The 713: Commute Mode

By Houston Chronicle

The Houston Chronicle's biggest stories in audio form every weekday morning. Stay connected to the city in 10 minutes or less.

Every episode includes a brief forecast by meteorologist Justin Balla... more

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FAQs about The 713: Commute Mode:

How many episodes does The 713: Commute Mode have?

The podcast currently has 17 episodes available.

The 713: Commute Mode episodes:

August 21, 2026The 713: Commute Mode — August 21, 2026
the University of Houston cuts about 40 percent of its core curriculum, children’s hospitals warn that proposed Medicaid restrictions could deepen funding losses, and Galveston’s Margaritaville resort raises wildlife concerns.
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Stories
University of Houston cuts over 40% of core curriculum, including climate change and LGBT studies courses

Texas children’s hospitals warn proposed changes to Medicaid payments could cost them billions

Houston federal judge questions viability of case against former Memorial Hermann transplant surgeon

Brandon Herrera says he's a millionaire. His filings still don't back that up.

Greg Abbott’s data center audit won’t be done before the election

Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee sues CenterPoint after lineman is fatally shocked on power lines

$700M Margaritaville resort in Galveston begins vertical construction despite pushback
Credits:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Brian Rausch, Weekend Editor

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8min
August 20, 2026The 713 Commute Mode — August 20, 2026
In today’s briefing, a watchdog raises concerns about thousands of plugged oil and gas wells across Texas, college-prep courses factor into Houston ISD’s state ratings, and Houston is changing the rules around air conditioning in rentals.
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Stories:
25,000 Texas oil and gas wells could soon fail and become ‘zombie wells,' watchdog group warns

Exclusive: Online courses inflated HISD ratings. Without them, some schools would have Fs.

More drivers are suing Houston after police crashes. The city’s legal strategy is under fire.

Smuggled Texas fuel is bankrolling cartels, state officials say

Harris County Treasurer Carla Wyatt requests six-figure raise months after DWI charge

Dan Patrick threatens to lower A-F ratings for school districts that still have flagged books

Houston landlords have until December to provide air conditioning to tenants
Credits:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Alan Fossler, Assistant Breaking News Editor
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10min
August 19, 2026The 713 Commute Mode — August 19, 2026
In today’s briefing, a new study points to wider flood risk across Harris County, a former Brazoria County deputy heads toward trial in a fatal shooting, and Governor Greg Abbott takes aim at how Texas schools hire foreign workers.
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Stories:
Where is Houston flood risk most underestimated? Texas A&M researchers point to these hot spots

Trial set for former Brazoria County deputy charged in fatal shooting of Texas State student)

Greg Abbott pushes to ban public schools from using H-1B visas

Houston violent crime falls below pre-pandemic levels, survey finds

Houston TV anchor Charly Edsitty to leave ABC13 after eight years, station confirms

Port Arthur ISD looks into reported corporal punishment used on Memorial student

Texas constable tells Flock to 'come get your garbage' after Hood County ends contract
Credits:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Alan Fossler, Assistant Breaking News Editor

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9min
August 18, 2026The 713 Commute Mode — August 18, 2026
In today's briefing, Texas colleges rethink core courses, Harris County could raise property taxes, and officials pause border construction in Big Bend National Park.
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Stories:
Political pressures are causing curriculum changes across Texas. See the changes by university.

Harris County officials propose a $3.1B budget as costs for law enforcement and healthcare rise

Ken Paxton says dozens of Texas cities can't raise property taxes

Explore the Houston area's top 50 high schools per U.S. News, from Sugar Land to The Woodlands

Trump administration pauses Big Bend border construction ahead of fact-finding visit

These 5 Houston-area businesses rank among the 100 fastest-growing private companies in the US

Houston groups hold week of events opposing Flock license plate cameras
Credits:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Alan Fossler, Assistant Breaking News Editor

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17min
August 17, 2026The 713: Commute Mode — August 17, 2026
Big money is flowing into the U.S. Senate race in Texas, Amazon’s proposed Wharton County data center raises questions about water and power supplies, and Houston ISD could soon return to local control.
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Stories
These are the top donors to Senate candidates James Talarico and Ken Paxton

A massive $10B Amazon data center project is quietly taking shape near Houston. Here's a look inside.

HISD's state takeover could end 'relatively soon,' Mike Morath says

Is a 'super El Niño' forming in 2026? What NOAA says

A year after redistricting, are Texas Republicans still set to flip 5 seats?

