Houston Matters

On Thursday's show: We learn about plans to send 360 inmates from the Harris County Jail to facilities in Mississippi in order to address issues of overcrowding.

Also this hour: As Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner completes his time in office, we listen to an excerpt from an hour-long interview with him reflecting on his life and his time as mayor that will air on this week's edition of I See U with Eddie Robinson.

Then, the holiday season brings family and friends together, but that can also create the potential for emergencies. We discuss some examples and learn how to be prepared for and prevent them.

And, ahead of a sold out event on Friday celebrating the 25th anniversary of the film Rushmore, which was shot here in Houston, we hear from its director, native Houstonian Wes Anderson and hear some of the untold stories from the making of the film, as outlined in a recent article from the Houston Chronicle's Andrew Dansby.

On Wednesday's show: In our weekly political roundup, we talk about the latest special session and vouchers bill, the impending Congressional budget deadline, Hildago v. Ogg, the latest candidate to leave the presidential race, and more.

Also this hour: Texas Parks & Wildlife has released an album to raise awareness of state parks. It features Texas musicians covering classic songs by Texas writers. Among the participating groups: Houston’s own The Suffers. Lead singer Kam Franklin tells us about the project and shares some music.

And you expect to see tailgating at NRG Stadium before a Texans game. But how about at the Nutcracker Market? The two events might have different crowds and there are different conversations taking place at them, but they have more in common than you'd think.

On Tuesday's show: We discuss how districts identify where to place new schools in light of controversy over one such decision in Tomball ISD.

Also this hour: We get an update on plans to renovate and eventually reopen the River Oaks Theatre.

Then, we listen back to our 2022 conversation with Rice University history professor Douglas Brinkley, author of Silent Spring Revolution, which recounts how one book sparked the great environmental awakening of the 1960s and 70s.

And a study published this summer finds just 13 percent of the video games ever released in the United States are still available for sale. We talk with a gaming enthusiast about retro gaming in the Bayou City and about the need to preserve old video games.

On Monday's show: We learn the latest about new search warrants being issued in a case involving former aides of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo related to a canceled COVID-19 contract.

Also this hour: In a ceremony today at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, the U.S. Army will recognize the overturned convictions of more than a hundred Black soldiers for their part in the 1917 Houston Riots. We remember what led to those events.

Plus: We learn about a theater program for teens and young adults to express their feelings around the issue of gun violence at Mildred's Umbrella Theater Company.

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

And we get the latest on on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: With a tentative deal being reached to end a 118-day strike by actors against Hollywood studios, what does it mean for actors and performers in Greater Houston?

Also this hour: Ahead of Veterans Day, we learn about some Houston-area businesses owned by veterans.

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

And we get updates on repairs to the Battleship Texas and its search for a new permanent home.

On Thursday's show: We learn the latest about a massive fire at a petroleum processing plant northeast of Houston that broke out Wednesday after an apparent forklift accident caused an explosion at the facility in San Jacinto County. The fire has now been contained. And we discuss how events like these affect air quality for the people who live nearby and how to protect yourself. 

Also this hour: We hear highlights from a discussion Eddie Robinson of I See U recently had about the documentary series A Town Called Victoria, which explores how the Texas town reckons with its past when arson strikes a local mosque. The series airs Monday and Tuesday nights on Houston Public Media, TV 8.

Then, we revisit our 2016 conversation with Houston writer Leah Lax, who wrote a memoir about her three decades as a Hasidic Jew in an arranged marriage she entered into when she was only 19.

And we visit Bellaire’s Theatre Southwest, which has operated now for 67 seasons as a nonprofit volunteer organization. That's no small feat in a metro area loaded with professional theater.

On Wednesday's show: We bring you results and analysis from Election Day in Greater Houston and then discuss the week in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: Joshua Zinn talks with Grammy winning- and Oscar-nominated jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard, who will perform in Houston Nov. 10 with Da Camera.

And we learn about plans to expand The Orange Show and about a printmaking event there.

On Tuesday's show: While today is Election Day in Greater Houston and across the state, it's also the last day of the third special session of the Texas Legislature. We discuss what was accomplished (and mostly what wasn't) with David Goodman, the Houston bureau chief for The New York Times.

Also this hour: Former Houstonians Kelly and Zach Weinersmith talk about what stands in the way for humans to someday set up long-term colonies on the moon or Mars (turns out it's further off than it might seem). That's the subject of their new book, A City on Mars.

And we learn how a multi-discipline performance aims to capture a portrait of Houston. 

On Monday's show: Tomorrow is Election Day. For those who haven't voted, we provide a last-minute procrastinator's guide to voting.

Also this hour: Listeners share their pet peeves about life in Greater Houston as we do on the first Monday of each month.

And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: Gov. Greg Abbott traveled to Israel yesterday to show support amid the war on Hamas. The trip comes after a quick turn of events during when the governor said he believed the legislature could pass a school vouchers bill before the end of the special session. But, merely hours later, the bill had been almost completely stalled by the House. We learn why.

Also this hour: We talk with the filmmakers behind the documentary Three Chaplains, which tells the story of Muslim chaplains in the U.S. military. The film can be seen Nov. 7 at 11 p.m. on Houston Public Media, TV 8.

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

And composition students at Rice University write pieces in response to artist Laure Prouvost's solo exhibition at the Moody Center for the Arts.