On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Quentin Wiltz, the mayor-elect of the City of Pearland, who joins us to talk about his winning campaign, his priorities, and what residents can expect from him in this new role.

Then, we talk with Houston actors and singers, Simone Jasmine Gundy and Mark Ivy, who are co-hosting this year’s 2026 Tommy Tune Awards, celebrating the very best in Houston-area high school musical theatre.

In the second hour, Andy Uhler, a University of Texas energy reporter and host of the podcast Phases and Stages: The Texas Energy Story, discusses what renewable energy means for Texans and how his podcast explains what’s happening in Texas energy.

Plus, our hosts and listeners share the latest things that are taking over all their free time as part of our regular Thursday feature, Current Obsessions.

And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Brandi Smith talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the Houston City Council approving an ordinance cracking down on apartment complexes with health and safety issues, health officials monitoring a Hantavirus outbreak, and Republicans moving forward with a plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol for the rest of President Trump’s term.

On today’s Hello Houston, Jason Cunningham, Deputy Chief Appraiser for the Harris Central Appraisal District, joins us to walk us through the process of how people can protest their property taxes in Harris County ahead of the deadline on Friday, May 15.

Next, director and choreographer Jakari Sherman talks to us about his residency, Our Road Home: Gallery as Instrument, which honors the legacy of Houston’s Freedmen’s Town as part of Fresh Arts' 2026 Space Taking Artist Residency initiative.

In the second hour, we’re joined by Bryan Sisk, Chief Nursing Executive with the Memorial Hermann Health System, who discusses the shortage of nurses in Texas with a new projection showing the state could be short of more than 50,000 nurses by 2032.

Plus, Justin Lacey, the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at Houston Botanic Garden, talks to us about their new sculpture exhibition ViewPoints: Nature in Focus, which will be on view through October 2026.

And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Brandi Smith talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s proposed city budget plan, a murder-suicide in River Oaks connected to Houston area restaurant owners, and a new poll showing President Trump's approval ratings dropping due to rising gas prices.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by University of Houston researcher Francisco Haces-Garcia, who discusses the use of AI in flood mapping as well as what was found in a recent flood risk study he authored and what it could mean for the future.

Next, we talk with Houston-based James Beard Award-winning chef and TV host, Chris Shepherd, who tells us all about his new live conversation series, Breaking Bread, which is being presented by the Hobby Center.

In the second hour, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of a truly one-of-a-kind Houston institution, notsuoH, with co-founders and owners Jim Pirtle and Missy Bosch, who walk us through the story of how it all began, and what’s ahead as the popular art space and bar enters a new chapter.

Plus, Houston entrepreneur Moe Vickers tells us about the non-profit she founded, Salon 180 Angels, which provides free hair‑care services to immobile seniors, while also supporting underserved youth through beauty education programs.

And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Lisa Gray discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the Galveston County Sheriff's Office announcing increased patrols for Jeep Weekend 2026, historic U.S. documents coming soon to Houston as part of a national tour, a new poll showing Ken Paxton statistically tied with John Cornyn in Texas’ Republican Senate primary runoff, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, we talk with Sarah Kirkle, the Policy and Legislative Affairs Director for the Texas Water Association, who helps us understand what needs to be done for the state of Texas to avoid a major water crisis in the future.

Then, we hear from Performing Arts Houston President and CEO Meg Booth and Director of Artistic Programs, Lee Strickland, who tell us all about the arts organization’s upcoming 60th anniversary season, which they are calling “The Diamond Season.”

In the second hour, David Froomkin, assistant professor of law at the University of Houston Law Center, joins us to discuss the continuing legal battles surrounding redistricting and voting rights following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decisions involving Texas and Louisiana’s congressional maps.

Plus, Nicholas Sawicki, Executive Director of the Houston Public Library Foundation, rejoins us on the show to explain how the library helps foster a love for reading among children and families in recognition of Children’s Book Week this week.

And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Houston Public Media Reporter Michael Adkison talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Houston's World Cup host committee taking over parts of the region in preparation of the massive international soccer event, Mayor John Whitmire proposing an administrative fee for trash pickup, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick exploring ways to close “gambling loopholes” for online prediction markets, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, we're joined by Gus Faucher, the Chief Economist for PNC, in the first hour of the show, who breaks down a new report with insights on where Houston’s economy stands currently and what we can expect in the months ahead.

Then, we learn all about the local women’s organization, The Women's Resource of Greater Houston, with its Chief Development Officer, Stephanie Magers, who tells us about their work empowering women to make choices to become financially stable.

In the second hour, Phoebe Tudor discusses the importance of historical preservation and her role as Board Chair at the National Trust for Historic Preservation as she takes on Washington and the preservation of the White House.

Plus, as it’s Celeste Diaz Schurman’s last show as a full-time Hello Houston host, we bring in some special guests and a few surprises to wish her well as she steps into a new chapter.

And, as always, Ernie Manouse and Celeste Diaz Schurman (for one final time) talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Camp Mystic withdrawing its application for a summer 2026 camp license and nationwide May Day demonstrations calling for a boycott of work, school and shopping.

