How 10,000 Jews immigrated to the U.S. through Galveston — not Ellis Island
Writer Rachel Cockerell talks about an effort known as the Galveston Movement in the early 20th century to convince Russian Jews to leave their homeland and come to Galveston -- and the role her own...
View ArticleImmigrant arrests and rights (June 12, 2025)
On Thursday's show: We examine some the challenges facing immigrants and what rights they should be aware of amid increased scrutiny from the federal government.
View ArticleSneaking inside the Astrodome: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the week
The Houston Matters panel of non-experts weighs in on stories from the week’s news and decides if they’re good, bad, or ugly.
View ArticleHouston’s protest history (June 13, 2025)
On Friday's show: Could protests this weekend in Houston look anything like what we saw in recent days in Los Angeles? We consider Houston's history of protesting for some insight.
View ArticlePatton Oswalt (June 16, 2025)
On Monday's show: Ahead of his appearance at Comicpalooza this weekend, comedian and actor Patton Oswalt explains why he wanted to focus on the lesser villains of the superhero world for his own comic...
View ArticleState of Housing report (June 17, 2025)
On Tuesday's show: A new report looks at how resilience, affordability, and rising insurance costs affect Houstonians, and we talk with actor Alan Tudyk ahead of Comicpalooza.
View ArticleThe week in politics (June 18, 2025)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in the news in our weekly political roundup.
View ArticleJuneteenth stories (June 19, 2025)
On Thursday's show: We learn about some new initiatives and exhibits that explore the impact of Juneteenth.
View ArticleAn escaped mongoose walks into a bar: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the week
The Houston Matters panel of non-experts weighs in on stories from the week’s news and decides if they’re good, bad, or ugly.
View ArticleMake Music Day (June 20, 2025)
On Friday's show: Tomorrow is Make Music Day here in Houston and around the world. We talk with some folks behind some concerts around the city and preview one of them with a live performance.
View ArticleMake Music Day celebrates free, live music around Houston — and the world
Houston Matters talks with the organizer of live music events in Houston on Saturday, and we hear a preview of one of those performances.
View ArticleIran strikes and oil prices (June 23, 2025)
On Monday's show: We examine what U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities could mean for gas prices and Houston’s oil and gas industry.
View ArticleSplit in Austin over THC (June 24, 2025)
On Tuesday's show: We learn more about the split between Gov. Greg Abbott and his lieutenant governor and state lawmakers over legislation that would've banned THC.
View ArticleThe week in politics (June 25, 2025)
On Wednesday's show: President Trump used a press conference this morning to reiterate his assessment that U.S. strikes on Iran heavily damaged that country's nuclear program. Political analysts react...
View ArticleDoctor shortage in Texas (June 26, 2025)
On Thursday's show: We learn about three Harris County Jail inmates who died during a recent 48-hour span. And we examine whether any progress has been made in addressing the doctor shortage across the...
View ArticleArtist and director Andrew Thomas Huang discusses his ‘otherworldly’ creations
Ahead of a visit to Houston for two events, the sculptor and director of short films and music videos describes how he often sought to create otherworldly things in response to some of his own feelings...
View ArticleDeciding an election with a coin flip: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the week
The Houston Matters panel of non-experts weighs in on stories from the week’s news and decides if they’re good, bad, or ugly.
View ArticlePride parade losing sponsors (June 27, 2025)
On Friday's show: Organizers of this weekend's Pride festival and parade talk about the sponsorship funds they've lost as DEI and LGBTQ+ initiatives have come under political attack. And we break down...
View ArticleRecapping SCOTUS rulings (June 30, 2025)
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.
View ArticleICE and law enforcement (July 1, 2025)
On Tuesday's show: Houston police back in April 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...
View ArticleHow connecting with nature in the heart of the city helped a Houston writer...
Isobella Jade takes a walk with Houston Matters through the Houston Arboretum and talks about her latest book, "Heart Trail."
View ArticleHouston man helps pass a law to help ALS patients cover their health expenses
Chris and Cissy Larkin talk about their experience championing what became the Chris Larkin ALS Act and the emotional moment in the Texas Legislature that helped get the bill over the finish line.
View ArticleJudge Lina Hidalgo (July 2, 2025)
On Wednesday's show: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo joins us to talk about issues facing the county and to field your questions. And we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
View ArticlePolk Street closure (July 3, 2025)
On Thursday's show: We learn about a controversial plan to close part of Polk Street and a study that said the closure would have "no adverse impact." Reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh outlines what the...
View ArticleHill Country floods (July 7, 2025)
On Monday's show: We get the latest on devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country and learn about the weather that led up to those events.
View ArticlePreventing catastrophic floods (July 8, 2025)
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...
View ArticleThe week in politics (July 9, 2025)
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.
View ArticleHouston’s most unique restaurant experiences: The Full Menu
From hot pot, to dim sum, and from cafeteria style dining, to places with live music, Houston food writers discuss their favorite unique restaurant experiences.
View ArticleCentral Texas Recovery (July 10, 2025)
On Thursday's show: Questions are being asked of Texas officials as to why this flood was so disastrous - and why do we keep building in areas known to be at high risk for floods.
View ArticleX’s AI “Grok” goes full Nazi: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the week
The Houston Matters panel of non-experts weighs in on stories from the week’s news and decides if they’re good, bad, or ugly.
View ArticleRemembering Sandra Bland 10 years later (July 11, 2025)
On Friday's show: We get an update on the agenda for the Legislature's special session - including a controversial decision to revisit redistricting. And we mark the 10 year anniversary of Sandra...
View ArticleContamination concerns at Texas beaches (July 14, 2025)
On Monday's show: We get insight on contamination at Texas beaches, answer your questions about gardening, and discuss Major League Baseball's All-Star game.
View ArticleRedistricting challenges in Fort Bend (July 15, 2025)
On Tuesday's show: We discuss the latest out of Fort Bend County, look back at the first detonation of a nuclear weapon, and get an update on local detention centers.
View ArticleThe week in politics (July 16, 2025)
On Wednesday's show: Our weekly political roundup, a detention case at Bush Airport, and comedian Kym Whitley.
View ArticleWhat’s happening in the Gulf? (July 17, 2025)
On Thursday's show: An update on weather along the Gulf Coast, practical tips for flooding, and a Houstonian participating in this year's Warrior Games.
View ArticleWhen do you feel like a Houstonian? (July 18, 2025)
On Friday's show: We discuss Houston Public Media's resiliency campaign, talk about Houstonian rites of passage, and talk with the creator of the limited series Fight Night.
View ArticleHouston’s World Series of Dog Shows returns: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the week
The Houston Matters panel of non-experts weighs in on stories from the week’s news and decides if they’re good, bad, or ugly.
View ArticleSpecial session begins (July 21, 2025)
On Monday's show: We look ahead to the special legislative session that starts today.
View ArticleUH Coach Kelvin Sampson (July 22, 2025)
On Tuesday's show: University of Houston men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson talks about transforming the Cougars into a national powerhouse and how his Native American heritage influences his...
View ArticleThe week in politics (July 23, 2025)
On Wednesday’s show: We discuss the latest developments in local, state, and national politics. And we learn about the job of being a translator in Houston.
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