On Thursday's Houston Matters: Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez testifies today in his confirmation hearing as Pres. Joe Biden's pick to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We preview what he's likely to be asked about his stance on key immigration issues and his track record in law enforcement in Greater Houston.

Also this hour: ERCOT has created a roadmap to making the state's electricity grid more reliable and submitted it to the governor and the legislature. We  learn what it entails. And we learn about a lawsuit filed against Chevron, alleging the energy company failed to deliver natural gas during February’s freeze, which has been linked to nearly 200 deaths statewide.

Then, a recent report says the number of craft breweries in Houston has grown 344 percent since 2013. We examine what's behind the trend and if it's sustainable.

And, beginning June 29, One Fifth Houston, Chef Chris Shepherd’s rotating concept restaurant in Montrose, will become One Fifth Red Sauce Italian. It will feature Italian-American fare, including a Midwestern childhood favorite of Shepherd’s – toasted ravioli. T-ravs are also a favorite of Houston Matters host Craig Cohen, having grown up in St. Louis. He visits the restaurant to learn about Shepherd’s version and discuss their preferred variations on the appetizer and consider why it’s so popular in some parts of the Midwest but has never really caught on in Houston or the rest of the country.

On Monday's Houston Matters: We learn what happened over the weekend during the special session of the Texas Legislature as bills addressing voting and bail reform moved forward.

Plus: We discuss what we do and do not know about an FBI investigation into the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office in connection with allegations from current and former female deputies being pressed into participating in undercover “bachelor party stings.” An attorney representing the women who filed a lawsuit in May confirmed the FBI investigation on Thursday.

Also this hour: Firefighters responded to a transformer fire at a CenterPoint substation in northwest Houston late last week. We hear more details from City Councilwoman Amy Peck, who represents the area.

Then, we offer you another chance to vent about your pet peeves about life in Greater Houston.

And we get an update on Houston sports from Cody Stoots, co-host of the sports podcast In the Group Chat.

On Friday's Houston Matters: C’mon, admit it. We’ve all been feeling it. And a new survey reinforces that while many of us are reporting stress and anxiety due to any number of things Houstonians have been through over the last year or two, most of us are not actually doing anything about it. We discuss why that’s, well, problematic, and whether we can connect dots between the findings of this survey and observed trends, like a rise in road rage in the Houston area.

Also this hour: Standardized testing results for Texas show that math scores are significantly lower than they were in 2019. How can local teachers get students caught up in the upcoming school year?

Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And how lessons from running the Houston Texans might help Jamey Rootes in his new job running the Dash and Dynamo.

On Thursday's Houston Matters: The Texas Legislature’s special session gets underway today in Austin. Gov. Greg Abbott has tasked lawmakers with 11 agenda items. But he – and Texans – may find some more critical than others.

Also this hour: Two area fundraising nonprofits are partnering to coordinate response and recovery from future disasters.

Then, it’s been a hot year around the country, and we’re just really getting into summer. Are recent heat waves indicative of future trends?

And motorcyclist Steve Goode is visiting a different Jewish-style deli in each state in America to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger. He's calling it The Great American Deli Schlep, and his Texas stop is today at Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen. He talks with us about motorcycling – and noshing – his way through the country in search of good deli with a larger cause on his mind.

On Wednesday's Houston Matters: The more contagious Delta variant was behind an outbreak of COVID-19 at a Houston-area church camp. Clear Creek Community Church canceled in-person services this week after more than 125 people – children and adults – tested positive for COVID-19 after a five day camp. That reminds us that summer camps bring some health challenges in any year.

Also this hour: We discuss the latest news from Washington, Austin, and Greater Houston in our weekly political roundup. And our political experts weigh in on the recent rankings of U.S. Presidents by C-SPAN.

And local food writers talk about their favorite breakfast places in Houston on this month's edition of The Full Menu.

On Tuesday's Houston Matters: A conversation with Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who's been tapped by the Biden administration to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Also this hour: After the disastrous building collapse in Florida, University of Houston structural engineer Joe Colaco discusses how buildings are inspected for their structural soundness.

And we learn about a project at the University of Houston to document and preserve Puerto Rican literature.

On Friday's Houston Matters: As the Fourth of July approaches, we talk to a local fireworks retailer about sales after the pandemic and a supply shortage. And Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen gives an overview of fireworks safety.

Also this hour: The Battleship Texas closed a year and a half ago for major repairs, but they’re lowering the gangway again this Fourth of July weekend.

Then, this Independence Day Weekend, we’ll be met, one way or another, with the usual patriotic trappings – not just fireworks but song standards, speeches, and an ample supply of red, white, and blue on display. It’s a natural time to consider what it means to be an American.

Plus: Ever wonder why it’s hotter in some parts of the Houston area than others? The Guardian delved into the connection between heat, tree cover, zoning (or a lack of it), geography, and economy in Houston as part of a series of reports called America’s Dirty Divide. Guardian digital producer Erum Salam joins us to explain. 

And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news.

On Thursday's Houston Matters: We talk with an immigration reporter about recent stories related to the border, including visits this week there by Vice Pres. Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump, and Gov. Greg Abbott, and Galveston County’s disaster declaration over the “ongoing border crisis.”

That news comes as a new poll from the University of Texas and The Texas Tribune finds Texans are largely split over whether increasing racial and ethnic diversity in Texas is a cause for optimism or concern. They’re also split -- largely along party lines -- over both state and federal handling of immigration and border security.

Also this hour: Luby’s is continuing to liquidate, selling off a number of locations, and its ownership in Fuddrucker’s. The chain was already in trouble amid declining sales before the pandemic. Even as customers have returned to restaurants generally, cafeteria-style chains may find a post-pandemic world a little less inclined to stand in line in front of a sneeze guard. We discuss the trends affecting restaurant chains here in Houston.

And John Carlucci, a filmmaker who grew up in Houston, talks about his first feature-length film Drunk Bus, a story of breaking out of an endless loop – both literally and  figuratively.

On Wednesday's Houston Matters: STAAR Test results are in for Texas public school children. We discuss what they tell us about the pandemic's effect on education over the past year.

Also this hour: We discuss the latest news in our weekly political roundup.

And neuroscientist and former Houstonian David Eagleman explains a way the pandemic might’ve been good for our brains. He'll participate in a virtual event with The Health Museum on Thursday, July 1, at 6 p.m. in conjunction with the museum's current exhibit, BRAIN: The World Inside Your Head.

On Tuesday's Houston Matters: We learn why First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff are visiting Houston.

Also this hour: Houston Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee answers your questions.

Then, Dwight Silverman of Forbes joins us to discuss the latest developments in technology, including the announcement of Microsoft's Windows 11 and his guide on how to shop for a 4K television.

And Magnolia’s Lynn Rippelmeyer tells how fate — in the form of some bad weather — allowed her and her mentor to make aviation history.