some experts say the arrangement raises some concerns. Reporter Nusaiba Mizan explains.Also this hour: We continue our series looking at the year ahead with a discussion about education in Greater Houston.Then, on the 25th anniversary of

en-US

50:00

The week in politics (Jan. 14, 2026)

Houston Matters ·

2026/01/14

On Wednesday's show: Early voting starts in a week for the 18th district Congressional runoff election. We discuss that and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup, from news in Washington surrounding the economy, Iran, and a Justice Department investigation into that fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minnesota.Also this hour: We continue our series looking at the year ahead with a discussion about the issues in health care facing Greater Houston.And an upcoming series of performances

en-US

50:10

Texans advance in the playoffs (Jan. 13, 2026)

Houston Matters ·

2026/01/13

On Tuesday's show: The Texans are moving on to face the New England Patriots after a decisive 30-6 victory over the Steelers Monday night. We recap the game and look ahead to the next round.Also this hour: We continue our series looking at the year ahead with a discussion about the issues in energy and the environment facing Greater Houston.Then, a new study explores links between sports betting and crime rates. It turns out, once a game starts, those crime rates go up -- even in some states, like

en-US

50:12

Writer Salman Rushdie (Jan. 12, 2026)

Houston Matters ·

2026/01/12

On Monday's show: We talk with writer Salman Rushdie about his latest book, The Eleventh Hour. He speaks at an event tonight with Inprint Houston.Also this hour: We begin a weeklong series looking ahead at issues facing Houston in 2026, beginning with immigration.Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers questions about how to maintain the plants in your home or garden.And we preview the Texans’ Monday night AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Steelers.

en-US

49:40

Houstonians protest ICE (Jan. 9, 2026)

Houston Matters ·

2026/01/09

On Friday's show: We learn what took place at Houston protests in connection with the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis.Also this hour: We find out why the state teacher's union is suing the TEA following investigations into teachers’ social media posts last fall.Then, our non-experts consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And the series Movies Houstonians Love returns this weekend to the MFAH with a documentary decades in the making. The 2023 film Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets

en-US

50:20

Houston Marathon preview (Jan. 8, 2026)

Houston Matters ·

2026/01/08

On Thursday's show: The Chevron Houston Marathon is this Sunday. That means a lot of runners, a lot of spectators, and a lot of traffic. We talk with one of the organizers about what Houstonians need to know ahead of this weekend's events.And we find out why the mayor and the city controller are clashing again, this time over how flood mitigation funds are being used.Also this hour: We recall great speakers and speeches in Houston’s history.Then, we discuss the long term impact of GLP-1 medications

en-US

49:50

The week in politics (Jan. 7, 2026)

Houston Matters ·

2026/01/07

On Wednesday's show: We discuss 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 new restaurants that opened in 2025.And we chat with Puerto Rican composer and saxophonist Miguel Zenón about his upcoming performance with Kinetic Ensemble.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3yBFRAOI_M

en-US

49:21

Venezuelans navigating legal limbo (Jan. 6, 2026)

Houston Matters ·

2026/01/06

On Tuesday's show: We hear from a local immigration attorney about questions that may be arising for Venezuelan immigrants after the U.S. takeover of the country.Also this hour: We answer questions about sleep and sleep disorders with a pulmonologist and sleep expert.Then, producer Brenda Valdivia takes us to a world where cats rule and humans happily comply at the Houston Cat Expo.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRMdXLLCc0A

en-US

49:41

Venezuelan impact on oil and gas (Jan. 5, 2026)

Houston Matters ·

2026/01/05

On Monday's show: We discuss the implications of the takeover of Venezuela on Houston's oil and gas industry.Also this hour: We start the year off with some gripes and grievances in our regular segment called Houstonian Pet Peeves.Then, we preview the upcoming Wild Card playoff matchup between the Texans and the Steelers.Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjMcB1BP_Iw

en-US

50:37

Houston’s favorite holiday music (Dec. 23, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/23

On Tuesday's show: We learn about problems with group homes for elderly or disabled people across the state, which is the subject of an investigation from the Texas Observer.Also this hour: The holidays may bring realizations about the health of aging family members in your life. We get some advice on how to handle that situation with care.Then, in this month’s installment of The Bigger Picture, we consider what the new Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead Man, has to say about religious leadership and

en-US

50:15

Top ten stories of the year (Dec. 22, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/22

