Houston Matters

On Friday's show: We check in with Houston Public Media’s Dominic Anthony Walsh about a pair of transportation developments: highlights from Thursday’s METRO board meeting, and the latest on the controversial TxDOT I-45 expansion project.

Also this hour: We talk with some Houston-area restaurant owners about the impact Beryl and the derecho before it have had on their businesses and the restaurant industry overall.

Then, from Astros mascot Orbit’s inspired reversal against booing Rangers fans at baseball’s All-Star Game, to Elon Musk’s announcement he’s relocating two more company headquarters to Texas, this week’s “non-expert” panel weighs in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we visit a rehearsal for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston’s production of Ruddigore.

On Thursday's show: For some, that was it. Beryl was the last straw. They're considering leaving Houston (there’s even a “Leaving Texas Support Meet-Up” planned Thursday night for those considering leaving town).

For others, there’s a growing sense of unease about how long to stay in a community continuously threatened by extreme weather. Last fall, a Houston Matters exclusive survey question posed by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston found a majority of residents say they’ve thought about leaving the area in recent years, with more than half of those folks citing extreme weather as the reason why.

Meanwhile others are defiant and prepared to ride out any future storm.

We discuss whether extreme weather, power outages, and other factors in recent memory have Houstonians thinking about leaving our city.

Also this hour: New analysis places the economic impact of Beryl in the billions of dollars. But who pays for what? We talk it over with some experts.

Then, the abstract expressionist paintings of Janet Sobel influenced Jackson Pollock. So, why isn't she a household name like he is? An exhibit at the Menil Collection aims to remedy that with the help of her grandson, who lives here.

And the George R. Brown Convention Center will host DJ Screw Day on Saturday. We listen back to a 2022 conversation about DJ Screw, the Houston music pioneer who continues to influence H-town and hip-hop culture.

On Wednesday's show: From the Republican National Convention and the response to the attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life, to the ongoing response in Houston to the slow recovery from Hurricane Beryl, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: In light of Saturday’s assassination attempt, we revisit our 2016 conversation with retired U.S. Secret Service agent Clint Hill, who served five U.S. Presidents and was in Dallas when JFK was killed in 1963. (He’s the agent who famously leapt onto the back of the presidential limousine and shielded First Lady Jackie Kennedy as the car raced to Parkland Hospital).

And we learn about The Ensemble Theater’s production of Pullman Porter Blues, which is on stage through July 28. Cheryl L. West’s play tells the story of three generations of Pullman train porters from the same family, struggling to come to terms with one another, racial tension, and an uncertain future. (For a century, Pullman porters worked in sleeping cars on U.S. railroads, serving passengers by carrying baggage, shining shoes, and maintaining sleeping cars. They were named for George Pullman who, starting in the late 1860s, hired formerly enslaved people to work on his sleeper cars. At one time, the company was the single largest employer of Black Americans).

On Tuesday's show: We’re still recovering from Hurricane Beryl with a couple hundred thousand Houstonians still in the dark. How soon can Houston become 100 percent energized? And could there be some light for those facing economic hardships? Also, what actions are city council members taking in response to the storm? 

Also this hour: It's been a rough week for many Houstonians: Beryl, extended power outages, death and violence in the news. We explore how to take better care of ourselves mentally after these latest shocks to the system.

Then, we discuss the history, challenges, and future of Houston’s Freedmen’s Town and efforts to preserve its legacy.

We visit Project Row Houses as part of our ongoing summer series heading to Houston-area museums and attractions.

On Monday's show: More than two million customers who lost power during Beryl last week now have their electricity and air conditioning back. But a few hundred thousand still don’t. We have the very latest on recovery efforts after Hurricane Beryl, from CenterPoint Energy’s efforts to restore power, to how the storm has created challenges for area hospitals and exacerbated health issues over the last week, to how the storm might affect the local economy.

Also this hour: Houston environmental researcher and attorney Jim Blackburn shares some of lessons we need to learn from Hurricane Beryl.

And we remember longtime Houston columnist Ken Hoffman, who died Sunday.

Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller joins us to discuss how pets navigated the storm and days since and to field listener questions.

And Bleav in Astros podcast co-host Jeff Balke talks with us about the Astros at the All-Star break, how this season could, for some, have reverberations from post-Harvey 2017.

On Friday's show: We get updates on power restoration efforts and other goings-on in the region after Hurricane Beryl with Houston Public Media reporters.

Also this hour: A medical expert discusses the effects of extreme heat on both our physical and mental health.

Then, Texas native and author Jessica Goudeau talks about her new book, We Were Illegal, where she dives into some surprising family history.

And we learn about the upcoming Texas New Music Festival.

On Thursday's show: Houston Public Media reporters share updates on how residents are doing in the aftermath of Beryl.

Also this hour: We talk with the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast, Houston Food Bank, and Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston about their efforts to support Houstonians.

Then, we discuss the effects of Beryl on local agriculture and the outlook for the future of farming in Texas with Froberg's Farm and Plant it Forward.

And on the 10th anniversary of his film Boyhood, we revisit our 2014 conversation with director Richard Linklater.

On Wednesday's show: As Houstonians await power and assess the damage to their property, there are probably many unanswered questions that remain in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl--we try to cover some of them on our program with local experts.

And we discuss developments in local, state, and national politics, including any related to the storm.

On Tuesday's show: We catch up with HPM reporters about what they're seeing around the region as the recovery from Hurricane Beryl begins.

Also this hour: We talk with Fort Bend County Judge KP George about efforts in his county, which was hit hard by the storm.

Then, we get updates from CenterPoint Energy and the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management.

And Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston offers advice on how to help your plants recover from the weather.

On Friday's show: A legal challenge is under way in Louisiana over that state’s new law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in school classrooms there. That a suit was brought on behalf of Louisiana families came as no surprise to that state’s governor, Jeff Landry, who said before signing the bill: “I can’t wait to be sued.” But challenging the limits of Constitutional protections -- isn’t that what Texas usually does before anyone else? Lawmakers here certainly tried. We discuss that, the Louisiana law, and what the Texas Legislature might try again to do next session, with Houston Public Media’s politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider.

Also this hour: We invite listeners to offer suggestions for how they might redesign a Houston road or freeway in some way. Maybe there are speed bumps you want (or don’t want), or there's a one-way street you wish wasn't, or there's a median you wish wasn’t there. Whatever it is, wherever it is, we want to know about it. You can share your suggestions now at [email protected].

Then, from uncertainty over the future of bike sharing in the city after BCycle shut down, to METRO trains losing their stripes, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And, with the explosion of streaming services -- and new films being available on them -- we discuss the state of traditional cinema and movie theaters.