On Thursday's show: Prices for consumer goods have risen 9 percent over the last year -- the highest jump in 40 years. Is a recession on the horizon? And will prices continue to rise?

Also this hour: What a chemical leak last year can teach us about what some Houston communities are up against in protecting their health and safety in the shadows of our city’s enormous petrochemical industry as revealed in a recent investigation from Public Health Watch.

Then, last month, the Texas GOP Convention maintained a strict stance on homosexuality as part of its official platform. What does that mean for gay conservatives in the state?

And we preview Comicpalooza this weekend.

On Wednesday's show: The recent intense heat has put the spotlight back on the Texas energy grid, with the state's power grid operator asking residents to conserve energy. We discuss whether the power grid can handle the load and whether we should be concerned about another massive power failure.

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

Then, it’s the dual-edged sword of community improvement projects – how do you revitalize a neighborhood without pricing longtime residents out of it? A years-long effort in southwest Houston is intended to strike that balance.

And we remember The Laff Stop, the longtime comedy club that closed in 2009. Quite a few notable comedians performed and recorded albums there over the years. And a reunion of comedians and old friends of the venue takes place this week (July 14-16).

On Monday's show: The COVID positivity rate in Harris County is close to 30 percent. Should we be concerned about this sharp rise in cases?

Also this hour: As NASA is releasing the first images from its new James Webb Space Telescope, we discuss what they show us and learn how the telescope works.

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

And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.

On Friday's show: Houston native Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges as her trial continued in a Russian court on Thursday. The WNBA star admitted to bringing cannabis into the country but said she had packed in a hurry and did not intend to break the law. We get the latest on her case.

Also this hour: For centuries, the Karankawa people dominated what is now Houston and much of the Texas coast. A common misconception has been that they’re now extinct. But that's not exactly the case. We learn what really happened to the Karankawas, about their culture, and about efforts to preserve their language.

Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including a difference between what many Texans think about gun control measures and what others think that Texans think about that issue. And we mull over an incident at a San Antonio Taco Cabana that some are comparing to the Disney movie Ratatouille.

And we take a tour of the Alief Art House and learn how artist Matt Manalo is making art more accessible to the Alief community.

On Thursday's show: Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner are planning to sue Union Pacific over alleged toxic pollution from the railroad's Fifth Ward site. Menefee joins us to discuss how the pollution is affecting the health of residents nearby.

And we learn why the Justice Department is investigating Texas over its Operation Lone Star border initiative.

Also this hour: We explore how the recent Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade could lead to an erosion of privacy rights.

Then, we discuss why many Texans are reluctant to buy electric vehicles – according to a Houston survey. And we learn how a proposed new state initiative aims to address those concerns. Public comment on the draft plan is still being accepted at [email protected]. 

And some NFL players return home to their Houston neighborhood to help aspiring football players improve their game.

On Wednesday's show: Harris County has a new elections administrator. Well, almost, anyway. We learn why Clifford Tatum, a former election commission lawyer and administrator who has worked in D.C. and Georgia, can’t officially start his new job just yet. We discuss that story and all the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Then, in this month's installment of The Full Menu, local food writers talk about their favorite places around the city for refreshing beverages of all sorts -- whether it be juice bars, coffee, or even cocktails.

And we go inside the world of competitive Scrabble playing in Houston.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the Biden administration can end the so-called "Remain in Mexico" immigration policy. The decision is a setback for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who sued the Biden administration when the White House tried to rescind the policy. A local immigration activist responds to the news.

Also this hour: The high court's opinion in that immigration case came on the final day of the Supreme Court's term, one that included controversial rulings on abortion, guns, and the environment -- all of which demonstrates the impact of a more conservative court on the nation. We reflect on the recently concluded Supreme Court term with local experts. 

Then, from homeownership growing ever more out of reach for renters to a new explanation for why fish rained from the sky over Texarkana last December, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of week.

And Houston writer Chris Cander talks about her latest novel, A Gracious Neighbor. She has a book launch event with Brazos Bookstore at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church July 6 at 7 p.m.

On Thursday's show: Increased flooding across the country is exposing more people to industrial waste, especially those in minority communities, according to new research from Rice University. And the problem is expected to get worse.

Also this hour: How big an impact do minority-owned businesses have on the Greater Houston economy? A recent report from the Greater Houston Partnership takes a closer look.

Then, former prisoner Brandon Warren of Lee College explains why it's important to educate the incarcerated -- even if they're never going to get out. And he tells how he went from incarcerated to earning a doctorate.

And we talk with teacher Roshunda Jones-Koumba, who teaches at George Washington Carver H.S. in Aldine ISD. She was recently honored at the Tony Awards for her work supporting students pursuing careers in the arts and other fields.

On Wednesday's show: Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez explains why he is withdrawing his nomination to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gonzalez made the announcement Monday via Twitter after his confirmation vote has stalled for months in Congress.

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

Then, we examine a new initiative at the University of Houston to increase the number of Hispanic professors.

And we learn about the Houston Hurricanes Minor League Cricket team.

On Tuesday's show: It’s not just unwanted pregnancies. Stricter abortion laws following the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade could affect parents who want a child but face medical challenges.

Also this hour: Lori Garver, former NASA Deputy Administrator, talks about her time in the space industry, working to expand NASA's partnership with commerical space companies, and the experience of women in leadership in the field of space exploration. She has a new book called Escaping Gravity.

Then we revisit our 2016 conversation with Houston writer Leah Lax about her memoir, Uncovered: How I Left Hasidic Life and Finally Came Home.

And we chat with sculptor Joseph Havel, who’s retiring as director of the Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, after 30 years.