On today’s Hello Houston, we hear the newest installment of University of Houston political science professor and Party Politics co-host, Brandon Rottinghaus’ series Texperts, in which he breaks down the duties of a county commissioner and talks with Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia.

Then, we’re joined by Jazz Houston Youth Orchestra band director, David Caceras and student musician and lead tenor Matthew Cruz, who tell us all about the program and what’s ahead for them after being selected to compete in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival.

In the second hour of the show, we’re joined by Dr. Catherine Troisi, who joins us to discuss the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the nation’s recommended immunization schedule for children, the concerns these changes are raising among medical groups, and why these vaccine recommendations are important.

Plus, we’ll also learn all about The Happening at The Orange Show, a monthly performance art and open mic showcase, with The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art’s curator of programs, Pete Gershon, and The Happening organizer Andrew Whit.

And, as always, Ernie and Frank discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including President Trump declaring victory in the war with Iran, and Houston Public Media reporter Bianca Seward calls in to give us the latest on the long security lines at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

On today’s Hello Houston, Jim Blackburn, a professor in the practice of environmental law at Rice University, joins us to talk about the expansion of the Ben Taub hospital through eminent domain, and what we can expect next now that the plan is moving forward.

Next, Broadway star Nicholas Rodriguez tells us all about his upcoming concert, Sincerely, Sondheim, a musical tribute to the life and legacy of the late composer Stephen Sondheim, which will run at the Hobby Center on March 26th and 27th.

In the second hour, we’re joined by Wendell Primus, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Center on Health Policy, who joins us to discuss growing concerns over the long-term future of social security with new projections warning the program could face insolvency in the years ahead.

Plus, we also learn about the student-led organization, UTHealth Houston Cares, and their upcoming annual Community Health Fair, which will provide people with free health screenings, among other health services.

And, as always, Ernie, Celeste, and Frank talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including energy company TotalEnergies announcing it will end offshore wind projects and invest in oil and gas projects, The Woodlands not being selected for free underground tunnels, Sen. Ted Cruz’ idea to separate immigration enforcement funding from the rest of the DHS budget, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Rice University President Reginald DesRoches, who discusses the efforts and initiatives the university has launched in recent years, his management philosophy, and what his priorities are moving forward.

Then, neurologist Dr. Justine Chen and Houston-area jazz pianist Barry Seelen join us to tell us about a new treatment that helped Seelen regain the ability to swallow after he experienced a massive stroke last year.

In the second hour of the show, we talk with Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard, who discusses the possible return of an El Niño weather event following the departure of a La Niña and whether it could develop into a stronger “Super” El Niño later this year.

Plus, TSU professor turned comedian, Marcus D. Wiley, joins us to tell us all about his comedy career and his new full-length comedy special, Rehab.

And, as always, Ernie and Frank discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including ICE agents being sent to airports to assist long security lines as the partial government shutdown continues and the U.S. Supreme Court hearing arguments for a GOP bid to disqualify mail-in ballots received after Election Day.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Jon Van Gorp, chair of global law at the law firm Mayer Brown, who shares his thoughts on what’s fueling Houston’s rise as a major legal and commercial hub with an influx of national and international law firms moving to the city.

Then, we learn about the 22nd Houston Jewish Film Festival with Amy Rahmani, the Arts and Culture Director at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, who also tells us about the films in this year’s lineup and where Houstonians can check them out.

In the second hour, Federico Salas-Isnardi, the former director of the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy, joins us to tell us about the scope of adult literacy, the progress Houston has made in addressing the issue, and the resources that are available for adults looking to improve their literacy skills.

Plus, our hosts share their weekend plans as well as a rundown of events happening this weekend in H-Town as part of our regular Friday feature, Last Minute Plans.

And, as always, Celeste and Frank talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including a Houston woman suing the Houston Astros after a stray firework struck her eye, Harris County commissioners approving the expansion of Ben Taub Hospital through eminent domain, a federal arts commission approving a 24-karat gold commemorative coin with President Trump's image, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, the Baker Institute’s Bill King joins us to break down a new report raising questions about the long-term cost of affordable housing programs in Harris County, finding they could result in billions of dollars in lost property tax revenue over time.

Next, we learn all about the limited documentary series, The Change: Unleashing the Wild Woman, with the series’ director and producer, Linda Gibbs, who explains how it explores what women experience when going through menopause.

In the second hour of the show, we’re joined by Houston City Councilmember Julian Ramirez, who discusses the city’s new heavy trash pickup system, what’s causing the delays in starting it, and what we can expect to happen next.

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, Celeste and Frank discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the cancellation of Houston's César Chávez march after an investigation uncovered years of alleged sexual abuse, Texas conservatives criticizing James Talarico for his stance on reducing meat consumption, and sports analyst Charlie Palillo joins us to help us unpack March Madness.

