Houston Matters

On Thursday's show: NASA's historic Artemis II mission launched successfully, lifting off at 5.35 p.m. Central Time Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. We learn what's next for the mission and the role Houston’s Johnson Space Center will play.

Also this hour: We consider the experiences of youth transitioning out of the foster care system.

Then, a dermatologist offers advice on how to take care of your skin as many of us are spending more time outdoors.

And we get to know the Houston Symphonic Band.

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

Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Full Menu, local food writers talk about some restaurants worth taking a short trip outside Houston to try.

And a unique company in The Woodlands called Othram used DNA to identify a suspect in the 1990 "Lovers Lane" murders in Houston. We revisit a conversation about how they do that work.

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On Tuesday's show: A federal trial underway this week could force Texas to air condition its prisons, where temperatures routinely top 90 degrees and inmates have died from the heat. Reporter Bayliss Wagner provides details.

Also this hour: We talk about science fairs and how they can potentially influence the careers of their student participants.

Then, while the weather in Houston has been pretty nice lately, we all know heat is coming. And that means running our air conditioners more. So, how can you make sure your A/C unit isn’t fighting for its life? A local HVAC contractor offers some general tips to keep your system running smoothly.

And we learn how Tuffly Park was renamed after beloved local coach.

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On Monday's show: A number of No Kings protests took place in the region over the weekend. We learn what took place. And as the partial government shutdown enters its 45th day, we get an update on airport security wait times at Bush Airport.

Also this hour: New research suggests AI can be helpful during the creative process. We ask a few Houston area creatives what they think.

Then, as NASA prepares to launch Artemis II this week, taking humans back to the moon for the first time since the Apollo program, we recall Gemini, the program that preceded Apollo, and how it may have actually been what won the space race over the Russians.

And we recap the rest of the Astros season-opening series against the Angels.

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On Friday's show: We check in on the status of long wait times at Bush Intercontinental Airport amid a partial government shutdown. And the UH Cougars were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament with a loss to Illinois last night. We recap the game.

Also this hour: From repurposing the Astrodome to the high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas, there are some big -- potentially visionary -- projects in Greater Houston that never quite come to fruition. We consider some of the reasons why.

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

And Houston’s EZ Band, which brings Tejano flavor to covers of modern pop songs, performs for us in studio.

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On Thursday's show: We check in again on the latest efforts to reduce security delays at Bush Airport as TSA workers remain unpaid during the partial government shutdown.

Also this hour: Following the conviction of a Houston man for murder in a case involving stalking, we discuss how to recognize it and what practical steps can be taken to help someone in danger.

Then, we examine how diagnostic delays, a lack of tailored treatments, and historic underinvestment in conditions that primarily or disproportionately affect them all combine to impact women’s health outcomes across Greater Houston.

And we get an update on Houston’s real estate market.

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On Wednesday's show: We check in on the continuing security delays at Bush Airport amid a partial government shutdown.

Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Then, we revisit a question we’ve asked before: is Texas too big?

And we reflect on the women’s suffrage movement in Houston and Texas and discuss why women's voting access is still a relevant topic today.

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On Tuesday's show: The annual CERAWeek energy conference is taking place in Houston this week. We learn about protests planned during the event and about some of the conference's high-profile speakers. And we dig into the state of the energy industry amid ever-rising oil prices.

Also this hour: Anti-Islamic rhetoric is on the rise. We discuss how Houston-area Muslims are responding and what they're thinking about their future in Texas.

Then, we discuss the contributions of women to space exploration and how to better highlight their stories ahead of an event Thursday on that subject. We talk with Margot Lee Shetterly, author of the book Hidden Figures, and Melanie A. Adams, interim director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.

And the third-annual Houston Bookstore Crawl takes place during the month of April, with 31 independent bookstores across the area taking part. We revisit a conversation with three bookstore operators about why the business of books continues to thrive and what readers can expect to find in Greater Houston’s diverse bookstore scene.

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On Monday's show: The University of Houston Cougars men's basketball team is back in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament after a blowout win over Texas A&M. They will take on Illinois on Thursday night in what is essentially a home game at the Toyota Center. We review how they got here and contemplate what’s next with the help of Houston Chronicle reporter Joseph Duarte.

And Houston Public Media’s Michael Adkison drops by to review the reaction in Houston and Texas to the allegations against the late 20th century labor leader and activist César Chávez.

Also this hour: The Trump administration claims the war in Iran will not be an extended engagement. But what if it is? We discuss how it might affect Houston -- beyond high gas prices.

Then, we take a deep dive into the rollout of the state’s school vouchers program with Houston Public Media's Bianca Seward and Elizabeth Sander from the Houston Chronicle.

And we preview the new baseball season for the Astros, who kick things off Thursday night against the Angels at Daikin Park.

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On Friday's show: A battle over immigration enforcement is playing out at Houston City Hall, and it puts the mayor and city council on a collision course. And Harris County commissioners have voted to pass a controversial expansion of Ben Taub Hospital through eminent domain. We get details on both stories from the Houston Public Media newsroom.

Also this hour: We preview the Houston Hockey Hall of Fame induction event tonight, emceed by our own hockey enthusiast, Craig Cohen. Inductees include Chie Chie Yard, an NHL executive, former Olympian, and Houston-native. And we find out what's on tap for the annual Hockey Day in Houston event this Saturday at Saint Arnold Brewery.

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

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