On today’s Hello Houston, with food recalls growing in recent months, we talk with Dr. Byron Chaves, a professor in the Department of Food Science at Rutgers University, who discusses food safety and how food contamination is prevented.

Then, Brandon Johnson, a professional athlete, impact speaker, and founder of The AWAKE Program and The No Script Nonprofit, shares his story of turning his own experiences into a way to help Houston’s youth make better choices and see what’s possible for their future.

In the second hour, Darcie Wells, President and CEO of the Houston-based non-profit CanCare tells us about the organization’s work pairing cancer patients with cancer survivors, while Keith Saathoff shares how he became a CanCare volunteer after surviving stage 4 lymphoma.

Plus, our hosts Tessa Barrera and Ernie Manouse give us a combination of our regular weekly features “Current Obsessions” and “Last Minute Plans,” by sharing the latest things that have been taking over all their free time, while they also share a comprehensive rundown of events happening this Labor Day weekend in the Houston area.

And, as always, our hosts talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Texas’s comptroller asking state legislators to increase the budget of the school voucher program, Texas health experts calling on state leaders to restrict prediction market platforms, the judge in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial saying he’ll declare a mistrial, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, Ronaldo and Lorenzo Salgado join us to discuss the emotional impact of the death of their father, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent on July 7 in Houston, and what they’re looking for when it comes to justice.

Then, we turn to medicine and talk with Dr. Vipal Durkal, a medical oncologist with Texas Oncology-Houston Medical Center, who tells us about a possible breakthrough in the treatment of pancreatic cancer and what this advancement could mean for patients. 

In the second hour, as Harris County commissioners prepare to vote on a proposed budget that would include the highest property tax rate in 20 years, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones joins us to discuss what’s driving the proposed increase.

Plus, Tony and Grammy-nominated actress, singer, and songwriter Orfeh and Houston native music director Steven Jamail, talk about their upcoming Live at the Founder’s Club concert, which will run at the Hobby Center for two nights next week.

On today’s Hello Houston, retired NASA astronaut, engineer, and NFL football player Leland Melvin tells us how he went from the football field to the stars, his experiences in space, and his post-NASA career ahead of his upcoming event at Space Center Houston.

Next, director Tyler Mann, actress Rachel DeRouen and actor Eric Roberts discuss their film I Voted, which takes a real-life experience and turns it into a dark, political thriller. The film opens in select theaters on September 4th.  

In the second hour, we discuss restoring the oyster population along the Texas coast with Justin Woody, vice president of Jeri’s Seafood Inc., who’s worked alongside Palacios Marine Agricultural Research on a new method for oyster restoration.

And finally, we talk with Kathryn Tart, dean of the Gessner College of Nursing at the University of Houston, who breaks down the growing shortage of nurses in Texas and how the University of Houston is working to train the nurses of the future.

And, as always, our hosts Tessa Barrera and Ernie Manouse discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the Texas State Board of Education preliminarily approving a rewrite of high school social studies curriculum, the city of Houston approving an anti-annexation deal with The Woodlands, and the autonomous vehicle company Zoox coming soon to Houston.

On today’s Hello Houston, the University of Houston Law Center’s David Froomkin joins us to help us make sense of what’s happening with mail-in voting after a federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive order imposing restrictions on mail-in voting.

Then, we discuss why childhood vaccination rates are declining and what this means for children and communities with Dr. Michael Burgess, a physician and former U.S. Congressman, who represented Texas’s 26th district.

In the second hour of the show, we talk with Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, who explains what’s driving Houston ISD’s teacher exodus with public records showing significant teacher departures at dozens of campuses last year.  

Also, internationally acclaimed artist Jitish Kallat joins us to tell us all about his new art installation at the Menil Drawing Center and what inspired it ahead of its opening on Thursday, September 10th.

Plus, our hosts Tessa Barrera and Ernie Manouse get the latest on Tropical Storm Edouard at the top of each hour by talking with Space City Weather meteorologist Eric Berger and Houston Public Media reporter Julianna Washburn, who reports live from Galveston to tell us what we're currently seeing on the island.

On today’s Hello Houston, with today marking International Overdose Awareness Day, Dr. Doug Thornton, Director of the Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center, explains why overdose deaths are declining across the country and what we’re seeing in Texas. 

Next, Dr. Megan Covington, a Canine Behavior Specialist and founder of The Pit Bull Doctor, breaks down what dogs can teach us about emotional regulation, relationships, and meaningful change.

In the second hour, we're joined by Harrison Guy, the founder and artistic director of Urban Souls Dance Company, who talks to us about how he’s honoring the legacy of Prairie View A&M University through performance as the university celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, and why telling these stories through art matters.

Plus, we also talk with Matthew Tabor, the art director and owner of the Houston-based design studio Letterset, who tells us about his work designing logos for several Houston area restaurants and small businesses.

And, as always, our hosts Tessa Barrera and Ernie Manouse discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the latest on the developing tropical disturbance in the Gulf, which they discuss with Houston Chronicle newsroom meteorologist Justin Ballard, Gov. Abbot ordering state agencies to pause the funding of Flock cameras, President Trump announcing plans to create a space-focused academy, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, Dr. Peter Bahr, Vice President for the Institute for the Future of Work at the Strada Education Foundation, discusses a new report that looks at where college-educated workers are staying, where they’re moving, and how retaining native workers impacts a state’s workforce and economy.

