On Monday's show: We learn why Harris County taxpayers are on the hook for any upgrades at NRG Stadium and what that might cost.

Also this hour: Earlier this month, former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory outlining how alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing at least seven kinds of cancer and called for alcohol labels to include warnings about that. But drinking is a big part of American culture in so many ways. What do we do with this revelation? 

Then, columnist Dwight Silverman talks about the debate over the TikTok ban and other developments surrounding consumer technology.

And we discuss the latest developments in sports, including the Astros trading reliever Ryan Pressly to the Cubs.

On Friday's show: We discuss how the new Trump administration and new policies on immigration enforcement might affect children and families, especially here in Houston. 

Also this hour: After this week's snow, should we consider investing in other infrastructure to better handle future winter weather? Or is that the wisest approach for events that aren’t supposed to occur very often here?

Then, from a "once in a generation" snow storm, to a Trump Burger location coming to Houston, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we talk with Marty York, one of the actors who was in the 1993 movie The Sandlot as its anniversary tour comes to town Saturday night.

On Thursday's show: We learn about proposed state budgets being presented at the legislature.

Also this hour: Pres. Donald Trump signed an executive order this week to keep TikTok operating in the United States for 75 days. The debate over the platform has underscored a disconnect between the people who use it and the people who develop policy about it. Is it all about speech versus safety or is there something else at play here?

Then, the new film The Brutalist follows an architect who emigrates to the United States and faces both challenges and opportunities in a new country that’s not always very welcoming. On this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture, we talk about the film and then meet a local success story from Houston’s immigrant community.

And, ahead of a show tonight at Cullen Performance Hall, Drew Lynch talks about overcoming a stutter by taking up standup comedy.

On Wednesday's show: Roads remain icy, and extreme cold continues across Greater Houston. On the second day of the winter storm. We bring you the latest forecast, road conditions, and an update on Houston airports.

We also discuss how our elected leadership has handled this week’s storm and recap a busy first 48 hours for the new Trump White House in this week’s political roundup.

On Tuesday's show: Snow is falling and piling up around Greater Houston, and as long as the power stays on and you can stay inside it is indeed a winter wonderland in the Bayou City. We talk with a meteorologist to find out how much snow we may still get, how long it will be here, and what you should and should not do in the meantime.

We also check in on road conditions with TxDOT, find out when Houston’s airports hope to re-open, and discuss how to make sure your pets safely enjoy the snow.

On Friday's show: Wintry weather may be headed our way early next week. Just exactly what, how much, and when is still a bit up in the air. We learn the latest from meteorologist Eric Berger from Space City Weather.

And we learn about security measures planned for this weekend's Chevron Houston Marathon.

Also this hour: With a new session of the Texas Legislature underway, what might happen to improve the state's power grid?

Then, from the possibility of wintery weather next week, to potential renovations at NRG Center including an NHL regulation ice rink, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

On Thursday's show: As the legislature kicks off this week, we get a sense of what some of the City of Houston's priorities are to achieve with lawmakers from reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.

Also this hour: Gov. Greg Abbott recently appointed Justice Jimmy Blacklock to serve as the new chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court. We learn what we should know about the conservative ally of the governor from Charles “Rocky” Rhodes of South Texas College of Law Houston.

Then we learn how a local business is working to help people who’ve begun gender-affirming care to adjust to their physical changes and navigate the medical system.

And the classical world has long been dominated by male composers. We chat with conductor and pianist Mary Box, executive director of Montrose Project, which is dedicated to helping increase the visibility of orchestral music composed by women.

On Wednesday's show: We recap the start of the Texas Legislative session, discuss Trump cabinet confirmation hearings, and other developments in political in our regular Wednesday roundup.

Also this hour: The COVID 19 pandemic revealed the size of America's digital divide -- the gap between people who can access and use digital technology and those who can't. In the years since, have we managed to bridge that gap in Houston?

And we revisit a recent conversation about a new book examining whether a particular golf ball was ever on the moon with astronaut Alan Shepard, who famously hit a couple of golf balls on the lunar surface. But, more importantly, it tells the story of the friendship between Shepard and his barber, Carlos Villagomez, to whom he gave the golf ball after returning to earth. A discussion of the book and a screening of a related documentary will be held on Saturday at the Lone Star Flight Museum.

On Tuesday's show: As the Texas Legislature gavels back into session today, News 88.7's Natalie Weber tells us what legislation elected officials in Fort Bend County are hoping to get passed.

Also this hour: Singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco made a name for herself doing things her own way -- launching her own music label, producing and mixing her own music, and championing messages and causes that weren't always popular or conventional when she was making a name for herself in the 1990s. So, it's fitting that a new documentary screening in Houston tonight is called 1-800-ON-HER-OWN. DiFranco talks about the documentary, her musical journey, and about not doing everything on her own anymore ahead of a concert at House of Blues on Friday.

Then, we reflect on the life and career of one-time Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, the namesake of the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs. We talk with authors Don Carleton and Erin Purdy about their biography, Bill Hobby: A Life in Journalism and Public Service.

And here in Space City we know well that discovery comes not just from sending astronauts into space but by developing ever-more powerful telescopes. Case in point: images from the James Webb Space Telescope now offer us a look at some individual stars in a galaxy more than six billion light years from Earth. That’s billion with a B! We learn more and revisit a 2022 conversation with one of the folks behind the Webb Telescope at NASA.

On Monday's show: The 89th regular session of the Texas Legislature begins tomorrow. We preview some of the issues and bills that will take center stage.

Also this hour: The AOL/Time Warner merger 25 years ago was huge news then. And it didn’t work. We discuss mergers past and present in the Houston area and why some work and some don’t.

Then, Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners' gardening questions.

And Jeff Balke recaps the Texans' playoff game against the Chargers.