Houston Matters

On Tuesday's show: Last week, two economists spoke out about the impact of Trump economic policy on Houston. One said to expect a recession by the summer. But the other offered a much sunnier forecast. Could they both be right? Or both be wrong? Do economists really know what they're talking about? We talk it over.

Also this hour: Many industries face an uncertain future with the back-and-forth on tariffs. What about the energy industry in Houston? And how is the Texas Legislature playing a role in all of this? Houston Chronicle columnist Chris Tomlinson shares some of his thoughts on the subject.

Then, we learn about Free for All: The Public Library, a new documentary chronicling the evolution of the American public library, from the original “Free Library Movement” in the late 19th century to the present, when many libraries find themselves caught in the crosshairs of the culture wars and struggling to survive amid budget cuts and closures. Director Dawn Logsdon talks about her film, which airs tonight at 9 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.

And Texas poet Ebony Stewart discusses her newest collection called “WASH.”

On Monday's show: Depending on where you live in Greater Houston, you may be closing in on an election day. We provide a rundown on some of the municipal election decisions being made today in Fort Bend County. And we get an update on Texas public school funding from the Texas Legislature.

Also this hour: We discuss “tough on crime” policies that are so tough they’ve caught just about everyone off guard.

Then, do we really need all this smart technology? Just how connected should your fridge really be? We discuss what gadgetry may really go too far and other developments in consumer technology with columnist Dwight Silverman.

And Jeff Balke updates us on the Rockets playoff series against the Golden State Warriors and other news in Houston sports.

On Friday's show: We dig deeper on the Texas Education Agency's grades for Texas schools for the 2022-2023 school year, which were just released after a 19-month legal battle between the TEA and districts that sought to prevent their release. The agency gave HISD a C grade for that period.

Also this hour: A local union wants to see an increase in the minimum wage for Houston hotel and airport workers, arguing they’re not seeing the benefits of the area’s growing number of visitors. We learn more about what they want and how it could impact that industry.

Then, from bobblehead hoarding at a recent Astros game, to a driverless car that stopped driving, and (at least according to its passengers) wouldn’t let them out, we ask our non-expert panel to weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we talk with composer Missy Mazzoli about her opera adaptation of the Lars von Trier film Breaking the Waves, which explores heavy topics through a contemporary lens. The production is on stage at Houston Grand Opera thought May 4.

On Thursday's show: A group of Harris County Democratic Party officials are criticizing Houston Mayor John Whitmire over his participation in a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Republican. In a recent City Council meeting, the mayor also inflated the number of accused murderers on Houston streets as lawmakers consider bond reform. And Houston Public Works expects to raise water bills to fund a $4.2 billion overhaul of the East Water Purification Plant. Reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh updates us on those developments in city government.

Also this hour: Independent bookstores across the city are taking part in the second annual Houston Bookstore Crawl. (It’s like a pub crawl, but with far better results for your brain cells!) We learn why indie bookstores are thriving right now.

Then, this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture draws from the new film Sinners to explore the history of blues and dance halls in Houston.

And James Baker turns 95 on Monday. We revisit a 2015 conversation about the Houston native's career in politics.

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. This week, Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina of Party Politics offer their insights on stories from the local, state, and national level.

Also this hour: Today is the 40th anniversary of New Coke, the change in flavor of Coca-Cola, which was one of the most infamous corporate marketing blunders of the 20th century. But hey, we all make mistakes. We revisit a 2024 conversation about some of Greater Houston's biggest mistakes.

Then, Aris Kian, 2023-2025 Houston Poet Laureate, talks about her work and reads her poem Angels Fly to My Place for Dinner.

And we talk with opera star Christine Goerke ahead of her performance Thursday at an event benefitting the University of Houston's Moores School of Music.

On Tuesday's show: A challenge on religious grounds to a requirement that health insurance providers cover HIV prevention medications was heard at the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday. Legal expert Seth Chandler explains the case, which stemmed from Texas.

Also this hour: Houston has higher rates of sexually transmitted infections compared to the rest of Texas, according to Harris County Public Health. We discuss how local public health professionals are fighting STIs and misinformation.

Then, on this Earth Day, we revisit a 2022 conversation with Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley about how one book sparked the great environmental awakening of the 1960s and 70s.

And we talk with musician and Houston native David Ramirez, who’s performing Wednesday at The Heights Theater.

On Monday's show: With the passing of Pope Francis, we talk about his time in the role and the legacy he leaves behind.

Then, we discuss SB3, a bill designed to ban THC in Texas, and what comes next after it passed the Texas Senate.

Also this hour: On this day in 1836, Texas forces won the Battle of San Jacinto, concluding the Texas Revolution. We revisit a conversation about the original Texans who sought independence from Mexico and sparked the revolution. And we revisit a conversation about the Turtle Bayou Resolutions and how they set the stage for the revolution in the first place.

Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers questions about pet health.

And we get an update on the Rockets loss in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs and other developments in sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: A bill to greatly expand efforts to lure film and TV production to Texas using incentives paid for by sales tax revenues has passed the Texas Senate and now heads to the House for consideration. We learn more about Senate Bill 22 and what it might do for film and TV production in the state.

Also this hour: From backlash over this week’s celebrity-studded, all-female, Blue Origin spaceflight, to prospects getting slimmer for a Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail line, to a human chain moving a bookstore down the street, a single book at a time, we hash out The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we discuss how to best declutter, downsize, and get rid of all the stuff in our lives.

On Thursday's show: In a vote early this morning that followed hours of debate, the Texas House gave initial approval to a billion-dollar private school voucher bill that stands to transform education in Texas in the years to come along with a $7.7 billion public school funding package.

Also this hour: We talk with Houstonians supporting women who run for office, regardless of party. 

And we meet Dr. Jennifer Feltman, an expert on medieval art and architecture, who was one of only a handful of Americans who worked to help restore the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after it was damaged by fire in 2019. She recently spoke at an event with Archaeology Now Houston.

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

Also this hour: We chat with Houston Chef Michelle Wallace, owner of B'tween Sandwich Co. She was a competitor on Season 21 of Top Chef, where she was named fan favorite.

And Houston author Huda Fahmy tells us about her latest graphic novel, Huda F Wants to Know? It's the latest in her series about a young Muslim girl, loosely based on herself, growing up in America. The previous installment, Huda F Cares? was a finalist for the National Book Award.