Houston Matters

On Thursday's show: As NASA continues to work toward building a base on the moon, it has awarded some contracts to commercial companies to take the next steps there. We learn why one Texas company earned one of those contracts and a Houston-based one did not.

Also this hour: On the heels of Tuesday’s runoff election and as we look ahead to November, we break down how Supreme Court decisions of recent years have gutted the Voting Rights Act, and how, paired with ensuing redistricting, representation is changing in Houston and across The South.

Then, we learned this month that an unusual settlement over child transgender care was reached, which calls on Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston to establish the country’s first-ever “detransition clinic.” We discuss the practical and legal questions that settlement raises with Shelby Chestnut, executive director of the Transgender Law Center.

And technology is changing the way music is made. Some of it is for the better. Some of it...not so much. We talk it over with some creators.

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On Wednesday's show: Ken Paxton will take on James Talarico for a U.S. Senate seat in November. And there was a surprise -- at least to some -- in the Democratic primary for Harris County Judge. We pore over those and other results from Tuesday’s primary runoffs as we discuss the latest developments in politics.

Also this hour: We learn about a new report that looks to the future of Fort Bend County, which could see a population above two million by the year 2050.

And we talk with folks involved in this year's Haapifest, celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander films and filmmakers here in Houston. 

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On Tuesday's show: Today is election day for the primary runoff races. We check in with Houston Public Media reporters at polling places across Greater Houston, recap what is on the ballot, and share what you need to know before voting.

Also this hour: We visit the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center to learn about the adaptive sports and recreation services it provides Houstonians with disabilities.

And we talk with Houston native fashion designer Bach Mai.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh_tMMjWRlA

On Friday's show: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a below-average number of storms during the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, according to its annual forecast released Thursday. We learn what might be in store for us.

Also this hour: A new study suggests a bleak future for the city of New Orleans due to sea level rise. The authors even suggest residents should probably start relocating now. We learn more about the report. And, while Houston’s elevation isn’t quite as low, and we’re a little further away from the Gulf, there are some in Greater Houston who may be just as vulnerable. We talk it all over.

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

And Matt Dinniman, author of the highly popular Dungeon Crawler Carl series talks with our Brenda Valdivia ahead of his appearance at this weekend’s Comicpalooza.

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On Thursday's show: HISD Superintendent Mike Miles joins us to discuss the state of the district, changes in special education, and to address listener questions. You can send yours now to [email protected].

Also this hour: We meet the people behind a new free arts newspaper called the Houston Associated Experimental Press.

And we revisit a 2015 conversation with former Congressman Barney Frank, who served Massachusetts for more than 30 years. Frank passed away this week. He was the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay.

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On Wednesday's show: From President Trump endorsing Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate primary runoff, to other primary votes happening across the county, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: Prairie View A&M University, the state’s oldest public HBCU, is celebrating 150 years. Former Prairie View history professor Dr. Will Guzmán talks about the school's history and legacy, which he addresses in two books he has written this year.

And we revisit a conversation with the hosts of Sistas Who Kill, a podcast focused on Black women in true crime, ahead of a live event in Houston on May 24.

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On Tuesday's show: The WHO has declared an Ebola outbreak in Africa a global health emergency. We talk with local epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Troisi of UTHealth about how concerned we should be about the disease spreading further, including to Greater Houston.

Also this hour: We hear two conversations about artificial intelligence. First, a new study from the University of Houston examines people's attitudes toward AI and data centers. Then, a local law professor explains why he thinks students can beomce better lawyers by using AI tools, something the legal profession may be embracing more broadly than other industries.

Then, a Houston businessman was recently acquitted and released by a federal judge in a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act case. Jury convictions in such cases are hardly ever overturned. We find out why it was in this case.

And turtles, geckos, and snakes were among the creatures on display recently in Pasadena at Repticon. Brenda Valdivia was there and shares what she learned.

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On Monday's show: Early voting begins today and runs through May 22 in the runoffs for the Texas primary races. We discuss that and Joe Panzarella's victory in a special election runoff to fill the District C position on the Houston City Council with Mark Jones, political science fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Also this hour: Sidewalks are a part of public infrastructure that could easily be overlooked. But, according to a new book, sidewalks are at the core of numerous major debates. Michael Pollack discusses his book, Sidewalk Nation, which features a chapter about Houston.

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

And we discuss Jose Altuve's injury and the Astros' weekend series win over the Texas Rangers with Jeff Balke of the Bleav in Astros podcast, then discuss the Texans' 2026 schedule with Houston Chronicle NFL and Texans reporter Jonathan Alexander.

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On Friday's show: HISD officially outlined its plans to centralize special education services at its board meeting Thursday night. This came after draft documents were leaked regarding the plan, which prompted a civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Education. We find out what district leadership had to say.

Also this hour: Road construction is unavoidable in a region as large as Greater Houston, but do you ever feel like they schedule projects all at the same time? We discuss how road work gets scheduled.

Then, from a former Texas Lotto official’s indictment, to the WNBA’s official return to Houston next year, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we hear from singer LUCÍA, who bridges the worlds of jazz, Latin, and pop music. She performs Sunday at Houston's Eldorado Ballroom as a part of the series Rising Jazz Stars from DACAMERA.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ4ALFFyBVk

On Thursday's show: Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Bolivar Peninsula this weekend for the annual gathering known as Jeep Weekend, and Galveston County officials are deploying hundreds of law enforcement officers in response to years of violence and arrests at the event. Houston Public Media's Julianna Washburn provides details on that other stories from across Galveston County.

Also this hour: Former Astros closer Brad Lidge talks about his playing days in Houston and how downtime on the road led to a new career in archaeology.

Then, we revisit a studio performance by Rhett Miller, the longtime frontman of the band, Old 97's, who perform at The Heights Theater on May 28.

And we meet the creators of Rūng Film Fest, a Pakistani film festival, which takes place this weekend.

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