On Monday's show: Civil rights organizations are seeking to block parts of Senate Bill 12, a sweeping Texas law that prohibits discussions about gender identity in public schools as well as student clubs based on sexual orientation. We take a closer look at these lawsuits, the arguments they’re making, and confusion about a key question at the heart of it all.Also this hour: What is the top news story in Greater Houston from 2025? From snow, to flooding, to almost winning an NCAA championship in

en-US

47:49

Letting go of Houston’s past (Dec. 19, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/19

On Friday's show: Every Houstonian has something they miss, but should we still be missing it? As the year wraps up, we’re asking which beloved parts of the city deserve remembrance and which might be holding us back.Then, our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week’s news.And for 40 years, Houston chef Courtney Lindsay didn't know his biological father. Then the two found each other and formed a close relationship. We revisit a conversation with Lindsay about that

en-US

49:30

How ex-officials spend campaign funds (Dec. 18, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/18

On Thursday's show: When an elected official leaves office, what happens to their campaign funds? Well, it turns out many Texas politicians are using those funds on everything from luxury hotels, to steakhouse dinners, to salaries for political operatives. Taylor Goldenstein of the Houston Chronicle tells us what her reporting uncovered.Also this hour: We get a better understanding of municipal utility districts, or MUDs, which are entities formed for handling water services and other utilities in

en-US

49:55

The week in politics (Dec. 17, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/17

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: As DEI programs roll back nationwide, one Houston leader is doubling down on inclusion -- starting with kids as young as nine. Shevann Steuben of the NAACP Houston Branch discusses what it takes to build a generation that shows up to vote.And singer/soprano Sarah Brightman is known for originating the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and for her many PBS fundraising specials. But

en-US

51:00

Ticketing the homeless (Dec. 16, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/16

On Tuesday's show: Beginning in January, a new Medicare program in Texas and five other states will use AI to approve or deny certain services. We learn what that could mean for Houston patients and what it signals about the future of health care.Also this hour: We discuss the city of Houston’s current approach to homelessness, and, in particular, giving out tickets to homeless people who can’t possibly pay them. We discuss with Kelly Young, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of

en-US

50:19

Harris Co. employee pay (Dec. 15, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/15

On Monday's show: A recent study into pay equity among Harris County employees has come under fire from county commissioners and has led to some fear among county workers. We learn more.Then, Houston Mayor John Whitmire's political party of more than five decades admonished him on Sunday, barring the lifelong Democrat from receiving its endorsement in the future.And we remember longtime Houston television news anchor Dave Ward, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 86.Also this hour: We

en-US

51:00

Concern among Afghan immigrants (Dec. 12, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/12

On Friday's show: President Donald Trump has frozen the processing of immigration requests for all Afghans pending a review of security and vetting procedures. Now, many Afghan immigrants, including many in Houston who came to the United States through the appropriate legal channels, are growing increasingly worried about their status.And we learn about a cold front arriving late Saturday that could bring Houston's first freeze of the season early Monday morning.Also this hour: From a State

en-US

50:35

Reducing trash in Houston (Dec. 11, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/11

On Thursday's show: We examine steps Texas is taking to reduce waste and other takeaways from a new report called: Trash in America. Also this hour: We talk with Brad Pritchett, the new CEO of Equality Texas, the statewide nonprofit advocating for LGBTQIA+ Texans.And we learn about a new documentary chronicling the Bum Phillips era of the old Houston Oilers, called Luv Ya, Bum!Watch

en-US

49:50

The week in politics (Dec. 10, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/10

On Wednesday's show: From last-minute jockeying in races for the U.S Senate and Congress, to some calls to end investigations into a military strike that killed survivors of an attack on an alleged drug running boat, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We talk with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, the hosts of the podcast The War on Cars, who are bringing their war to car-centric Houston for a live event tonight at the MATCH and have a new book, Life

en-US

49:25

Holiday shopping trends (Dec. 9, 2025)

Houston Matters ·

2025/12/09

On Tuesday's show: As Houstonians prepare for the holidays, new data shows they're planning to cut spending by 11 percent compared to last year, with the average person expecting to spend around $1,600. Yet, despite this local pessimism, online sales during the five-day Cyber Week period hit $44.2 billion nationally, up nearly 8 percent from last year. We make sense of those seemingly contradictory trends.Also this hour: We get an update on the longstanding nationwide nursing shortage and find out

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