Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

It's very heartbreaking to learn that the recent shooting in Uvalde is among the deadliest K–12 shootings in the U.S. Also, 27 school shootings have taken place so far this year, and according to NPR's "Education Week's" database, 119 such incidents have taken place since 2018.

Today, we open our show with a live update from the Texas Public Radio newsroom onsite at a news conference in Uvalde, Texas.

As we dive deeper into this conversation, a Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law professor discusses the need for legislative proposals to be tailored to disarm the mentally ill.

Also, a psychologist and director from the Center for Violence Prevention at UTMB talks about the expected response from the community — how we feel and how to talk to our kids — how to channel the feelings of desperation.

Additionally, one of the nation’s leading school safety experts with more than 30 years of front-line public and private urban, suburban, and rural school security experience weighs in on human threat being a common factor.

Will we see a change in gun legislation in Congress soon? Our callers share their thoughts and questions.

Guests:

Bri Kirkham

Dr. Jeff Temple

Kenneth S. Trump

Professor Shaundra Kellam Lewis

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

At the top of today's show, we talk with the Harris County elections administration, who says what the county faced a couple of months back, where two-page ballots tripped up some voters, is less likely to happen in this time around.

In discussing one of the hottest races on the Republican ticket for Attorney General, many wonder if  voters will overlook  legal troubles concerning Ken Paxton .

To get more insight on the primary election race and updates, political consultants and hosts of Houston Public Media's  “Red, White, and Blue" join our government and politics reporter from the News 88.7 newsroom to  break down how the Democratic party is still clearing its candidates for four other statewide offices.

In addition, we open the call lines for listener comments and questions.

Guests:

Nadia Hakim

Andrew Schneider

Gary Polland and  Dallas Jones

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Today, we salute all brave service members and their families who support them in answering the call to serve our country.

First, we open the discussion with a Russia-Ukraine and US military update, where a Rice University political science professor gives a world view of the situation and explains why the Biden administration is considering sending US special operations forces to protect US embassy in Kyiv.

Locally, Houston Marines share how recruiting during the pandemic sparked more human interaction, which helped build great community relationships. A critical component of their mission’s success was to involve local military or Marine veterans to identify future Marines.

We also learn that local active-duty personnel need more support, and Mayor Sylvester Turner's Office of Veterans and Military Affairs is committed to be more involved by playing a more active role.

Guests:

Dr. Richard Stoll

Major Courtney J. Boston

Major Jordan Eddington

Lashondra Jones, PhD

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

While everyone is taking about abortion laws, it's important to start a conversation to better understand the history of Roe v. Wade. 

In the beginning of the show, we hear from a journalist and author of the book, The Family Roe: An American Story, which tells illuminating unknown stories and about the people behind Roe v. Wade, and enables the public, for the first time, to see the abortion debate in America in its full social and personal context.

Regarding the legal and medical implications of possibly overturning Roe V. Wade, we move the conversation to talk with legal and medical experts about what this means for women’s health, and how this would impact Texas’ current and future health care and abortion laws. 

Guests:

Joshua Prager

Hon. Vanessa D. Gilmore

Dr. Rebecca Cohen

Genevieve Marnon

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while many of us probably agree that a healthy mental status and a healthy brain are the foundations of overall good health, why are we so afraid to talk about mental illness?

Experts say that when we use language around mental health in kind of a flippant way, it's dangerous because it gives people who are struggling the impression that their struggle isn't valid or that it isn't a part of the everyday human experience.

Locally, there's the National Alliance of Mental Health Illness of Greater Houston, who's working to establish or expand the organization’s reach and partnerships. Their collaborations provide support, education, and advocacy to those impacted by mental health and mental illness concerns.

Today, we talk with a Houston-licensed psychologist and author of the book Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans. 

We also hear from one Houston Public Media reporter who, despite battling depression, he managed to build a career that a lot of people would envy.