Then, we’re joined by comedian, actor, and former Saturday Night Live cast member Jay Pharoah, who talks to us about his comedy career, his impressions, and his upcoming shows at Houston Improv this entire weekend.

In the second hour of the show, Dr. Sarah Nadeem, an endocrinologist and associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine, joins us to discuss the growing use of medications for weight management and what patients should know before taking them.

And finally, Grammy Award-winner and lead singer of The Suffers, Kam Franklin, sits down with Hello Houston Executive Producer Jim Kovacik for his new recurring feature Five Simple Questions, to give us an intimate glimpse into her world. Five Simple Questions will officially premiere on Hello Houston, Tuesday, September 8.

And, as always, our hosts Tessa Barrera and Ernie Manouse discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including deliberations resuming in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial today, President Trump signing an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” the City of Houston disconnecting water for thousands of customers with overdue balances, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, we talk again with Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, who joins us to give us an update on the investigation into last month’s fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by federal immigration agents.

Then, we’re joined by Jay Hickman, John Swasey, and Kyle Jones, hosts of the Houston-based comedy podcast, Bottom of the Barrel, who tell us about their upcoming third season which will launch with an episode dedicated to the history of Houston.

In the second hour, in recognition of Houston’s 190th birthday this Sunday, August 30, we hear the newest installment of Texperts, in which University of Houston political science professor and Party Politics co-host Brandon Rottinghaus explores the history and symbolism behind Houston’s official city seal and flag with vexillologist Charles Spain. 

Plus, our hosts and listeners share the latest things that have been taking over all their free time as part of our regular Thursday feature, Current Obsessions. Share your Current Obsessions with us anytime by emailing us at [email protected].

And, as always, our hosts Tessa Barrera and Ernie Manouse talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including a federal judge striking down a Texas law aimed at restricting drag performances, Meta agreeing to implement protections for kids on its social media platforms as part of a settlement, the city of Houston agreeing to not absorb the Woodlands, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, with major tech companies like Apple and Tesla investing heavily in new manufacturing facilities across the Houston area, we discuss what this could mean for jobs, tech investment, and the region’s economy with Houston Business Journal reporter Jishnu Nair.

Then, we learn all about Reel Girls HTX, an all-women fishing group focused on building sisterhood, sharing skills, and making the water more welcoming for anglers of all experience levels, with its founder Keyahra Hayes, and members Nahzarah and Sedaja.

In the second hour, Houston area attorney Charles D. Adams, who represents the family of John Mendoza Jr., discusses the charges against former Brazoria County deputy Kevin Tippit and the newly released body camera footage in the fatal shooting of the 18-year-old Texas State University student.

Plus, we turn to music and hear Hello Houston producer William Menjivar talk with Madison Sutton, founder and artistic director of Houston Music Classifieds, who explains how the Solar Flare Music Festival is putting a spotlight on local music artists.

And, as always, our hosts Tessa Barrera and Ernie Manouse discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the passing of singer-songwriter Dolly Parton and HPD Police Chief Noe Diaz not showing up for what was meant to be his first public accounting of the department’s cooperation with ICE, which they discuss with Houston Public Media reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.

On today’s Hello Houston, Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles joins us to discuss the school district’s new school year, the major changes that are already underway, and the current concerns and criticisms surrounding the district.

Next, Chef Paul Friedman, owner and executive chef of The Chef’s Table, and his son Kyle Friedman, the contractor and designer who helped bring the River Oaks location to life, discuss their restaurant’s involvement in Houston Restaurant Weeks.

In the second hour of the show, our hosts Tessa Barrera and Ernie Manouse discuss some of today’s top stories, including more details released on the arrest of La Marque’s mayor for indecent exposure and the Supreme Court giving President Trump a win on his executive order aimed at restricting mail-in voting.

Then, we’re joined by Maisha Colter, CEO of Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA), and Board of Directors member Katie Tsuru, who both tell us about the non-profit’s mission to end family violence by advocating for victims while also promoting accountability for abusers. 

And finally, we talk with storm chaser Reed Timmer and director Ken Cole, who both discuss the new documentary Never Stop Chasing, which explores Timmer’s decades-long career chasing some of the most extreme weather on the planet and what keeps pulling him back into chasing storms.

On today’s Hello Houston, Elissa Freiha, founder of Womena, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women across the Arab world, joins us to share her thoughts on the potential impact of conflict across the Middle East on women and families.

Next, we turn to sports and talk with Prairie View A&M’s head football coach Tremaine Jackson, who tells us about the inaugural Chancellor’s Cup, which brings together two Texas A&M University System schools for the first time in football, and the season ahead.

In the second hour, University of Houston Energy Fellow Ed Hirs joins us to help us separate fact from fiction on how data centers work, including their water, electricity, and land use, how they could impact local communities, and whether they could affect residential electricity bills.

And finally, Dr. Irene Stafford, a physician with UTHealth Houston, joins us to tell us how college students can stay healthy as they head back to class and what health resources are available to them while they’re in school.

Plus, our hosts Tessa Barrera and Michael Adkison talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the University of Houston removing 133 courses from its core curriculum to comply with SB 37, NASA potentially beginning development of its lunar base, the mayor of La Marque being released on bond after being arrested for alleged indecent exposure, and more.