Houston Matters

On Thursday's show: The Chevron Houston Marathon is this Sunday. That means a lot of runners, a lot of spectators, and a lot of traffic. We talk with one of the organizers about what Houstonians need to know ahead of this weekend's events.

And we find out why the mayor and the city controller are clashing again, this time over how flood mitigation funds are being used.

Also this hour: We recall great speakers and speeches in Houston’s history.

Then, we discuss the long term impact of GLP-1 medications on Houstonians’ health.

And we chat with reggae musician Shaggy ahead of his performance with the Houston Symphony on Sunday.

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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, Houston food writers discuss their favorite new restaurants that opened in 2025.

And we chat with Puerto Rican composer and saxophonist Miguel Zenón about his upcoming performance with Kinetic Ensemble.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3yBFRAOI_M

On Tuesday's show: We hear from a local immigration attorney about questions that may be arising for Venezuelan immigrants after the U.S. takeover of the country.

Also this hour: We answer questions about sleep and sleep disorders with a pulmonologist and sleep expert.

Then, producer Brenda Valdivia takes us to a world where cats rule and humans happily comply at the Houston Cat Expo.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRMdXLLCc0A

On Monday's show: We discuss the implications of the takeover of Venezuela on Houston's oil and gas industry.

Also this hour: We start the year off with some gripes and grievances in our regular segment called Houstonian Pet Peeves.

Then, we preview the upcoming Wild Card playoff matchup between the Texans and the Steelers.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjMcB1BP_Iw

On Tuesday's show: We learn about problems with group homes for elderly or disabled people across the state, which is the subject of an investigation from the Texas Observer.

Also this hour: The holidays may bring realizations about the health of aging family members in your life. We get some advice on how to handle that situation with care.

Then, in this month’s installment of The Bigger Picture, we consider what the new Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead Man, has to say about religious leadership and guidance.

And listeners share some of their favorite holiday songs in the Houston Matters Holiday Mixtape.

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On Monday's show: Civil rights organizations are seeking to block parts of Senate Bill 12, a sweeping Texas law that prohibits discussions about gender identity in public schools as well as student clubs based on sexual orientation. We take a closer look at these lawsuits, the arguments they’re making, and confusion about a key question at the heart of it all.

Also this hour: What is the top news story in Greater Houston from 2025? From snow, to flooding, to almost winning an NCAA championship in men's basketball, we count down the top ten stories from the past year.

And how close is Houston to having a WNBA team again? We get an update on Houston sports.

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On Friday's show: Every Houstonian has something they miss, but should we still be missing it? As the year wraps up, we’re asking which beloved parts of the city deserve remembrance and which might be holding us back.

Then, our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week’s news.

And for 40 years, Houston chef Courtney Lindsay didn't know his biological father. Then the two found each other and formed a close relationship. We revisit a conversation with Lindsay about that experience and the documentary he made about it, which will be screened tonight at the MATCH.

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On Thursday's show: When an elected official leaves office, what happens to their campaign funds? Well, it turns out many Texas politicians are using those funds on everything from luxury hotels, to steakhouse dinners, to salaries for political operatives. Taylor Goldenstein of the Houston Chronicle tells us what her reporting uncovered.

Also this hour: We get a better understanding of municipal utility districts, or MUDs, which are entities formed for handling water services and other utilities in unincorporated areas across the state. People are often lured to buy homes in them for affordable prices but then are surprised by high costs for property taxes or for basic services, like trash collection.

Then, we discuss what makes a good workplace these days.

And we visit an annual gingerbread house building contest.

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

Also this hour: As DEI programs roll back nationwide, one Houston leader is doubling down on inclusion -- starting with kids as young as nine. Shevann Steuben of the NAACP Houston Branch discusses what it takes to build a generation that shows up to vote.

And singer/soprano Sarah Brightman is known for originating the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and for her many PBS fundraising specials. But she explains the role disco played in getting her there ahead of a holiday concert in Sugar Land on Dec. 19.

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On Tuesday's show: Beginning in January, a new Medicare program in Texas and five other states will use AI to approve or deny certain services. We learn what that could mean for Houston patients and what it signals about the future of health care.

Also this hour: We discuss the city of Houston’s current approach to homelessness, and, in particular, giving out tickets to homeless people who can’t possibly pay them. We discuss with Kelly Young, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County.

Then, we consider how Houstonians can keep the peace at home while navigating holiday traditions that might put an unfair burden on someone in the household. We discuss with Robyn Martin from The Menninger Clinic.

And we take you to an immersive multimedia holiday experience at ARTECHOUSE Houston.

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