On today’s Hello Houston, we hear from local Pastor Sean Palmer, who shares his perspective on the intersection of politics and religion with Celeste Diaz Schurman in the latest installment of her “Cold Coffee” series.

Then, writer, speaker, and influencer Libby Ward joins us to explain how she’s redefining the motherhood narrative through an honest, unfiltered, and relatable lens, as well as her new book Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself. 

In the second hour, we’re joined by Houston Public Media Fort Bend County reporter Melissa Enaje, who tells us all about a new initiative that will take a closer look at the air residents breathe in Fort Bend County to identify potential health risks.

Plus, our hosts and listeners share the latest things that are currently taking over all their free time, as part of our regular Thursday feature, “Current Obsessions.”

And, as always, Ernie Manouse and Celeste Diaz Schurman talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the FCC ordering several TV stations owned by Disney to re-file their broadcasting licenses within 30 days and the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Louisiana must redraw its congressional map, which they discuss with Democracy Docket reporter Jen Rice.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Anne Sung, the Chief Policy and Innovation Officer for Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, who discusses a new business accelerator initiative designed to help childcare providers expand in Harris County.

Then, local media personality Tessa Berrera, formerly of Houston Life on KPRC, joins us to share what she’s been up to since leaving local television.

In the second hour, we take a closer look at what Superfund sites are and where they exist in Harris County with Dr. Bhagavatula Moorthy, the program director and principal investigator of the Baylor College of Medicine – Rice Superfund Research Program, who also explains how researchers are studying their effects.

Plus, Becky Seabrook, Senior Director of Guest Engagement at The Health Museum, joins us to tell us all about their annual Global Teen Medical Summit, and how it gives high school students the opportunity to explore modern-day health and bioscience challenges.

And, as always, Ernie Manouse and Celeste Diaz Schurman talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including a new poll showing state Rep. James Talarico leading in Texas’ U.S. Senate race, the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s current congressional map, and former FBI Director James Comey’s second indictment.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Kim Kofron, Director of Early Childhood Education at Children at Risk, who discusses their new report on “childcare deserts” across Texas, which are areas where finding affordable and quality childcare is becoming more difficult.

Next, Dr. Lavanya Rajagopalan, the founder and Executive Artistic Director of the Indian arts organization, Silambam Houston, tells us about their original production Kāvya: Poetry in Motion, which will be performed at the Hobby Center on Friday, May 1.

In the second hour, Dr. George Santos, a psychiatrist and member physician with the Harris County Medical Society, discusses what we should know about protecting our long-term brain health and new findings that suggest heavy screen time could be linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline.

Plus, the Junior League of Houston’s Margie Sutton talks about the organization’s Community Assistance Grants, which offer funding to local non-profits working in children’s education, women and children’s health, and whole family basic needs.

And, as always, Ernie Manouse and Celeste Diaz Schurman talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the Supreme Court issuing a decision allowing Texas’ newly redrawn congressional maps to be used and Houston Mayor John Whitmire facing ethics complaints over his new city-funded podcast.

On today’s Hello Houston, we talk with Richard Elbein, CEO of the Alzheimer's Association's Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter, about their new report that spotlights the growing impact of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in Texas.

Then, we highlight the Houston Museum of African American Culture, with its newly appointed CEO, Davinia Reed, who tells us more about their mission as well as the museum’s current exhibitions and programming.

In the second hour of the show, Dan Potter, the Director of the Houston Population Research Center at the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, breaks down the results of their annual Houston area survey and what they reveal about the current thoughts and attitudes of Harris County residents.

Plus, we also hear from Houstonians Amy Good and Marc Tushnet, who tell us about their efforts to save the ice rink at Memorial City Mall, after it was announced that it would be permanently closing due to renovations.

And, as always, Ernie Manouse and Celeste Diaz Schurman discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the alleged White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter appearing in federal court, a recent ruling on a Texas law that lets state police arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally, and King Charles III and Queen Camilla's visit to the U.S. today.

On today’s Hello Houston, the University of Houston Law Center’s Seth Chandler joins us to break down the recent ruling on the state law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms and what comes next.

Then, Brian Mason, Director of the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management, joins us to tell us about the upcoming Ready365 event, which aims to prepare Houstonians for a variety of disasters.

In the second hour, we’re joined by singer-songwriter Patrice Pike and Dr. Sam West, Executive Director of the Step Onward Foundation, who both tell us about a special event to celebrate the organization's impact on preventing housing insecurity. Plus, we hear Pike perform her songs “Rufus” and “Whippoorwill” in the Hello Houston studio.

And finally, our hosts share a rundown of things happening this weekend in H-Town for our regular Friday feature, Last Minute Plans.

Also, Ernie Manouse and guest host Joy Sewing discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the Department of Homeland Security warning that we could see long security lines at airports next month, Beyoncé's childhood home having a potential buyer, and Houston's new short-term rental regulations.