On Thursday's show: Half a year after the Houston Police Department was rocked by a scandal involving 264,000 suspended cases, Mayor John Whitmire's Independent Review Committee released its findings on the matter. We learn what it had to say. And, we remember a Houston icon, Dr. Tatcho Mindiola, Jr, who passed this week.

Also this hour: These hottest days of the summer are rough on Texas prisoners who, with rare exception, don’t have access to air conditioning. Is that cruel or unusual punishment? A court case may resolve that soon.

Then, from sold out screenings of 80’s films, to new sequels of the Alien, Ghostbusters, and Beetlejuice movies, it appears nostalgia for the decade on film is not slowing down. We explore why on this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture.

And we bid farewell to one of our producers who's departing: Troy Schulze.

On Wednesday's show: We discuss highlights from the first couple nights of the Democratic National Convention and other developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: Longtime Houstonians have strong opinions about things you should and should not do in the Bayou City. A trio of longtime residents share their Houston Do's and Don'ts and we hear listener suggestions, which you can submit now to at [email protected] 

And we learn about the growing practice of music therapy in Houston hospitals and health care.

On Tuesday's show: The Houston Chronicle reported last week that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing immigrant rights organization FIEL Houston, seeking to shut it down for violating a ban on nonprofits participating or intervening in political campaigns. His reported basis? Social media posts from the group that speak negatively about Gov. Greg Abbott and former President Donald Trump. We learn more what happened and about the legal challenge.

Also this hour: With a new school year under way, how can Houstonians with school-aged children protect themselves and their kids from a wide array of viruses that tend to spread each fall? On the one hand, vaccination exemptions have been rising for years. On the other, school enrollment is down, so maybe that means fewer sick kids at school, anyway. We discuss and consider whether Texas lawmakers may revisit vaccine exemptions next legislative session.

Then, Houston-area emergency room doctor Cedric Dark is proposing a public health approach to gun violence in his new book, Under the Gun: An ER Doctor's Cure for America's Gun Epidemic.

And our summer series visiting area museums and attractions continues with a visit to Children’s Museum Houston.

On Monday's show: It was a busy first week of school at Houston ISD filled with some good news, some frustration, and a tragic student death. We learn the latest from reporter Adam Zuvanich.

Also this hour: Ernie Manouse talks with singer and actor Melissa Manchester about her career and her role in Funny Girl at the Hobby Center.

Then, we welcome your dog and cat care questions for veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller.

And we learn what's behind the Astros' recent hot streak and talk about a potential rule change for starting pitchers in MLB with Jesus Ortiz of Our Esquina.

On Friday's show: CenterPoint Energy executives spent much of the latest Public Utility Commission meeting defending their leases of mobile generators, costing more than $800 million, that went unused during and after Hurricane Beryl. And Harris County Commissioners approved a new version of the county's income assistance program. We learn more about both developments.

Also this hour: NASA has a decision to make before the end of the month about when and how to bring two astronauts home who have been aboard the ISS for two months on a journey originally intended to last just a week. We discuss the circumstances surrounding Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams’ mission, the problems detected with the Starliner vehicle that took them up there, and the safety culture at NASA today.

Then, we talk with astronomer Dr. David Levy, who co-discovered Shoemaker-Levy 9, a comet that hit Jupiter in 1994. He’s in town to meet with a local astronomy club.

And from Disney wanting a wrongful death lawsuit thrown out because the plaintiff had Disney+ to a NFL player unveiling a mayonnaise-scented cologne, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

On Thursday's show: After a two-week delay, Houston City Council again postponed an ordinance prohibiting protests within 200 feet of a “targeted dwelling.” The proposal comes in response to months of pro-Palestinian protests, including several that targeted Mayor John Whitmire’s home.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Whitmire added more details to his assertion that the groups consist of "paid protestors" and that "they are being paid by Iran." Reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh explains that story and some other recent developments in city government.

Also this hour: We explore the fentanyl crisis in Houston and learn about steps being taken to train first responders and law enforcement to treat overdoses. 

Then, technically, recreational marijuana is illegal in Texas. Yet, THC products continue to sell, and often tested samples are found to contain THC well over the legal limit. State regulators are short on staff and authority. So, is marijuana essentially legal here? Russell Gold wrote an article on this subject for Texas Monthly and explains what he found.

And Houstonian Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour talks aboAll Eventsut directing episodes of TV shows like the FX series Shogun and the Paramount Plus series Star Trek Discovery.

On Wednesday's show: Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will be the Democratic nominee seeking to replace the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in the Texas 18th Congressional district. We discuss that story and the latest developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: Since it's back-to-school week for a lot of area districts, we thought you might see or experience some changing sleep habits in your household as kids and parents get back into the school year routine. So, we welcome your questions about sleep and sleep disorders for sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula.

On Tuesday's show: It’s Houston Theater Week. All this week, area performing arts venues are offering discounts on performances as they promote their seasons. We learn more from Dean Gladden from The Alley Theatre and Hillary Hart from Theatre Under the Stars.

Also this hour: A month after Hurricane Beryl rolled through, Patrick Jankowski of The Greater Houston Partnership returns with a clearer sense of the economic impact the storm had.

Then, we revisit a conversation with Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale from the OCD Institute of Texas. She’s co-hosting a new podcast about the rise of anxiety in America, called Anxiety Society.

And we continue our series visiting area museums with a trip to the Lone Star Flight Museum.

On Monday's show: As the new school year begins at HISD and some other Houston-area districts, we check in with Dr. Robert Sanborn, the president and CEO of Children at Risk, to discuss the year ahead for Houston schools along with reports out this week from the child advocacy nonprofit.

Also this hour: A conversation about excessive heat and climate change.

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

And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: The state-appointed board overseeing Houston ISD has approved placing a record $4.4 billion bond proposal on the November ballot. We learn what the money would do. And a new school year begins for the district on Monday. We learn about high employee turnover there.

Also this hour: Health economist Vivian Ho discusses a pair of recent studies she co-authored looking at how high hospital prices are driving up insurance premiums and how increased salaries for nonprofit hospital CEOs may be driving consolidation for health care systems.

Then, from a revised hurricane season storm prediction, to Simone Biles headlining a concert-style athletic performance at Toyota Center this fall, our “non-expert panel” weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of it all,

And a new Native American-owned restaurant opens in Kemah. We visit Th_Prsrv and talk with Chef David Skinner.