On Friday's show: The UH Cougars face the University of Miami in the Sweet 16 tonight. We preview the matchup.

Also this hour: It can be a frustrating situation when someone pressures you to be up and cheerful even when there’s good reason not to be. We discuss what to do at home, school, or work when toxic positivity goes too far.

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

And we get an in-studio performance from accordion player Alex Meixner.

On Thursday's show: Houston-area restaurants want to keep expanded outdoor seating established early during the COVID-19 pandemic. Houston City Council is considering it. We talk it over with the Greater Houston Restaurant Association and discuss the state of area restaurants.

Also this hour: We learn more about the wrongful death lawsuit filed in Galveston County against three Texas women over allegedly helping a friend obtain an abortion. The friend’s ex-husband is the plaintiff.

Then, reacclimating to society after time spent in prison is challenging, to say the least. It’s also one of the subplots depicted in the new film Creed III. That film and that challenge are the subject of this month’s The Bigger Picture.

And we visit Fly Girls of WWII, an exhibit at the 1940 Air Terminal Museum on the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of the 1940s and learn about some who worked through Houston Municipal Airport in the 40s and 50s.

On Wednesday's show: Informational meetings are being held the rest of this month about the state’s takeover of HISD. The first was Tuesday night at Westbury High School. We learn what information was shared at the meeting and what attendees took away from it.

Also this hour: From presidential politics, to the state legislature and beyond, there is plenty to discuss in our weekly political roundup.

And we visit a new permanent exhibit space at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston featuring Art of the Islamic Worlds.

On Tuesday's show: How are state lawmakers addressing affordable housing this legislative session? We discuss with Joshua Fechter of the Texas Tribune.

Also this hour: A proposed bill in the legislature would give the state control of the Harris County Flood Control District. That, if it passes, along with the TEA takeover of HISD would be just two recent examples of growing state influence on local municipalities. We talk through it with Texas Monthly senior editor Michael Hardy and Rice University political fellow Mark Jones.

Then, local storm chaser and photographer Adam Kyle Jackson talks about the challenges of his job.

And Republican state lawmakers have filed a raft of bills aimed at combating alleged election fraud and making the officials who conduct elections more accountable to the voters. News 88.7 politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider takes a closer look at some of the major proposals, which could make it even tougher to vote in Texas than it already is.

On Monday's show: With recent news of regional bank failures, we discuss what the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is and does -- and what else you should know about any financial institution in which you deposit money.

Also this hour: Veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller and answers your questions.

And, as the UH Cougars move on to the Sweet 16, we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke and discuss why March is one of the best months of the year for sports.

On Friday's show: We’ve shared the perspectives of local, state, and federal officials to the state’s takeover of Houston’s public schools. We’ve heard teachers’ perspectives, and from the HISD Board that’s about to be replaced. This morning, we seek insight from district parents on the situation.

Also this hour: With recent news of Barnes & Noble making a comeback, we talk with two Houston independent bookstores, Blue Willow Bookshop and Kindred Stories, about the state of their industry and the role they play in the community.

Then: More reaction to the state takeover of Houston public schools, and a growing St. Patrick’s Day trend -- bars promoting non-alcoholic drinks during the holiday festivities. Our panel weighs in on both stories on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

And Joshua Zinn visits a local park that’s getting some upgrades, including interactive musical instruments for kids to play on. It's the first of many planned improvements to certain Harris County neighborhoods.

On Thursday's show: For the HISD Board of Trustees, the next few months could be awkward. The state will take control of Houston’s public schools in June and will replace the board. What should they do until then? We ask the board's president, Dani Hernandez.

Also this hour: We discuss a wide range of education-related topics and welcome listener questions for Rice University President Reginald DesRoches.

And we hear from ‘80s rock ‘n roller Rick Springfield, the man behind hit songs like Jessie’s Girl, Don’t Talk to Strangers, and Human Touch. He performs on Saturday at Space Center Houston’s Moon 2 Mars Festival.

The Texas Education Agency informed the Houston Independent School District on Wednesday of its plans to install state-appointed managers in place of HISD’s elected school board.

In effect, the state of Texas will take control of Houston schools.

This move has been nearly four years in the making. The TEA first sought to take control of the district in 2019 under authority established by state law, which says if any one school in a district fails to meet accountability standards for five consecutive years, the state has the authority -- and the mandate -- to take control of the entire district.

This was something HISD had been challenging in court. But the district announced last week it was ending that court challenge when it became clear TEA Commissioner Mike Morath was preparing to make this move.

In this bonus material from Houston Matters, host Craig Cohen discusses how the takeover will happen, when it will occur, and what other steps TEA is prepared to make with News 88.7 education and families reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.

We also hear portions of Dominic's interview with Commissioner Morath and Craig talks with Houston Federation of Teachers President Jackie Anderson.

MORE: Considering race, class and power in TEA takeover of HISD

On Wednesday's show: U.S. tourists in Mexico are getting some prescriptions that are laced with fentanyl and methamphetamines. We discuss with healthcare expert Ken Janda.

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

Then, we consider how Houstonians use social media amid new developments for some of the major platforms.

And we visit a school where students are preparing early for their careers: the Dr. Kirk Lewis Career and Technical High School in Pasadena. 

On Tuesday's show: Texas is reopening the application portal for its rent relief program, which the state says has prevented around 21,000 evictions and has paid out more than $2 billion since its inception in 2021. The portal opens today at 8 a.m. and continues until March 28 at 11:59 p.m. CT, to help eligible households with rent and utility payments.

Also this hour: As we head into warmer months, we talk about preparing for severe weather in the Houston area.

Then, Dr. Ricardo Nuila, a Houston native an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine, talks about his new book telling the deeply personal stories of five families struggling to access the most basic healthcare. In The People’s Hospital: Hope and Peril in American Medicine, Dr. Nuila presents Ben Taub (and Houston’s health care overall) as a model for the nation. We learn why.

And former NFL receiver Earl Bennett talks about getting his Ph.D. at the University of Houston and how he plans to use what he learned to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in college athletic departments.