Transportation projects in limbo (May 2, 2024)
On Thursday's show: We discuss several city transportation and mobility projects that have been halted or even reversed since Mayor John Whitmire took office. And we consider ways to minimize or...
View ArticleConfusing Joel Osteen and Haley Joel Osment: 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 global economy (May 3, 2024)
On Friday's show: We get the latest on recent rain and flooding with a storm outlook for Friday and the weekend. Then, we learn what a new report says about the state of Houston’s global economy. And...
View ArticleHow ‘Jane Eyre’ was ahead of its time — and still timely today
Houston Matters explores what still resonates about the classic literary work and how that is portrayed in The Alley Theatre's adaptation for the stage.
View ArticleHouston’s protest history (May 6, 2024)
On Monday's show: We explore why protests in our city are often smaller than in other places. And we offer Houstonians an opportunity to vent about their pet peeves.
View ArticleCost of the firefighters deal (May 7, 2024)
On Tuesday’s show: Houston Controller Chris Hollins explains why he thinks the recent deal with Houston firefighters would require tax hikes and budget cuts. Then, we reflect on the political career...
View ArticleHow Rick Perry seized on — and influenced — the changing winds of Texas politics
Party Politics co-host Brandon Rottinghaus discusses his new book about the state's longest-serving governor.
View ArticleHow an artist’s discovery about her heritage helped influence Houston to...
Houston artist and dancer Abuela M’api Rainflowa talks about her personal journey of understanding her heritage and the activism that stemmed from that discovery, which is featured in an episode of a...
View ArticleHPD Chief Finner out (May 8, 2024)
On Wednesday's show: Mayor John Whitmire announced in an e-mail to city employees late Tuesday night that HPD Chief Troy Finner has retired, and that Larry Satterwhite has been appointed acting Chief...
View ArticlePolitical Roundup: HPD Chief Finner out, and local leaders out of sync
The news that Houston Police Chief Troy Finner has retired, effective immediately, is just the latest of several recent examples of how area officials interact with one another, illustrating how...
View ArticleActor Joe Pantoliano (May 9, 2024)
On Thursday's show: Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer weighs in on the sudden retirement of HPD Chief Troy Finner and the fallout from that development. And actor Joe Pantoliano, who's known...
View ArticleTiff’s Treats will deliver a bar of gold with your cookies: The Good, Bad,...
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 ArticleCongresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (May 10, 2024)
On Friday’s show: Houston Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher discusses issues affecting Greater Houston and answers listener questions. And George H.W. Bush's former chief of staff reflects on her career.
View ArticleWhat the Presidency of George H.W. Bush can teach us about character and how...
Jean Becker, longtime chief of staff for former Pres. George H.W. Bush, shares stories from working with the Bush Family, as detailed in her book, "Character Matters."
View ArticleLayoffs at HISD (May 13, 2024)
On Monday's show: We discuss some recent developments at area school districts, including layoffs at HISD. And, with rising sea levels, will there ever be a point when we've had enough with flooding...
View ArticleThornton Wilder’s lost play (May 14, 2024)
On Tuesday's show: Has the mosquito season started earlier than usual this year? And we learn how a playwright unearthed and completed an unfinished play by the great Thornton Wilder, which is making...
View ArticleHow a playwright unearthed a lost Thornton Wilder play and brought it to the...
Kirk Lynn talks about tracking down an unfinished work from the great playwright called "The Emporium," which is making its world premiere at Houston's Alley Theatre.
View ArticleThe week in politics (May 15, 2024)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And we remember Rev. William Lawson, the founder of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston's Third Ward, who...
View ArticleWhat letters from Texas prisoners in solitary confinement can teach us about...
Damascus James talks about his project, Texas Letters, and what visiting and exchanging letters with Texas prisoners in solitary confinement can teach us about the effects of mass incarceration.
View ArticlePreliminary report on HPD scandal (May 16, 2024)
On Thursday's show: We learn what a preliminary report from an independent review panel has to say about HPD suspending thousands of investigations because of a lack of resources. Then, NPR reporter...
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