Houston Matters

Lessons from the derecho (May 16, 2025)


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On Friday's show: A year ago today, the Houston derecho moved through southeast Texas, spawning four tornadoes and creating intense winds that caused widespread damage in Houston, especially downtown where windows were blown out of many high-rise buildings. Ultimately, seven people in Greater Houston lost their lives. We reflect on what happened, why it affected downtown so greatly, and what scientists have learned from studying the event.

Also this hour: The nonprofit news organization Houston Landing has shut down. One of its journalists, Maggie Gordon, joins us to reflect on what the site achieved in its short run and to discuss the lessons learned from its demise.

Then, from record-breaking temperatures this week, to letting moms and soon-to-be-moms have unlimited access to HOV lanes in Texas, to a streaming service that just can’t stopping changing its name, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And The Ensemble Theatre serves up a slice of life after retirement in the regional premiere of the play, Coconut Cake.

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