The Atlantic Hurricane season starts on Thursday (June 1, 2017). On this edition of Houston Matters, we ask Greater Houston to collectively share its memories of major storms that have affected the area, from Hurricane Ike in 2008 to Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 to storms much further back in our memories.

Joining us for this conversation are Frank Billingsey, chief meteorologist for KPRC-TV, and longtime Houstonians Jeff Balke and Amber Ambrose. And we welcome you to share your stories.

Also this hour…

Furr Student Diaries

This year, News 88.7’s education reporter Laura Isensee has been following developments at Houston’s Furr High School as it tries to shake up the “traditional” high school model. It’s doing that with a major grant from the XQ Institute. Today, we hear from some of Furr’s students, who’ve been working with Laura to create radio diaries about their experiences there.

We hear from Victoria Martinez, a senior who tells about her experience at Furr and what’s next on campus for someone close to her. Then, we hear from a junior who just finished her first year at Furr High School. She shares a very personal story about struggles with school and her mental health (we are not using her name to protect her privacy). And, finally, senior Milburgo Mora tells us why it’s hard to say goodbye to the school.

Houston Matters Spelling Bee

On Wednesday (May 31, 2017), the best 12- to 14-year-old spellers from across the country will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Among them are two competitors from the Greater Houston area: Shourav Dasari, the 2017 Houston Public Media Spelling Bee champion, and Raksheet Kota, the runner up. We wish them well, of course, and to whet your appetite for their genuine and legitimate competition, we present the 2nd annual less-genuine and less-legitimate Houston Matters Spelling Bee! Host Craig Cohen goes head to head with producer Joshua Zinn to see who’s best at spelling a handful of words. Houston Public Media’s Ernie Manouse hosts, and our official pronouncer is Dr. Richard Armstrong, associate professor of classical studies the University of Houston.

Houston’s First Cat Café

Houston’s first-ever cat café just opened near the Heights. Such themed coffee houses, where patrons can sip on coffee in the company of four-legged felines, can also be found in Austin and across the world in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. Houston Matters visits El Gato Coffeehouse to meet the owner, and its feline occupants.

Houston Matters offers a free daily, downloadable podcast here, on iTunes, Stitcher and various other podcasting apps.