If you are struggling with mental health issues, help is available at mentalhealth.gov.

Should you or anyone you know have thoughts of suicide, help is always available at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Guests:

Angelina Brown-Hudson

Dr. Jenny Wang

Andrew Schneider

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

May is “National Barbecue Month” and our experts start us off with a complete guide on how to barbecue — the differences between a professional barbeque and a backyard barbecue. 

Next, we move into the proper way to set up your barbeque pit, to the seasonings, to the chef's particular expertise.

But who does barbeque best? Texas, Kansas City, or the Carolinas? 

A local food writer and several local pit masters will take us through this debate, while two Houston contestants from the new Food Network show BBQ Brawl share their experience as barbecue pit masters facing off to win the title of Master of 'Cue.

Each barbeque expert will also share their personal journey through the food industry and their best barbecuing secrets pertaining to tasty, savory recipes and cookout tips.

Plus, we invite listeners to call in and share their favorite local barbeque spots.

Guests:

J.C. Reid

Randy Pauly

Michelle Wallace 

 Don Nguyen

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

When you think of Houston’s AAPI community, you might think fondly of the vibrant businesses, restaurants and community centers in the city’s Asia Town.

But Asia Americans have been making a mark all over Greater Houston since the late 19th century.

Today, in honor of Asia American and Pacific Islander – or AAPI – Heritage Month, we celebrate the history of Asians and Asian Americans right here in Houston. 

Experts discuss the diversity, contributions, and challenges of the AAPI community, as well as the hopes and dreams of the next generation.

In addition, we talk about Asia Society Texas' 31 Ways to Celebrate AAPI Month in May and beyond.

Guests:

Dr. Anne Chao

 Stephanie Todd-Wong

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

The country is in mourning again.

Ten people are dead and three injured in a mass shooting at a supermarket Saturday, in Buffalo, New York.

Almost all of the victims were Black.

The gunman – a white, 18 year old male – is believed to be the author of online writings that describe his white supremacist ideologies and his plan to target the Black community.

Officials are investigating this as a racially motivated hate crime and are also considering terrorism charges.

Why does this keep happening? How do we stop not only gun violence but hate crimes? And what is the role of social media and misinformation?

Today, we are here to discuss and hear from you.

How do you process what happened in Buffalo? How do you react to this news yet again?

Guests:

Reverend Dr. Angela Ravin-Anderson

Dr. Jeff Temple

Kurt Braddock

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day's most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today’s show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Have you been itching to get out of the house and just go ... somewhere?

COVID forced us to spend over two years in various states of lockdown and limited travel – but now we can finally “move about the cabin” as they say.

According to Dr. Anthony Fauci this week, the US is “out of the pandemic phase.”

And if you’re ready to explore and travel, why not start in your own “backyard” – with Houston!

Today, a local cultural ambassador talks about must-see locations, quirky landmarks, and other fun ways to be a hometown tourist!

What are some of your favorite places to visit in Houston?

What would you recommend others to do for a staycation?

Plus, we have a COVID update from a medical expert to keep you safe and informed.

Guests:

Dr. Thomas Giordano

Sarah Gish

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Elon Musk’s recent purchase of Twitter has made headlines this week, with many speculating on what changes might be coming and their impact on social media and free speech.

Concerns that come to the forefront center around what happens when the ability of a single individual influences public discourse and how tech companies negotiate monitoring speech vs. free speech. Some even wonder if this means Donald Trump will be allowed back on Twitter.

We hear from experts who talks about the power and influence of social media, which one cybersecurity expert who says freedom of speech is important, but so is telling the truth. 

Also, the cornerstone of Houston’s theater scene, Main Street Theater, just announced its 47th season! They share what's in store for the holidays, which shows will spark conversation, and talk about one show that's very different from anything they've ever done before.

Guests:

Rebecca Greene Udden

Dr. Chris Bronk

 Chris Labash

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.