Houston Matters

On Wednesday's show: We get an update on heavy rainfall that was expected today in Greater Houston but hasn't really developed. And a new report coinciding with Juneteenth details the state of Black Texas these days.

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

And a big part of Juneteenth celebrations for some rural Texas communities over the years is an annual rodeo. A new book about just that, called Juneteenth Rodeo, celebrates that tradition with photos and essays, including writing from Demetrius Pearson from the University of Houston. We listen back to a 2021 conversation with him about his book, Black Rodeo in the Texas Gulf Coast Region: Charcoal in the Ashes.

On Tuesday's show: Heavy rain is expected in Greater Houston this evening through Wednesday resulting from a disturbance near Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula that could become the first named system of the hurricane season. While any storm that comes from it is unlikely to make landfall near us, Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard explains how it could bring some heavy rain and possible flooding to our area.

Also this hour: With so much attention paid lately to issues at HISD, we take some time to learn about what's going on at other school districts around Greater Houston.

Then, Ciera Rogers grew up in Houston where she and her family struggled with money, sometimes living in her mother's car. In her new book, The Outsider Advantage, she explains how she leveraged experiences like that to launch Babes, a body type inclusive women's clothing line. She'll discuss the book in an event at Kindred Stories on June 20.

And we begin a summer series of visits to local museums and other attractions with a trip to Moody Gardens in Galveston.

On Monday's show: The Supreme Court struck down a rule that banned bump stocks and rejected a bid to restrict access to an abortion pill. We examine the latest decisions coming out of the High Court with Charles “Rocky” Rhodes from South Texas College of Law Houston.

Also this hour: If you map all sorts of things within Houston's city limits, a shape has a tendency to form. It looks like an arrow. We learn what the "Houston Arrow" represents and why.

Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.

And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke and reflect on the Rockets' first NBA Championship, which occurred 30 years ago this week.

On Friday's show: Meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather tells us about some potential rain in the region next week and what might become of a tropical disturbance that is likely to develop in the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days.

Also this hour: Sony Pictures is buying Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas. And competitive eater Joey Chestnut is out of the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest this July 4th. We discuss those and other stories in the news on this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Then, we revisit our tour of some of the items from The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection that are on display at Holocaust Museum Houston through June 23.

And, ahead of Father’s Day Sunday, we revisit Joshua Zinn’s 2023 conversation with Isobella Jade, Houston-based author of a book about connecting to her late father through the few objects he left behind in his car after his death.

On Thursday's show: With Houston City Council finally approving the city's budget, we talk with Sallie Alcorn, At-Large Council Member Position 5 and the chair of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee.

Also this hour: We examine how commercial real estate is doing in Houston.

Then, we consider ways that downtown Houston could be changed and revitalized, inviting input from listeners.

And we learn about the Houston Show Choir, one of the oldest performing arts groups in the city.

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

Also this hour: With HISD in the early stages of a state takeover, we learn about a Texas school district preparing to transition out of it. The superintendent of Marlin ISD near Waco shares lessons from that district's seven years under state control.

And we preview the Moody Center’s Spring Fling concert at Rice this weekend. It features a country singer and an R&B duo and is being billed as an "alternative to the crush and expense of the Houston Rodeo."

On Tuesday's show: We learn about a conference on crime and public safety in Houston tomorrow.

Also this hour: Duncan Klussmann, the former superintendent of Spring Branch ISD, explains the problems he has with how that school district is handling its current financial issues, which is a subject he outlined in a recent opinion piece in the Houston Chronicle.

Then, we revisit the case of Texas death row inmate Ivan Cantu, who is scheduled to be executed this week. A true crime podcast investigation into his story, new evidence, witnesses recanting, and former jurors coming forward with concerns about his conviction have led some high-profile activists to take up his cause.

And we visit the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, where a new installation called Haha Real fuses animation and video game graphics with traditional art and an immersive soundscape by a Houston-born musician. And the whole thing is inspired by the classic children’s story The Velveteen Rabbit.

On Monday's show: We get an update on the Houston Avenue street project saga.

Also this hour: With the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo getting under way, we talk about the history of the trail rides that lead up to each year’s event with the head of the committee who organizes them and with photographer Ray Viator, who has a new book documenting them called All Trails Lead to Houston: Riding to the Rodeo.

Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses some recent developments in consumer technology.

And we get an update on Houston sports.

On Friday's show: An unmanned spacecraft built by a Houston company has landed on the moon, making it the first commercial landing on the lunar surface and the first American spacecraft to make a soft landing there since the Apollo program ended in the 1970s. We learn about the landing and what the Odysseus lander will do during its mission.

Also this hour: Saturday is Hockey Day in Houston. An event at Saint Arnold Brewery is designed to promote hockey at all levels in the Houston area. We reflect on some of Houston's hockey history with a former player from the Houston Aeros, we discuss where and how hockey is being played in Greater Houston, and we get the latest on more serious talks about bringing an NHL team here.

Then, we meet some of the local artists creating installations for the Houston location of Meow Wolf.

And, from the Houston-filmed movie Reality Bites turning 30 years old, to John Oliver making Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas a unique offer, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

On Thursday's show: Spring Branch ISD will no longer employee librarians, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, a district spokesperson confirmed to Houston Landing. We learn about the budget constraints behind this move and how the district plans to keep libraries running at its campuses.

Also this hour: The new film The Taste of Things explores love between a chef and his personal cook. We discuss the movie and meet one of Houston's own restaurateur couples on this month’s installment of The Bigger Picture.

Then, we hear an excerpt of a conversation with author and anti-racism activist Ibram X. Kendi from this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.

And we talk with filmmaker and Houston native Alex Stapleton, who’s directed an episode of God Save Texas, a series of three documentaries that just premiered at Sundance and that's based on a book of the same name by Lawrence Wright. Stapleton’s contribution is called “The Price of Oil,” and it explores how the oil industry has been a defining economic force in Houston, and specifically on Black people, including multiple generations of Stapleton’s family.