Houston Matters

On Thursday's show: Houston City Council has approved $18 billion worth of capital projects. We find out what the money will be spent on and how that might affects services, such as solid waste.

And we get details on the new $300 million arena complex the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo plans to build, which is intended to “complement, not replace” operations at NRG Park.

Also this hour: Sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula fields listener questions about sleep and sleep disorders, which you can send now to [email protected].

And we take a closer look at the Texas Newsroom podcast After the Flood, about the people who died last summer when a flood tore through the Texas Hill Country.

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On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: We ponder the art of crafting a compelling story from the public radio program, The Moth, ahead of its Mainstage coming to Houston this weekend.

And filmmaker Karla Murthy, who grew up in Missouri City, talks about her documentary, The Gas Station Attendant, which chronicles her father’s struggles to achieve the American dream and her process of coming to terms with his story. The film will be screened June 25 as a part of the series HTX MADE with a related family storytelling workshop on June 27.

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On Tuesday's show: A Tesla crashed into a Katy home on Friday, killing a 76-year-old woman. The driver told police the vehicle was in an automated driving mode. While no criminal charges have yet to be filed in the case, a legal expert discusses the liability questions that stem from incidents involving such vehicles.

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On Monday's show: Three years ago, Texas Republican lawmakers approved a state law eliminating Harris County’s chief elections official and allowing state officials to intervene and supervise elections here. We learn how the state is using the law to take over elections in some other, much-smaller counties.

Also this hour: We hear the story behind the Houston-based nonprofit Love You Adam Foundation and how it is using some new approaches to prevent suicide.

Then, an expert from the UTHealth Houston Neurosciences-Headache & Pain Center answers your questions about headaches and migraines.

And, after some MLB players wrote Bible verses on the rainbow-themed hats they wore on a recent LGBTQ+ Pride night, we talk about athletes and free speech -- what they can say, do, and even wear on the field.

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On Friday's show: Today is Juneteenth, which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in this country. And while we tend to think of Galveston when we conjure the holiday's history, a local researcher tells us about what he found that suggests the first festivities happened in Houston.

Also this hour: A new book celebrates the stories and legacy of Riverside General, Houston’s former Negro hospital. Journalist Carlton Houston talks about his book, The Houston Negro Hospital, and shares his own family's connection to its story.

Then, our non-experts break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And Sunday is Make Music Day, a free celebration of musical performance around the world. We talk with Houston vocalist Dria Thornton about her music and career.

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On Thursday's show: Greater Houston may have dodged a bullet in terms of widespread flooding when Tropical Storm Arthur bypassed our region on its way to Louisiana, but it has left with us some extreme heat. We get an update and an explanation from meteorologist Justin Ballard of the Houston Chronicle.

And we get details on former Fort Bend County Judge KP George's sentencing for his money laundering conviction.

Also this hour: How do we know when an older adult might need help at home, professional care, or a different living arrangement? We discuss the ins and outs of elder care.

Then, amid its initial public offering last week, SpaceX set some pretty lofty goals, including future colonization of Mars. Space scientist Scott Soloman of Rice University explains why he thinks those goals are not feasible -- and even unethical.

And we visit The Landing at Augusta Woods, a memory care community in Spring that uses faith, music, and repetition to help residents with dementia rediscover their purpose and inspire others.

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On Wednesday's show: We get an update on the forecast for rainy weather across the region. And we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: How often do you really think about how you're going to get from point A to point B throughout your day? For disability advocate Melissa DiVietri, it's something she has to consider all the time.

And we learn about this year’s Houston Punk Fest, which takes place June 26-27.

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On Tuesday's show: We get an update on the potential for "life-threatening flooding" this week as the Houston area faces sustained heavy rains amid a flood watch. We check in again with meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather for the latest.

And we find out how local chefs and restaurants fared in the annual James Beard Awards.

Also this hour: We learn how the City of Houston is doing on its efforts to improve its sewer system.

Then, scientists last year discovered evidence that could point to ancient life on Mars. We revisit a conversation from last fall about what they found.

And we chat with some artists behind six new massive murals in downtown.

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On Monday's show: More stormy weather is inbound and brings with it the threat of potential flooding this week. We get the latest on two storm systems headed our way from meteorologist Eric Berger from Space City Weather.

We check in with Houston Public Media’s Michael Adkison on the FIFA World Cup. We recap Sunday’s match in Houston between Germany and Curaçao and preview Wednesday's match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And we discuss how the Fan Fest and other related events are going so far.

Also this hour: Ahead of Juneteenth, we reflect on how Black communities have commemorated freedom, preserved their history, and fought for full citizenship through generations of celebration and remembrance with historian Blair LM Kelley, author of Black Freedom: The Visual History of Juneteenth and Emancipation Days. She will discuss the book during an author talk at Kindred Stories on June 18 at 7 p.m.

Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listener questions about their pets.

And to cap or not to cap -- that’s the question Major League Baseball is wrestling with when it comes to its salaries. Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast, explains the argument and how it could lead to no Astros games for some -- or all -- of next season.

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On Friday's show: Tina Petersen, the head of the Harris County Flood Control District has resigned amid pressure to address looming deadlines. We learn why she resigned and what it has to do with post Harvey-flood mitigation projects.

Also this hour: Ahead of the first FIFA World Cup matches in Houston, for those among us who know little to nothing about the sport, we talk with Nick Greene, author of How to Watch Soccer Like a Genius, who explains the ins and outs of the World Cup, from the basics of the game, to what it takes to maintain the grass on the pitch, and how to enjoy the game itself.

Then, from the wrong flag being used to welcome World Cup fans to Houston, to a shuttle bus to Buc-ee’s being included in public transit for World Cup visitors in Dallas, our non-experts break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we meet a Houston psychiatrist, Dr. Raymond Cho, who has also become a composer.

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