Houston Matters

On Tuesday's show: Tariffs threatened against Mexico and Canada are on hold for a month, while new tariffs imposed on China have taken effect. And those have led to tariffs imposed by Beijing on certain goods from the United States, including on crude oil and LNG. We consider the potential economic impact of tariffs on Houstonians, the Greater Houston economy, the state of Texas, and consumers in general.

Also this hour: One recent analysis found that fewer than one-fifth of HISD high school graduates from 2017 had earned enough to make a living wage six years later. And nearby districts saw numbers only slightly better. But is that the best way to evaluate the success of someone's education long term? 

Then, we discuss how to set healthier boundaries at work and in our relationships.

And we revisit our trip to Moody Gardens in Galveston.

On Monday's show: Gov. Greg Abbott delivered his annual State of the State address on Sunday. We recap what he had to say.

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

And we get an update on Houston sports.

On Friday's show: We learn how immigration arrests and policy changes in the early days of the Trump administration are creating chaos and uncertainty in Houston. And we learn what a new survey suggests about Texans’ attitudes about immigration.

Also this hour: We learn about the latest trends here in the Houston area related to human trafficking and efforts to prevent it.

Then, from the latest test score results for Houston ISD, to an enormous mammoth skull unearthed in Central Texas, to another second ticking off the Doomsday Clock, this week’s non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we discuss the future of remote work after the Trump administration ended its telework policy for federal workers and the City of Houston recently did the same.

On Thursday's show: Prosecutors are dismissing charges against two of three former Harris County staffers over a COVID-era contract process gone wrong. We learn the latest in a nearly three-year-long saga.

Also this hour: Could the Texas Legislature tweak the state’s abortion ban this session in order to protect mothers at risk? Recent comments from Lt. Governor Dan Patrick hint at the possibility. But was that just talk?

Then, we learn about Camp Logan, a play on stage now at Houston’s Ensemble Theatre, based on racial tensions during a riot here in Houston more than a century ago.

And we revisit a conversation with NPR’s Sarah McCammon about why many Christian Americans like her are leaving the evangelical church, which is the subject of her book, The Exvangelicals.

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

Also this hour: How much of our modern politics is about actually debating issues and how much is just good old fashioned theater? And if it's the latter, is that really anything new? We talk it over.

And how do you capture the smells of a city (at least the good ones)? We visit the Color Factory and its exhibit of scents that define Houston.

On Tuesday's show: An annual count of homeless people in the Houston area takes place this week. We learn about the purpose of the Point In Time count and what trends and public policy shifts tell us about homelessness today.

Also this hour: The annual Houston Autoboative Show runs Wednesday through Sunday at NRG Center. We get an update on the auto industry in Greater Houston.

Then, we revisit a conversation about the challenges of living in Houston without a car.

And a new season the series "Mo" arrives on Netflix Jan. 30. We revisit a 2018 conversation with Mo Amer, its star who grew up in Houston.

On Monday's show: We learn why Harris County taxpayers are on the hook for any upgrades at NRG Stadium and what that might cost.

Also this hour: Earlier this month, former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory outlining how alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing at least seven kinds of cancer and called for alcohol labels to include warnings about that. But drinking is a big part of American culture in so many ways. What do we do with this revelation? 

Then, columnist Dwight Silverman talks about the debate over the TikTok ban and other developments surrounding consumer technology.

And we discuss the latest developments in sports, including the Astros trading reliever Ryan Pressly to the Cubs.

On Friday's show: We discuss how the new Trump administration and new policies on immigration enforcement might affect children and families, especially here in Houston. 

Also this hour: After this week's snow, should we consider investing in other infrastructure to better handle future winter weather? Or is that the wisest approach for events that aren’t supposed to occur very often here?

Then, from a "once in a generation" snow storm, to a Trump Burger location coming to Houston, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we talk with Marty York, one of the actors who was in the 1993 movie The Sandlot as its anniversary tour comes to town Saturday night.

On Thursday's show: We learn about proposed state budgets being presented at the legislature.

Also this hour: Pres. Donald Trump signed an executive order this week to keep TikTok operating in the United States for 75 days. The debate over the platform has underscored a disconnect between the people who use it and the people who develop policy about it. Is it all about speech versus safety or is there something else at play here?

Then, the new film The Brutalist follows an architect who emigrates to the United States and faces both challenges and opportunities in a new country that’s not always very welcoming. On this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture, we talk about the film and then meet a local success story from Houston’s immigrant community.

And, ahead of a show tonight at Cullen Performance Hall, Drew Lynch talks about overcoming a stutter by taking up standup comedy.

On Wednesday's show: Roads remain icy, and extreme cold continues across Greater Houston. On the second day of the winter storm. We bring you the latest forecast, road conditions, and an update on Houston airports.

We also discuss how our elected leadership has handled this week’s storm and recap a busy first 48 hours for the new Trump White House in this week’s political roundup.