Houston Matters

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest news from the waning days of the Texas Legislature and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: Real estate in much of Greater Houston has been a seller’s market for a very long time. Not so in Galveston lately. We talk over some recent trends in Galveston real estate with Marissa Luck of the Houston Chronicle and Kimberly Gaido, real estate agent with Sand ‘N Sea Properties in Galveston.

And we talk with comedian and Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! panelist Hari Kondabolu ahead of his standup gigs Friday and Saturday at Houston’s Punch Line Comedy Club.

On Tuesday's show: The Texas Legislature was busy this weekend, passing bills in what is now the final week of the regular legislative session. Reporter Andrew Schneider walks us through developments in Austin over the last 72 hours.

Also this hour: The current session of the Texas Legislature is nearly finished. State lawmakers only meet for 140 days every two years. Is that really enough time to administer state law, and could that ever change?

Then, we revisit a question we asked you last year: does Houston need a new "big honkin’ thing" to help seal our identity? You know, a major landmark like so many other major cities have, and Houston had for so long with the Astrodome?

And we revisit a 2023 conversation with filmmaker and Houston native Nell Teare about her movie Bolivar, which will be screened and discussed May 30 at River Oaks Theatre. The film is based on memories of family trips to the beach on Bolivar Peninsula.

On Friday's show: This coming Sunday will mark five years since the murder of George Floyd sparked demonstrations, calls for a racial reckoning in the United States, and continued demands for police reform. We reflect on the life of the Houston native and what his death brought about -- and what activists believe still needs to be done.

Also this hour: The International Space Station is already facing a $1 billion budget shortfall, and the Trump administration plans to cut even more. We learn how NASA is handling the situation and how it could affect both astronauts and those working on the ground here in Houston with Andrea Leinfelder, who covers space for the Houston Chronicle.

Then, from a building in the Third Ward and the George Floyd/Black Lives Matter mural on it being demolished the week of the fifth anniversary of Floyd's murder, to a Houston man suing Whataburger because a store allegedly left onions on his hamburger, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we preview a concert tonight celebrating the 10th anniversary of the local the string orchestra Kinetic. The program includes a premiere work by a Sugar Land native.

On Thursday's show: Budget season continues here in Houston. The City Council is contemplating spending $7 billion next fiscal year -- $3 billion of it from coming from the city’s general fund. Council has about a month left to approve a budget, but a key part of it was just locked in, as council members approved a new contract agreement with the union representing Houston police officers. News 88.7’s Dominic Anthony Walsh joins us with details.

Also this hour: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo joins us to discuss how the county is handling its own budget concerns and other developments affecting the county.

Then, in this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we talk about our collective obsession with death and the macabre with the release of Final Destination: Bloodlines, the latest in that series of horror movies.

And Lyle Lovett is performing a free concert in Tomball later this month. We revisit our 2023 conversation with the Houston native, who follows that performance with a long summer tour across the country.

On Wednesday's show: It’s crunch time for lawmakers at the State Capitol, and Presidential politics reigns, as always, in Washington. And that’s just some of what we’ll walk through -- and seek context and clarity about -- in our weekly political roundup.

Also this hour: A mental health professional discusses how to help teens and children dealing with anxiety, depression, and other challenges.

And prices are high these day -- and so is the temperature. We get some suggestions on some low-cost or free indoor summer entertainment options around town.

On Tuesday's show: We learn about the progress of some bills regarding bail reform being considered in the waning days of the Texas Legislature.

Also this hour: We discuss the complicated, cloudy future of the Texas Lottery, which has been under fire over a scheme that essentially allowed gamblers to purchase every single lottery combination possible and guarantee a jackpot win. 

Then, ahead of an event at Brazos Bookstore on May 27, author and poet Ocean Vuong shares lessons from working in fast food and considers what drives acts of kindness between strangers. Those themes are explored in his new novel, The Emperor of Gladness.

And some Houstonians might visit Galveston during the upcoming holiday weekend, and there are a number of intriguing historic sites to check out on the island, if you're so inclined. We learn more about some of them from Tristan Smith, the author of A History Lover’s Guide to Galveston.

On Monday's show: What do Houstonians think about life here -- the economy, their life experiences, beliefs, and attitudes? We discuss the findings of the annual Houston Area Survey with Rice University sociologists. 

Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller talks about issues affecting pet health.

And Jeff Balke updates us on the latest developments in sports

On Friday's show: A year ago today, the Houston derecho moved through southeast Texas, spawning four tornadoes and creating intense winds that caused widespread damage in Houston, especially downtown where windows were blown out of many high-rise buildings. Ultimately, seven people in Greater Houston lost their lives. We reflect on what happened, why it affected downtown so greatly, and what scientists have learned from studying the event.

Also this hour: The nonprofit news organization Houston Landing has shut down. One of its journalists, Maggie Gordon, joins us to reflect on what the site achieved in its short run and to discuss the lessons learned from its demise.

Then, from record-breaking temperatures this week, to letting moms and soon-to-be-moms have unlimited access to HOV lanes in Texas, to a streaming service that just can’t stopping changing its name, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And The Ensemble Theatre serves up a slice of life after retirement in the regional premiere of the play, Coconut Cake.

On Thursday's show: We learn about a $150 million donation that will create the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center, a new initiative to fight childhood cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children's Hospital. The gift is one of the largest such donations in the history of the Texas Medical Center and one of the largest ever given to a pediatric hospital in the country.

Also this hour: Comedian Ramy Youssef performs Friday night at House of Blues, and he has a new animated series on Amazon Prime called #1 Happy Family USA! We revisit a 2019 conversation with him about how he got into comedy and about how much of his standup material and work on television has revolved around the experience of growing up Muslim in America.

Then, a Houston mother lost her parental rights to her children for life because of allegations her ex-husband made in court. We learn why the Texas Supreme Court unanimously overturned that ruling and what it means for how protective orders are issued here.

And Laura Walker visits a farm run by the Socialites Riding Network, a Black-owned nonprofit that teaches sustainable agriculture and an appreciation for animals.

On Wednesday’s show: Houston City Council members have begun budget hearings this week as the city faces economic uncertainty amid a budget shortfall. But some of that shortfall could be remedied if some proceeds from toll roads are shifted from Harris County to the city, as a bill in the legislature would do. But the county has its own budget concerns.

We get some insight on crafting a budget for both the city and the county in uncertain financial times -- all while navigating the intertwining relationship of those two government entities -- from two people who’ve been there: former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.

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

And we get some advice for paying back student loans (or maybe being forced to) in a changing landscape for student borrowers. 

MORE: Resources mentioned today about federal student loans

• For more information on student loan repayment, visit studentaid.gov
• To contact the Default Resolution Group, call 800-621-3115