Houston Matters

On Wednesday's show: New polling is out as early voting has begun in primary elections. We discuss that and all the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: Actor Alan Cumming is bringing his Not Acting His Age tour to The Hobby Center on March 6 and 7. Ahead of that, the Scottish-born, Tony Award-winning star of stage and screen talks with Houston Public Media's Ernie Manouse. 

And we learn how traditional school book fairs have evolved with the ever-changing landscape of literacy.

On Tuesday's show: Early voting begins today in the March primary election and continues through March 1. We preview what's on the ballot.

Also this hour: We discover what sociologist Michael Sierra-Arévalo learned from spending more than a thousand hours riding with police officers around the country, which he details in his book, The Danger Imperative. He explains how the perception of a "war on cops" has affected law enforcement -- and the public's encounters with police.

Then, the issue of racism is deeply complex, and, historically, it’s not been as simple as white discrimination against people of color. Sometimes a member of a group that’s often discriminated against can discriminate themselves. That’s a subject Fordham University law professor and race relations expert Tanya Hernández explores in her book Racial Innocence. We hear an excerpt of her recent hourlong conversation on I See U with Eddie Robinson.

And the film Reality Bites premiered in movie theaters 30 years ago this week. The movie is remembered today by some as the quintessential Gen X movie. Whether it is or not, film critic Joe Leydon reminds us it may be the quintessential Houston movie.

On Monday's show: Today is Presidents' Day. Who were the best presidents in our nation's history? Who were the worst? We talk with University of Houston professor Brandon Rottinghaus about the Presidential Greatness Project and its latest survey and ranking of those who've held our nation's highest office.

Also this hour: We learn how a group of Black soldiers known as "the Blue Helmets" made history in World War II and moved forward the cause of African Americans in the military. An exhibit about them is on display now at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum through June 30.

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

And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: We learn about some recent developments in education, including some concerns about the way the written portion of some STAAR tests will be graded in the future and news about declining student enrollment at HISD since the pandemic.

Also this hour: Three years after a deadly winter storm knocked out power across Texas, what has changed -- and what hasn't?

Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including Drake, 50 Cent, and several others musicians all being registered to vote at the same house in Katy.

And writer and former Houstonian Suzette Mullen discusses her new memoir, The Only Way Through Is Out, which explores her decision to come out later in life. She’s holding a book signing at Brazos Bookstore on Feb. 22.

On Thursday's show: Ahead of next month's primary election, we talk with Sean Teare, who's running for Harris County District Attorney against incumbent Kim Ogg, who visited us herself for a candidate interview recently.

Also this hour: We discuss what happens when the public’s right to know bumps up against an individual’s right to privacy. Law professor Amy Gajda examines that subject in her book, Seek and Hide: The Tangled History of the Right To Privacy.

Then, we learn how a groundbreaking study by two Black psychologists, often referred to as The Doll Test, helped form the backbone of the legal case that ended school segregation. Author Tim Spofford tells the story in his book, What the Children Told Us. We hear an excerpt of his hour-long conversation on this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.

And a mother and daughter we met a decade ago while attending college together tell us us what’s happened in the years since.

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

Also this hour: In celebration of Valentine's Day, some Houstonians share their love stories. And listeners share some of their favorite love songs.

On Tuesday's show: We sit down for a candidate interview with former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards. She’s challenging Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in the Democratic primary for Texas’ 18th Congressional District.

Also this hour: We Houstonians have been through a lot in the past decade. Floods, drought, extreme heat, freezes – has it all conditioned us to overreact?

Then, we talk about the challenges of trying to live in Houston without a car.

And Celeste Schurman reports on how social media star Keith Lee affected local restaurants he’s visited and talked up.

On Monday's show: Ahead of next month’s primary election, we talk with Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. She’s facing a re-election primary challenge from a former prosecutor in her office, Sean Teare, who we’ll to with soon, as well.

Also this hour: As the PBS series Gospel airs this week, we talk about some influential Houston artists who've contributed to the genre. Gospel airs Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. on Houston Public Media, TV 8.

Then, Meg Tapp of The Garden Club of Houston answers listener questions.

And we reflect on the memorable moments from the Super Bowl and get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: It's been just over 30 days since John Whitmire was inaugurated as Mayor of the City of Houston, and there have already been a significant series of leadership changes across city departments. Yilun Cheng of the Houston Chronicle discusses those changes and whether the new mayor has started to deliver on his campaign pledge of focusing on public safety, infrastructure, and city services.

Also this hour: As we've entered another election cycle, another political action committee is trying to “turn Texas blue.” It’s been 34 years now since a Democrat won a statewide race in Texas. And yet, every election year somebody comes along with the goal of shifting Texas from Republican to Democratic rule. So, is anything different in 2024 or are Texas Democrats just setting themselves up for another disappointment?

Then, we consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And what do “The Three Little Pigs” and Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” have in common? Catastrophic Theatre’s latest production, It Is Magic, has the answer.

On Wednesday's show: A federal appeals court says former Pres. Donald Trump is not immune from federal prosecution. That decision comes ahead of oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court over whether Colorado can keep him off the ballot. We discuss that and other developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Houston food writers offers suggestions on where to go for date night in this month's edition of The Full Menu.

And fans of anime might not know that a lot of the English-language dubs of their favorite films and shows are done in Texas, including here in Houston. We learn more about Studio Kane, an emerging local animation studio involved with producing their own series inspired by eastern-style animation.