How a $6.2 billion merger could remake Houston's television news landscape

Spring ISD avoids state takeover, as Dekaney High School rating improves to 'C'
Credits
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Brian Rausch, Weekend Editor

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16min
August 14, 2026The 713: Commute Mode - August 14, 2026
In today’s briefing, Houston’s top elected officials have new salary limits, ICE detained a Houston pastor at Bush Intercontinental Airport, and border security construction has begun at Big Bend National Park.
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Houston elected officials get first raises in 13 years, with council member pay hitting $80K

Houston pastor who led Seventh-day Adventist churches detained by ICE at George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Border construction is underway at Big Bend National Park. Here's what we know

Ex-deputy didn't know gun fired in killing of Texas State student, attorney says

Would you share your contacts with Greg Abbott? His campaign wants you to.

Pasadena officer won't face prosecution after allegedly misusing Flock cameras

Hugo's lands on New York Times list of best Mexican restaurants in America
Credits:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Brian Rausch, Weekend Editor

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10min
August 13, 2026The 713: Commute Mode - August 13, 2026
In today’s briefing, big companies are changing their headquarters to Texas, Harris County faces another state elections audit and a rescued sea turtle completes a five thousand mile flight to the Houston Zoo.

Sign up for the Tomlinson's Take newsletter: www.houstonchronicle.com/newsletters/tomlinsons-take/

Stories:
Big companies are leaving states like New York and Delaware for Texas. Here’s why that matters.

Houston law firm with Trump ties backs out of federal immigration deal

Harris County to undergo second state-mandated elections audit in four years following random draw

Ken Paxton snubs debate invite from Hearst and NBC/Telemundo

Houston voters will decide whether to change marijuana enforcement, ban no-knock warrants this fall

At least 54 Houston ISD schools changed principals for the 2026-27 school year

Rescued sea turtle stops at Houston Zoo on 5,000-mile trip back to the Gulf

Credit:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Cat DeLaura, Senior Audience Strategy Editor for Newsletters

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11min
August 12, 2026The 713 Commute Mode — August 12, 2026
In today’s briefing, a Houston law firm faces questions over a $150 million contract for migrant children, Houston ISD moves closer to reassigning special education students and a witness is arrested by federal immigration agents.
Sign up for the Houston Chronicle's "SaysHou" Opinion newsletter: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/newsletters/opinion/

Stories
Houston firm tapped for $150M migrant contract has deep Trump ties, little immigration experience

Mike Miles says Houston ISD called around 1,600 parents to comply with state order

Exclusive: ICE arrests witness in active HPD shooting investigation

Lina Hidalgo blasts Democratic commissioners in scathing Substack post

Houston explosion victims awarded $61 million after lengthy court battle with 3M. Will it stand?

Beef recalled in Texas and Florida over inspection concerns

House of Pies will bring 45 pie varieties and classic Houston diner fare to Webster

Credits:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Jennifer Chang, Senior Director

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12min
August 11, 2026The 713: Commute Mode — August 11, 2026
A rural Republican backlash over data centers tests Governor Abbott, a pharmaceutical giant plans a major Houston manufacturing facility and a congressional candidate pushes nationwide permitless carry.
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Stories:
Greg Abbott is cracking down on data centers. Some rural Republicans say they still don't trust him.

Bristol Myers Squibb plans $2.3B manufacturing plant in Houston

Only one thing can stop Texas GOP dominance in Congress: Gina Hinojosa

This Texas frontrunner for a seat in Congress wants to take permitless carry national

Police respond to report of body floating in Brays Bayou in southeast Houston

Kamp Houston closes after six years in business

The Perseid meteor shower peaks this week. Here’s how to watch

Credits:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Jennifer Chang, Senior Director

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10min
August 10, 2026The 713: Commute Mode — August 10, 2026
In today’s briefing, Texas students will see more religion in classrooms, license-plate camera networks face privacy backlash around Houston, and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD may ask voters for a one point six billion-dollar bond.

Sign up for the Houston Explained newsletter: www.houstonchronicle.com/newsletters/houston-explained

Stories:
How politics could show up in Texas classrooms this year and beyond, from Bible lessons to vouchers

Flock camera surveillance is spreading across the Houston region. So is the backlash.

‘Your body belongs to me’: Feds release new explicit texts from pastor who ran Houston call center

Is Ken Paxton really working hard enough to win?

Cy-Fair ISD board eyes $1.6B bond, tax rate increase for November ballot

Axiom Space CEO Jonathan Cirtain on NASA’s moon race and the fight to build the next space station

Lake Corpus Christi surges to more than 85% full after South Texas floods last month

Credits:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Brian Rausch, Weekend Editor

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...more
11min

FAQs about The 713: Commute Mode:

How many episodes does The 713: Commute Mode have?

The podcast currently has 17 episodes available.