Houston Matters

On Wednesday's show: We discuss a debate over an improvement plan in Montrose between residents and a local TIRZ over a project residents fear will impact trees in the neighborhood.

Also this hour: The ousting of Kevin McCarthy, the averted shutdown, local elections, and another special session – we discuss the latest developments in our weekly political roundup.

Then, food writers share their recommendations for quick but good lunch options on this month’s edition of The Full Menu.

And actor and film director Rob Reiner talks about his activism related to the criminal justice system, about how the movie landscape has changed, and about a particular connection he has to Houston.

On Tuesday's show: A study finds that Houstonians are willing to spend more to develop more Houston-area parks.

Also this hour: The PBS series Frontline is airing an episode entitled The Astros Edge: Triumph and Scandal in Major League Baseball. It airs tonight at 9 on Houston Public Media, TV 8. With that in mind, we revisit our recent conversation with Evan Drellich, one of the reporters who broke the story of the cheating scandal, about whether it's fair label Jose Altuve a cheater.

And, amid last week's passing of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Mitch McConnell’s recent freezes in front of the press, and the fact that at the moment the front-runners for President in 2024 are both of advancing age, we talk about past examples from history when age was raised as a concern about political candidates and elected officials.

On Monday's show: A partial government shutdown was avoided at the last minute — for now. We learn about the deal that made it happen and discuss how it might affect Houston.

Also this hour: On the first Monday of every month, we seek out your Houstonian pet peeves. Send yours to [email protected].

And we get an update on Houston sports from Jesus Ortiz of Our Esquina.

On Friday's show: As those with federal student loans prepare to start paying them again after a three-year hiatus, we discuss a new initiative that seeks to increase transparency in borrowing money for college.

Also this hour: We talk with Jeremy Hobson, host of The Middle, a program focusing on the voices of those in the geographical and political center. It's now airing Thursday nights at 8 on News 88.7.

And we remember longtime Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips, who was born 100 years ago today.

Then, another week, another Katy ISD book policy revision. And some foodies in New York fall for a fake restaurant. We talk about those stories and more as we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week

And Troy Schulze tells us about the fascinating life journey of NASA astronaut José Hernández, the subject of the new Amazon movie, A Million Miles Away.

On Thursday's show: News 88.7 reporter Ashley Brown recaps Mayor Sylvester Turner's final State of the City address and briefs us on some recent developments at Houston City Council.

Also this hour: A conversation with lawyer, educator, and author Anita Hill ahead of her visit to the University of Houston where she will deliver a lecture Oct. 5.

Then, we learn more about a planned development in Montgomery County called Two Step Farm, which its developer believes will attract people seeking a small town feel mixed with the natural world – and music.

And we listen to the final installment of Hot Stops, a series from News 88.7 examining heat at Houston-area bus stops

On Wednesday's show: From the potential government shutdown to what’s next in the still-not-over Paxton saga, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: How social work students at the University of Houston-Downtown are learning to help Hispanic youth who lost parents or caregivers to COVID-19.

And Houstonian Ray Blanchette, who recently stepped down as the CEO of TGI Fridays, shares the lessons he's learned from a career running chain restaurants.

On Tuesday's show: We talk about the slightly lower temperatures this week -- what qualifies as crisp fall weather here.

Also this hour: Leading up to the November election, we’re interviewing candidates in some of the key races, beginning with Chris Hollins, who’s running for Houston City Controller. We welcome your questions for him about running the city budget now at [email protected].

Then, how learning the art of filmmaking is helping some teenagers on probation in Harris County get their lives on track.

And we meet some of the people reviving the Q Patrol to protect LGBTQ+ people.

On Monday's show: Late last week, Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the former Republican opponent of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, dropped her lawsuit challenging the results of last November’s election. We learn why and discuss whether we should just expect more challenges like this in the future in our current political climate.

Also this hour: We remember the time Boris Yeltsin visited a grocery store in Clear Lake and how it influenced the eventual fall of communism in Russia.

Then we discuss developments in consumer technology with columnist Dwight Silverman.

And we get the latest on the Astros' push for the postseason from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: Houston Public Media reporters Dominic Anthony Walsh and Rebecca Noel bring us the latest developments from HISD.

Also this hour: We discuss why some former Californians moved to Texas and then moved away again.

Then, from Drake buying a home in Houston to Rice University’s marching band sending up HISD’s Superintendent Mike Miles, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And have outsiders' views of Texas and Texans changed since the animated series King of the Hill left an impression?

On Thursday's show: The nonprofit that runs Houston BCycle, the city’s only bike share system, announced last week the program would be shutting down due to multiple issues. But that might not be the case now after Mayor Sylvester Turner said he will ask City Council to approve funding to save it.

Also this hour: We discuss the potential end of BCycle and other issues facing cyclists in the city with Joe Cutrufo of BikeHouston.

Then, this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture delves into sexual identity and race, which are issues raised in the new film Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

And we hear the latest installment of News 88.7’s series Hot Stops, about extreme heat at Houston-area bus stops.