On today’s Hello Houston, Houston City Controller Chris Hollins joins us in the show’s first hour to discuss the rising cost of electricity, with the city of Houston expected to spend more than $131 million on electricity this fiscal year.

Next, we’re joined by John Slaby and Cookie Wells, longtime members of Archway Gallery, a long-running artist-owned and operated gallery in Houston, who tell us about its history and an upcoming exhibition to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

In the second hour, we talk with Stacey Gorniak, a professor of motor behavior at the University of Houston’s Department of Health and Human Performance, who discusses the university’s dementia research programs and what we can do to protect our brain health for the future.

Plus, Amanda McMillian, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston, tells us all about the nonprofit’s Integrated Client Journey program and how it aims to help people achieve financial stability.

And, as always, Celeste and Frank talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including a federal judge ordering Texas to extend the deadline for private school vouchers, TSA workers not being paid during the government shutdown, John Cornyn and Ken Paxton remaining in the Texas Senate GOP runoff as the withdrawal deadline passes, and more.

On today’s show, Houston soccer legend and former Houston Dynamo player, Brian Ching, joins us to discuss his career, the upcoming FIFA World Cup event, and his induction into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame this Fall.

Then, Kathleen Spangler, Assistant Executive Director of the local faith-based organization Hope Center Houston, tells us all about their work and how they’re celebrating their tenth anniversary.

In the second hour of Hello Houston, we talk with Texas Tribune journalist Gabby Birenbaum, who discusses her article examining the political rise of the House Freedom Caucus, following their successes in the 2026 Texas primaries.

Also, we hear the newest episode of Party Politics co-host and University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus’ Texperts series, in which he explores whether it is illegal to pick Texas bluebonnets.

And, as always, Celeste and Frank discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s updated dress code, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s trade mission to Europe amid calls for her to resign, and a federal judge blocking Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s changes to children's vaccine policies.

Plus, Saint Arnold Brewing Company’s Lennie Ambrose joins us to explain how they’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day today.

On today’s Hello Houston, we talk with Ben Martin, Deputy Director at Texas Housers, who discusses a new report that found low-income earners are experiencing a shortage of affordable rental units, and what we're seeing nationwide and in the Houston region. 

Then, we learn all about Opera Gallery Houston, the newest part of an international network of galleries known for showcasing modern and contemporary works by world-famous artists, with its director, Gregory Lahmi and founder, Gilles Dyan.

In the show’s second hour, we’re joined by Nicole Zayas Manzano, Deputy Director of Policy at The Bail Project, who breaks down new data out of Harris County that suggests recent changes to the local bail system may be working.

Plus, we celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of one of Houston’s most iconic cultural landmarks, the Julia Ideson Library, with Nicholas Sawicki, Executive Director of the Houston Public Library Foundation.

And, as always, Celeste and Frank discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo taking steps to prevent fights, the GOP uncovering past comments from James Talarico, and President Trump urging NATO to help the U.S. secure the Strait of Hormuz, which they discuss with University of Houston energy fellow Ed Hirs.

On today’s Hello Houston, we discuss the upcoming 2026 Oscars with Dave Morales, co-owner and editor of the entertainment news website BackstageOL.com, who shares his predictions for the big winners of this year’s ceremony.

Then, Dom Finetti and Patrick McAlexander of the Houston-based non-profit a cappella ensemble Space City Sound, tell us all about the group and their upcoming performance on the University of Houston campus. Plus, members of the ensemble treat us to a special performance.

In the second hour of the show, we’re joined by Dustin Gouker, publisher of The Event Horizon, a Substack newsletter focused on the prediction market industry, who helps break down the murky and fast-moving world of prediction markets.

Also, our hosts share a rundown of events happening this weekend in Houston for our regular Friday feature, Last Minute Plans.

And, as always, Ernie and Frank talk about the top stories of the day at the top of each hour, including Texas SNAP recipients not being able to buy candy or sweetened drinks with their Lone Star Cards starting next month and Buc-ee's receiving an F rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for its alleged failure to respond to customer service complaints.

On today’s Hello Houston, Dr. Sergio Lira, President of the Houston council of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), discusses their decision to cancel this year’s Cinco De Mayo parade, and other pressing concerns for the city’s Latin American community.

Then, we learn all about this year’s upcoming Tour De Houston, an annual community bike ride event celebrating the beauty, history, and diversity of Houston’s neighborhoods, with Todd Holloman, Vice President of Venues and Live Events at Houston First Corporation.

In the second hour of the show, we’re joined by Joshua Fechter, the Urban Affairs reporter for The Texas Tribune, who breaks down his report on the rising cost of housing and the debate over whether investment companies should be allowed to buy single-family homes.

Plus, our hosts tell us about 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 and Frank discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo saying that she was threatened and removed from a Houston rodeo concert, a new poll on how Americans feel about placing the National Guard at polling places, and a new poll showing James Talarico tying with John Cornyn and Ken Paxton.