Houston Matters

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

Also this hour: We reflect on the life of aviator, engineer, and businessman Howard Hughes and his impact on Houston.

And poet Lupe Mendez talks about his new collection of poems, We Exist in the Whisper, which is all about efforts in the 1970s in Houston to skirt federal school desegregation laws.

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On Tuesday's show: Texas public schools saw a decline in enrollment this academic year. Outside of the pandemic, that is the first drop in nearly four decades, according to a report from Texas 2036, a policy research group. And one particular group is accounting for an overwhelming majority of the loss. We take a look at the numbers and consider why.

Also this hour: Houston is just over a month away from hosting the first of several FIFA World Cup matches set to take place here. But is hosting a major event like this worth it for the city -- both monetarily and in terms of the disruption to our lives? Houston Chronicle reporter Dylan McGuinness shares what his recent investigation revealed.

Then, columnist Joe Holley says great stories are about people, places, and the past — and the best ones are about all three. We revisit some of his favorite stories  from around Texas collected in his book, Native Texan: Stories from Deep in the Heart.

And a hidden Houston treasure is entering a new era. We talk with Daniel Ackermann, the new director of the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, about history, accessibility, and the future of one of Houston’s keystone landmarks.

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On Monday's show: We learn why the U.S. Department of Education is investigating HISD and what it could mean for students and their families.

And, after two Houston residents were identified as being among those on a cruise ship exposed to the hantavirus, we learn more about the virus and how it's transmitted.

Also this hour: We discuss how we evaluate a student's success after graduation -- is salary the best way to measure that?

Then, gardening expert Meg Tapp will answer listener questions.

And we check in on the Astros' injury-plagued season with Jeff Balke of the Bleav in Astros podcast.

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On Friday's show: Houston in recent days and weeks has been shaken by a string of devastating domestic violence homicides, including a murder-suicide involving the prominent owners of several local restaurants and their children. The head of the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council contemplates what these stories reveal and what can be done to prevent them. And we examine what law enforcement and nonprofits are doing to intervene.

*If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.

Also this hour: Our panel of non-experts breaks down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And there have been all kinds of adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, putting them in unusual settings. So, why not a version of Hamlet set at a family barbecue in the South? We talk with a couple of the folks cooking up 4th Wall Theatre Company's production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Fat Ham, which runs through May 23.

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On Thursday's show: After repeated delays, Houston City Council has approved an ordinance cracking down on apartment complexes with chronic health and safety violations. We learn what the ordinance does and get reaction from a local low-income housing advocacy group.

Also this hour: We preview the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season and discuss how accurately hurricane forecasts often end up playing out in reality here in Greater Houston.

Then, on a new installment of The Bigger Picture, we learn about Tourette syndrome and I Swear, a documentary about the condition which just wrapped up a short theatrical run here in town.

And we preview this weekend’s Houston debut of Panda Fest, a large outdoor Asian food and culture festival, taking place at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park.

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On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup, including the results of the latest election survey from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs.

Also this hour: Foodies dish on their favorite restaurant options for both really beautiful and really ugly food that tastes great in this month’s installment of The Full Menu.

And we reflect on the life and work of the late artist David Adickes, who is known for large-scale sculptures like the one of Sam Houston on I-45. He's the subject of a new book called Monumental.

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On Tuesday's show: Houston Mayor John Whitmire will propose an “administrative fee" tied to garbage and recycling pickup that would start out at $5 per month for the first two years and would gradually ramp up to $25 per month. We discuss the city's long history that led to this potential move and the environmental effects of neglected trash pickup.

Also this hour: We discuss the state of transportation in the region.

Then, response to the COVID pandemic in 2020 led some to question the wisdom of public health officials and the medical community at-large. Dr. Barry Davis of UTHealth argues they’ve helped us all prevent many other major health disasters. He makes his case in a new book, The Preventioneers.

And we talk about fishing in and around Houston with Mike Gore from Texas Parks and Wildlife.

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On Monday's show: Leaked documents have detailed proposed changes to special education at HISD, raising alarm among families of students with disabilities. We learn more from Houston Public Media’s education reporter Bianca Seward.

Also this hour: We offer listeners a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.

And we recap the Rockets' season after their first-round loss to the Lakers and consider what needs to happen for the team to go deeper in the playoffs with the help of Jeff Balke.

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On Friday's show: We take a closer look at the forecast for heavy rain in Greater Houston throughout the day and into tonight as a Stage 1 flood alert has been issued. Eric Berger of Space City Weather brings us the latest details.

And we learn about the latest of several HISD school officials appointed by the state to lead a district undergoing a state takeover, this time for Beaumont ISD.

Also this hour: What does it mean to live between identities — and who decides where you belong? Houston artist Melissa Aytenfisu talks about Othered, a new exhibit at Bisong Art Gallery exploring the experiences of biracial individuals through more than 30 mixed-media portraits.

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

And two members of the classical ensemble Trio Menil discuss their music and perform for us. The group will perform a concert called Past, Present, Premiere, which spotlights Asian American and Pacific Islander composers, on Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Asia Society Texas.

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