Houston Matters

On Wednesday's show: From ongoing protests over immigration policy, to some area Congressional races taking shape, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: We remember the Galveston Movement, when 10,000 Russian Jews set sail -- not for New York but bound for Texas. Rachel Cockerell talks about her great-grandfather's role in that movement and her book, Melting Point.

And former Houston poet laureate Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton and Houston Grand Opera composer-in-residence Joel Thompson have collaborated on a new song cycle being performed June 17. We preview the premiere performance of the work, A Voice Within.

On Tuesday's show: We look at the forecast for rain the rest of the week and discuss the probability of another early-season hurricane this year, like Hurricane Beryl last season, with Justin Ballard, meteorologist with the Houston Chronicle.

Also this hour: There seems to be an awful lot of misunderstanding and perhaps even misuse of the First Amendment these days. We discuss how the rights to speech, religion, press, and assembly are viewed legally when that is at odds with what is happening around the country -- and what it all means for us here in Houston.

Then, is advocating for equitable transportation in Houston getting harder to do? We ask Robin Holzer, the new head of LINK Houston.

And we explore the concept of developing more events and venues in Houston that help Houstonians get in touch with their feminine side.

On Monday's show: In recent days, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued rulings on cases involving employment discrimination against straight people, guns, and tax exemption for a Catholic Charity. We recap those rulings and talk about some other cases the court is expected to rule on soon.

Also this hour: We visit the headquarters for Memorial Hermann Life Flight to learn how the air ambulance service has evolved over nearly 50 years serving Greater Houston

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

And the automatic ball strike system will indeed come to Major League Baseball next season. What might it mean for Houston Astros hitters, pitchers, and catchers? We discuss with Bleav in Astros podcast co-host Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: Saharan dust is headed to Houston, as it typically does this time of year. And much of the country could see the Northern Lights this weekend because of a powerful geomagnetic storm. We learn about both from Eric Berger of Space City Weather.

Also this hour: From the head of FEMA saying he didn't know there was a hurricane season here, to the National Weather Service receiving permission to hire 125 meteorologists and specialists after losing more than 560 employees earlier this year due to Trump administration cuts and retirements, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

Then: Wolverine, Spider-Man, Batman, Black Panther -- a lot of popular superheroes are based on animals. But why? Maybe it's because a lot of animals kind of have superpowers. A new exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science called Extreme Animals Alive explores that.

And what makes certain Houston eateries and music venues unforgettable, even after they disappear? We reflect on some of the city's lost iconic spots.

On Thursday's show: After an 8-hour meeting and extended disruption by protesters on Wednesday, Houston City Council approved a $7 billion budget for the next fiscal year, which starts in July. We learn details from reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.

Also this hour: Today is World Environment Day. As we contemplate the impact climate change continues to have on the Gulf Coast and coastal communities around the world, should we just stop rebuilding in flood-prone communities? We listen back to a discussion about that with Pulitzer Prize-winner Gilbert Gaul, author of The Geography of Risk.

Then, we learn more about the Fade to Black Arts Festival, which celebrates Black creativity in poetry, theater, film and more and runs June 8-14.

An we preview the annual Texas Music Festival, which highlights rising stars of the classical music world and runs June 5-28.

On Wednesday's show: From the end of the Texas Legislature, to ongoing budget discussions at the City of Houston, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: With Texas Monthly releasing its list of the state’s top barbecue spots, local food writers hone in on Houston and name some of their favorite places here in this month’s installment of The Full Menu.

And we learn how history, gender, and faith intersect in Islamic art from the new executive director of Houston’s Islamic Arts Society and a local calligraphy artist.

On Tuesday's show: The 89th regular session of the Texas Legislature came to a close on Monday. We recap what passed, what didn’t, the status of legislation on the governor’s desk, and how it all might affect Texans.

Also this hour: We visit a recent conference and expo for the robotics and autonomy industries held at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Then, author Bryan Burrough talks about his new book, The Gunfighters, which details the history of legendary gunfighters from the Wild West and the role Texas played in their stories.

And we learn about an exhibit at Rice University's Moody Center for the Arts called Figurative Histories, in which several artists -- including three based in Houston -- explore the use of the human form in art, Black bodies in particular.

On Monday's show: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has openly speculated about eliminating FEMA. Whether that happens or not, how would Greater Houston handle another hurricane -- or any other disaster -- if FEMA no longer existed or its role were changed?

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

And Jeff Balke updates us on the latest developments in sports.

On Friday's show: Houston Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher joins us to talk about issues in Congress affecting our region and to take listener questions.

Also this hour: From a recent study suggesting AI isn’t saving workers a ton of time on the job, to eight Houston-area barbecue restaurants making Texas Monthly's Top 50 list (after Yelp snubbed the city), we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And Joshua Zinn chats with Bob Simpson, the retiring founder and artistic director of the Houston Chamber Choir.

On Thursday's show: Another one bites the dust in the decimated Astros pitching rotation. This time it’s Ronel Blanco who’s out for the season and in need of elbow surgery. Is it past time to ask what the Astros are doing to their pitchers’ arms? Jeff Balke of the Bleav in Astros podcast talks it over.

Also this hour: The National Endowment for the Arts recently terminated grants to nonprofits nationwide, many of which had already been awarded. Houston arts organizations are among those who have had to pivot after losing money they were counting on. We hear from a pair of them.

Then, we hear the story of a Houston woman trying to negotiate red tape to gain access to an apartment she can afford. It doesn't work. We discuss why and what can be done about it.

And, from Pint of Science to Nerd Nite to Brains in a Bar and Philosophically Drinking, there are many longstanding Houston-area events and programs based at local bars designed to engage Houstonians’ minds (and not just douse them in alcohol). We learn more about some of them.